The Virginia House of Delegates has an opening for a seat that represents Herndon.
Del. Jennifer Boysko, a Democrat currently representing the 86th District, won the special election yesterday (Jan. 8) to take over the 33rd District seat in the State Senate vacated by Jennifer Wexton when she became a Congresswoman.
Boysko won with just under 70 percent of the vote, while her opponent, Republican Joe May, received about 30 percent. With Boysko moving to the State Senate, voters will get choose who will fill her district seat, which includes Herndon.
Several Democratic candidates announced they will vie for the seat, including:
- Chad Thompson — a public affairs consultant who lives in Herndon
- Kofi Annan — the president of the Fairfax County NAACP
- Ibraheem Samirah — a dentist at District Smiles who is a first-generation Muslim American
- Mike O’Reilly — a former Herndon mayor who is now a lawyer and the owner of the O’Reilly Law Firm
The Democratic candidates will vie for the spot at the primary on Saturday (Jan. 12).
Herndon residents who are registered voters in the 86th District can vote between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. at Dranesville Elementary School (1515 Powells Tavern Place).
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The Herndon High School is on track with its renovations as the school works to have new additions open by the time the 2019-2020 school year kicks off.
Assistant Principal Jim Hannon told Reston Now that the school plans on having the north addition ready for students and staff for the start of the new school year in the fall.
The 74,000-sqaure-foot addition will house the science and world languages departments, along with new classroom space for the mathematics, computer science, career and technical education and English as a second language (ESOL) programs.
Meanwhile the front addition will have the main office and Student Services Office on the main level with a new 18,000-square-foot library on the second floor, he said. That addition is also slated to be ready for the start of the 2019 school year.
“We are very excited about the pace of work, the progress and the coordination between Fairfax County Public Schools Design and Construction, Hughes Group Architects and the general contractor — Grunley Corp.,” Hannon wrote in an email.
The rest of the project includes renovating locker rooms, art rooms, the gym, music rooms, the cafeteria, the stadium press box and tennis courts.
This is the school’s first renovation since 1991.
By the 2022-2023 school year, more than 100,000 square feet of space will have been added to the school.
Photos via Jim Hannon
Fine arts photography collection closes — The “La Lumiere DuBois VII” exhibit by Michael DuBois, who highlights his love of nature, closes today at the Reston Community Center Hunters Woods. [Reston Community Center]
Swearing-in ceremony — The Herndon’s mayor and Town Council will be sworn in tonight at 7 p.m. at the Herndon Municipal Center Lobby. [Herndon Connection]
Former county attorney and RA Board of Directors member died — David Bobzien, who was the Fairfax County attorney for 23 years and a member of the Reston Association Board of Directors, died on Dec. 30 at The Johns Hopkins Hospital after battling leukemia. A memorial mass will be held on Feb. 8. starting at 10 a.m. at St. John Neumann Catholic Community. [Adams-Green Funeral Homes and Crematory]
Reston loses conference due to government shutdown — The Institute of Navigation has decided to postpone the Cognizant Autonomous Systems for Safety Critical Applications Conference originally scheduled to take place Jan. 28-29 in Reston because of the partial federal government shutdown, which impacted some of the speakers and attendees. The conference has been rescheduled for Sept. 16-17 in Miami. [GPS World]
Photo via Matt Paulson/Instagram
Police arrested and charged Juwan Seegars, a 23-year-old man from Reston, with destruction of property and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, along with 20-year-old Samir Abdalmajied of Springfield on New Year’s Day.
Police arrived at 8 a.m. at the Pleasant Acres Motel (12723 Lee Highway) in Fairfax after three people broke into a room at the motel after being told they could not rent a room, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.
Police told the three people to come outside and then arrested them. While searching the room, police found a loaded pistol and digital scale.
Police also arrested and charged a 17-year-old girl who was in the room with destruction of property. She had outstanding petitions from Prince William County.
