By Hayley Sherwood, Columnist Dr. Hayley Sherwood I often hear parents worry about their children's screen habits. Sometimes the most important question is not only what children, especially tweens and teens, are doing online, but what they are experiencing from the adults around them when screens are on. As another school year begins, many parents are applauding the growing number of school districts limiting or eliminating student access to personal electronic devices during the school day. Fairfax County Public Schools, for example, has implemented a stricter policy on student use of personal devices beginning with the 2026-27 school year. These policies reflect increasing concern among educators, parents and mental health professionals: Children need opportunities to interact face-to-face, have conversations, make eye contact, solve problems and even be bored without immediately reaching for a screen. But there is an important question we need to ask ourselves as adults: What happens when the school day ends? Children may spend the day at school without a phone, but what are they observing during the rest of the day? Are they seeing parents who are engaged, present and available, or parents whose attention is repeatedly pulled away by notifications, emails, social media and mindless scrolling? Children learn far more from observing what we do than from hearing what we say. Parents often tell children, "Put your phone away," while simultaneously checking their own devices during dinner, responding to messages while watching a child's sporting event or looking at a screen while a child is trying to share something important. Most children will not criticize this directly, but they notice. Psychologists have a term for the way technology interrupts face-to-face interactions: "technoference." Research suggests that when devices repeatedly interfere with parent-child interactions, children may experience less parental responsiveness and are more likely to develop unhealthy relationships with technology themselves. A 2025 meta-analysis found a significant relationship between parents' device-related distractions and children's problematic media use. This does not mean parents need to eliminate technology from their lives. Smartphones are important tools. They help us work, communicate, navigate, learn and manage the many demands of daily life. The goal is not perfection. The goal is awareness. In other words, the question is not only, "How much time is my child spending on a device?" It is, "What kind of relationship with technology am I modeling for my child?" The good news is that small changes can have a meaningful impact. Start by noticing your own habits. Many adults reach for their phones automatically. Pay attention to how often you pick up your device and what prompts you to do so. You may learn something surprising. Let your children see you set boundaries. Say out loud, "I'm going to put my phone down so I can listen to you," or "I've been on my phone too long. I'm taking a break." Children learn self-regulation by watching us practice it. Create phone-free moments. Consider making meals, bedtime routines, car rides or family game nights times when everyone, including adults, puts devices away. Protect opportunities for connection. The few minutes before school, the drive to practice or the moments before bedtime may seem insignificant, but they are often when children reveal what they are thinking and feeling. The conversation about children and screens needs to be about more than rules, limits and school policies. Those are important pieces of the puzzle, but children also need examples of healthy technology use. A child who sees a parent constantly looking at a device may reasonably conclude that this is what adulthood looks like. A child who sees a parent choose connection over distraction learns something equally powerful: People matter more than screens. As the school year begins, perhaps the most important digital habit we can teach our children is not how to put their phones away. It is how to be present. Have a great start to the school year, and psych'd to see you next month! -Dr. S. Do you have a question for me? Are there topics you hope I will write about? Please submit your suggestions to info@therestonletter.com. Dr. Hayley B. Sherwood is a longtime clinical psychologist in Reston and Herndon. To learn more, visit www.oakhillpsychological.com/ Visit the "About Us" section of the website to learn more about her team of therapists.

