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By Terri Wright, Staff Writer On Saturday evening, Nov. 2, as the sun dipped below the horizon and election season neared its close, Beloved Yoga’s Maryam Ovissi welcomed the community to a free event aimed at stress relief and healing. The event combined art, yoga, meditation, and sound healing—an inviting mix designed to ease the anxiety many feel around elections. “This gathering is a response to the palpable stress surrounding the elections,” Ovissi said. “By offering this event for free, we hope to support collective healing and cultivate peace. Everyone is welcome in this inclusive, diverse space.” The evening began with a reflective art activity led by Susan Knoblauch and Heather Hagaman. Participants were asked to reflect on what they could offer to the world, independent of election outcomes. “What do you want to give to the world, no matter the outcome on Tuesday?” they asked, prompting people to explore their personal intentions and positive contributions. Afterward, attendees rolled out their mats, gathered props like bolsters and blankets, and prepared for movement and meditation. Ovissi guided the group in breathing exercises and gentle stretches, allowing everyone, regardless of yoga experience, to find a sense of calm and grounding. Together, the group moved mindfully, focusing on balance and quieting the nervous system—an antidote to the constant stimulation of today’s world. Then, Reggie Hubbard, founder and “chief serving officer” of Active Peace Yoga, led a powerful 45-minute sound meditation. “I’m not playing music,” he explained. “I’m playing sound for you all.” Hubbard invited participants to consider four principles for reducing anxiety: a clear mind, an open heart, a sense of community, and a regulated nervous system. For the remainder of the evening, the group sat comfortably, breathing deeply and allowing the sounds to resonate. Hubbard’s words—“When we work on ourselves, we’re healing the world. The world changes when we change ourselves”—captured the spirit of the evening. The meditative soundscapes he created provided a tranquil backdrop for each person’s individual reflection and peace. As the sound meditation drew to a close, one participant, a Gen-X-er, felt a familiar lyric echo in their mind from Depeche Mode’s “Enjoy the Silence”: “All I ever wanted / All I ever needed / Is here in my arms.” The words served as a perfect conclusion to an evening devoted to calm, connection, and self-reflection. Beloved Yoga plans to offer more community events open to all, continuing their mission of fostering wellness and peace.

Contributed by Washington West Film Association and Reston Town Center Association Hollywood actor Kevin Bacon and his brother Michael Bacon performed at Reston Town Center Oct. 12 at The Washington West Film Festival. The festival featured the Bacon Brothers as part of its four-day film festival at locations in Tysons and Reston. "Kevin Bacon embodies the intersection of philanthropy and film that is at the heart of this festival, and it's an honor to partner with his charity, SixDegrees.Org, to help foster children right in our backyard," said Brad Russell, founder of the Washington West Film Festival. The Bacon brothers have played music together since they were young boys and they formed a band in 1995. Since then, the Bacon Brothers band has gone on to release 12 studio albums and has toured throughout North America and Europe. Their genre is a mix of folk, rock, soul, and country, known to Bacon Brothers fans as FOROSOCO. The exploration continues with the band's twelfth release, Ballad Of The Brothers. It's a record that highlights not only the similarities between Kevin Bacon (known worldwide as an A-list Hollywood actor) and Michael Bacon (celebrated as an Emmy-winning composer) but the differences, too. "We're proud to partner with Washington West Film Festival and the Reston Town Center Association to bring this incredible act to the Pavilion stage," said Sapna Yathiraj, Marketing Director at BXP. "It's an honor to be a part of it."