The Fairfax County Police Department’s Reston District Station reported the following incidents in recent days:
LARCENIES:
13000 block of Cabin Creek Road, property from vehicle
1800 block of Cameron Glen Drive, cell phone from location
2200 block of Centreville Road, package from residence
2400 block of Cypress Green Lane, cell phone from location
11900 block of Market Street, cell phone from location
10100 block of Nedra Drive, property from residence
1200 block of Vintage Place, luggage from vehicle
11400 block of Washington Plaza, watch from residence
STOLEN VEHICLES:
13000 block of Cabin Creek Road, 2007 Subaru Legacy
Loudoun County police arrested three men from Herndon in separate incidents on New Year’s Day in Sterling.
Aa sheriff’s deputy observed 37-year-old Oscar A. Flores Avila of Herndon unable to keep his balance in the 150 block of Enterprise Street in Sterling at 2:36 a.m. on Jan. 1, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office.
Avila was arrested and charged with being drunk in public. He has since been released from the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center on a personal recognizance bond.
In a separate incident on the same day, deputies responded to the 455500 block of E. Severn Way in Sterling at 4:12 a.m. for a report of disorderly subjects in a hotel. Police arrested and charged 23-year-old Muhammad Aatif of Ashburn and 22-year-old Billan Waberi of Herndon with being drunk in public and disorderly conduct. Additionally, Aatic was charged with possession of marijuana.
Aatif was released from the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center on a $2,500 secured bond. Waberi was released on a personal recognizance bond.
Later that day, deputies responded to the 150 block of Enterprise Street again for a report of possible narcotics activity at 1:36 p.m.
Loudoun County police arrested 22-year-old Kevin Urbina-Morales of Herndon and charged him with being drunk in public. He was released from the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center on a personal recognizance bond.
The Herndon Police Department is investigating a purse-snatching that took place on Dec. 28 in the 1000 block of Alabama Drive. The victim reported to the police that after she left a bank two men took her purse and ran off. The purse contained an undisclosed amount of cash, various forms of identification and insurance cards, as well as bank cards, the report said.
Herndon police are also investigating a commercial burglary that took place sometime in the overnight hours of last Wednesday (Jan. 2) in the 900 block of Herndon Pkwy. “An unknown individual forced entry into the business through a back door and took an undisclosed amount of cash,” the report said.
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Reston residents ages 55 and older now have an online resource created just for them.
The Reston Association launched a new page on its website yesterday (Jan. 7) that provides information on housing, transportation, recreation, home services and wellness.
The “Resources for Better Aging” webpage also lists more than 75 local organizations that offer different services around Reston that older residents might want to check out, including AARP Reston, Herndon Senior Center, Seniors-On-The-Go and Reston Runners.
The webpage can be found under the “Around Reston” section on the RA’s website.
RA’s 55+ Advisory Committee and the Reston for a Lifetime, a citizens’ group, initiated the webpage project. The committee, which advises the Board of Directors on how to enhance the welfare of RA members ages 55 and older, collaborates with the citizens’ group to encourage aging-in-place.
Photo via Reston Association
Sprouts Farmers Market grocery store will bring about 140 new jobs when it arrives in the Herndon Centre later this year as part of a broader expansion.
The grocer announced today (Jan. 8) that it will open approximately 30 stores this year. Nine of those stores are set to open in the second quarter of 2019, including the one at 494 Elden Street.
With each new store, the grocer expects to bring 140 new jobs to each location, according to the press release.
Reston Now previously reported in September that the natural and organic grocer would join part of the space vacated by Kmart.
Construction is currently underway as Florida-based real estate investment firm Sterling Organization divides the former big box store into several businesses, including LA Fitness, MOD Pizza and IHOP.
Started 16 years ago, Sprouts Farmers Market currently operates more than 300 stores in 19 states.
Sprouts Farmers Market said that opening dates for each store will be shared separately.
Photo via Fatimah Waseem
As the partial federal government shutdown nears its 19th day, the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce will host a free panel on Thursday to help companies and workers prepare for a long shutdown.
Certified public accountants, bankers, insurance experts and lawyers will provide advice during the panel from 4 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. at the Hilton Washington Dulles Airport Hotel (13869 Park Center Road) in Herndon on Jan. 10.
The individuals from the financial, legal and insurance industries will talk about the direct and indirect cost of the shutdown, along with how companies can remain solvent and what are the different options for their employees.
They will also give advice on remedies available to government contractors, what to do when this shutdown ends and how to prepare for a future shutdown.