By Ellyn Wexler, staff writer Moorings Cluster happy hour has been going since 2018-- a true testament to Reston being conducive to tight-knit community. Photo contributed by Karen Marston One of the pleasures of living in Reston is its strong sense of community, but those connections don't just happen on their own. Sometimes they begin with one neighbor willing to open a front door. For nearly eight years, Karen Marston has been doing exactly that. Soon after Karen and her husband, Rob, moved to Moorings Cluster on Lake Anne in the fall of 2017, she noticed an opportunity to help neighbors get to know one another. The waterfront townhome community, built in 1971-72, includes 48 homes, about two-thirds of them bordering the lake. A self-described "very social person" and extrovert, Marston had organized neighborhood gatherings before. While living in Springfield for 26 years, she started a monthly girls' night out after families whose children had been on the community swim team found themselves missing the friendships they'd built together. During another move to Rhode Island, she formed a Bunco group. When the Marstons settled into Moorings Cluster, Rob suggested starting a neighborhood happy hour for couples. "He was completely on board," Marston said. The first Moorings Cluster Happy Hour was held in January 2018 at the Marstons' home. Invitations went out to the entire neighborhood, and the response was enthusiastic. Before long, Karen had been named the community's social director. Originally scheduled for the last Wednesday of each month, the gatherings now take place whenever the month's hosts choose. Typically, about 15 neighbors attend, although the most recent happy hour drew 21 people, including the hosts. Each household brings an appetizer or dessert to share along with its own beverages. Hosts simply provide ice, paper plates and utensils, although some prefer to use their own dinnerware. At the end of the evening, guests take home their serving dishes and any leftover food. The format keeps hosting simple while making it easy for everyone to participate, including neighbors with vegan, gluten-free or dairy-free diets. The happy hours also satisfy neighbors' curiosity. Since nearly every townhouse has the same floor plan, guests enjoy seeing how each homeowner has customized the space. "At the beginning, everybody was curious about who we were and what we had done to make the house our own," Marston said. Today, visitors still stroll through each host's home, comparing decorating styles, renovations and creative uses of the shared layout. More importantly, Marston said, the evenings help create lasting friendships. "You learn about the things you have in common with your neighbors," she said. "It brings the community together." Even the COVID-19 pandemic couldn't stop the gatherings for long. After pausing during the height of the pandemic, neighbors resumed meeting outdoors in backyards and neighborhood tot lots, bringing their own tables and chairs, using hand sanitizer and disposable tableware, and spacing themselves appropriately. Marston maintains an email distribution list for the happy hours and always gives residents the option to be removed. No one has ever asked. Instead, neighbors frequently stop her while she's out and about to ask when the next gathering will be held or to volunteer to host one themselves. "I get many thank-yous," she said. One rule has remained in place from the beginning: no sales pitches. The happy hours are about building relationships, not promoting businesses. An exception came when one resident, a quilting artist with an exhibit at Lake Anne, invited neighbors to gather at the gallery so they could enjoy her work together. As the neighborhood has evolved, so have the conversations. Only two families in the cluster now have young children. Most residents are empty nesters whose children are in college, getting married or raising families of their own. "It's a way for people to meet each other that's not a board meeting," Marston said. "You sit and chat and get to know each other." The monthly happy hours are just one of the social traditions she organizes. Each fall, Moorings Cluster also holds a neighborhood barbecue that is consistently well attended. For Marston, the recipe for building community doesn't require elaborate planning or expensive events. It simply takes neighbors willing to spend an evening together. "You don't have to look for community," she said. "You create it."

