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Bring the whole family or your Valentine to enjoy a day of chocolate history, culture, and food at the National Museum of the American Indian, Saturday, Feb. 14, 10 AM – 5 PM. 

Visitors can watch as Executive Chef Alex Strong of the museum’s own Mitsitam Cafe shows how she makes some tasty chocolate treats, enjoy performances by dance group Danza Tecuanis, and follow the path from blossom to beverage with an interactive presentation, and make and take a bookmark to remember the day! 

SCHEDULE

10 AM-4 PM | Amate Bookmark Activity
Made from fig and mulberry bark, amate is a type of paper that has been made and used by Indigenous communities of what is now Mexico for generations. Amate was often used to create codices or folding books. Join our museum educators to make and take home your own amate bookmark. 

10:30 AM-5 PM | Blossom to Beverage
The Jose Reyes Family (Mixtec) will share the process of turning cacao into chocolate. “Blossom to Beverage” delves deep into cacao, from blooms through ripe cacao pods, and finishes with the frothy beverage we recognize as hot chocolate.

11 AM, 2 PM | Food demonstrations with Executive Chef Alexandra Strong
Mitsitam’s executive chef will demonstrate how to make some of her favorite chocolate desserts.

12:30 PM, 3:30 PM | Performances by Danza Tecuanis
Local Mixtec dance group Danza Tecuanis fills the Potomac Atrium with movement.

*Schedule subject to change

Since launching in Fairfax County, Feast & Fettle has begun making its way to dinner tables throughout the region. As the meals arrive, so do the stories that remind the team why this work matters.

One member shared that for the first time in months, she had time to sit with her children after work instead of rushing to prepare dinner. Another told the team that her family had finally eaten three real meals together in a single week. These are the moments Feast & Fettle is designed to support.

Life in Fairfax often moves at a fast pace. Long workdays, after-school commitments, and packed calendars can leave little room for preparing a meal from scratch. But when dinner is already made and waiting in the fridge, the evening feels more manageable. The time around the table becomes something to look forward to again.

Feast & Fettle’s new regional facility is now fully operational. This space allows the team to ensure every delivery arrives on time and with the freshness members expect. It is more than a logistical center. It is a sign of long-term investment in the region, creating jobs and reinforcing a commitment to serving families with care and consistency.

Every meal is crafted in small batches by the in-house culinary team using whole ingredients and time-honored cooking techniques. The menu rotates each week and includes a variety of entrees, sides, and kid-friendly options. There are no shortcuts because quality is never the part that should be compromised.

The company is also continuing to build local relationships. An early partnership with community groups supporting furloughed federal workers was just the beginning. Feast & Fettle is committed to being part of the neighborhood in a meaningful and lasting way, not simply a service that drops off meals and moves on.

For those who have recently joined, the team is grateful to welcome them as members. For those still exploring, there is an open invitation to see how much simpler and more nourishing dinner can become.

Because at the end of the day, a good meal should give something back. Time. Comfort. And a chance to simply be together.

New members receive their second week free by using code LOCALNEWSNETWORK at checkout or following the link here: BECOME A MEMBER

Reston Association is now accepting candidates for the 2026 Board of Directors. This year, four seats are up for election: one At‑Large Director (three‑year term), Hunters Woods/Dogwood District Director (three‑year term), Lake Anne/Tall Oaks District Director (two‑year term), and Apartment Owners’ Representative (three‑year term). Whether you’ve always wanted a hands‑on role in shaping Reston’s future or are simply eager to give back, this is your moment to step forward.

Board service is deeply rewarding and impactful. Directors set policy in key areas such as finance, strategic planning and personnel, ensuring our neighborhood remains vibrant and valued. This is an opportunity to advocate for sustainable growth, champion amenities that reflect residents’ needs, and help guide decisions that preserve property values and enhance quality of life.

Applications are available online or at 12001 Sunrise Valley Drive and must be submitted by 5 p.m. on January 23, 2026, via email to electionscommittee@reston.org or in person. Voting will take place from February 27 through March 31, with results unveiled at the Annual Meeting in April.

Reston’s strength lies in the active involvement of its members. If you care deeply about your community and want to shape its direction, I encourage you to consider running for the Board of Directors. Visit www.reston.org/election to review the candidate packet, explore district eligibility and begin your application today.

Happy 155^th birthday @ChildrensNational! 

As the region’s only standalone children’s hospital, kids have been the center of our mission since 1870. 

From routine visits to breakthrough treatments, we’re celebrating every brave step with world-class care close to home. 155 years of being there for them — and for you. 

Kids Are Our Everything.

Rugby is a fun sport that allows people of all walks of life and capabilities to be challenged, to enjoy the thrill of a team sport, or being a part of something that can span a lifetime.  Rugby, including tackle, offers kids- whether small or large, slim or heavy, short or stout, agile or speedster- equal opportunities to run with the ball, pass it, and play defense.  In rugby, everyone needs to participate that way; nobody gets left out.

We are registering now for our spring tackle season, which starts in early February. If you have any questions please reach out to info@alexandriarugby.com.

Feast & Fettle, a prepared meal delivery service that has become a household name in the Northeast, is officially launching in Fairfax County on January 3. Their mission is simple: help busy families enjoy better meals without the stress of cooking.

Their meals are fully prepared by an in-house culinary team and delivered chilled, ready to heat and serve. This isn’t a subscription box that requires prep or cleanup. It’s dinner, already done, with nothing left to do but enjoy it together.

Feast & Fettle saw Fairfax as the exact community it was looking to serve, with its blend of growing families, busy professionals, and people who value real food. They pride themselves on serving those who live busy lives, but don’t always have the time to cook.

Even before their official launch, the company took steps to get involved. They partnered with local organizations to donate a week’s worth of meals to furloughed federal workers. It was an early gesture of support, rooted in the belief that everyone deserves a comforting meal, especially when life gets unpredictable.

Their new regional facility, now open, will support deliveries and create local jobs. It’s one more way Feast & Fettle is committing to the DMV for the long term.

Members can expect a rotating menu of entrees, sides, and kid-friendly options each week. The food is made in small batches using whole ingredients, not shortcuts. It’s a quality-first approach that families can feel good about.

Dinner doesn’t have to be another chore at the end of the day. With Feast & Fettle now in Fairfax, it’s one less thing to worry about, and one more reason to sit down together.

New members receive their second week free by using code LOCALNEWSNETWORK at checkout or following the link here: Feast & Fettle