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By: Dr. Hayley B. Sherwood, Clinical Psychologist in Reston/Herndon Our pets love us in ways that other humans cannot. No matter what kind of day we have had, how worried or upset we are about something, or how much we are anticipating a dreaded conversation or event, nothing feels quite as warm and welcoming as being greeted by a dog’s smile, sweet gaze, and wagging tail or a cat’s meow and high-held straight up tail. As our children age, they are less interested in greeting us at the door, but our four- legged family members keep showing up. Over the years, I have learned the therapeutic value of pets of all kinds, including snakes, birds, guinea pigs, reptiles, and hermit crabs. Substantial research demonstrates the psychological and physiological benefits of pets throughout the lifespan, including: promoting empathy, prosocial behavior, and conversations about emotions in children, reducing anxiety, offering companionship to, and increasing responsibility in adolescents, fulfilling social needs in adults, and providing structure, safety, and social inclusion in the elderly. I have recently begun to bring my dog Lila into work regularly, and, even in the therapy space, I experience first-hand how healing dogs are. Lila greets everyone with a big wag. She loves people and welcomes them to the office with lots of sniffs and tail-wagging, and, especially with teens, she often helps herself to their laps. She brings so much comfort to clients, who enjoy petting her and scratching her belly while we meet. Some have even commented that Lila is the “real” therapist. It is eye-opening to witness the connections that people, dog owners, and even non owners, form with Lila during therapy. I love hearing clients use gentle, nurturing words and voices with her and observing them in ways that show sides of them that are not a part of our human-to-human conversations. I have heard countless stories about the joy and meaning that pets bring to their owner’s lives, as well as the grief and pain that accompanies losing pets. For families, I appreciate that the death of a pet is an opportunity to teach their children about death and loss. Psych’d to see you next month! -- Dr. S. Dr. Hayley B. Sherwood is a longtime Clin-cal Psychologist in Reston/Herndon. To learn more, please visit her website at www. oakhillpsychological.com . Please visit the About Us section on to learn more about her NEW THERAPISTS!

By Ellyn Wexler, Staff Writer With this year's celebration of Reston’s 60th anniversary, the community's foundation – its original homes – takes on a special focus. Native Restonian David Michaelson and George Railey, experts in restoration and construction of home exteriors, have intimate knowledge of what it takes to keep Reston standing. One of their primary goals in starting Michaelson Railey Improvements in December was to restore homes in Reston and other Northern Virginia communities, replacing the original and often rotted wood with materials that look natural and organic, but will withstand time and weather. An alumnus of Terraset Elementary and Herndon High schools, helped build the first new house in Ashburn in the 1980s as well as the houses behind Herndon High School. “From my office in the Hartke building in Reston, I can see the business where my mom worked when we moved here in 1981,” he said. Michaelson, still living in Reston, and Railey, who lives in Frederick, Maryland, worked together at a similar business for two years. “We were the top sales guys at that company,” Michaelson said. The duo proposed a partnership to that company, which would mean establishing a Virginia satellite office. Although that didn’t materialize, over the course of the negotiations came the basis of their company. “We learned how we interact as partners. As George said, ‘It worked out 1000 percent,’” Michaelson said. “George hooks and lands them, and I cook and fry them.” On that basis, they decided to go off on their own. Coincidentally, both men had previously been in restaurant management, which gave them skills – inventory, materials, organization -- to apply to their new company. “Roofing is our bread and butter, what we do best, but we are also very knowledgeable about siding, gutters, windows, anything on exterior remodeling,” Michaelson said, noting that handyman services will tie in with the maintenance plan they are developing. Michaelson is proud of the synthetic shake shingle roof they recently put on a single family home on Lake Anne, and of recouping $17,000 from the insurance company to replace the wind damaged roof. “I told the young couple, "their granddaughter will see that beautiful roof when she gets married in their backyard,” he said. “What separates us from other companies?” Michaelson asked. “Every company says quality and price, of course, but for us, it’s the fact that we fix our own mistakes.” Reputation is of supreme importance to both men. “I never have to turn the corner to avoid people. We explain ourselves right up front. We’re doing the right thing for the right reason,” he explained. “When Reston started, they used a lot of wood to build the houses,” Michaelson noted. “The problem is that wood rots – those cedar shake, wood shingles and siding that gave the houses their log cabin pure look. The builders didn’t take into account what would happen 30, 40, 50 years later. The humidity from our lakes and big trees speeds up the rot.” What these self-described “roof and code nerds” do is use materials that don’t deteriorate according to the updated codes. “Natural organic products are great, but we need to keep the houses standing,” he said. Michaelson recommends yearly inspections of the home’s exterior to evaluate and address any issues, especially areas that allow moisture in the home that need to be sealed. “We know what is acceptable and what isn’t. The quality of every detail is important." The plan is – eventually – to include the partners’ families in their business. Michaelson’s son Diego, 11, who will start sixth grade at Terraset in September, has already demonstrated some of his father’s acumen. “He rides the same bike trails and carries a fishing pole just like I did when I was a kid growing up in Reston. He gets up on the roof with me, and sets up my ladder. He knows how gutters and downspouts work,” Michaelson said. Diego is also the proprietor of Gogo’s Lemonade stand that operates the week before school starts on the corner of Ridge Heights Road and South Lakes Drive. Although less than a year old, Michaelson Railey Improvements is growing. “Now we do only lightinterior stuff like bathroom vanity and toilet, drywall. We want to build up to full interior remodeing,” he said. And after that, the sky’s the limit, he mused – “Michaelson Railey Inc., Investments, Insurance, Commercial, Apartment Buildings, Development...”

