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Reston Town Center’s Crafthouse, at 1888 Explorer Street, is hosting the official Washington Commanders post-game radio show every Sunday beginning with the Sept. 8 match-up with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Hosted by Washington football legend Fred Smoot and Commanders/BIG100-FM radio host Scott Jackson, the broadcast will be live from Crafthouse’s performance stage after each Sunday game. It will be broadcast on BIG100-FM as well. The game itself will be shown on all Crafthouse TV located throughout the restaurant. Crafthouse will offer a Tailgate menu of wings, nachos, chili cheese beef brats and fried mozzarella during the radio shows. BIG100 will have drawings during the live show for pairs of tickets to Commanders games.

Contributed by Reston Community Center The Reston Multicultural Festival returns to Reston Town Center to celebrate Reston’s rich diversity through song, dance, craft arts and community engagement on Saturday, Sept. 21. Reston Community Center presents this beloved community event in partnership with Reston Town Center Association (RTCA). BXP cohosts the expanded festival. Volunteer coordination is provided by Reston Association. “Our diversity is our greatest strength,” said Beverly Cosham, RCC Board of Governors Chair. “We present the Reston Multicultural Festival each year to share the incredible sights, sounds and joyful energy of people who come from all over the world to be here. Bob Simon established Reston as a place where everyone could feel a sense of belonging. For more than 20 years, this festival has embodied that spirit. We welcome people from all over the region to join the fun!” The Reston Multicultural Festival will take place Sept. 21 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. with a full day of entertainment and activities that includes global music and movement representing a vibrant tapestry of diverse traditions and influences, and craft artisans offering beautiful, high-quality, unique pieces. Families can enjoy games and engage in activities with community organizations as they share their missions. Participants are encouraged to come dressed in attire that demonstrates pride in their cultural roots. This year the Festival expands to three stages (Park Stage, Library Street Stage and Pavilion Stage) hosting over 20 performances. The festival will also have more than 30 artisan vendors displaying and selling items from all around the world. The Reston Multicultural Festival continues its partnership with the National Council of Traditional Arts (NCTA) and National Endowment of Arts (NEA) Heritage Fellows, recipients of the nation’s highest honor in folk and traditional arts, and the Virginia Folklife Program. The NEA Heritage Fellows performers this year are the Zuni Olla Maidens, a venerated dance troupe from Zuni Pueblo in western New Mexico; Rosie Flores, a singer/songwriter and lead guitarist from Austin, Texas; and Sochietah Ung, a celebrated Cambodian costume and crown maker from Washington D.C. Everyone will enjoy a Festive Finale from the first collegiate choir of its kind in the world, the Howard Gospel Choir of Howard University, who are celebrating over five decades of musical excellence. The choir, a collective of students and alumni from Howard University and the surrounding community, will bring a message of peace, restoration, healing and inspiration through their music. Other performer highlights include the Foley Academy of Irish Dance, Fundacion Socio Cultural Diablada Boliviana, and Gin Dance. Storytellers Mlanjeni Nduma, and Nelly and Paloma Zapata, will bring fascinating tales to share. New this year, a documentary film featuring many folk artists from the Mid-Atlantic region will be shown in the LOOK Cinema on Market Street at 3 p.m. The film “In Good Keeping: the 2023-2024 Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship Program” has a running time of approximately 65 minutes. Visit www.restoncommunitycenter.com/mcf for a comprehensive performance schedule along with a list of vendors and community organizations.