By Restonian, Local Blogger By now, you've probably heard about the epic drag race between a Lamborghini and a Cybertruck that took place on Rt. 7 in Tysons Corner (given the traffic, they probably both reached a breakneck 3 miles per hour before hitting a traffic light). While that's all well and good for an area that's angling to replace a used car lot with a casino and all the classy activities associated with them, we in Reston deserve some excitement too! So what can we race? County planners vs. the DRB. The classic tortoise vs. hare contest. While the planners chase every potential development with dollar signs popping out of their eyes like cartoon characters, the DRB can argue for hours over the positioning of a downspout. The only loser? Our patience. Cyclists vs. muffler-free cars. Aerodynamic spandex and the fancy new bridge over Wiehle Avenue give the bikers a slight edge, but the folks that roll coal around Reston for hours in cars that sound like someone dropped a roll of quarters into a leaf blower win on decibels. Roundabouts vs. RTC. If planners get their way in redesigning the intersection of Wiehle and Sunrise Valley, you'll be able to spin around in circles until you reach Warp 2 and literally turn back time. The other will put a butterfly on your car, essentially stopping time. Spotted lanternflies vs. English ivy. An epic battle of invasive organisms! One flies, the other crawls, but only one is addressed by official recommendations to "squish" it. Clear winner. Developers vs. golfers. An eternal battle dating back to the 1980 cinematic masterpiece Caddyshack, the golfers have the upper hand... for now. Just watch for the pesky gopher, and by gopher we mean "the aforementioned county planners with dollar signs popping out of their eyes like cartoon characters." Terraset vs. an inert iron rod. Reston may not rate a rad drag race with a Cybertruck, but our favorite semi-subterranean elementary school bears an uncanny resemblance to one (really, just Google it). It might not move quickly, but we'll take the elementary school over the inert iron rod, the end.

by Chuck Cascio, Author and Former South Lakes Teacher Jennifer Chu was a physically active child who increasingly focused on gymnastics as she grew up in Reston; however, things did not always go well: "As with most athletes, I suffered injuries, and physical therapy was a key component to helping me heal from those injuries." The healing process intensified Jennifer's "interest in how our bodies work, which led to my desire to help people." As a result, after graduating from South Lakes High School in 1991, Jennifer received a Bachelor of Science in Education degree with a concentration in Sports Medicine at the University of Virginia and then earned a Master of Science in Physical Therapy degree at Duke University. "I have always wanted to help people heal and feel better, and PT helps people with their most basic needs," she says. Jennifer pursued those desires by founding ITR Physical Therapy in Bethesda and McLean in 2001, where female pelvic health is a unique need that she focuses on: "I was amazed to learn how deeply pelvic physical therapy can help people. It is an important, basic need. This need and losing my mother to cancer when I was 18 played a large part in drawing me so deeply to this specialty." Her mother's death also influenced Jennifer’s desire to move back to Reston after briefly living in Falls Church. "I wanted to be near my father and brother who were still living in Reston at the time," she says. Though her brother has moved to Ashburn and her father to Great Falls, Jennifer and her two daughters now live "in the same house my family and I moved into when I was in elementary school, and my daughters go to the same schools I did!" Settling in Reston has provided Jennifer with opportunities to "connect with some Reston residents who are also still part of this community, and it has been a gift for my kids to live here and enjoy Reston's lakes, swimming pools, swim teams, the Young Actor's Theatre, and so much more." Jennifer attributes a significant portion of her passion about her work to growing up in Reston: “Reston feels like a community based in nature, and that helped me realize how important being in nature is for me. I have traveled a decent amount and every time I return home, I am always amazed at how beautiful our community is.” Jennifer's passion for providing healing has her contemplating opening a third ITR facility: "Some people with health-related issues simply can't make it to McLean or Bethesda. With the booming population in Reston and west of here, there is a big need for experienced therapists who specialize in pelvic therapy." Expanding her work is important for Jennifer because “it has provided one of the greatest blessings in my life. My team offers a safe space where people are seen, heard, and helped with problems that can often be quite personal and intimate. There is nothing like helping a person get pregnant, or a person in chronic pain to feel better, or a postpartum person to live the active lifestyle they desire. Knowing that so many people need this kind of help keeps us motivated and rewarded.”