Submitted by Reston Art Gallery "Poetic Frenzy" "The Poetry of Everyday Things" opens August 1 at Reston Art Gallery and Studios, featuring layered collages inspired by the overlooked beauty of everyday life. Mixed-media artist Julia Tova Malakoff invites viewers to see the familiar through fresh eyes in The Poetry of Everyday Things, a solo exhibition on view at Reston Art Gallery and Studios from August 1 through August 29, 2026. The exhibition features vibrant mixed-media collages inspired by the familiar objects that shape everyday life. Working with hand-painted and upcycled papers, cardboard, ink, pastel, and expressive mark-making techniques, Malakoff builds each composition through a process of cutting, arranging, and layering. The resulting works balance abstraction with recognizable forms, encouraging viewers to slow down and discover new meaning in objects they might otherwise overlook. "You don't have to travel far to find little pockets of joy,” said Malakoff. “Spaces of domesticity aren't merely spaces of reserve and confinement. They are instead opportunities for capturing candid moments, for putting the life back in still life." The Poetry of Everyday Things marks Malakoff’s sixth solo exhibition at Reston Art Gallery and Studios, reflecting her longstanding relationship with the gallery and its patrons. A public reception with the artist will be held on Sunday, August 9, 2026, from 2 to 4 p.m. The exhibition and reception are free and open to the public. About the artist Julia Tova Malakoff is a mixed-media artist based in Reston, Virginia, whose signature style blends bold acrylics with organic, hand-painted papers and colored tissue, a technique inspired in part by Henri Matisse. Balancing neutral tones with richly saturated color, her work elevates ordinary, fleeting moments into elegant visual vignettes. Her work has been featured in regional exhibitions, including the Jo Ann Rose Gallery and the Reston Art Gallery, establishing her as a distinctive voice in Northern Virginia’s arts community. Learn more at JuliaMalakoff.com/

By Noelle Sharbaugh, the High Heeled Hostess A colorful summer charcuterie board featuring seasonal fruits, artisan cheeses, and fresh flavors creates an effortless centerpiece for entertaining. Photo contributed by High Heeled Hostess The candles are lit, the table is set, soft music plays in the background and, for a few hours, your home becomes the place everyone wants to be. That's the magic of a well-planned dinner party. Whether you're hosting your first gathering or looking to elevate your next one, a few thoughtful touches can help guests feel welcome and create an evening they'll remember. Here are a few simple hosting tips: Start with a theme A theme is less about elaborate décor than creating a sense of purpose. It provides a through line for the evening, guiding everything from the menu and signature cocktail to the playlist and table setting. Timeless theme ideas: An Italian island-inspired summer dinner A festive fall gathering A cozy wine-and-pasta night A Mediterranean-inspired evening A holiday cocktail party When guests arrive and immediately sense a cohesive atmosphere, even the smallest details feel intentional. Keep the menu simple The kitchen is not where you want to spend the evening. One of the biggest hosting mistakes is trying a new recipe on the day of the event. Instead, prepare dishes you know well and enjoy making. Stress-free menu tips: Prepare one or two dishes ahead of time. Keep appetizers simple. Choose familiar recipes. Avoid overcomplicating the menu. Use seasonal ingredients whenever possible. The heart of hosting isn't about an elaborate meal. It's about the people gathered around your table. Set the table ahead of time There's something satisfying about walking into a room where the table is already waiting, with candles glowing, flowers arranged and place settings complete. Setting the table the night before reduces last-minute stress. A beautiful table doesn't have to be elaborate to feel special. Dinner party essentials: Layered place settings and cloth napkins Candlelight for ambiance Fresh flowers or greenery Serving utensils for each dish Water glasses filled before guests arrive Thoughtful details help the evening flow smoothly. Create a welcoming atmosphere The best dinner parties feel effortless to guests, even though the host has carefully planned every detail. Hosting tips: Offer both alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. Create a signature cocktail that complements the theme. Light candles before guests arrive. Keep the atmosphere warm and inviting. Spend as much time as possible with your guests, not in the kitchen. Guests may not remember every dish, but they'll remember how the evening made them feel. Don't forget the music Music helps set the mood before the first conversation begins. Create a playlist that complements the evening and let it play quietly in the background. Playlist ideas: Italian café jazz for a European-inspired dinner Acoustic music for a cozy fall gathering Upbeat lounge music for a summer evening Soft holiday classics for seasonal entertaining The right music never competes with conversation. It simply encourages guests to linger a little longer. The secret to a memorable dinner party The guests who linger long after dessert. The table no one wants to leave. The conversations that deepen as the evening unfolds. That's the true magic of entertaining. Don't strive for perfection. A memorable dinner party is about warmth, connection and creating a comfortable space where people can relax and enjoy one another. Noelle Sharbaugh, the High Heeled Hostess, is a published and award-winning tablescape designer dedicated to helping others create memorable dining experiences. For more seasonal inspiration and hosting tips, visit www.highheeledhostess.com/ or email noelle@highheeledhostess.com.