By: Aleyna Akyuz, Intern Back home from school for the summer and wondering what to do? Summer break is the perfect time to participate in various activities and events, get active, and explore the beauty of Reston. Herr Metal performed in the Reston Concerts on the Town series on June 15 to an exuberant crowd. Photo by Benjamin Burgess 1. Go to a free concert If you’re worried about saving up to pay off those pesky loans, but still looking for things to do with friends, no problem! Reston Town Center [RTC], Lake Anne, and Reston Station all have free concerts and free parking throughout the summer. RTC’s Concerts on the Town are every Saturday at the pavilion. It’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy a variety of different genres and artists, including MAG- IC! whose band name you may recognize from their hit song “Rude.” So bring your dog, friends, and family and even stop by Ben and Jerry’s to sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. Reston Station concerts take place at the Reston Metro stop near the Google building, and are free at 7 p.m. Fridays through Aug. 24. Some vendors sell alcohol on- site. Sunset Concerts at Lake Anne Plaza take place from 7 to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays through Aug. 14, and Take a Break events are held from 7 to 8:30 at Halley Rise near Wegmans. For more free concerts, check out Friday Night Live! in downtown Herndon, and enjoy a wide range of artists and bands from up and down the East Coast performing. For information on dates and times, visit https://www.herndonrocks . com/schedule/. 2. Visit one of Reston’s five lakes Lake Anne, Lake Audubon, Lake Thoreau, Lake Fairfax, and Lake Newport cover hundreds of acres of Reston and are the perfect places to fish, kayak, canoe, and boat. No boat? No problem! Rent a boat at Lake Anne or Lake Fairfax. Grab a blan- ket and some snacks for some lakeside picnicking. Any of these lakes could be the perfect spot to take in Reston’s beauty, soak in the sun, and get some fresh air. If you want to make the visit last a little lon- ger, consider camping or fishing at Lake Fairfax. For more information on what to do at this beautiful facility, visit https:// www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/lakefairfax . Keep in mind these lakes are man-made and designed for stormwater management. They are not maintained or monitored, and swimming is strictly prohibited (including Butler and Bright Ponds). Be aware of public access; some docks may not be public. 3. Go for a bike ride or hike Admire some of Reston’s nature on the Washington and Old Dominion trail, a 45-mile long trail that offers a great opportunity to bike, skate, or walk. Directly adjacent to W&OD is an equestrian trail that is perfect for horseback riding. Visit https://www.novaparks.com/parks/wash-ington-and-old-dominion-railroad-regional-park for details. The W&OD trail also includes bars, restaurants, and breweries you can take a pit stop at on your way through the trail. Check out https:// www.bikeablebrews.com/WOD/wod-  home.html for a list of all bikeable breweries and brewpubs. In Reston proper, 55 miles of trails connect neighborhoods to shopping centers, lakes and pools, tennis courts, and shops. Check out Reston Association’s trails map and plan an adventure, or simply walk, run, or bike, to your favorite places rather than driving, and enjoy Reston from a different perspective. Lake Fairfax also has mountain bike trails if you are up for more of a challenge. 4. Visit SkateQuest indoor skating rink Need to cool off, but don't want to get your hair wet? Want to brush up on your skating skills? SkateQuest is the perfect opportunity. Available for all ages and levels, SkateQuest is a premiere indoor ice skating rink that provides public skating as well as private group/individual lessons. So whether you're a pro on ice or have never been on a pair of blades, it's a great spot to avoid those sweltering hot days while still staying active. Once you're done, check out SkateQuest's cafe for food and beverages. 