by Sarah Golden, Staff Writer Fans of urban planning will say that the best communities are those that have a “third place.” Most say third places, a local spot within communities where people can gather that is not where they live or work, is a dying concept in modern America. In Europe and other parts of the world, they’re more commonplace – a local café, pub, park, or charming public square where friends and neighbors gather to chat over a cup of coffee or something stronger. Reston has a little of this rare charm at The Farm at Halley Rise, which just celebrated its second annual Beer in the Garden event. This urban farm, located behind the Wegmans off Reston Parkway, houses a berry patch, herb garden, fruit trees, and a pollinator and vegetable garden. Managed by the urban agriculture company Up Top Acres, the farm harvests fresh vegetables to donate to Cornerstones, a local charity. It also serves as a beautiful third place where Restonians can gather in nature. The ultimate purpose of the Beer in the Garden event is to get locals out to the farm, connect with each other, and experience the wonderful resources urban farms offer, said Up Top Acres’ Charlotte. During the event, the farm shared some of their herbs and vegetables with local brewery Lost Rhino, which developed syrups to pair with their beers. Visitors also sampled a beer of their choosing with jalapeno, rosemary, or lavender syrups, in a beautiful glass with a logo commemorating the special occasion. The Lost Rhino Kolsch with lavender syrup was a nice herbaceous and subtly sweet concoction. The event also featured a bouquet bar where attendees could arrange their own bouquets of sunflowers, eucalyptus, and daisies. The experience of making your own floral arrangement while surrounded by flowers and herbs tends to make people grateful to have access to such a beautiful place. If flowers and beer aren’t your thing, there were plenty of friends and family hanging out in between the flower beds amid the sunshine and live music. The farm is accessible during non-event hours as well, and visitors are welcome to sit, relax, and even help themselves to the fresh berries and herbs. To learn more about upcoming events and the work Up Top Acres does to increase access to fresh foods across urban areas, visit www.uptopacres.com/thefarmathalleyrise.

By Sarah Golden, Staff Writer This summer, The Reston Letter is highlighting some of the vendors that participate in the craft market at Lake Anne. This month, we’re featuring two women-owned Reston businesses that are bringing their unique products to Restonians. Barbara Lopez - Black Star Jewelry Barbara Lopez, Black Star Jewelry’s owner and designer, may have earned the award for most traveled market vendor. The Pittsburgh resident frequently brings her hundreds of hand-designed, gemstone laden rings, pendants, bracelets and earrings to the Lake Anne Market. Asked what keeps her making the three-and-a-half hour drive each month, she said it’s in her DNA. Lopez has been a “road warrior” since the late 1990s, when she would travel with her late husband, a silversmith, to gem exhibitions on the West Coast. These events could be grueling – 10-hour days spent selling pieces to convention attendees as well as identifying and buying the best gems possible for their flourishing business. When her husband passed away in 2012, Lopez lost the desire to trek across the country to large conventions. Instead, she wanted to take her pieces to where her clientele was, which at the time was largely the Northern Virginia area. She stumbled upon the Lake Anne Market, and found more than customers who adored her pieces; she found a community of widowed women who could relate to what she was going through. Lopez spent that spring and summer crying, reminiscing, making life-long friends and, of course, selling beautiful jewelry. Lopez said decorative raw iron inspires her in crafting her jewelry designs. She loves the swirls featured in ironwork typically associated with New Orleans or Georgia architecture. Her designs are uniquely her own, and she sources the gemstones directly, individually, and often in person, from India. Having traveled to India 30 times, she calls it her second home. The time and care Lopez puts into her craft is evident in the pieces. I can attest to their quality. Almost three years ago, I bought a lapis ring from her that looks as stunning as the day I bought it. She specializes in rings, but her selection runs the gamut. The most popular gemstone she sells is White Rainbow Moonstone, which is characterized by chatoyancy, a gemology term for an effect that occurs when a bright light is shone onto the gem’s surface and causes light to be reflected back in a narrow line. While her items are sold in stores in Boston and Sedona, the best way to see her pieces is to subscribe to her email list at tactile57@gmail.com. She’ll share when she’s headed to Lake Anne, and also notify you about Zoom sessions where she’ll show off new items for the holiday season. Rosanna Farrell - Nana Rosanna Collection If you’ve found yourself saying, “oh my gosh, that’s so cute” at Lake Anne Market, there’s a good chance you’ve just spotted a Nana Rosanna