Fairfax County is under a severe thunderstorm watch until 4 p.m. this afternoon (April 9).

People should be prepared for an onset of gusty winds upwards of 50 miles per hour, the National Weather Service said.

“Winds of this magnitude are capable of damaging tents, blowing around unsecured outdoor objects, and knocking down branches, trees and power lines resulting in power outages,” according to the  National Weather Service.

10:30AM: Don't let the mainly sunny sky and light winds fool you! Showers & a few thunderstorms along a strong cold front moving in from the west mark the sudden onset of gusty, possibly damaging winds. pic.twitter.com/o0pcMM3V31

— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) April 9, 2020

With Passover and Easter quickly approaching, religious organizations and state officials are encouraging people to find alternatives to large group celebrations.

Easter Sunday falls on April 12 and Passover begins on Thursday (April 9) and ends on April 16 this year — around when statisticians hypothesize COVID-19 will peak in the D.C. area.

To obey state mandates and keep their followers healthy, religious groups such as St Joseph Catholic Church and the Congregation Beth Emeth in Herndon decided to host celebrations digitally and provide guides for stay-at-home worship.

For Christians, Easter is a celebration of Jesus’s resurrection from the dead, while Passover is a Jewish holiday to commemorate the liberation of the Children of Israel who were led out of Egypt by Moses.

Fairfax County released a statement reminding people that it is illegal to gather in groups of 10 or more and requested that people celebrate at home with immediate family members.

“Consider the use of technology to gather people virtually in your home to have shared meals,” the statement said. “Through various media platforms, communal sharing and celebration of religious observances can continue while keeping each other safe.”

Similar recommendations will be in place for Ramadan, which begins later in the month.

The Virginia Department of Health also released a public service announcement, primarily echoing Fairfax County’s statement.

“While the Passover Seder often includes extended family and friends, it is by tradition a ceremony of the home,” the Virginia Department of Health said. “The essence of the Seder can be the same: sitting with your family around the dining room table to remember the exodus.”

“The purpose of Jumu’a is to gather the entire community together in one place for prayer and since that cannot be done safely, imams are asking each person to pray in their own home,” according to the Virginia Department of Health.

The New York Times published an article exploring how added stress from the pandemic might influence people’s mindsets and emotions during the spring holiday season.

The article’s author encouraged readers to celebrate through family activities like video chatting, reading to one another, playing games and signing.

Congregation Beth Emeth held it’s first digital Passover celebration this morning and will host another tomorrow (April 9) at 9 a.m., the website link. People can tune in at the link listed on the group’s website, which also listed places locals can order kosher groceries and celebratory supplies.

St Joseph Catholic Church is hosting an online Easter Vigil Mass on Saturday night (April 11) at 8:30 p.m. as well as an Easter morning Mass in Spanish at 12 p.m. and English at 10 a.m. Links can be found on the church’s website.

Photo via Olivia Snow/Unsplash

To slow the spread of COVID-19, the National Park Service closed the parking lots around Great Falls Park.

As of yesterday (April 6), people cannot to use the lots, the public bathrooms or water fountains at the park (9200 Old Dominion Drive), according to a press release. It is unclear if street parking will still be allowed.

The lot closure comes after parking filled up during weekends in March, Patch reported.

Instead, people are expected to find other parking arrangements where they can obey the 6-foot social distancing guidelines if they choose to go hiking.

According to a state mandate, people can only leave their homes for essential purposes such as shopping for necessities, seeking medical attention or socially-distanced outdoor exercise.

For people who want to stay home, Reston Now complied a list of other ways they can still stay active and fit.

Photo via NPS/Facebook

Updated April 8 — To fix a typo and include donation times for April 8. 

Across the country, hospitals and medical facilities are dealing with an emergency blood shortage but the YMCA of Reston and American Red Cross teamed up to host a drive.

Beginning today (April 8) people can stop by the YMCA Fairfax County Reston (12186 Sunset Hills Road) from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. to donate blood, according to a press release.

Other donation dates throughout the month include April 15 and 27  from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the press release said.

Potential Donors can sign up online and search by sponsor code “YMCA DMV” or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.

People must show government issues identification at the time of donation.