5. Stroll through Lake Anne Plaza Right on the lake, you'll find Lake Anne Plazas unique architecture an ideal destination. There are restaurants, such as Kalypso's (mediterranean-style food) and Cafe Montmartre, as well as a coffee shop, wine bar, a CBD boutique, a brewery, an eclectic used bookstore, and the Reston Museum. You can even support small businesses, such as "Golden Bond" and get matching permanent jewelry with your friends and family. Visit https://the-goldenbond.com/ to find out more about their services and book an appointment. In addition, you can take a seat next to Reston's founder, Robert E. Simon; you'll find a statue of him, called "Bronze Bob," sitting on a bench right next to the lake and perfect for a photo opp. Each Saturday through October, Reston Farmers Market and Lake Anne Craft Market take over the parking lot and plaza, offering farm-fresh produce and handcrafted wares. Don't forget the Lake Anne Cardboard Boat Regatta, a community favorite. Teams construct and embellish their own life-size boats from cardboard to win the race. This event will take place rain or shine at noon on Aug. 10. To participate, register online at https://www . restonmuseum.org/events/2024-card-board-boat-regatta#register . 6. Reston Pools Get your Reston Association Recreation Pass, which is now free to RA members, and take advantage of Reston's 15 pools. Perfect For relaxation, family fun, or fitness, each pool offers something special, from lap lanes and hot tubs to water slides, spray parks, and picnic areas. Also, check out the tennis or pickleball courts. To activate your recreation pass, visit: www.restonwebtrac.org to log in or create an account. 7. Reston Community Center Events Check out the Reston Community Center where the heart of the community comes to life. The Reston Community Center offers diverse activities, from cooking classes to learning to dance, there's something for everyone. Take advantage of the events at the center, and the concert series events sponsored by the community center. For more info visit the events lineup at https://restoncommunitycenter.com/ Want to venture beyond Reston, but not too far? Here are some nearby ideas: 8. TopGolf Enjoy this high-tech golf driving range game, including electronically tracked golf balls and a climate-controlled bay, featuring a full-service bar and restaurant. Plan your visit on the official Top-Golf website, or walk in to set up your tee time. Additionally, host a 3+ bay event on Mondays for half-price and 50 percent off Topgolf gameplay, available only on Tuesdays. 9. Escape Room Herndon Ranked as the #1 Escape Room in Virginia by TripAdvisor, immerse yourself in one of the five interactive escape rooms where players challenge themselves while solving puzzles and clues and complete the mission in less than 60 minutes. Book your reservation online, to test your teamwork and problem-solving skills in a thrilling adventure. 10. iFly iFly is an indoor skydiving experience located in Loudoun. Its self-described "state-of-the-art vertical wind tunnels" are safe and fun for people of all ages and sizes. It's the perfect opportunity for birthday parties, events, or any excuse for an adventure. iFly is available to people of all experience levels and abilities, providing all the proper equipment and accommodations to individuals with physical and/or cognitive challenges, as well as expert-level, highly-trained instructors to assist you.

By Laurie Dornak, Seahawk Boosters via Athletics & Sports Writer **EXCLUSIVE WEBSITE ARTICLE** Baseball : The Seahawks finished the Concorde District regular season in first place and as the Concorde District Tournament Runner Up. They brought home the Northern Region Tournament Championship and finished as the Tournament Runner Up in the State Tournament. Postseason accolades included:Rocky Green, named as honorable mention Washington Post All Met and a sweep of Coach of the Year honors at State, Northern Region, and Concorde District levels by Head Coach Morgan Spencer. Individual awards went to Rocky Green (All-State Honorable Mention, All-Region and All District 1st Team Outfield; All Region 2nd team, 1st base); Campbell Short (All State Honorable Mention, All Region and District 1st Team, Pitcher and All District Pitcher of the Year). All District 2nd team honors were earned by Blake DeHoust, Catcher; Kam Johnson, 3rd Base; Noah Tyler, Pitcher; CJ Kemmerer, Short Stop; Brandon Willis, Outfield; and Honorable Mention to JP Neaves, Outfield. Softball: The Seahawks finished the Concorde District regular season in third place and as the Concorde District and Northern Region Tournament Runners Up. They competed in the State tournament first round. All Met Honorable Mention was awarded to Gracie De La Cruz who also racked up State 2nd Team and All Region and District 1st Team Pitcher, District Co-Pitcher of the Year honors. Meagan Maguire earned State 2nd Team, All Region 1st Team and 1st Base and District Player of the Year awards; and Addie Heath earned All Region 2nd Team