original. Rosanna Farrell, the owner and seamstress behind Nana Rosanna Collections, is a relative newcomer to the Lake Anne scene. About a year ago, Farrell rediscovered her love of sewing and spent all winter creating baby rompers. She thought they were so cute that he just kept creating more. By March, she was selling her items in the Very VA storefront in Leesburg, and by May, she was at Lake Anne. Despite her quick success, Farrell isn’t in this for the money and she’s not looking to expand to new markets. She enjoys the creative outlet sewing provides, getting into the zone and blocking out the rest of the world while focusing on the task in front of her. She also loves the Lake Anne Market, which she said, is in large part due to the locals that come each weekend and her lovely co-vendors who are always there to help and encourage each other. Farrell always sets her sights on new patterns, designs, and products. She currently works with five baby romper designs. She likes to keep the style traditional, a little retro, but always comfortable for babies. Recently, she expanded to selling pickleball towels, complete with adorable pickle patterns, and aprons made from canvas. Farrell’s website is in development, so the best way to find out when she’ll be at the market is to email rosannfa@gmail.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 Patricia Kovacs, Staff Photographer, Writer In an era of chain coffee shops, The Traveling Shepherd Coffee Company brings a unique coffee experience to the parking lot at the Fox Mill-South Reston Park and Ride every Friday morning. Inspired by the traveling shepherd in Paulo Coelho’s best-seller “The Alchemist,” owner Brandon Berryhill launched his coffee business with the dream of sharing the coffee traditions he has experienced during his travels around the world with the goal of encouraging conversation, understanding, and community. Offering more than just a caffeine fix, Berryhill roasts small batches of fresh single-origin imported coffee beans in his garage every week, and authentically prepares his coffee using 12 different cultural traditions – usually right in front of the customer. From Ethiopian coffee beans brewed in a traditional clay jebena to Turkish coffee beans brewed in a copper cezve to Vietnamese coffee prepared with condensed milk, each cup offers an experience of global coffee culture. “I make coffee the way they do it in each country and sell it at a reasonable price. Then I offer good, uplifting conversation,” he said. He encourages customers to take the experience home. “Try something and, if you like it, you can do it yourself at home,” he said. “I teach you for free, just like the people in my travels have taught me for free." The Traveling Shepherd began his journey to coffee entrepreneurship after leaving his former career restoring failing pizza franchises. He made ends meet as an Uber driver while getting his new business off the ground – sometimes even conducting market research with his passengers taste-testing his coffee. Berryhill envisioned using coffee as a means of encouraging people to appreciate what we have in common while also exploring what makes us different. “Every culture drinks coffee, but just practices it a bit differently. This is a common denominator we can all work with to foster conversations and community with each other. My ultimate goal is for people to see each other based on their humanity, not their identity," he said, emphasizing the importance of building understanding in politically polarized times. With four regular weekly locations and free delivery of his coffee beans throughout Northern Virginia, The Traveling Shepherd is gaining a loyal following. Regulars look forward to their weekly visits, where they can chat with other regulars and build community. Restonites looking for a coffee experience that goes beyond the ordinary can find The Traveling Shepherd’s tent in the parking lot at the corner of Reston Parkway and Fox Mill Road at the Fox Mill-South Reston Park and Ride every Friday morning from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. 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.

Contributed by RSTA Lake Newport pool hosted the July 27 All-Star meet with swimmers from all eight Reston teams, each celebrating a different country, as they embraced this year’s Olympic theme. Commemorative All Star T-shirts honored that theme as well. Top left: Rose Steiner (left) hugs her sister Grace who came in 2nd in butterfly and 3rd in backstroke in the 8U group and came in 3rd for North Hills 100m Freestyle Relay with Amelia Xia (right), who was also on the winning relay team (not pictured: Emi Rideout and Emma Scott). Top right: The Lake Anne Stingrays 15-18 boys set a team record in the 200m medley relay. From left to right: Alex Hejmo, Matthew Kauffman, Ryan Leaman, Nathan Vikhman. Bottom left: Hunters Woods 8U girls came in 6th place: left to right: Kaira Anyaoku, Ella May, Sloka Gangidi, and Arabella Qi. Bottom right: 8U Lake Audubon boys relay team won first place. From left to right: Liam Thongtavee, Dylan Baker, Bode Lake, Alborz Hosseini Soreshjani. The league’s top swimmers in each dual meet event