by Terri Wright, staff writer Barberland Gentleman's Grooming has become a mainstay at Lake Anne Plaza. Photo by Terri Wright Since Reston was founded in 1964, Lake Anne Plaza has served as the community's original village center, where residents could live, work and play. Businesses that have endured there are those that meet community needs while reflecting Reston's character. Barberland Gentlemen's Grooming is one of those businesses. Owner Jennifer Lee has spent nearly eight years building a loyal clientele while offering a traditional barbershop experience with modern amenities. Open seven days a week, Barberland accepts walk-in clients and online appointments. With four barber chairs and an experienced staff, the shop serves customers of all ages. Services include traditional haircuts, straight-razor shaves, beard trims and facials. Lee said her approach is simple. "I listen to their needs and consult with everyone," she said. "I try to make it easy so they can relax and enjoy." Lee began her career as an elementary school art teacher in South Korea before teaching at a teachers college in Thailand. After moving to the United States, she worked for Samsung before deciding to pursue business ownership. She first owned a barbecue restaurant in Vienna before moving into barbering and cosmetology. She said her background in art and education proved to be a natural fit. "There were many similarities between teaching elementary art and learning cosmetology," she said. Lee's first barbershop in Vienna operated in leased space, but she hoped to one day own commercial property. She approached the previous owners of the Lake Anne shop about buying the property, but they were not interested in selling. Several years later, she discovered it had been listed for sale. "The modern design and large windows afford a beautiful view, one that feels like you are part of the natural world," Lee said. Barberland was recognized in 2025 as one of the Top 5 Reston Businesses by Quality Business Awards based on customer reviews from Yelp and Birdeye. Lee said the recognition reflects her team's commitment to customer service. Today, Barberland continues the tradition of locally owned businesses that have helped define Lake Anne Plaza for more than 60 years. For more information, visit barberlandgrooming.com/

by Mike Viola, SLHS Theatre director South Lakes Theatre accepts their five Cappies awards at the Kennedy Center. Photo by Donnie Briggs South Lakes High School Theatre Arts earned five awards at the 2026 National Capital Area Cappies Gala for its production of "A Monster Calls." The annual awards program recognizes excellence in high school theater across the Washington metropolitan area and includes more than 40 participating schools. The production won the Cappies' top honor, Best Play, along with awards for Lead Actor in a Male Role in a Play (Liam Birch as the Monster), Ensemble in a Play (the Core Ensemble), Creativity for its animation and video design, and Returning Critic (Alden Walcott). The production also received 11 nominations, recognizing achievements both onstage and behind the scenes. Based on Patrick Ness' bestselling novel, "A Monster Calls" tells the story of a young boy coping with his mother's illness with the help of a mysterious tree monster. Theater teacher Michael Viola directed the production, which was noted for its emotional storytelling, imaginative staging and ensemble performances. South Lakes staged the Fairfax County premiere of "A Monster Calls" in November 2025. This November, the theater program plans to present the Fairfax County premiere of the musical "Come From Away."

by Reston Letter staff Photo by Chip McCrea Photography On July 19, children ages 6 to 17 took part in a fun, confidence-building swim, bike and run event in Reston. Sponsored by CORE Foundation, the fourth annual Reston Youth Triathlon drew 261 athletes from 176 families. More than half of participants, 56%, had at least one sibling competing. The course wound through Reston before finishing at South Lakes High School. The triathlon emphasizes participation over competition, helping every athlete feel successful. With age-appropriate distances, supportive volunteers and cheering families, it offers an ideal introduction to the sport for children of all abilities, including para and adaptive athletes. This year, 120 athletes returned to compete, and 43% of participants were girls. The largest division was ages 9 to 11, with 122 competitors, followed by the 6 to 8 age group with 61 participants. The event is a favorite of CORE Foundation President Doug Bushee. "It is more than a race; it is a chance for young athletes of all abilities to challenge themselves, celebrate their accomplishments and experience the excitement of crossing the finish line," he said.