The free panel is intended to help workers and local businesses of all sizes “mitigate the adverse effects the federal government shutdown and be ready to go when this shutdown ends,” Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce President and CEO John Boylan said in a press release.
“Our region is disproportionately affected by federal government shutdowns, and the impact reaches deep into our community,” Boylan said.
More than 35 percent of Reston Now readers said in a poll on Jan. 3 that the shutdown affects them, with roughly 22 percent indicating they are federal workers.
The partial federal government shutdown started on Dec. 22 after Congress and the White House failed to reach a spending deal. It remains unclear if or when the White House and congressional Democrats could negotiate a deal as President Donald Trump keeps a firm stand for $5 billion to pay for a border wall.
With no immediate end in sight, Trump’s third government shutdown is nearing a record-breaking mark. (The longest government shutdown was 21 days during Bill Clinton’s presidency.)
“Beyond the direct effect felt among our friends and colleagues within the federal government, this shutdown imposes a real burden on many of the businesses in our region, especially contractors and subcontractors who are increasingly pressured each day this shutdown continues,” Boylan said.
Participants are encouraged to register for the event.
Photo via Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce
State Sen. Janet Howell (D-32nd) is set to debut in October a book about women leaders that she wrote with her daughter-in-law.
Candlewick Press announced yesterday (Jan. 7) that Howell and her daughter-in-law, author Theresa Howell, penned a book to share the stories of more than 50 female leaders, ranging from Elizabeth Cady Stanton to Condoleezza Rice.
“Leading the Way: Women in Power” will include brief biographies of the women, how-tos for young activists, a timeline, index, and glossary, according to the independent publisher based in Somerville, Mass.
“I wish I’d had a book like this when I was a kid,” Janet Howell, who has been serving in the Virginia State Senate since 1992, said in the publisher’s press release.
Candlewick Press provided this description of the book:
Meet some of the most influential leaders in America, including Jeannette Rankin, who, in 1916, became the first woman elected to Congress; Shirley Chisholm, the first African-American woman elected to Congress; and Bella Abzug, who famously declared, “This woman’s place is in the House . . . the House of Representatives!” This engaging and wide-ranging collection of biographies highlights the actions, struggles and accomplishments of more than fifty of the most influential leaders in American political history — leaders who have stood up, blazed trails and led the way.
The book follows the record number of women who ran for and won elected offices in 2018 and will debut before the 2020 presidential primaries, the press release said.
“We at Candlewick could not be more proud to be publishing this timely and inspirational book,” Karen Lotz, the president and publisher of Candlewick Press, said, adding that “Leading the Way: Women in Power” has already garnered praise from Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Janet Napolitano, the former governor of Arizona and Secretary of Homeland Security.
Napolitano said that she wants the book to inspire young readers to become future leaders. “The women profiled here were once girls who not only dreamed big — they went big,” she said.
The book will also feature portraits and lettering design by illustrators Kylie Erwin and Alexandra Bye. The book’s visuals aim for an “accessible, inviting look ideal for the project’s mission to inspire middle-graders, young adults, and even adults to create change in their own communities,” according to the press release.
Recommended for ages 10 and up, the book is set to hit stores’ shelves on Oct. 8.
Images via Janet Howell’s office and Candlewick Press
Polls open for the special election — Voters will decide today who will replace Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton for the 33rd District seat in the State Senate. Democrat Del. Jennifer Boysko, currently representing the 86th District, is running against Republican Joe May, who represented the 33rd District as an Independent delegate from 1994 to 2014. [Virginia Department of Elections]
Bollywood dance class — Get in shape with a fitness class from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Reston Regional Library. [Reston Regional Library]
“Invisible Listeners” exhibit ends — Today is the last day to see Rahshia Sawyer’s photography at the Greater Reston Arts Center at Signature before it closes. [Greater Reston Arts Center]
But a new exhibit opens — The “Three Moves to Divine” exhibit opens today at ArtSpace Herndon to provide a photographic memory of Ghana by Randy Preston, along with written and read work from guest poets. [ArtSpace Herndon]
Updated at 2:35 p.m. — Includes updated numbers for the food pantry.
The holidays may be over, but one business at Lake Anne Plaza is continuing the season of giving and holiday spirit into 2019.