Outfield, All District 1st Team Outfielder recognition. All District 2nd team honors included: Audrey Jay, Catcher; Izzy Stinchcomb, 2nd Base; Kayla Rudolph, Designated Player Boys Lacrosse : The Seahawk lax team finished in fourth place in the regular season and earned the following All District honors: Caleb Blow and Xavier Legler, 1st team Attack; and Jackson Blow 1st Team, Goalie. Second team All District awards at Midfield and Defense went to Deep Murthy and Matthew McArthur, respectively. All District Honorable mention, Attack was earned by Caden Kelly and Zubin Kamar. All District Honorable Mention Midfield and Defensive Midfield was earned by Reese Dannenberg and Noah Green, respectively. Girls Lacrosse: finished the Concorde District regular season in 5th place.The Seahawks won the Concorde District Championship and were the Northern Region runner-up.  Individual All Region and All District honors included: Izzie Brabant (Region 1st Team, District 1st Team, Attack), Brenna Settar (Region 1st Team, District 1st Team, Midfield), Sophie Goodiel (Region 2nd Team, District 1st Team, Defense), Keira Duggan (Region 2nd Team, District 1st Team, Defense). 2nd Team All District Attack honors were bestowed on Kendall Settar and Avalon Gallardo. 2nd Team All District Defense and Goalie honors were awarded to Abbey Henry and Ann Roberts, respectively. District honorable mention for Attack, Midfield and Defense were awarded to Lia Smurda, Kassidy Arnold, Addison Munson, and Morgan Hayes, respectively.  Tennis:  The girls and boys teams finished their Concorde regular seasons in third and fourth place, respectively. For the boys, Ephraim Guthrie took fourth place in the Northern Region tournament and was the Concorde District Tournament Runner Up. Ephraim also earned All Region and All District honors. Soccer: The boys and girls teams finished the Concorde regular season in fifth place. Individual post-season acknowledgements were earned by Johnny Jovel-Alvardo All-Region 2nd Team and All-District 1st Team Forward. The girls earned postseason honors:  Emiko Kenney (All-Region and All-District 1st team Midfield), Bridget Brennan (All-Region and All-District 1st Team Defense), and Emily Inman (All- Region 2nd Team and All-District 1st Team, Forward).  Second Team All District awards for Midfield, Defense, Goalie and Forward were earned by Nyla Kargbo, Mackenzie Kingswell, Kaila Ketelhut, and Mart-Caitlyn Laquindanum, respectively.       Outdoor Track and Field: boys and girls Outdoor Track and Field teams qualified athletes at all 3 levels of post-season competition. The boys team competed at VHSL State Championship; finished third  at the Northern Region tournament and won the Concorde District Championship. The girls team took third  at the VHSL State tournament; were champions at the Northern Region and Concorde District meets.  Washington Post All Met accolades went to Caroline Elliott (1st Team), 4x800M Relay team of Aya Ryan, Catalina Simon, Caroline Elliott, and Bella Harsanyi (1st Team). The program also sent athletes to the Nike Outdoor National (NON24) and the Adidas National meets in June. Finn Middleton competed at Adidas Nationals in the 110 hurdles and 200M; The 4x800M Relay team are 2x NON24 champions winning the 4x800M relay and the Distance Medley Relay, defending their 2023 title. With a top finishing result in the 4x400M Relay, they earned three All American titles.    So many individual finishes to highlight at all three levels; but space limitations challenge the large list. Sharing the largest group from the Concorde District Championships’ individual finishes: 100M Dash-Marcus Coker (3rd), 200M Dash-Finn Middleton (2nd), Marcus Coker (3rd) ; 400M Dash-Marcus Coker (1st), Aiden Bednarz (3rd), Dylan Walsh (7th), 800M Dash-Manuel Aguirre-Martinez (1st), Isaac Yudkovsky (5th), Cole Casey (6th), George Hood (7th), Ryan Quinn (10th), 1600M Jason Raffel (2nd), Manuel Aguirre-Martinez  (3rd), George Hood (4th) 3200M, Jason Raffel (6th), Kian Beumer (8th); 110M Hurdles-Finn Middleton (2nd), Cliff Trapp (3rd); 300M Hurdles-Finn Middleton(1st), Cliff Trapp (3rd); 4 x 100M Relay (3rd), 4 x 400M Relay (2nd); 4 x 800M Relay (1st) Long Jump-Blake Jackson (1st) Miles Jackson (8th); Triple Jump-Blake Jackson (2nd), Marc-Anthony Jaoude (8th); Pole Vault- Kenji Urano (3rd), Grant Kutz (7th); Discus-Finn Wilkins (7th), Timaeus Picarelli (9th), Dylan Hall (15th); Shot Put- Finn Wilkins (5th), Timaeus Picarelli (10th), Dylan Hall (16th). 