Contributed by Reston Association Peter Lusk was named CEO of Reston Association. Photo contributed by RA The Reston Association Board of Directors has named Peter Lusk chief executive officer, effective immediately, following a unanimous board vote. Lusk has served as acting CEO since former CEO Mac Cummins resigned in January. He joined the association in 2023 as chief operating officer after serving as a division chief with the Arlington County Department of Parks and Recreation. In 2024, Leadership Fairfax recognized him as one of its Top 40 Under 40. Lusk is a Project Management Professional through the Project Management Institute, a Certified Public Manager through the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and a Facility Management Professional through the International Facility Management Association. He earned a master's degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a bachelor's degree from the State University of New York at Fredonia. "It is an honor to be asked to steward a community with the history and relevance of Reston," Lusk said. "I look forward to working toward a bright future with our staff, Board of Directors and members." "Over the past six months, Peter has demonstrated steady leadership, sound judgment and an unwavering commitment to Reston Association," Board President Travis Johnson said. "The board has seen firsthand his ability to guide the organization, support our staff and make decisions that serve the best interests of our members. We are confident Peter is the right person to lead the association into its next chapter, and we look forward to continuing our work together on behalf of the Reston community." One of the nation's largest community associations, Reston Association serves more than 63,000 residents. The organization maintains 1,350 acres of open space, manages recreational facilities and enforces property and architectural covenants.

by B. Griffith, Reston resident Teddy and Maria, cutting the ribbon on the Ted Salazar Memorial Bench. Photo by B. Griffith On a warm, sunny Sunday morning in Mediterranean Villa Cluster, neighbors gathered to honor a founding member and dedicate a restored park bench in his memory. Ted Salazar was an original member of Reston's Mediterranean Villa Cluster Association (MVC) when it was established in 1970 and lived there until shortly before his death in 2024. Over the decades, he quietly served his neighbors through hands-on landscaping, roof repairs and stewardship of the cluster's history. One of several artists who has called MVC home over the years, Ted also led the effort to expand the cluster's color palette beyond the original "Reston brown," navigating the Reston Design Review Board process to introduce the varied colors that today give the neighborhood more of a Mediterranean character. Ted's daughter, Maria, son Teddy, daughter-in-law Sarah Meyer and granddaughter Izzy participated in the event, with three family members traveling from North Carolina. Sarah grew up next door to Teddy in MVC. Jeanette Schnieders, MVC's longtime treasurer, first suggested creating a memorial for Ted several years ago. Schnieders, who moved to the cluster in 1994 and relocated to Minneapolis in 2025, returned for the dedication. She reflected on serving alongside Ted on the board, their work expanding the neighborhood's color palette and what she discovered while reviewing early association records: the full extent of his service during MVC's formative years, much of it quiet and unrecognized. Testing the bench. Clockwise from top: Maria, Teddy, Izzy, Sarah. Photo by B. Griffith Past president Joe Minarik recalled Ted's many contributions, including roof repairs, landscaping, watercolor illustrations created for the Design Review Board process and artwork for the community newsletter. In MVC's early years, 25 to 30 children lived in the neighborhood, and the center of the cluster served as their playground. Those energetic youngsters didn't make Ted's job maintaining the grounds any easier. Marc Kaufmann, who grew up in MVC and returned to his childhood home in 2025, recalled his respect for "Mr. Salazar" and how he worried about getting into trouble for trampling the landscaping while playing. Maria Salazar and Sarah Meyer shared memories of neighborhood games such as Red Rover and Sardines, along with Halloween parades through the center of the cluster. Several people also remembered the crab apple trees that once lined the property and how children batted, tossed and flung the fruit against the stucco walls, leaving Ted to clean up the mess. After sharing coffee, pastries and strawberries, participants walked to a shady spot along the central path for the dedication of the bench in Ted's honor. MVC member Chris Demopoulos rebuilt the bench using white oak, preserving the original cast-iron hardware, and installed a commemorative plaque. Maria Salazar and Teddy Salazar cut the ribbon, and Teddy remarked that rebuilding the bench instead of replacing it was exactly what his father would have wanted. Today, MVC contracts out its landscape maintenance but remains one of the few self-managed homeowners associations in Reston.