competed in the All Stars, but participation is limited to a maximum of two individual events and two relays. All the swimmers showed off the results of their hard work during practices by beating their personal bests. In addition to the usual events, an exhibition swim at the end of the meet allowed each team to showcase their coaches’ talents and unique team spirit. The South Lakes High School band ran the concession booth and kept friends, families, and fans well hydrated, caffeinated, and sugared so they could keep the cheers coming for all the great performances in the pool. The competition was tough, with many photo finishes and, of course, some more records falling: Team Name(s) Event whose team record was broken Time Glade Caroline Swartzbaugh (8), Charlotte Freedman (7), Emily Nistler (7), Scarlett Livesay (8) Girls 8 & Under 100m Freestyle Relay 1:30.45 Lake Anne Alex Hejmo (16), Matthew Kauffman (16), Nathan Vikhman (18), Ryan Leaman (16) Boys 15-18 200m Medley Relay 1:56.85 Lake Anne Ryan Leaman (16) Boys 15-18 50m Freestyle 25.06 Lake Audubon Andrew Fritz (17) Boys 15-18 50m Breaststroke 31.87 This year, Autumnwood Piranhas swim manager Karen Hawley was awarded the Kim Klarman Award. Klarman was a manager for the Autumnwood Piranhas, who served on the RSTA Board of Directors for 12 years, chaired many of the most important Reston Swim Team Association committees, and was RSTA president from 2008 until her passing in February of 2012 from cancer. For 18 years, Klarman was associated in some way with RSTA. In honor of her devotion to RSTA, the Board of Directors established "The Kim Klarman Award.” As part of the award, the league will donate $250 to a charity of the recipient’s choice. It honors a member of the RSTA family who truly makes a difference to the league and to the community at large with a commitment to long-term service. The award is presented each summer at the end-of-season RSTA All Star meet, where all eight of the swim teams in the RSTA league are represented.

By: Casey Menish The Rotary Club of Herndon-Reston named Renee Gorman its 2024 Citizen of the Year. Gorman is the founder and president of She Believes in Me, a local non-profit that “serves vulnerable children and their families who face a wide variety of challenges on a daily basis.” Gorman was a Fairfax County Public Schools counselor for 25 years, and finished her career there working at a Title 1 school. “A lot of these kids have parents working multiple jobs, and entire families living in one bedroom,” said Gorman. She realized it was difficult to give a student 15 minutes in her office and then put them right back in the classroom. That limited time was exacerbated by COVID-19 when counselors were cut off from their students and Gorman was even more concerned for their welfare. During the pandemic, She Believes in Me volunteers would “deliver emotional support packets to the homes of the children to keep them emotionally healthy, spiritually uplifted, and show them that there was a consistent adult in their life,” Gorman explained. She Believes in Me partners with seven schools in the Herndon/Reston area. Each month, they focus on teaching students a different life skill; a liaison program provides food resources, and a recently launched teen leadership program enables teens to visit community corporate partners and learn about potential job opportunities and careers. Both Gorman’s father and brother were involved in the Rotary Club. When they heard about the work her organization was doing in the community, they invited her to speak at breakfast meeting. “From that, it catapulted them to get more involved; they gave us a grant, and volunteered,” Gorman said. Lions Club volunteers helped by “hands-on mentoring children at our life skills even. They also provided some of the inspirational activities we needed each month, and they continue to connect me with other community partners that help leverage what we do.” The Citizen of the Year Ceremony took place in April, and Gorman said that “the entire night was really about those people getting up and speaking about She Believes in Me and how it impacted them, and endorsing the organization.” The award was a surprise. “I had no idea the magnitude and honor that came with being chosen. I don’t think that really hit me until I realized that evening really was all about the organization. I was so honored that they recognized the work that was being done.” Gorman said. “Their honoring me inspires me to do more.” Having the Rotarian “stamp of approval” gave She Believes in Me" credibility. “Because the club is so well-regarded, they open a lot of doors. If they have vetted you, people feel confident in your work.” Gorman’s has a message for The Reston Letter readers: “I want them to know that Fairfax County appears to be rich in resources, and everybody living comfortably. Yet when we pull back the curtain, there are families and children that need our help, and that’s what we do. We go to the doorstep of those most vulnerable, and provide emotional support for the children, and resources for the family.” Visit shebelievesinme.org to learn about volunteer opportunities and how to offer financial support.