100M Dash- Melanie Velasco (8th), Sireen Hall (9th) Anya Catto (14th); 200M Dash-Sofi Pehrson (2nd); 400M Dash-Caroline Elliot (1st), Aya Ryan (2nd), Precious Mensah, (11th) Keira Malzahn (13th) : 800M-Caroline Elliot (1st), Catalina Simon (2nd), Bella Harsanyi (3rd); 1600M-Caroline Elliot (1st), Catalina Simon (2nd), Ava Grace Satterfield  (11th); 3200M-Lea Soderholm (7th), Irene Ha (9th); 100M Hurdles-Sofi Pehrson (1st) Anna Dooley (6th); 300M Hurdles - Sofi Pehrson (1st), Anna Dooley (4th), Sabina Freeman (10th); 4 x 100M Relay (2nd) 4 x 400M Relay (1st); 4 x 800M Relay (2nd); High Jump-Sofi Pehrson (4th); Long Jump-Anna Dooley (2nd), Sofi Pehrson (4th), Maeve Hartley (12th); Triple Jump-Sofi Pehrson (2nd), Melanie Velasco (3rd), Anna Dooley (4th); Pole Vault- Eleanor Hood (11th), Evelyn Pound (12th); Discus-Maeve Hartley (1st), Mona Bouyboud (2nd) Precious Mensah (11th); Shot Put-Maeve Hartley (1st), Mona Bouyboud (3rd). VHSL State individual finishes were 400M – Marcus Coker (14th);800M - Manuel Aguirre-Martinez (24th); 1600M -  Jason Raffel (19th), George Hood (20th);110MHurdles- Finn Middleton (5th); 300M Hurdles - Cliff Trapp (14th); 4 x 400M Relay (16th); Long Jump- Blake Johnson (13th); Triple Jump- Blake Johnson (10th); 800M Run-Caroline Elliot (1st), Aya Ryan (3rd), Bella Harsanyi (4th ), Catalina Simon (8th);1600M,Carolina Elliott (1st), Catalina Simon (3rd), 300M Sofi Pehrson (11th);  4 x 100M Relay(16th);  4 x 400M Relay (5th); 4 x 800M Relay (1st); Triple Jump Sophi Pehrson (15th); Discus- Maeve Hartley (5th); Shot Put- Maeve Hartley (14th) Northern Region individual finishes were 200M Dash – Finn Middleton (1st) Marcus Coker (5th); 400M Dash- Marcus Coker (4th) Aiden Bednarz (7th); 800M Dash- Jason Raffel (9th), Isaac Yudkovsky (10th) , Cole Casey (12th) , George Hood (13th), Manuel Aguirre-Martinez (15th); 1600M Jason Raffel (3rd), Manuel Aguirre-Martinez (5th), George Hood (6th), 110M Hurdles - Finn Middleton (2nd), Cliff Trapp (3rd) 300M Hurdles - Finn Middleton (3rd), Cliff Trapp ( 4th); 4 x 100M Relay (7th), 4 x 400M (5th) 4 x 800M Relay (2nd); Long Jump - Miles Jackson (3rd), Blake Jackson (8th); Pole Vault 3rd Blake Jackson; Shot Put (7th), Finn Wilkins.   200M Dash (9th) Sofi Pehrson; 400M Dash- Caroline Elliott (3rd) Aya Ryan (4th) Bella Harsanyi (6th); 800M Run - Caroline Elliott (1st) Catalina Simon (2nd) 1600M Run - Caroline Elliott (1st) Catalina Simon (2nd); 100M Hurdle- Sofi Pehrson (1st) Anna Dooley (5th); 300M Hurdles- Sofi Pehrson (2nd) Anna Dooley( 6th); 4 x 100M Relay (4th); 4 x 400M Relay (2nd); 4 x 800M Relay (1st) Long Jump - Anna Dooley (7th); Triple Jump- Sofi Pehrson (2nd); Ella Laban (5th), Melanie Velasco (10th); Discus- Maeve Hartley (1st), Mona Bouyboud (11th); Shot Put- Maeve Hartley (3rd) Mona Bouyboud (9th)

By: Dylan Murphy, Staff Writer Reston Association [RA] will celebrate its 60th anniversary with a community pool party and cookout, free for all RA members and recreation pass holders. Beginning at 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 20 at Lake Newport Pool, the celebration will feature activities for all ages, and provide an opportunity to share memories and stories of Reston from throughout the years. RA Director of Communications Cara O’Donnell, described the celebration as a “good old-fashioned community cookout and pool party.” Activities will include a DJ, pool games, a raffle with prizes, kids’ games, and plenty of food and non-alcoholic drinks. There will also be a memory wall, where people can pin up photos and mementos that tell the stories and experiences of Reston residents. RA, one of the country’s largest community associations, strives to sustain and protect the community’s quality of life by caring for Reston’s natural environment and recreational facilities, and organizing and promoting community events. The association maintains and operates a vast array of recreational facilities –pools, tennis courts, paved paths, ballfields, playgrounds, courts, picnic areas, garden plots, and rental facilities for meetings and gatherings. The upcoming celebration is intended to honor 60 years of RA members’ contributions to the Reston community. “Restonians have often told us that our pools are some of the amenities they value the most, and so we thought it only fitting to mark this anniversary with a big community pool party,” said RA CEO Mac Cummins in a press release. Lake Newport Pool was chosen for its large facility and additional outdoor space. For non-members and non-passholders, admission is $20 for children and $30 for adults. Register online at www. reston.org/events .