by Gene Powell, Staff Writer This county planning map shows a new study area, “Reston East,” and outlines five parcels within it identified thus far by developers for potential replacement of low-rise office buildings with residential units, likely to be townhouses. Several major housing and redevelopment initiatives advanced in Reston during July, including the long-planned Reston Town Center North proposal, a new planning study for the area dubbed "Reston East" along the Dulles Toll Road, and a plan to preserve one of Reston's oldest homes. The Fairfax County Planning Commission recommended approval of the 48-acre Reston Town Center North project July 22, moving it a step closer to a final vote by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. The site is north of Reston Town Center and bordered by Town Center Parkway, New Dominion Parkway, Fountain Drive and Baron Cameron Avenue. The proposal calls for swapping several parcels between Fairfax County and Inova Health Care Services to better align public and private development. The project has been under discussion for more than a decade, and officials have said full buildout is likely to take another 10 years or more. The publicly funded portion would include a new Reston Regional Library, a new home for the Embry Rucker Community Shelter, an athletic field, a county recreation center and a "Central Green" park. The privately owned portion could include up to 1,000 residential units and retail space. Land also has been designated at the northern end of the public property for a future elementary school. Fairfax County planners presented the 119-acre "Reston East" study area at a July 27 public meeting, where they answered residents' questions and accepted comments. The study area is occupied by low-rise office buildings on more than 30 parcels. It is bounded by Sunrise Valley Drive to the south, Campus Commons to the west, Hunter Mill Road to the east and the Dulles Toll Road to the north. Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn said the meeting was intended to gather public input on the area's future as the county considers several proposals to replace underused office buildings with residential development, a trend occurring in several parts of Reston. Five proposals totaling up to 1,200 residential units are seeking redesignation from office-industrial to residential under Reston's Comprehensive Plan. Developers displayed preliminary concepts showing where and what types of housing might be built, but county officials cautioned that approval of any specific project could be years away, if it occurs at all. Residents raised concerns about traffic, school enrollment, impacts on Reston's parks and recreational amenities, and whether high-rise residential buildings would be permitted. One developer, proposing the Bells Crossing project east of the Washington & Old Dominion Trail, said the development would join the Reston Association, generating additional revenue for the homeowners association. Much of the Reston East study area lies outside the association's jurisdiction and within the Reston Town Center Transit Station Area, which includes property on both sides of the Dulles Toll Road and Metro's Silver Line. In mid-July, the Board of Supervisors approved rezoning for 57 townhouses in nine buildings surrounding the 125-year-old A. Smith Bowman House, one of the few remaining structures from Wiehle, the community that predated Reston. The 5-acre site is bordered by the Washington & Old Dominion Trail, Old Reston Avenue and Stratford Park Place. The property's owners received county approval in 2019 to replace all existing structures with two office buildings but recently revised their plans to preserve the historic house and pursue residential development instead. The house could become a clubhouse or return to residential use. The Board of Supervisors also approved rezoning July 14 for the second phase of the Lofts at Reston Station condominium development, east of Wiehle Avenue at Michael Faraday Drive. PulteGroup's Lofts at Reston Station II would replace three low-rise office buildings in the 1800 block of Samuel Morse Drive with 112 condominiums and 46 stacked townhouses. The proposal also includes a future extension of Easterly Road to Sunset Hills Road in cooperation with another property owner. Although the Fairfax County Planning Commission recommended approval, the Reston Planning & Zoning Committee did not support the application. During several public meetings this year, residents cited concerns about parking, loading areas, snow removal, and construction dust and debris at the first phase of the development. Pulte representatives said they are working to establish a developer consortium to clear snow within 24 hours. If that effort is unsuccessful, the company said it will remove snow at its own expense.