By: Caroline Ayres, Staff Writer South Lakes High School’s new principal, Carlos Seward, is committed not only to leading, but also to listening. He wants the community to know that “I don’t want to be the principal, I want to be your principal.” Seward, who replaced former principal Kimberly Retzer, hosted multiple meet-the-principal events in late July. He offered information about himself and his values, and opened the floor to the community’s questions. Seward received his principal training at William & Mary, and previously worked as a principal in Rappahannock County. Although Rappahannock County and Reston are vastly different in many ways, both are tight-knit communities. Seward acknowledges he will be jumping into new experiences at the start of the school year, but is learning everything he can to prepare. However, he’s undeterred and eager to embrace it. “Here’s the difference between me and the other people on Earth,” he said, grinning at the crowd of parents, students, and staff members. “I’m drinking from the firehose, but I’m thirsty.” Describing himself as “realistically positive,” Seward made it clear that he is just as committed to kindness and community as he is to keeping the school safe and orderly. “I believe in structure. I believe in systems. I also believe in compassion,” he said. Seward said he prefers to spend time around the school instead of in his office, and wants to prepare South Lakes students for the “Three E’s” – employment, enrollment, and enlistment.” He is committed to ensuring that every family’s investment in education is looked after at South Lakes. Reston principals are ready to start the year! New South Lakes High School principal, Mr. Carlos Seward, Hunters Woods Elementary principal, Mrs. Emily Cope, and Langston Hughes principal Dr.Herman Mizell spent some quality time with fun llamas over the summer Photo by Maria Walkup

By: Aleyna Akyuz, Staff Intern In a world where fashion trends and fads are constantly evolving, Golden Bond has found a way to make lasting memories and connections through unique pieces that are built to last. Specializing in permanent jewelry, CEO and owner Lexie Badawy describes jewelry as the “golden bond between everyone; it crosses all ethnicities, races, colors, socioeconomic statuses etc. It unites people together,” hence the name. Permanent jewelry is unique compared to traditional jewelry because it is welded directly onto the wearer. In Badawy’s own words, Golden Bond is designed to be “experiential,” starting with the selection of an affirmation card that the customer can keep. After choosing chain and charm options, customers receive a Golden Cleansing Care Kit to maintain their jewelry. The studio, located in Lake Anne, offers a variety of metals, including sterling silver, 14-karat gold fill (referred to as "modern gold"), and solid gold. Badawy caters the material to the customers' preferences and needs, ensuring that everyone can find something special. The team works with private parties and retail businesses, recently collaborating with well-known brands like Reformation and Anthropologie. The actual welding process is quick, taking as little as two minutes. Badawy explains that an important part of the process is that it is therapeutic for the customer. She loves hearing the personal stories of her clients, from birthstones representing loved ones to transforming sentimental pieces into new creations. Badawy shared a story about a customer who brought in her late parents' jewelry to be transformed into new pieces. The studio created matching permanent bracelets and clasp bracelets for her and her husband, as well as a necklace. While working as a high-end hair colorist in New York City in 2020, Badawy had a severe accident that left her physically unable to continue in that field. After rehabilitation and healing, she discovered permanent jewelry. As Badawy says herself, she’s always had a thing for power tools and pretty things. Although she had anticipated that permanent jewelry would be a creative hobby, her deep-rooted work ethic wouldn’t allow her to stop there. It didn’t take long before she grew it into a thriving business. In just one year, the business has achieved remarkable success. From its first pop-up event in July 2022 to winning the Best of Modern DC Luxury Award for Best Permanent Jewelry and Events, Golden Bond continues to thrive. For more information visit https://goldenbondjewelry.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.