The Lake Anne Brew House (11424 Washington Plaza W.) hosted an ugly sweater fundraising party yesterday (Jan. 6) to benefit the food pantry at South Lakes High School.
Several realtors, including Rob Cox, Mary Miceli, Carol Welsh and Ben and Kristi Guidry from Long & Foster Real Estate, helped host the party, according to a Lake Anne Plaza Facebook post.
The Lake Anne Brew House credited Long & Foster in Reston with the idea for the party and sponsorship of the pizza.
The event collected non-perishable food items and personal products — along with a nearly $500 donation — for the school’s food pantry, where nearly 730 students can “shop” for food and toiletries.
The food pantry is designed to help close the hunger and nutrition gap for the 30 percent of South Lakes High School students who are on the free and reduced lunch program, according to the school. The food pantry distributes more than 175 bags of groceries and toiletries to more than 95 families each week.
Roberta Gosling, one of the founders of the pantry, told Reston Now that students from Langston Hughes Middle School, Terraset Elementary School and other South Lakes High school pyramid schools are coming to the pantry.
Since opening in March 2017, the food pantry has given out more than 8,000 bags of food, she said.
Photo via Lake Anne Plaza/Facebook
Reston lawmakers are gearing up to tackle gun violence and criminal justice reform ahead of the General Assembly kicking off a new session on Wednesday (Jan. 9).
The delegate and state senator representing Reston have been crafting legislation for the 46-day “short session” of the state legislature.
A review of the General Assembly’s online database gives a glimpse into what they plan to address.
Del. Ken Plum (D-36th District) plans to introduce legislation for universal background checks for gun purchases, according to a press release from Plum’s office.
That bill is a part of a package of legislation that is meant to prevent gun violence and improve safety, which Gov. Ralph Northam recently announced.
Plum, who will be the bill’s chief patron in the Virginia House of Delegates, said the bill “will close a significant loophole in Virginia law and require background checks on all firearm sales including private or online sales.”
Additionally, Plum said in the press release that he agrees with Northam’s assertion that “this legislative package of reasonable gun violence reforms appropriately balances Second Amendment Rights with public safety.”
Meanwhile, state Sen. Janet Howell (D-32nd District) has prefiled several bills as a chief patron that address criminal justice. Howell wants to change the penalty from a misdemeanor to a felony for any person who leaves a loaded and unsecured gun in a place that could endanger a minor.
In a separate move, she wants to allow evidence of prior statements that are inconsistent with testimony at a hearing or trial for a criminal case admissible.
Howell outlines three main criteria:
- If the testifying witness faces cross-examination
- If the prior statement was made under an oath at a trial, hearing or the proceeding
- If it narrates or explains the witness’s knowledge of the event
Howell also is trying to allow the local school board of a school division located in Planning District 8 — which includes Fairfax County — to set the school calendar and determine the opening day of the school year.
She also wants to require licensed assisted living facilities with six or more residents to have a temporary emergency electrical power source available on site in case of an interruption of the electric power supply. The temporary power supply must be enough to power necessary medical equipment and refrigerators, along with heating, cooling, lighting and at least one elevator.
Currently, assisted living facilities are not required to maintain a power source on site.
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What is the spice of life? One artist delves into that topic with a new exhibit of paintings titled “Variety – The Spice of Life.”
Lassie Corbett, a Reston artist, will have her paintings on display at RCC Lake Anne’s Jo Ann Rose Gallery (1609-A Washington Plaza) starting tomorrow (Jan. 8).
“Corbett captures a mood, glowing light, subtle color and — above all — the chi, or spirit, in her paintings,” the Reston Community Center posted. Corbett draws on nature and outdoor scenic locations for her art with watercolor as her main medium, the post says.
Inspired by a two-year stint as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Philippines, Corbett’s art has taken her around the world — from painting in Greece to sketchbook journaling in Turkey. She has taught painting workshops in Ireland, England, France, Italy, Spain, Mexico, Peru and Hawaii.
She has also taught locally with acrylic painting, collage, Chinese brush painting and watercolor painting classes at the Herndon Community Center.