Contributed by Reston Museum Join the Reston Museum for an exciting evening featuring Restonians who have faced their nerves and conquered the buzzer on America’s favorite trivia show. Panelists will share their journeys to “Jeopardy!,” including what it takes to prepare for the big stage, behind-the-scenes stories, and the thrill of tackling tough questions with millions watching. “Ever wondered how they master lightning-fast answers or the secrets of strategic wagering? Now's your chance to ask,” said Lisa Watts, the museum’s executive director. “Whether you’re a ‘Jeopardy!’ fan or just looking for a fun community night, this promises to be an unforgettable event.” The evening also will feature a special “Reston Jeopardy!” game, where the audience can test their own trivia skills. Answer correctly, and you might even win a prize! Hear from our hometown heroes about their time on the show, and how they handled everything from tricky buzzers to final wagers. Wrap up the night with a Q&A session where you can ask the stars your most pressing “Jeopardy!” questions. Come for the fun, stay for the stories, and leave with a deeper appreciation for the Restonians who took their talents to national television. This Reston Museum program will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 20, from 7 to 9 p.m., at the Joann Rose Gallery at the Reston Community Center, Lake Anne Plaza. Admission is free, but space is limited. Be sure to RSVP early at restonmuseum.org/events/restonians-on-jeopardy.

Contributed by Reston Museum Visitors can journey back to the original Reston Farm Market at the Reston Museum’s photography exhibit, which runs through January. The exhibit showcases the market’s rich history, from its opening in 1976 to its change in ownership in 1997. At the exhibit’s opening on Nov. 10, Hall Kern, the market's founder and owner for 23 years, joined traveling educator Tomas Eaglebear of the Apache Nation to share stories about building and managing the market, offering insights into its evolution. The display includes Kern’s photos, capturing the market’s early days. Dressed in full regalia, Eaglebear—accompanied by his grandson, Lucio Shash—spoke about organizing celebrations of indigenous culture at the market’s annual fall festival. These festivals brought together indigenous nations, from Apache to Aztec to Piscataway, through storytelling, dance, drumming, and vibrant performances. “So many happy memories were made at the Reston Farm Market,” said Lisa Watts, the museum’s executive director. “This exhibit is sure to delight everyone who visited, whether they came for fresh produce, flowers for their gardens, or the perfect pumpkin for their fall displays.” Admission to the Reston Museum at Lake Anne Plaza is free, and it’s open Tuesday through Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

By Matthew Reider, Staff Writer With winter on the horizon, ice hockey teams representing area high schools are competing on ice sheets across northern Virginia each Friday night. Local public school systems do not recognize ice hockey as an official sport, but there are non-affiliated middle school, junior varsity, and varsity programs every season. One such team is the Herndon-South Lakes (HSL) varsity team, a combined team of rival schools, created as a provisional team. This year, HSL is a member of the Adams Division of the Northern Virginia Scholastic Hockey League, a division that also includes teams representing Madison, Oakton, Langley and Chantilly/McLean. The local HSL team has had some strong seasons in recent years, and is looking forward to the upcoming season with a win over Madison on Nov. 1. The division exists due to the vision and dedication of parents, coaches, and volunteers that have run the Northern Virginia Scholastic Hockey League [NVSHL] since 2001. Before that, local teams had to cross the river and participate in Maryland’s school-based league. Jeff Nygaard helped set up the NVSHL as a separate entity and participated as a board member for many years. According to its website, the NVSHL exists to “provide opportunity for northern Virginia high school students to participate in the sport of ice hockey while representing their respective schools.” The website is sponsored by the NHL’s Washington Capitals, who provide hosting and victory medals for the season champions each winter–and have a trophy cabinet at their Medstar Iceplex practice facility honoring the league. Student-athletes with a strong academic performance are recognized with annual NVSHL All Academic Honors, and each year players are nominated and selected as All-League performers for their respective positions. When it began, the NVSHL’s goal was to have a hockey team for each area high school. In 2001, there were two 12-team divisions of varsity teams, and the middle school program was added in 2012. As the number of high schools continued to grow, the number of players available for each team became limited. The league has accommodated these issues by allowing two schools to combine to field a full roster. One such team is the Herndon-South Lakes (HSL) team, bringing together rival schools to create a provisional team. The local HSL team has had some strong seasons in recent years, and is looking forward to the upcoming season. This winter, the league will have 13 single-school teams and eight provisional teams. The teams are broken into four divisions of five or six teams who play each other from November to January, with playoffs finishing up the season mid-February. All want to add their school’s name to the “Capital Cup” trophy, which was on display at the annual meeting in late September. Gary Pouliot, the league’s executive director, has been involved since day one. “I’ve been coaching at Stonebridge since 2021, and a lot has changed, but it is still important to the players,” he said. “It might not be the highest level of hockey competition, but it means a lot to the student-athletes to represent their school.” Games are on Friday nights at local rinks and it is a social event for students to come out and support their team. Check out the graphic below as well as this website at https://www.capitalscup.com/nvshl for schedules and standings.

