Your guide to the region's top events, mixed with some commentary about life, media, gossip and politics in Washington, DC.
|
The Blogger Beat: Restonian
In this week’s Blogger Beat, we take a long, hard look at Reston, Virginia, with neighborhood blogger Restonian.
By
Emily Leaman
Restonian in Reston, Virginia (where else?). Photograph by Chris Leaman
Restonian—who keeps his identity under wraps—started his blog about Reston more than a year ago. “It was an easy target to make fun of,” he says.
The brainchild of Robert E. Simon—his initials, R.E.S., became the basis of the town’s name—Reston is a planned community that sprang up in the 1960s. It aims to strike a balance among living, working, and recreational space—and it sometimes achieves that goal through overly earnest means. Case in point: manmade Lake Anne and its surrounding Lake Anne Plaza, a promenade of sorts built to look like the Italian costal town Portofino.
It’s the artificial aspects of Reston that the blogger pokes fun at. Restonian, the blog, is like a localized version of The Daily Show: Think news with a punch line. He covers everything from local politics and real estate to environmental news and crime. He says his blog hasn’t received any awards, “but I did get told I wouldn’t be welcome in one of the particleboard developments in Loudoun County I write about from time to time.”
Restonian lives and works in—you guessed it—Reston. We caught up with the 38-year-old father of two and quizzed him about his town. Best and worst architecture? Most idyllic intersection? When the Silver Line will be completed? Read on for his answers.
Describe Reston in six words or fewer:
“Earth-toned. Mauve. Lots of trees.”
Three things you like about Reston:
“(1) For all the mockery, it’s a walkable, livable community, especially as far as suburbs go; (2) it’s no idyllic paradise, but it is a place where people of all income levels and backgrounds live side by side; and (3) the Macaroni Grill.”
Three things you hate about it:
“(1) It allows the NIMBY (Not in My Back Yard) types to wrap their petty issues into more ostensibly high-minded concerns, like ‘saving trees’ or not having Reston turn into ‘another Manhattan’; (2) the strip-malling of space that was supposed to be used for other purposes; (3) the Design Review Board—if you’ve ever gotten a letter from them, you’ll understand why.”
Most bizarre crime you’ve ever heard of in Reston:
“There was our wetsuit-and-wig-clad murderer, which really wasn’t funny at all. And the bank robber who forgot to bring something to put all his cash in and had to ask for a bag. The funny part there is that he’s still at large.”
Biggest environmental travesty:
“Maybe the golf courses. You don’t hear people complaining about all the trees that were sacrificed for those.”
Reston founder Robert Simon: man or myth?
“Definitely not a myth. I see him walk around Lake Anne just about every day. After he made his fortune developing Reston in the ’60s and ’70s, he could have easily cashed out and moved to a giant McMansion on some tropical beachhead. But he still lives in the community, is active in politics, and readily admits when things fell short of his original vision.”
Local leader you most wish you could fire:
“Anyone who talks about how much they love Reston and then turns around and says it’s a scary, dangerous place when they’re campaigning in the neighborhoods that surround it. That describes quite a few people who have run for office of late.”
Best and worst architecture in Reston:
“The best: Lake Anne Village Center. It’s like a little slice of Europe dropped in the middle of Northern Virginia—make that Eastern Europe, but it’s still nice. The worst: It would be easy to say Terrasset Elementary, the 1970s-era school that was famously built mostly underground. But in truth, it’s all the soulless, off-the-shelf office space that’s cropped up on both sides of the Toll Road in recent years.”
Most idyllic intersection:
“There’s the signposted Virginia scenic byway that’s literally a block long, goes by an old distillery, and terminates within eyeshot of the Macaroni Grill. Bring your camera and a picnic lunch.”
Reston’s cross streets that the chamber of commerce doesn’t want you to see:
“The homeless encampment within spitting distance of the Target.”
Your thoughts on manmade lakes:
“All the homes alongside them have these awesome motorized floating docks that detach from the mainland and become boats. They’re like earth-toned Transformers.”
Your guess as to when Metro’s Silver Line to Dulles will be complete:
“When I’m Bob Simon’s age.”
The most stringent home or condo regulations that you’ve heard of in your area:
“One of the townhouse developments (or ‘clusters,’ as we call them) has walled courtyards with wooden gates. The gates are required to be painted the same color as the trim on the house. That’s reasonable. But they got into a longstanding feud with one unit where the back of the gate wasn’t painted. Bear in mind that you couldn’t see the back of the gate when the it was closed—or when it was open, because it was the back of the gate. But rules is rules.”