Contributed by Phantom Foodie The Olympics are in full swing, and so is the Reston restaurant scene. With several international cuisines to choose from, French would seem like the obvious choice, but this month, the focus is more reminiscent of Tokyo 2021. Located in the Home Depot Shopping Center, this little gem is known to locals and delivery drivers alike. The menu features an array of Japanese dishes, from sushi and sashimi, to ramen and bento boxes. Inside is no-frills, with a fast food restaurant or food court vibe – but clean. Tables, booths, and chairs line the left and right perimeter with seating for about 30. Order at the counter or via the touchscreen kiosk. An order pickup table is front and center, with patrons and delivery drivers coming and going at a regular clip. The staff are attentive and friendly without being intrusive, offering a seamless dining (or pickup) experience from start to finish. Beverages include typical fountain and bottled drinks. Self-serve soy sauce is available in addition to the single-serve cups accompanying each meal. Try the Yum Yum sauce (tangy mayonnaise) for a little something extra. The Bento House Box and Bento Box Deluxe are go-to favorites. The Deluxe includes an entree, small side salad, spring roll, and four-piece California Roll. Each box is well presented and portioned, offering a delightful medley of flavors and textures, making it a great choice for those who want to sample a bit of everything. Add a side order of Gyoza or the Takoyaki appetizer, and feel transported to the street markets of Osaka. Sushi and sashimi, which is surprisingly fresh, can be ordered a la carte by the piece. Specialty rolls of eight pieces or traditional sushi rolls of six pieces offer more opportunity for sampling. The miso soup and ramen are standard. The Green Tea Mochi ice cream, with its smooth, chewy texture and subtle sweetness, was a delightful end to the meal. Mango, strawberry, and red bean mochi also are available. The kids' meal is chicken teriyaki with rice or noodles or veggies. Team event? Try the Family Pack for a good value. If you’re on your couch and don’t want to miss any live Olympic action, try a taste of Japan and order delivery through the Bento House app or your favorite order delivery service. The restaurant is built on speed and efficiency. This breakout star reaches the podium with high marks in price, convenience, and taste. -Phantom Foodie Bento House Reston 11790 Baron Cameron Ave Bento House Chantilly 4299 Chantilly Shopping Center Suite #105 Mon - Thurs: 10 a.m. - 9:30 p.m Fri - Sat: 10:30 a.m. -10 p.m. Sun: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. https://www.bentohouse.online we have never been and will never be reimbursed for our restaurant reviews, nor do the restaurants our staff review know that they are writing about their food and experience beforehand.

By Sarah Golden, Staff Writer This summer, The Reston Letter is highlighting some of the vendors that participate in its The Reston Farmers Market at Lake Anne. This month, we’re featuring two women-owned Reston businesses that are bringing their unique products to Restonians. Kim Ibanez – Harlow’s Kim Ibanez, started her baking company after the birth of her second child, Harlow. Although the namesake of her company is her second child, Kim says Harlow’s is a whole family business with simple origins. Ibanez’s husband encouraged her to take up baking as a hobby. She quickly fell in love with the art of baking, and decided to take her passion to the people of Reston. Harlow’s features traditional, yummy treats like triple chocolate chip cookies and Tahitian vanilla cupcakes. Ibanez also likes to experiment with fun, unique flavors like champagne raspberry, inspired by the flavors of her own wedding cake. However, where Harlow’s really shines are the Filipino bakes. Her Pandesal – Filipino dinner rolls – come in both original and Ube flavor. Ube is a purple yam that has semi-sweet, nutty flavor and makes baked goods a beautiful, vibrant purple color; they are a Harlow’s fan favorite. Ube lovers should check out the Ube angel cake and Pandesal. Those visiting the Lake Anne Harlow’s stand shouldn’t pass up the opportunity to try out Harlow’s Halo-Halo, a Filipino delicacy which means “mixed” in Tagalog. Typically, the dish features shaved ice, evaporated milk, and toppings like coconut, ube, and diced fruit. It’s a sure-fire way to keep cool during these unbearably hot Reston summer days. Ibanez appreciates the sense of community at the Lake Anne Market, and the strong support Restonians give small businesses. She hopes to open her own store front some day, but for now, be sure to catch her at the market each Saturday. Check out her bakes at HarlowbyKim on Instagram, Facebook and her website: Home | Harlow’s ( harlowsbykim.wixsite.com ) Karyn Knueven – Knueven Soap Several years ago, Karyn Knuevan, a long-term Reston resident, was feeling unfulfilled in her job. She had been declared legally blind in her 20s and, although she went to college, she ended up in a field for which she was