By Sarah Hickner, Reston Letter Book Club President https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSebmSKaIkqUXoFMZAgfNhmc_mFGijiG_xIce9ehwbNvIDPvPA/viewform Our inaugural Reston Letter Book club meetup featured the prolific Reston author, Donna Andrews. We sipped tea while Andrews spilled the tea on all things writing and murder mystery. I would love to tell you about real life people who have made it into the pages of her books (and may or may not have survived), but those are official RL Book Club secrets! The new location of the Elden Street Tea Shop at Lake Anne was a perfect setting for our gathering. We finished the evening inspired and ready to meet more local authors.  For the next meetup we will be discussing our next book, “In His Own Words: Stories From the Extraordinary Life of Robert E. Simon Jr.” by Reston’s own Kristina Alcorn. We will meet on August 1 at Veloce Deli in Reston to discuss the book with Kristina. Our goal is to bring Reston area authors and readers together, so our next book will teach us about the town that started it all. The book is available locally at Reston Museum and new copies are also for sale at the Reston Used Book Store.

By Restonian, Reston Blogger Why is the helicopter flying overhead? The neighborhood kids are playing ding-dong-ditch again. I have emailed this blurry Ring video to the county police, FBI, ATF, CIA and MI5. Does anyone parent anymore? Who can fix my 50-year-old air conditioner? The neighbors keep asking us to do something about “Old Grindy” because it makes their house shake, but it keeps our house at a comfortable 82 degrees. AVOID: This contractor came over to fix my 50-year-old air conditioner. He just put his head in his hands and started weeping gently. Does no one want to work anymore? FOR SALE: Chair, gently loved, good place to sit. $3500 OBO. I saw someone I don't recognize walking down my street. Should I call 911 before or after I go to my panic room? Seriously, why is the helicopter hovering over my neighborhood? Friendly message from your cluster board: Paint your door one of the one approved colors or face our wrath.  We never forget, and we never forgive, for we are the Thin Mauve Line. P.S. Don't forget the cluster picnic on Friday! ALERT: A strange man wearing a uniform was wandering around the neighborhood and deposited several items in my mailbox. Should we call the National Guard? FREE: Chair, minus the upholstery, legs, back, and cushion. Okay, it's a piece of wood, but does no one want to give a perfectly good piece of furniture a little TLC anymore? The neighborhood kids are now hanging out in the parking lot. Don't they have homework? Hi, I'm a local government official who has to post here as part of my job. Consider this the equivalent of walking into a crowded room and dropping off a flyer without making eye contact with anyone, then slowly backing away. Why is the helicopter flashing its spotlight into my window?   [ This post has been deleted ] Who is censoring my posts about my petty conflict with my neighbor? What, is this Soviet Russia? [ This post has been deleted ] Why has the helicopter landed on my roof?  Hi, it's the neighborhood kids. We got tired of playing ding-dong-ditch and hanging out in the parking lot, so we created Nextdoor accounts. Why is everyone watching us all the time?  We went to this restaurant, ordered two glasses of water, and they didn't burst into tears with gratitude for our custom. Does no one understand customer service anymore? Why is the helicopter pilot and a SWAT team bursting through my attic?  Can anyone recommend a good lawyer?

By Dr. Hayley Sherwood, Clinical Psychologist We all have at least one person in our lives — a parent, an in-law, a co-worker, a spouse, or a friend, who immediately offers us solutions whenever we share something with them. We have a problem with a boss, another friend, a child, or just a situation, and, hoping to receive support or encouragement, we text or call (or talk with in person) that person with all the details, and, in response, we hear, “You should” do this or say that. We end up leaving the conversation feeling unsupported, annoyed, or dismissed. What if we could take our power back, and, instead, ask the other person for what we need FIRST? I realize this requires some vulnerability as well as some insight into other people’s skill sets, but so many relationships could thrive if we all decided to start our conversations with a simple statement: “I am venting, and I just need you to listen.” As for the person on the receiving end of the text, call or in-person interaction, in the event that this statement is not made, what if you asked the question, "Are you venting, or would you like a solution?” before jumping in with a quick fix? Most of us need of a good listener. According to an April 28 Psychology Today article, active listening involves five steps: receiving, understanding, remembering, evaluating, and responding. Most importantly, however, is the pausing required to listen to the substance of what the speaker says. We watch countless adults in our lives from very early on, reacting to each other, because most people are more interested in imparting their knowledge and expertise and planning a reply than listening. While those in positions of authority often have lived longer or had more life experience, that does not make their guidance best for you in your situation. Which is more important — maintaining a relationship, or being “right” about how someone else might handle a problem? Unless the situation involves safety, I would choose to preserve the relationship. At this time of year, many high school graduates are about to embark on their next chapter. Parents, this is a particularly good time to practice resisting the urge to problem solve for your young adult child (i.e., please do not fill out job applications, college forms, etc., for your child unless you plan for your child to continue to require someone to make their lives easier down the road). Teens want and need to trust their parents to be resources, so, when teens unload or share something that is causing them worry, anxiety, or another emotion, be sure to clarify what he/she/ they needs before attempting to fix anything. Our kids will inevitably make choices with which we do not agree, and, as long as they are not in danger, we can conserve our energy for a time they might actually need our help. If you are on the receiving end of unsolicited advice, it is important for you to pause, too, to allow yourself to consider where the other person is coming from and recognize that people come with histories, baggage, and ways of handling situations based on their own lives. Most people are not telling you what to do, trying to control you, or attacking you. Therefore, when you receive unsolicited advice, take a moment to consider the other person’s backstory and how that likely shapes their response. If you simply acknowledge what the other person suggests (e.g., “that’s an interesting idea”), rather than becoming defensive or argumentative, you will minimize the risk of even more unsolicited feedback, and, potentially damaging your relationship. Psych’d to see you next month! -- Dr. S. Dr. Hayley B. Sherwood is a longtime Clinical Psychologist in Reston/Herndon. To learn more, please visit her website at www.oakhillpsychological.com . Please visit the About Us section on her website to learn more about their new therapists.