By Sarah Hickner, Staff Writer In a world that often feels like it’s ripping at the seams, Noelle Sharbaugh and her husband, Andy Hoyle, are stitching it back together–one dinner party at a time. “My husband and I are passionate about entertaining and creating events that bring people together around the dinner table,” Sharbaugh said. “Our dinner parties are extravagant, themed, and meticulously planned, leaving our guests in awe of the experience.” A little pandemic magic (or perhaps the combination of extra time and endless scrolling) propelled them to local fame in the Facebook group Northern Virginia Foodies. During the shutdown, Hoyle, with time on his hands, began crafting “a menu a day.” He posted photos of these daily creations, showcasing his culinary artistry and Sharbaugh’s stunning tablescapes, and the group quickly became captivated. These daily menus were just a preview of the couple’s unique dinner experiences, which aim to delight all five senses. Hoyle starts planning months in advance for special gatherings like Thanksgiving, Mother’s Day, or themed parties. From cocktails to dessert, he meticulously prepares each dish. Sharbaugh’s canvas is the table itself. “To me, the table is a blank canvas,” she explained. “It’s about crafting special moments, and the right place settings are essential to making that experience unforgettable.” Sharbaugh credits her love of hosting to her Italian heritage, where family meals are cherished traditions. She and Hoyle aim to create lasting memories with two simple rules: put phones away (after snapping photos of the food, of course) and steer clear of work or politics. They are onto something; a University of Oxford article notes that “the more often people eat with others, the more likely they are to feel happy and satisfied with their lives.” For those intimidated by the thought of months-long planning, Sharbaugh and Hoyle have made it easier with a website inspired by the Northern Virginia Foodies community’s requests for advice (and leftovers). HighHeeledHostess.com empowers aspiring hosts to elevate their gatherings, offering a range of resources—from free guides to premium digital tools. Their Thanksgiving Playbook is a comprehensive resource, complete with recipes, shopping lists, a detailed timeline from the Saturday before Thanksgiving through the big day, templates for menus and place cards, and checklists to ensure every detail is covered. In addition, High Heeled Hostess offers seasonal tablescape ideas, delicious recipes, a blog, product recommendations, and practical tools to make hosting a joy. Sharbaugh hopes to equip others with everything they need to create beautiful, memorable gatherings, just as she does for family and friends. As the holidays approach, many of us will be welcoming loved ones into our homes. Inspired by Sharbaugh and Hoyle, let’s bring people together, one extraordinary dinner party at a time. Learn more on their website: http://www.highheeledhostess.com When we feature businesses in The Reston Letter, we are not endorsing them as a company or speaking to their credibility. We are telling their stories according to them. We want to give exposure to a lot of businesses, but that does not necessarily mean that we have firsthand experience with them as clients. Hopefully you will always have great experiences with them, but our job stops once we've told their story. We cannot vouch for them beyond that.