Finish this sentence: “If a movie were made about Reston, it would be called . . .”
“Brazil, only with more earth tones. Or It’s a Wonderful Life, except Mr. Potter would be head of Sallie Mae.”
Where you’d live if you didn’t live in Reston:
“Columbia, Maryland—Reston’s evil doppelgänger. Think I’m kidding? It has a street called Satan Wood Drive.”
Favorite local blog besides your own:
“Wonkette.”
Next week in the Blogger Beat, we talk traffic, transportation, and urban cycling with Greater, Greater Washington’s founder, David Alpert. Tune in next Wednesday for the interview!
Earlier:
The Bitten Word
Eat the Press
All Blogger Beat interviews
Have a favorite local blogger you’d like to hear from? Send an e-mail to eleaman@washingtonian.com. More>> Capital Comment Blog | News & Politics | Society Photos
|
Category Tags: Blogger Beat
Comments
7 At the end of the air filled with the desire to shop, windows everywhere Sale, the people involved in purchasing again and again the tide. As long as you look accurate, it is cheaper to buy a variety of favorite long can the good goods. can be concentrated in such raids without reckoning wanton procurement, but also easy to lose, so their reduced to "junk woman".
shopping, celebrities have always charge the former, experience is particularly rich . The stars of the shopping in Hong Kong after discount on large numbers of summer vacation in Hong Kong were more strongly into China. But the star, after all, not a fashion designer, was at a higher level, the reason gold, this issue also invite more place the most active designers and fashion people, personally surgeon, to help you sort out the change of the fashion pulse of new and old, peeling silkworm spinning, out of season rush to buy discount focus and dedication from their losses and gains experience.
Cecilia
raids Location: Times Square, Causeway Bay shopping
focus: the rebate, is cost-effective to buy cosmetics. In addition, Times Square, selling all kinds of girls clothing all year round, it is suitable for Cecilia’s style.
link Beijing: China Friendship Department Store < br> bag bargains key: even if a discount, the top big things, or very expensive. Therefore, learning to Cecilia, a down to meet their own tastes, purchasing power of local girls shopping for their installed it.
Vision Xuan
1. Fast shipping ,Best quaity products,
2. Payment Method : Accept Paypal,Western Union ,Money Gram,
3. and give free shipping, Accept the smallest order,
4. EMS,DHL,TNT,FEDEX etc.
Welcome into our WEB: http://www.cheapsneakercn.com
or http://www.newsneakerswholesale.com
raids Location: Pacific Place shopping
focus: Jessica, said: "buying things, the mood is most important, a discount is still followed. discount when the mind to keep the wrong reason will not buy a shirt. "seasonal, the Pacific Place and other brands such as D & G will hit 5 discount, shoppers are crazy. Jessica shopping frenzy does not belong to the girl, she likes to enjoy a leisurely way to try on clothes in the environment.
Link Beijing: Palace Hotel
bag bargains focus: a world-class brand of seasonal goods, but also enjoy five-star shopping environment. discount store dressing room to be some period of long lines, very annoying.
Carina Lau
mop Location: Central, The Landmark
shopping points: famous discount, the Carina is often the first time in the Landmark in Central to buy some clothes. waiting there almost every day, paparazzi photographed celebrities visiting the shop shapes and sizes. If there were paparazzi be exposed Shu Qi in the Landmark bought the former boyfriend Dawn LV purse.
link Beijing: International Trade
bag bargains focus: mature women have the economic strength of the F1 layer of the LV,cheap jordan shoes, Max & Mara and other big discount, absolutely immense interest.
Shirley
1. Fast shipping ,Best quaity products,
2. Payment Method : Accept Paypal,Western Union ,Money Gram,
3. and give free shipping, Accept the smallest order,
4. EMS,DHL,TNT,FEDEX etc.
Welcome into our WEB: http://www.cheapsneakercn.com
or http://www.newsneakerswholesale.com
raids Location: City Plaza shopping
points: Shirley admitted that discount when buying more for the family, prefer the design of flu in some famous small jewelry, see the chic, will be more to buy some souvenirs. Shirley that time to the mid-range priced discount shopping, more affordable, cost-effective.
link Beijing: Oriental Plaza
bag bargains focus :louis vuitton handbags There are many new jewelry store in particular is worth watching.nike shoes
Tsang
raids Location: Causeway Bay shopping Crawford
key: Do not look to see Eric Tsang, in fact, but his authentic "human fashion . "discount in August each year seven seasons, Crawford boutique often as low as 6 fold, Eric Tsang usually discounted selection of men’s time,replica IWC, including attending events to wear suits, usually wear casual clothes when shopping and so on.