By Megan Schmid, Staff Writer After moving to Reston from London in 2022, Georgia Norton discovered how mental health metrics vary immensely from country to country. According to a recent American Psychiatric Association poll, one in three Americans feels lonely every week and is more likely to ease this feeling through a distraction, like TV or social media, instead of reaching out to connect with others. “For many in a large city, working from home, video-calling, and ordering groceries online all liberated us to be more present and engaged in our local communities, simplifying lifestyles,” Norton said. “But when I moved to Reston, I noticed a lot of isolation, and craved that serendipity of conversation on the sidewalk and at walkable local events, school runs, and coffee shops. A lot of ‘convenient’ technology innovations are restricting human connection, which we fundamentally need as a social species.” In an effort to encourage community bonds while in the challenging throes of parenthood, Norton started the Parents’ Coworking Club pilot program at the Jo Ann Rose Gallery space at the Reston Community Center at Lake Anne. She chose this space for its natural light, high ceilings, and inspiring displays of local art, a stark contrast to the typical coffee shops, kitchen tables, or corporate office space rentals commonly available to those who work remotely. The Parents’ Coworking Club, created specifically for parents of Reston elementary school children, met three times this past spring. Around 25 parents came across the weeks, with children in six different Reston schools. With peaceful music playing in the background, 16 desks were set up with aerating plants, and healthy refreshments were provided. There also was a stretching area, a lending library with texts on conscientious parenting, and a table with stationery supplies, activism resources, and local event information provided by Reston Museum. “There was a real appetite for this offering, and I saw some wonderful connections being made as attendees got to chatting with one another about what they did and what their kids are into. Camaraderie was the top piece of feedback, which was exactly what I'd hoped to spark,” Norton said. Norton plans to host the next Parents’ Coworking Club this fall at the Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods. She is also exploring costs and applying for grants to lease an office space to provide more community events for local families. “Rates of loneliness are shocking and with all the division in society right now, nurturing our community feels like the right thing to do,” she said. Contact Georgia@Playhood.club to join the mailing list or sponsor an event. Ideas like Norton's that result in positive action in the community are the types of ideas that continue to make Reston a great place to live, work, and play — just like our founder intended.

Contributed by Reston Environmental Advisory Committee photo by Clean Fairfax Single-use plastics continue to be a hot topic both globally and locally. Convenient and inexpensive, these items have become an integral part of our lives, but also cause significant damage.  Single-use plastics, such as straws, utensils, take-out containers, beverage bottles and cups, and bags, are commonly seen littering streets and parks, as well as  lakes and streams, affecting the aquatic environment. They eventually make their way to the ocean, causing further pollution and damage to the marine environment.  It is estimated that by 2050, plastics will outnumber fish in the ocean. Nearly all plastics are made from fossil fuels, impacting our climate with the release of greenhouse gas emissions at every point of their lifecycle, from production to landfill. Plastic does not break down; instead it breaks up into many tiny pieces, in due course becoming what is known as microplastics. These end up everywhere, contaminating our land and soil, water, and even the air we breathe.  While waste management recycling systems and statewide bans such as the 2022 Plastic Bag Tax in Fairfax County are in place to reduce pollution and divert waste from ending up in landfill, these methods are not enough to break our dependency on plastics. That starts with refusing or reducing single-use plastic items. Plastic Free July began as a grassroots movement in 2011 to raise awareness of plastic pollution. The movement has grown, with millions of people pledging to reduce their plastic consumption in the month of July. It is estimated that those participating in the movement in 2021 reduced almost 2.1 million tons of waste.  Plastic Free July is a great way to encourage people to reduce plastic waste, find alternative options, and build long lasting habits. Joining the movement is easy; go to https://www.plasticfreejuly.org  to register.  Here are a few tips to get you started: Conduct a “waste audit” of your trash to see where your use of plastic is the greatest. Create a “To Go Bag” with reusable items such as a water bottle, coffee cup, silverware, or straws to carry with you when out and about. Store reusable shopping/produce bags in the car or in your “Go Bag” so they are always handy. Say no to plastic straws or silverware when ordering takeout. Or opt to dine in instead. Bring reusable containers to the restaurant to take home leftovers (thereby also reducing food waste). Choose products with cardboard instead of plastic packaging. Buy loose produce instead of those bagged/wrapped in plastic. Clean Fairfax  also has some useful resources and tips available to help you make the change. If you want to consider extending it past July,  take Reston’s Biophilic Pledge  and commit to reducing your use of single-use plastics along with other environmental pledges.