by Ellyn Wexler, Staff Writer Public Art Reston’s ChalkFest transformed Reston Town Center into a vibrant explosion of color and creativity on Oct. 20, drawing more than a thousand visitors. About 300 artists—ranging from professionals to amateurs, alongside families and children—turned Market Street’s pavement squares into stunning canvases. Penny Hauffe, a seasoned chalk artist, recalls stumbling upon a chalk festival at Lake Anne around 12 years ago. Since then, both she and her husband Phil Erickson have embraced the chalk art scene, even creating driveway masterpieces during the pandemic. “I love everything about a chalk festival,” Hauffe said, highlighting the thrill of public engagement, honing her 3-D skills, getting wonderfully filthy with chalk, and witnessing the creativity of others. “Regular participation has led to chalk art jobs for me at other events and businesses,” she added. Ben Morse, another featured artist, was once hesitant about chalk art due to its messy nature. “I always tried to use it like a pencil,” he explained. But with more experience from art school, he grew to embrace the medium. Since 2015, Morse has been a regular at ChalkFest, often drawing animals. This year, his award-winning zebra captivated the crowd. A panel of judges, including artist/South Lakes STEAM Team teach Marco Rando, artist/Reston Community Center [RCC] art instructor Tracie Griffith Tso, and South Lakes High School seniors Izzie Brabant and Haley Caicedo, evaluated the creations. Hunter Mills Supervisor Walter Alcorn, RCC Executive Director Bebe Nguyen, and Arts Fairfax President Stuart Holt announced the winners. The People’s Choice awards went to Francis Deppner (first), Brianna Camp (second), and Ben Morse (third). In the Amateur Artist category, Suticha Mungkurnkarn took first place, followed by Vesna Cottrel and Abigail Sherwood. For Professional Artists, Brianna Camp claimed first, with Troy Wingard and Penny Hauffe rounding out the top three. Family & Kids winners included Andrew Gordon, Ross Horio, and Sayuri Horio. The event wasn’t just about chalk! Face painting and live music by Bach to Rock Herndon added extra charm to the unseasonably beautiful day. All proceeds from the event will support future public art projects and programs. To check out the winners' work, visit https://publicartreston.org/chalkfest-2024-winners/. Left : Professional Artist, 1st place: Brianna Camp Right : People's Choice Awards, 3rd place: Ben Morse

Contributed by Reston Environmental Advisory Committee This Halloween, don’t let your pumpkins and crunchy falling leaves meet a grim end! Instead, turn those eerie leftovers into compost magic with a creepy compost brew that will have your garden thriving when the frost melts. Pumpkins: Smash, Don’t Trash! After the last trick-or-treaters leave, don’t let your Jack-o’-lanterns rot away. Smash up those plain pumpkins and toss them in your compost. With a pulpy smash, your pumpkin will break down faster than a ghost disappearing into the night, adding valuable nutrients to your pile. Important Note: Only compost pumpkins free of wax, glitter, paint, bleach, or hair spray. These materials don’t break down easily and can add unwanted chemicals to your compost—spooky for all the wrong reasons! Falling Leaves: Nature’s Crypt Keeper Those crispy, haunting leaves are more than just spooky decor; they’re the ideal “browns” to mix into your compost. They balance out the slimy “greens” like pumpkin guts or food scraps, helping your compost thrive. For the right balance, use at least three times as many leaves as pumpkin. Spooky Fact: Leaves don’t just boost your compost efficiency; they also attract the right creatures (like worms and microbes) to help decomposition. It’s like magic–only better because it’s science! Creating Your Compost Cauldron Layer your leaves and pumpkin bits like a wicked spell—alternating dry, dead materials with fresher, wet ones. If you don’t have enough leaves or want to spice up the mix, try adding one part cardboard from Amazon boxes (tape removed), twigs, old soil, and newspaper. Stir it up about three times a month through winter (just like a witch’s brew), and watch your pile transform into rich, black compost by spring. Pro-tip: Use containers destined for landfill, with smaller ones for easy planting and large ones for veggies. This year, let your Halloween pumpkins and leaves cast a spell of nourishment on your garden. With a little spooky flair, you’ll conjure up free compost magic just in time for spring.