“Added precautions are in place to ensure the safety of all donors and staff which includes donor temperature checks before entering the drive, spacing beds 6 feet apart where possible, using aseptic scrubs on arms, using sterile collections sets, and wiping down donor-touched areas,” the press release said.

Photo via LuAnn Hunt/Unsplash

Despite its temporary closure, a Reston-based makerspace challenged volunteers to supply hospitals and medical staff with lifesaving personal protective equipment.

Nova Labs, a local volunteer-based non-profit, used to serve as a place of ideation for kids and creative community members but decided to switch focus after health concerns from COVID19 shutdown non-essential businesses and gathering places in Virginia. Lab volunteers are now creating medical masks, plastic face shields and other essential equipment to keep people healthy, according to Margie Foster, one of the project’s coordinators.

Foster said she became involved after another member, Paul Chase, began tinkering with designs for face masks in his basement.

“I jumped in and was like ‘let’s make sure someone needs it, we are informed by the field and make sure we have places to donate it before we go all in,'” Foster said.

To keep volunteers safe and obey social distancing rules, Nova Labs sent 3D printers home with “altruistic” members who knew how to use them, so they can create the plastic pieces for face shields now required by nurses and doctors, Foster said.

Nova Labs isn’t the sole coordinator of this project though, Foster said. Micro Center in Fairfax and its manager Jeff Katz donated 50-kilogram spools of the colorful plastic filament to the cause, which would typically retail over $1,000.

Other volunteers include Eric Offerman from LaserThing.com and Brad Hess at makersmiths.org who have both been laser cutting plastic shields and donating materials as well.

To help with the assembly of the products, Nova Labs recruited local families who are looking for things to do now that schools are closed and some are off work.

Already, the group’s volunteers have managed to send over 550 face shields to Howard University Hospital and other area medical centers, according to Nova Labs Facebook page. In the coming weeks, Foster added that the team has the capability to branch out to adjust to new and unique needs.

In the early stages, some hospitals that originally agreed to use the personal protective equipment made by Nova Labs had to call the program coordinators back since their policies kept changing with uncertain guidelines regarding the ability to accept homemade equipment.

“A lot of the hospital policies are still trying to come up to speed with what is happening,” she said. “They are trying to change on the fly too.”

Going forward, Foster said she is concerned about what will happen as competition for the plastic face mask material intensifies. Already, producers of the shield material are backlogged with orders and prices keep rising due to high demand, according to Foster.

“We are in competition with like Pepsi,” she said. “They use the same material for their bottles.”

Still, team members associated with Nova Lab are dedicated to the cause, according to Foster.

“The bulk of this project has been funded out of pocket by the makers,” she said.

Those interested in helping the cause can donate online.

Photo via Nova Labs/Facebook

(Updated to remove information about the statutory deadline)

As the U.S. experiences an economic downturn as a result of COVID19, Town of Herndon officials plan to revise the previously proposed budget for fiscal year 2021.

Herndon Town Manager William Ashton II recently decided that the budget  is no longer fitting for the town’s needs, according to a press release.

The budget will require “comprehensive changes” before a new draft is presented to the town council and public, the press release said.

To give everyone time to rethink the budget and make essential changes to the plan, Ashton suggested that required public hearings for the new budget be scheduled for May 12 and May 26, according to the press release.

“This gives staff time to adjust anticipated revenues, which are already significantly impacted by the pandemic,” Ashton said in the press release. “As a result, we expect comprehensive changes in our anticipated expenditures. Many of the assumptions in the current proposed budget are no longer valid.”

Typically, the town must adopt a budget prior to June 30, according to the press release, which added that the fiscal year typically begins on July 1.

Photo via Herndon Town Council/Facebook

The Reston Association wants to transition several of its systems to not only reduce paper, but help community members stay safe and healthy during the CODID19 pandemic.

After the Reston Association originally decided to postpone its meeting until April 30, staff also made the call to host it electronically, according to a press release. RA members interested in attending can join the forum using a link that they will receive through an email, the press release added.

Additionally, the RA recently sent an email out to members requesting people to register for digital notice of the 2020 annual members meeting. The RA said it is required by law to remind people of the meeting in writing.

“By receiving the meeting notice via email, you will help us reduce expenses associated with printing costs and using first-class mail,” the press release said.

To opt-in for the digital reminder, the RA asks members to email their name, property address and email address to  [email protected] before April 10.