Link Beijing: Lufthansa
bag bargains focus: Lufthansa Men do not fancy, but definitely has the quality of content, clothing brands such as BOSS, Xenia class brand, should be the successful man not to be missed Taobao focus.
Anthony Wong
raids Location: Causeway Bay SOGO SOGO shopping
focus: shopping is clearly not just a small girl’s patent, even if it rough as Anthony Wong’s "character man" is also keen to Shopping, I once SOGO SOGO Department Store in Causeway Bay and saw Anthony Wong, accompanied by the Assistant buy clothes. He admitted that from time to time the discount SOGO activities is to attract one of the reasons he went. Anthony Wong preference with punk-style clothing, hand-painted T-shirts and with nail jeans will let Anthony Wong put it down.
link Beijing: SOGO, Parkson
bag bargains key: do not discount timing activities,mbt shoes give you a lot of value for money windfall.
Ekin Cheng
mop Location: Sai Yee Street, (Shoes Street)
shopping focus: not so in love with actress and cosmetics to buy pretty dresses everywhere, like the movement of Ekin Cheng usually buy more emphasis on sports and leisure shoes, so Sneaker Street in Mong Kok he must be free to visit the place. Shoes Street stores selling NIKE, ADIDAS and so on of the newest sports and leisure shoes are usually sold at prices of seven Bazhe it off for the birth does not know how frugal is Ekin Cheng It is a very economical choice, so he does not shoot as long as it will go to buy a few pairs of sneakers Street favorite shoes home.
link Beijing: SOGO Oriental Plaza Sports 100
bag bargains Focus: Sports class clothing. Movement like you, discount,mbt shoes be sure to buy some more.
She Poetry Man
raids Location: Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui shopping
points: Poetry Man She always busy filming, not so ordinary girl visit this store a lot of time, so she likes to Harbour City, you can also see the works of famous fashion designers and international famous brand stores, discount focus when, against a lot of things to be able to Amoy.
Link Beijing: World all Stores
bag bargains focus: people who do not have much time, the best brands on all of this high place,replica Rolex, one will be able to scrape together almost.
1. Fast shipping ,Best quaity products,
2. Payment Method : Accept Paypal,Western Union ,Money Gram,
3. and give free shipping, Accept the smallest order,
4. EMS,DHL,TNT,FEDEX etc.
Welcome into our WEB: http://www.cheapsneakercn.com
or http://www.newsneakerswholesale.com
Posted by: sneakercn, Jun 29, 2011 04:11:08 AM
We will give you warm and effective suggestions to choose the suitable one for you.You can get cheap,very high quality and low price. Free shipping, paypal accept!
Welcome into our WEB: http://www.cheapsneakercn.com
cheap air jordans shoes
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
air jordans for sale
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
cheap air max shoes
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
air jordans
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
air jordans on sale
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
wholesale air jordans
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
cheap air max
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
air jordans wholesale
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
cheap air jordans sneakers
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
air jordans shoes
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
wholesale jordans
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
discount air jordans
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
cheap air force one
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
air force 1
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
nike shox
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
cheap air jordans on sale
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
cheap air jordans for sale
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
new jordans
http://http://www.newsneakerswholesale.com/
air jordans 2010
http://http://www.newsneakerswholesale.com/
air force ones
http://http://www.newsneakerswholesale.com/
air max 2010
http://http://www.newsneakerswholesale.com/
cheap air force one shoes
http://http://www.newsneakerswholesale.com/
air jordans sale
http://http://www.newsneakerswholesale.com/
air jordans buy
http://http://www.newsneakerswholesale.com/
cheap air jordans free shipping
http://http://www.newsneakerswholesale.com/
air jordans for cheap
http://http://www.newsneakerswholesale.com/
cheap air
http://http://www.newsneakerswholesale.com/
cheap nike air max
http://http://www.newsneakerswholesale.com/
cheap nike air jordans
http://http://www.newsneakerswholesale.com/
cheap air force 1
http://http://www.newsneakerswholesale.com/
cheap nike dunks
http://http://www.newsneakerswholesale.com/
jordans
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
wholesale air max
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
air jordans 11
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
nike air shox
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
wholesale nike air jordans
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
cheap nike air jordans shoes
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
max 360
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
cheap shox shoes
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
nike air jordans
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
cheap jordans
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
air max nike
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
air jordans cheap
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
air jordans 13
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
new air jordans
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
cheap nike