by Restonian, Reston Blogger The Reston Association has a new website! We haven't been this excited since we bought a 300 baud modem back in 1985, and for good reason. This redesign has been years in the making and replaces a temporary site that was built using everyone's favorite podcast sponsor and platform of choice for homemade candle vendors. Among other things, the RA added some nifty email lists, so you can be the first in your cluster to know the next time the nearest pool is closed due to "contamination." Which is great, but why stop there? With a modern website in place, our favorite homeowners' association is now poised for online domination! Once obsolete itself, just consider the other websites reston.org could now make obsolete: eBay: People often go to desperate ends to find aging fixtures that meet their neighborhood's design standards, so providing a place where people can outbid each other for the last taupe incandescent outdoor light fixture manufactured in 1968 that hasn't been landfilled is a perfect fit. NextDoor: All the RA has to do is add a "why is the chopper over my house" button to its site, and everyone's favorite website for cranks and busybodies will be out of business before the next flyover. EHarmony/Tinder/Grindr, etc: It's hard to find that someone special, and especially so in a suburban plastic fantastic planned community, so why not add a personals section for people seeking companions whose favorite color is (harvest) brown, love pickleball and long walks around manmade lakes, and aren't afraid to cry when their assessment comes in the mail? X/Twitter/Whatever: Bringing Elon on board could get us a wedge-shaped, stainless steel Nature Center whose front door only opens with an app. America Online. Originally founded just down the road in Vienna, but like so many people in our area, AOL "graduated" to Loudoun County before becoming irrelevant. So why not use whatever's left in the IT budget to bring it back? Instead of the tinny "you've got mail" message, we could all open our laptops to hear "your carport's been cited!" TikTok: We don't watch the RA meeting livestreams, but we definitely would if they were 45 seconds long and featured dancing board members. Restonian.org . Big companies often buy similar-sounding domain names for big bucks. Not saying nothing, but our assessment's going to be due in about six months and we could use a little extra cash, the end.

Contributed by Hunters Woods Fellowship House Reston resident Ivana Uzunic was awarded the AmeriCorps Gold President’s Volunteer Service Award in September, recognizing her for more than 600 hours of volunteer service dedicated to improving the lives of over 300 senior residents at Hunters Woods Fellowship House. These residents often face financial challenges, and Uzunic’s work has had a significant impact on their well-being. “The residents at Hunters Woods Fellowship House love seeing Ivana week in and week out. She greets them with a warm smile and assists with programs like our Tuesday Music Café, where music, singing, and dancing bring joy to everyone,” said Christy Zeitz, CEO of Fellowship Square. “Ivana also plays a key role in organizing healthy food options through our Fellowship Fresh program, making it easier for residents to access nutritious foods and personal items they may not be able to afford. We’re thrilled to have such a generous person helping our residents and proud of her well-deserved recognition.” The Fellowship House provides affordable housing to seniors living on limited fixed incomes of $10,000 to $15,000 per year. With support from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), community partnerships, and volunteers like Uzunic, Fellowship Square ensures that its residents can lead independent, fulfilling lives despite challenges such as the high cost of living in Reston and the greater Washington, D.C. area. The President’s Volunteer Service Award, led by AmeriCorps and managed in partnership with Points of Light, honors individuals who make significant contributions to their communities and inspire others to take action. Before moving to the United States four years ago, Uzunic worked as a physical therapist in her native Serbia, helping children with special needs and volunteering with the Serbian Red Cross. After settling in Reston, she was drawn to Hunters Woods Fellowship House for its multicultural environment and numerous volunteer opportunities. Her involvement includes leading activities, delivering food, and enhancing the quality of life for the residents. In addition to her volunteer work, Uzunic is a full-time health administration student at George Mason University and is set to graduate this coming spring. “The more you do for others, the more fulfilled you feel,” Uzunic said. “The kindness and appreciation of the residents fuel my passion to make a difference.”