The exhibit runs until Feb. 4. A reception will be held on Sunday, Jan. 27, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Images via Reston Art Gallery
Construction work on the second phase of the Metrorail Silver Line project brings lane and ramp closures from Sunday (Jan. 6) until Saturday (Jan. 12).
Most of the closures avoid prime rush hour times.
In a post about the closures, the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project reminds drivers to use caution; remain attentive to all signage, barricades and speed limits; and obey all police and flagger instructions. Work is subject to weather changes.
Eastbound on the Dulles Toll Road has alternating right and left lane closures from just west of the Route 28 overpass to the Reston Parkway overpass on the following days:
- Monday to Friday: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- Saturday: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Drivers can also expect triple lane closures eastbound on the Dulles Toll Road from the west end of the Herndon Station to the east end of the Reston Station. This will take place from 10 p.m. on Wednesday until 5 a.m. on Thursday.
Alternating right and left lane closures are westbound on the Dulles Toll Road between the Route 28 and Reston Parkway overpass. These will be in effect:
- Monday to Friday: 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- Saturday: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Eastbound on Sunset Hills Road will have alternating right and left lane closures from 400 feet west of Town Center Pkwy to Bechtel Building Entrance. The civil work will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. from Monday to Thursday and from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Friday.
Eastbound on Herndon Parkway from 1,000 feet east of Van Buren Street to 800 feet west of Exchange Place will have a right lane closed from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. from Monday to Thursday and from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Friday.
Several different spots westbound on Sunrise Valley Drive will have closed right lanes from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Monday to Thursday and from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Friday, including:
- from Dulles Technology Drive to Dulles Station Blvd
- from Thunder Chase Drive to Millburn Lane
- from Reston Pkwy to 200 feet west of Edmund Halley Drive
Edmund Halley Drive will have a right shoulder closed from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. from Monday to Thursday and from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Friday.
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Construction is slated to finish next month on the Elden Corner Center in Herndon.
Construction is currently underway on the commercial retail building at 900 Alabama Drive.
Sanjay Bajaj, the project’s applicant, told Reston Now that construction will be done by February. The more than 10,000-square-foot retail center will have eight stores and roughly 54 parking spaces, Bajaj said.
“Currently, the center is about 62 percent leased out,” he wrote in an email.
Three spots in the center are still available to lease from the CoStar Group. Plans from Capital Realty Advisors, LLC indicate that a hair salon, bakery, Boost Mobile and Peruvian Chicken have already leased the other spaces.
Elden Corner Center is just one of several projects currently under construction in Herndon.
Stanley Martin is building a two-over-two stacked townhouse development with 64 units between Herndon Pkwy and Van Buren Street. The Metro Square development is across the street from Haley M. Smith Park and will be next to the Herndon Metro Station.
More homes are on the way. The Residences at the Station will offer several single-family homes with “historic styling” featuring front porches and detached garages.
Across the street from the Pines Shopping Center (650 Elden Street), the development by Doll Homes will include an improved streetscape, off-street parking and paver driveways, according to Herndon’s development site.
Virginia Tire and Auto, which is taking the spot at 199 Elden Street that was vacated by a Cardinal Bank branch, faces construction. Demolition is underway of the existing bank building, along with construction of an 11-bay service station, according to Herndon’s development site.
The vehicle service center aims to open next summer, an employee previously told Reston Now.
Images via CoStar Group and Stanley Martin
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” — CenterStage Cinema presents the 2008 Brad Pitt movie for free at 10 a.m. at RCC Hunters Woods. A continental breakfast will be served at 9:30 a.m. before the show starts. [Retson Community Center]
CEO of Clyde’s died on Jan. 3 — Clyde’s Restaurant Group CEO John Laytham died last Thursday at Washington Hospital Center at the age of 74. [Washington Business Journal]
“Stop the Bleed” — A program at Reston Hospital Center teaches bystanders bleeding control techniques. The campaign was created by the American College of Surgeons in response to mass shootings. [LocalDMV.com]
Inpatient Rehabilitation Center now open — On Friday (Jan. 4), Reston Hospital Center announced the grand opening of the new Inpatient Rehabilitation Center, which includes 18 private rooms. It provides comprehensive medical rehabilitation to adults with physical impairment and disability secondary to disease, dysfunction or trauma. [Reston Hospital Center]
Photo via Ray Copson