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
retro air jordans
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
air jordans 6
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
jordans for cheap
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
nike air jordans cheap
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
low price air jordans
http://http://www.newsneakerswholesale.com/
buy nike air jordans
http://http://www.newsneakerswholesale.com/
new nike
http://http://www.newsneakerswholesale.com/
nike kicks
http://http://www.newsneakerswholesale.com/
jordans cheap
http://http://www.newsneakerswholesale.com/
wholesale nikes
http://http://www.newsneakerswholesale.com/
cheap nike air force 1
http://http://www.newsneakerswholesale.com/
wholesale cheap jordans
http://http://www.newsneakerswholesale.com/
sneakers
http://http://www.newsneakerswholesale.com/
new air max
http://http://www.newsneakerswholesale.com/
cheap air force ones
http://http://www.newsneakerswholesale.com/
air max 2009 sale
http://http://www.newsneakerswholesale.com/
new air jordans shoes
http://http://www.newsneakerswholesale.com/
wholesale nike air max
http://http://www.newsneakerswholesale.com/
cheap jordans shoes
http://http://www.newsneakerswholesale.com/
kids jordans
http://http://www.newsneakerswholesale.com/
air jordans 1
http://http://www.newsneakerswholesale.com/
cheap air shox
http://http://www.newsneakerswholesale.com/
air jordan shoes china
http://http://www.newsneakerswholesale.com/
wholesale cheap nike
http://http://www.newsneakerswholesale.com/
wholesale air force ones
http://http://www.newsneakerswholesale.com/
cheap nike shoes
http://http://www.newsneakerswholesale.com/
cheap shoes
http://http://www.newsneakerswholesale.com/
nike dunks
http://http://www.newsneakerswholesale.com/
new nike air jordans shoes
http://http://www.newsneakerswholesale.com/
wholesale shoes
http://http://www.newsneakerswholesale.com/
cheap air shoes
http://http://www.newsneakerswholesale.com/
authentic air jordans
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
nike shoes
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
air jordans 12
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
nike air max
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
nike jordans
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
jordans shoes
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
cheap nike shox
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
cheap air max 2009
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
buy cheap air jordans
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
nike on sale
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
basketball shoes
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
nike dunk
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
nike
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
air max 2009
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
air jordans 2009
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
air force one
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
nike air force
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
retro jordans
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
nike shox nz
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
nike air force 1
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
nike air jordans shoes
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
cheap nike air max 2010
http://http://www.cheapsneakercn.com/
Posted by: wholesale shoe for china on sale, Apr 06, 2011 04:52:31 AM
Satan Wood Drive has since been renamed. It is now Satinwood Drive.
Posted by: Anonymous, Jul 06, 2009 06:21:08 AM
Oh, and you also list Lake Anne as one of the best parts of Reston, but the new "Master plan" calls for a major redevelopment there, as well, which will add 1300 condos and replace many of the existing buildings in that area with highrise buildings, completely altering the character of the plaza. Not to mention that there is no funding earmarked to deal with the educational needs of all the children who will live in the condos, when Lake Anne elementary is already over capacity. The current plan is to put classrooms for them in the highrises and bus them to Lake Anne elem. for gym and to use the playground. Hardly fair to the kids involved who don’t get to be part of a real school. But the developers aren’t particularly interested in the education of young children.
Posted by: aekapl, Mar 16, 2009 07:49:25 AM
Does it make one a "nimby-type" to want to avoid having ones neighborhood bulldozed and replaced with condos? I gather from reading this that you support the increased density caps that the county is trying to force on us. I have lived in Reston my entire life, and it is a very special place with a lot of established neighborhoods. The new "master plan" calls for eliminating a lot of the older neighborhoods and replacing them with high-density housing. I guess you think it is a good thing for people to be driven out of their neighborhoods?
Posted by: aekap, Mar 16, 2009 07:37:16 AM
I think the worst environmental travesty would have to be the release of 407,436 gallons of oil that is a Superfund site and not golf courses http://www.epa.gov/reg3hwmd/super/sites/VAD988225876/index.htm
Posted by: Chris Reilly, Feb 19, 2009 12:12:03 PM
At the risk of sounding like a groupie, Restonian’s blog is one of the funniest local ones I’ve come across. Don’t even get me started on the Bratz graphics...
Posted by: Alejandro (washingtonian.com), Feb 18, 2009 10:13:31 AM
|
Post a comment
Feel free to leave a comment or ask a question. Because of the prevalence of spam, we ask that you fill out the code in the image below to help us eliminate spam comments. By posting here, you affirm that you are 13 years of age or older. Washingtonian.com reserves the right to remove or edit content once posted.
|
|
|