overqualified, in part due to her impairment. But that job introduced her to something that would change her life: YouTube. She began watching tons of soapmaking videos and, although there’s an element of danger with a legally blind person working with lye, she thought “I could do that.” and the element of danger made things a bit exciting. Once she started, Knueven couldn’t stop. She found ways to challenge herself and up her skills, to the point that she felt it was time to take her abilities to market – literally. Lake Anne Market was the first place Knueven sold her soap. She began focusing on natural, plain soaps, and has since expanded to more fun and funky designs and scents, including watermelon soap. Some of her soaps are miniature works of art, featuring beach sunsets and adorable cats. She also has expanded into candle making, using recycled punch cups and glassware to create eco-friendly candles. She’s so passionate about the environment that she offers candle refills; once you’re done with your candle, you can bring the glass back to her and she’ll fill it back up, wick and all. Knueven’s love for soapmaking and the environment is matched only by her love of people. She consistently participates in events that allow her to give back to the community. Each holiday season, she takes part in Gifts of the HeART at the Reston Community Center. Ten percent of her proceeds to to Cornerstones, a local non-profit that provides housing, food, and financial support to Fairfax County residents. Unless there’s a downpour, you can find Knueven at the Reston Farmers Market at Lake Anne each Saturday. She loves connecting with locals, so come say hi. If you’re curious about her products, visit www.Knuevensoap.com , @knuevensoap on Instagram or Facebook. 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 Holly Weatherwax, Staff Writer Reston is full of hidden treasures, but one of the most unexpected and beautiful might be the rock gardens on Orchard Lane. Located just a short walk from Lake Anne Plaza, and found by crossing the Van Gogh bridge and following the sidewalk that winds around the lake, some of the rock gardens are in the front yards of the townhomes and others in community spaces. All are designed with the idea of ‘flow,’ inspired by the homes’ lakefront location.    Lifelong Restonian Ket Vongsavath is the rock artist behind these rock gardens. The 13-year Waterview Cluster resident originally started a rock garden project to brighten his own dark front yard. After removing some ground cover, and, inspired by trees he had seen in Rome, Italy, he decided to ‘lift’ his boxwoods. Left with an unattractive patch of dirt beneath an  arch of boxwoods, he decided to create a ‘hide and seek’ space in the gap. What started with three rocks, which he considered a failed attempt at improvement, evolved into stunning rock gardens.   For his first rock garden, Vongsavath tried to create a flow to match Mother Nature and the lake. All the designs ultimately flow to the lake. The idea of creating art with rocks evolved as he delved further into the project. The concept of ‘Zen relaxation' further inspired his creativity.   While the first project was purely visual, these rock gardens now have a secondary purpose. They have become a way to address poor drainage, and fill in where plants do not grow easily.    Along the way, Vongsavath partnered with another local resident to add visual interest and color to the creations. Michael Amico creates painted stones for the displays. The first one he made was a dragonfly for Vongsavatis’ front yard, but as time passed, the many painted rocks have varied – including Ninja Turtles and  ladybugs. A popular rock, Bluey, is currently out for updates. Amico says that creating a rock takes between one and two weeks, but some take longer like the rainbow fish, which can take as long as six months.   As Vongsavath’s talent and interest have grown, he has taken on projects for his neighbors. In his townhouse row, each yard has a different ‘theme.’ One celebrates an interest in abstract art, another a passion for yoga, and still another, a love of flowers.    They gardens are designed on paper; then Vongsavat handpicks the rocks from local quarries. Using a fabric liner to keep out weeds, he sets the stones by hand. Compression is good for the stones, so he doesn’t object to young children stepping on the gardens.    There are other fun additions to the gardens like tipped and/or broken flowerpots, planters created with cement and old tee-shirts, a fountain created with bamboo harvested from Hickory Cluster, and hands made of  cement and vinyl gloves. There are also rocks set up on a nearby sewer that children, and other fans, can manipulate and create.    In their day jobs, Vongsavath works in IT and Amico is a pediatric nurse. These projects allow them to use their creativity in ways they don’t often get to do day-to-day. Vongsavath has experienced a reawakened passion for art and painting, beyond the garden, and now spends some of his free time on his own art. Photos by Isadora Guerreiro