When the Capitol Building is under seize, and all the nation’s leaders are held hostage, one Cabinet member is secure in a distant location. That person is chosen by the president to be the designated survivor. Chantilly author John H. Matthews imagines this scenario in his latest novel, a gripping thriller set in D.C. and Northern…

A new school is coming to Reston this fall, offering Montessori education for inquisitive elementary and middle school students. As an admirer of the Montessori method, I was eager to learn more about this venture. I recently met with Garrett Wilhelm, the co-founder and Head of School of Berthold Academy, to learn more about this new school….

If you’re not hooked on Instagram yet, you’re missing out! It’s a showcase of talent and inspiration. Whether your interests lie in art, food, music, sports, fashion, nature, or countless other topics, you’ll find something intriguing on Instagram. Here are ten of our favorite local Instagrammers. While you’re browsing, be sure to follow us at @modernreston for…

I have often wanted to visit this area’s newest Irish pub, and with St. Patrick’s Day approaching, I decided it was finally time to head to P.J. Mulligans. This restaurant is owned by people who have run some of the most beloved Irish pubs in the DC area. I visited with them to learn more about their backgrounds and…

When I met with Leslie Combemale on Wednesday morning, she was cheerful and energetic even though she had been working all through the night. But if your job was to see an early release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens in the middle of the night, and then write a film review before coming to the art gallery that you…

It’s time for another holiday home tour!  If you enjoy seeing beautiful holiday decorations as much as I do, you’ll love Raquel’s charming home. She invited me to visit her house and see her sophisticated yet family-friendly holiday decorations. Raquel lives in North Reston with her husband, Dave, and their five-year-old son, Fletcher. She is the President of the Board of Directors…

This has been a week of reflection as we celebrate the life of Bob Simon and the founding of Reston. Much has been said about Simon’s community vision where people work together, live together and inspire one another. Reston is one of the nation’s most successful planned communities because of these concepts, but what does that look like…

You’ve probably heard that berries are high in antioxidants, but did you know that research has shown that they can help to fight or prevent several illnesses? One vendor at the Reston Farmers Market is so impressed with the health benefits of berries that he has built a career around them. Jerry’s Gourmet Berries is a family-owned farm located…

Every Saturday morning during farmers market season, an art market takes place on Lake Anne Plaza. If you haven’t taken a close look at the vendors there, I encourage you to do so. There is a lot of talent and quality on display every week. I’ve discovered some beautiful artwork and hand-crafted products at the Reston…