by Emma Kingkeo, guest writer Photo contributed by April King When Jeff Marco and April King decided to open Virginia's first Sweat440 studio in Reston, they weren't just launching a fitness business. They were creating the kind of supportive environment that each says transformed their own life. Sweat440 is a Miami-based fitness franchise offering 40-minute classes that begin every 10 minutes while the gym is open, making it easy to fit a workout into almost any schedule. Each class rotates through four stations with exercises that can be adapted to different fitness levels and abilities, while coaches provide instruction, monitor form and offer modifications as needed. "We've had folks that are athletes to folks in their 70s wanting to do some strength training at different levels. And they can both literally be working next to each other and do what they need to do for their own bodies and be okay," said Studio Manager April King. The gym layout changes daily to match the programming displayed on screens at each station, ensuring no two classes are alike. Sessions focus on the upper body, lower body or full body, depending on the day. "In the fitness space, there's a lot of focus on heavy cardio," said owner Jeff Marco. "And there's a cardio component to Sweat440 for sure, but we are a strength-based gym. You get your cardio because you're moving and working for 40 minutes nonstop in a strength-based atmosphere." Unlike many group fitness programs where instructors lead from a stage, Sweat440 coaches spend class on the floor, offering guidance, encouragement and accountability. "They're right beside you while you're working out, just to make sure that you're doing everything safely, providing a little bit of motivation, and if you want to share your goals, they'll provide a little accountability," Marco said. Marco said the model removes many of the barriers that prevent people from exercising consistently. For him, that mission is personal. An athlete throughout his life, from martial arts to mountaineering, Marco has lived with multiple sclerosis for more than 25 years. About 10 years ago, he began experiencing muscle weakness and changes in his gait, common symptoms of the disease. Staying active has been central to maintaining his mobility, and opening Sweat440 gives him an opportunity to help others experience the benefits of regular exercise. "It's a natural fit because, for me, I get to share the power of consistent movement. I know firsthand what a difference that makes," Marco said. King also credits exercise with transforming her life. After struggling with eating disorders and severe anxiety, she found confidence and improved mental health through fitness. "I think for a lot of people, we think about the physical side because obviously there's a physical benefit, but we underestimate the emotional," King said. She oversees community outreach, social media and membership engagement, focusing on building relationships. "We're strangers to the community," King said. "People are starting to get to know us, but it's much easier to let people see what we do and then experience it for themselves." Marco and King say they want Sweat440 to offer more than exercise classes. Their vision centers on creating an environment built on encouragement, connection and support. "If you just want to be in your own head and do your own workout, that's fine too," Marco said. "But this gives you the opportunity to engage with like-minded folks. And I think that's where the fun happens." The studio has also begun partnering with other small businesses. King has partnered with businesses specializing in nutrition and recovery, expanding resources for members while strengthening connections among local businesses. "Part of the fun in this job is being able to create connections not just within the studio, but also among local businesses," King said. As Sweat440 prepares to open, Marco said the motivation behind the business extends beyond fitness. "This is about bringing an amazing health and wellness experience to Reston because it's been really important to both of us in our lives. To be able to share that means more to us than anything," Marco said. "We're starting to see the fruits of our labor take shape in the community we're building," King said. "There's a vision of where it's going, and we're excited to see it get there."

Contributed by Tisseront Orthodontics Photo contributed by Tisseront Orthodontics Dr. Stephan Tisseront and the team at Tisseront Orthodontics hosted the practice's 22nd annual Patient Pool Party on July 10, welcoming more than 300 current and former patients, along with their parents, siblings, extended family members and friends, for an evening of swimming, food, music and raffle prizes at Lake Newport Pool in Reston. The annual event has become a tradition for the Reston orthodontic practice, which has served the community since 1998. What began as a small patient gathering has grown into a yearly celebration, with many families returning to reconnect with Dr. Tisseront and the practice staff. This year's event featured raffle prizes ranging from beach towels and water bottles to a gaming console and an e-bike. Photo contributed by Tisseront Orthodontics "Our Annual Pool Party is one of my favorite traditions because it gives us the opportunity to celebrate the families who have trusted us with their smiles," Tisseront said. "This evening is simply our way of saying thank you. We put orthodontics aside for a few hours so families can relax, have fun and know how much we appreciate their support." The event is hosted by the practice at no cost to patients and their families as a way of expressing appreciation for their support. In addition to the annual pool party, Tisseront Orthodontics participates in community outreach throughout the year, including school visits that promote dental health with the practice's mascot, Freddy Flossasaurus, and its annual Halloween Candy Buy-Back program, which has donated thousands of pounds of candy to service members overseas and raised tens of thousands of dollars for Children's National Hospital in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1998, Tisseront Orthodontics provides orthodontic care for children and adults in Reston and throughout Northern Virginia, offering traditional braces, clear braces, Invisalign and lingual braces. For more information, visit tisserontorthodontics.com/