For those curious about the results of the RA Board of Directors elections, community members will hear final counts at the upcoming annual members meeting.

Photo courtesy Reston Association

American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association will be under new leadership after the retirement of its current president and treasurer, according to a press release.

The non-profit organization, which is based in Reston, provides military life insurance,  help with wealth management, survivor assistance and mortgage services, according to its website. Walt Lincoln, who served with the company for 28 years will be succeeded by Michael Meese, the press release said.

Both Meese and Lincoln served in the United States armed forces for significant stints themselves, according to the press release, which added that during Lincon’s management, the company expanded membership growth 36%.

“Working for, and alongside, so many great people for so long, doing work that we know makes such a positive difference in the lives of the families who have sacrificed so much for our country and its freedom — it will be difficult to step away from all of that,” Lincoln said in the release.

It is unclear exactly when leadership responsibilities will transition over to Meese, but he comes into the position after serving as the chief operating officer for the company since 2013, according to the press release.

Photo via Jon Sailer/Unsplash

To help startups and small business owners, the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce decided to host free online “business success” webinars.

These online events will teach people how to manage various challenges, covering issues like prolonged teleworking and financial strife, according to a press release.

Each event will be held through Zoom, a free digital teleworking software.

“These are free webinars designed to provide education around issues that are on the minds of people and businesses right now as a result of the coronavirus pandemic,” the press release said. “They have also adapted their popular Business Education Series (BES) to a webinar format.”

Though the seminars kicked off on March 27, there are several more scheduled in the next couple of days.

On Wednesday (April 1) people will be able to attend the digital seminar “Practical Tips for Prolonged Teleworking“from 1 until 2 p.m.

A seminar on “Financial Advice for Yourself, Your Business, and Details on SBA Loans” will be hosted on April 3 from 1 until 2 p.m.

To finish off the series, “How to Maintain Wellness (Physical, Mental and Nutritional) When it Matters Most” will be held from 1 until 2 p.m. on April 7.

People can visit the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce‘s website for more information on upcoming digital events.

Photo courtesy Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce 

Virginia announced an upcoming Takeout Week to support local restaurants trying to stay afloat despite the loss of business from the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the motto “Virginia is for Restaurant Lovers,” event organizers want people to order takeout at local businesses beginning today (March 30) until April 5, according to the event page on Fairfax County’s website.

People may be able to order directly from the eatery or use apps such as GrubHub and Uber Eats for curbside drop off.

Reston Now previously did a roundup of local eateries still open for delivery, which includes roughly two dozen various choices.

Already, some restaurants have chosen to shut down and let go of staffers. Temporary closures include Bombay Velvet, Not Your Average Joe’s and Big Bowl.

People who participate are encouraged to use the hashtag #VirginiaEatsLocal to show solidarity and encourage their friends and family to order out, the website said.

Image via Fairfax County

With all the recent events and looming pandemic, there has been a push on social media and within social groups to support locally run businesses owned by locals and community members — allowing them to maintain their livelihoods.

Reston Now rounded up shops within Reston and Herndon that offer some additions to either your home or a gift basket for someone else.

Though Ralph Northam issues a statement on March 24, that only essential businesses are allowed to stay open, it was noted in an official press release that brick and mortar small-businesses are allowed to stay open if they can maintain mandated social distancing orders and cleanliness standards.

“If any such business cannot adhere to the 10-patron limit with proper social distancing requirements, it must close,” the statement said.

Herndon

Right! On Records (731 Elden Street) supplies visitors with an array of new and used records. Prices start at $1 and go up from there. Staff at the store are more than happy to help suggest artists, according to the site. Shipping anywhere in the US is $4 or people can pick up items for free. The store takes credit cards through the phone but can also send customers a PayPal invoice, the site said. They can be reached at (703) 657-4440.

Those seeking custom apparel can check out Fairfax Screen Printing online. Though hours have been reduced from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. staff members are still available by phone at 703 435 3174 and are offering curbside drop off, the website said. The store can print t-shirts, hats, outerwear, kids’ cloths and accessories, the site said.

Shoppers at Senpai’s Corner Anime & Gift Shop (795 Center Street, Suite 4) can find unique and cute items including stuffed animals and wearable gear, the website said. Prices range and the location doesn’t deliver but a staff member said the location limits customers in the store to two at a time, for social distancing purposes.