By Louise Seirmarco-Yale, Reston Artist If I were to ask if you like art, what would you say? I’ve often gotten the same reply: “I don’t know anything about art, but I know what I like.” Some claim not to be creative or able to draw. Those responses make me wonder. We mostly agree that sports are for everyone; either you are an athlete or a fan. When asked if we like a sport, we usually don’t feel the need to say, “I’m not athletic,” or conclude that sports are only for an elite few.  We assume we can appreciate athleticism without being talented ourselves. Why then do people become defensive when it comes to art? When you ask little children if they like art, the answer is always the same: They love art. So, what happened to the natural love of art we had as children? Our innate openness to human creative expression seems to be in our DNA. Since the dawn of man, people have decorated their houses (or caves). There also seems to be a natural inclination to make stuff. Once it is formally declared “art,” however, many adults become intimidated. The elitist notion that one must be talented, rich, and educated to enjoy art leaves out most of us. I call this “The Art Myth.” The notion that somehow one must “know about art” to enjoy it is false. Yet we deny ourselves this pleasure. What a shame. Art enriches life. I’ve often thought that the sometimes barren, all-beige environment of corporate cubicles could use a bit of livening up with some art. What if it’s true that art makes people happier? A happy employee is more productive, right? Wouldn’t that be good for the bottom line? Why then live without art on the job as well as at home? We are insecure about our choices. What will others think? Leaving the walls beige is the safer choice, albeit boring. Too bad. Good news: We can change. Needing experts to guide us is firmly entrenched in society’s thinking. As children, we naturally need adults for guidance even if they misguide us. Do you remember a hurtful incident around art? Did it cause you to mistrust your art instincts? We can change how we feel about art as adults. We don’t need an expert to pick out the color of our car, or the clothes we wear. Maybe it’s because these are not considered art choices? But they are. You are already good at it, right?  You buy what you like, and you feel good about it. Every month, I will bring you ways to help you to trust your art instincts again. We will look for erroneous notions about art from childhood that no longer work. Begin to look around you. Start noticing art. You will discover that you do know what you like. And, that it is enough.   Louise Seirmarco-Yale is a Reston artist, speaker, teacher, and suthor of  “Art. You Be The Judge. Reawaken Your Instincts and Enjoy Art on Your Own Terms,” available on Amazon. Learn more at www.peopleneedart.com , or email: hello@peopleneedart.com .

By Dylan Murphy, Staff Writer photos by Benjamin Burgess and Isadora Guerreiro The Washington Capitals and the Fairfax County Park Authority’s [FCPA] brand-new inline skate rink at Lake Fairfax Park has opened. In the wake of the Capitals’ controversial attempt to establish a new arena in Alexandria, this project became a welcome endeavor that furthered the Caps’ goal of promoting the game of hockey, and the FCPA’s goal of providing community recreation opportunities.  Donated by the D.C.-based National Hockey League team, the 85-foot-by-185 -foot roller rink is unlike any other facility in the county’s park system, and is complete with bleachers, hockey goals, and penalty boxes. FCPA board member Benjamin Boxer describes the rink as a “new opportunity for adults and children of all ages to recreate, skate outdoors, and enjoy the game of hockey.”  Lake Fairfax was chosen for its available space as well as to appeal to a vocal community interest.  The project came about as a result of a community member’s suggestion to FCPA.  The NHL and the Caps were eager to collaborate with the FCPA to turn that idea into a reality, and bring the rink to Lake Fairfax.  The partnership between FCPA and the Capitals began in 2021, after the Fairfax County Public Schools  joined the Caps’ Hockey School Program. This program, offered in more than 1,600 schools, provides  floor hockey equipment, training, and P.E. curriculum to elementary and middle schools.   The installation, which cost the county about $1.9 million, was a combined effort of FCPA, who organized the site preparation and supported the infrastructure ,and the Caps, who donated the rink. The development involved clearing and grading, the construction of a paved rink and a new gravel parking area, LED lightning, and stormwater management facilities.  The rink will be open daily from 9 a.m. until dark; once the lights are programmed, the rink will stay open until 9:30 p.m., according to Boxer. Admission is free for the general public, and operates on a first-come, first-serve basis. The entire rink can be reserved for $75 per hour. For availability and reservation information, contact the Park Authority’s picnic department, at FCPApicnics@fairfaxcounty.gov .