Reston

Local stop Scrawl Books is delivering reads to the front doors of bibliophiles, according to its Facebook page. Shoppers can discover reads from all genres and many local authors. Though people cannot browse in the store, due to COVID-19 concerns, people can read descriptions online and also pick up the books in the store if they choose, the website said.

Boutique Lou Lou is offering free shipping on purchases above $40. The store offers lots of accessories and clothing for women.

Photo via Scrawl Books/Facebook

Although schools are closed, Aldrin Elementary School Principal Shane Wolfe said he is trying to help his students regain a sense of normalcy by bringing people together through a shared love for storytime and feeling of community.

Wolfe began hosting Facebook Live events on March 18, which he said quickly attracted the attraction of hundreds of kids from Aldrin Elementary and across the country.

During these half-hour sessions, Wolfe typically reads a short storybook that is hand-selected by Wolfe.

At 2 p.m. today, Wolfe announced he will be reading “And Heres to You” by David Elliott. Anyone interested can join the Facebook Live event to listen along.

“I was trying to find a way I could create a connection with the kids back to the school,” Wolfe said, adding that he thinks a sense of community is important to the digital learning environment.

Wolfe says that he does his best to ensure that he can respond to questions from kids that log on.

“The kids have a lot of really good questions that come in too,” he said, adding that they often ask about when the school may reopen and even inquire about their friends.

One of the major questions that Wolfe gets is kids asking when they will be able to return to school and play on the playground. Though Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam canceled all in-person school activities through the end of the semester, Wolfe told Reston Now that Fairfax County is in the midst of creating a distance learning plan for students.

When it comes to recreation, Wolfe said that kids should listen to their parents and respect county guidelines but are still able to enjoy things like soccer fields that allow students to practice the six-feet social distancing rule.

Although the Aldrin Elementary’s Facebook page only has about 250 followers, Wolfe said that sometimes his Facebook Live videos will sometimes end up with upwards of 1,000 views. Once, he even saw that kids from Tennessee and Phoenix, Arizona were following along with the story as well.

In the near future, students and community members can expect an upcoming “virtual teacher parade” that will replace the car parade, which was previously canceled, according to Wolfe.

“We are recording it now and teachers will record themselves singing, being silly and saying hello to the kids,” he said.

The final product will be sent out electronically to the community once complete, Wolfe said.

Photo via Aldrin Elementary/Facebook

As Fairfax County officials adjust to digital meetings and remote work, Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn said he’s unsure how the COVID-19 pandemic might affect upcoming budget discussions.

Changes to the protocol called to attention a shifting reality for public officials, Alcorn told reporters during an online meeting on Wednesday (March 25).

“I think we are starting over for the FY2021 budget based on all the changes that have happened in the last few weeks,” he said.

Still, the county’s Budget Committee is going to be meeting virtually next Tuesday (March 31), according to Alcorn. The county executive is expected to present the proposed budget with updated numbers and assumptions based on COVID-19 responses, he said.

“That’s going to be a particularly important budget meeting,” he said. “I’m particularly interested to see what assumptions are going to go into revenues for next year.”

As of right now, the county executive suggested that roughly $11 million be set aside as an emergency fund for COVID-19 response, Alcorn said.

Though the dates and times are still up in the air, Alcorn said that the county will schedule a virtual town hall after next Tuesday.

As originally expected, he also said constituents can expect public hearings to be held in mid-April.

“If we are still in the situation we are in here, we’ll have to be a little bit more creative in terms of how we hear testimony and how the public can participate in that process,” he said, adding that the county staff is brainstorming solutions to this dilemma.

Along with a myriad of other events, the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival in Reston has been rescheduled for later this year.

Event organizers made the call yesterday (March 24) to postpone the festival, which brings together a variety of handcrafted art pieces, until September due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a press release.

Now, the festival is set to take place from September 11-13, according to the Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE).

“Our first priority is the health and well-being of our artists, volunteers, sponsors, and patrons,” GRACE’s Associate Curator and Festival Director, Erica Harrison said in the press release.

This annual event draws more than 30,000 guests from around the D.C. area, according to a press release.

As originally planned, the festival will still take place at the Reston Town Center.

Photo via Northern Virginia Arts Festival/Facebook