Karen Keys-Gamarra Wins School Board Seat — The candidate, backed by the Democratic party, received nearly 64 percent of the 70,198 votes cast (10.4 percent voter turnout). In the Hunter Mill District, Keys-Gamarra took almost 72 percent of the vote. The At-Large term to which she was elected runs through 2019. [Fairfax County/Karen Keys-Gamarra]

D.C. Congresswoman Calls for Metro Board to Step Down — U.S. Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), ranking member of the Highways and Transit Subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), has called on current members of Metro’s Board of Directors to resign to make way for the smaller five-member temporary board recommended by former U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. [Eleanor Norton]

FCPS Changing Policy on Teachers Who Admit Sexual Transgression — Dr. Scott Brabrand, the new superintendent of Fairfax County Public Schools, says FCPS will more promptly notify state officials about teachers who admit sex offenses to ensure those teachers are unable to find teaching positions in other school districts. [NBC Washington]

New Local Platform Matches Families with Nannies — cNanny, a hyperlocal web platform that matches families with nannies, is launching in McLean, Vienna, Falls Church, Tysons Corner and Reston. [McLean Patch]

Want to help #Harvey victims? Make a cash donation to a reputable charity. Read this & beware of charity scams. https://t.co/3FHZcPshY3 pic.twitter.com/ys14Bp14jH

— Fairfax County Government 🇺🇸 (@fairfaxcounty) August 29, 2017

We’ve all been affected by the scenes coming from southeast Texas recently as Hurricane Harvey hammered that part of the country.

As residents seek ways to lend a hand to those suffering in that area, Fairfax County officials are warning that scams abound during situations such as these.

“Past tragedies and natural disasters have prompted individuals with criminal intent to solicit contributions purportedly for a charitable organization and/or good cause,” reads the Charity Fraud page on the county Department of Cable and Consumer Services website. “Before making a donation of any kind, consumers should adhere to certain guidelines.”

Among the suggestions provided:

• Do not respond to any unsolicited (spam) incoming emails by clicking on links contained within those messages.
• Be skeptical of individuals representing themselves as surviving victims or officials asking for donations via email or social networking sites.
• Verify the legitimacy of nonprofit organizations by using online resources that may assist in confirming the group’s existence and its nonprofit status, rather than following a purported link to the site.
• Be cautious of emails that claim to show pictures of the disaster areas in attached files because the files may contain viruses. Only open attachments from known senders.
• Make contributions directly to known organizations rather than relying on others to make the donation on your behalf to ensure contributions are received and used for intended purposes.
• Do not give your personal or financial information to anyone who solicits contributions: providing such information may compromise your identity and make you vulnerable to identity theft.
• If you are solicited by a charity, don’t feel rushed or pressured into making an immediate commitment. Ask the caller or solicitor to provide written information about the charity’s programs and finances before you make a contribution.

The county’s Office of Consumer Affairs is available to answer any questions a resident may have about a charity. The office can be contacted at 703-222-8435 or by email at [email protected].

The Federal Emergency Management Agency says donating cash to a reputable charitable organization is the best way to provide support from afar.

https://www.facebook.com/FEMA/photos/a.258799579964.137296.78922439964/10155207292764965/?type=3&theater

The New York Times has provided a list of local and national organizations to which one might consider donating, including:

• The Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund
• Houston Food Bank and Food Bank of Corpus Christi
• Carter Blood Care
• Houston Humane Society and San Antonio Humane Society
• United Way of Greater Houston
• The American Red Cross

FEMA recommends visiting the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster website to find out more ways to help.

On Aug. 28, 2016, 76-year-old Hung Soon Seo was struck and killed while crossing North Shore Drive near Lake Anne Plaza.

One year later, police say they still are looking for information to help them find the person responsible.

“Currently, there are no new discoveries in this case,” said Pfc. Michael Crutchman, of the Fairfax County Police Department’s Media Relations Bureau, in response to a request from Reston Now. “If anyone does have any other information, we are always willing to listen.”

The incident took place at the intersection of North Shore Drive and Village Road at about 5:19 p.m. on a Sunday afternoon. According to FCPD at the time, Seo was not in a crosswalk when she was struck by a driver who fled the scene. She was taken to Inova Fairfax Hospital, where she died later that evening.

A few days later, police said they believe it was someone in a yellow Ford Escape who struck Seo. They said they believe the vehicle may have had front-end damage on its driver’s side.

Anyone with information about the crime should call 703-691-2131 or 1-866-411-TIPS(8477), or text “TIP187” plus the message to CRIMES(274637). Information can also be provided online through Crime Solvers.

In an October article about pedestrian deaths in the DC Metro area, the Washington Post provided a profile of Seo. According to their report, she lived at Lake Anne Fellowship House and was a member of St. Paul Chung Catholic Church in Fairfax.

Hook Road Meeting Tonight — The first community meeting on the establishment of the Hook Road Working Group and to discuss the pending project at the recreation area will be tonight at 6:30 p.m. at Reston Association headquarters (12001 Sunrise Valley Drive). [Reston Now]

Vote Today for County School Board Seat — Polls are open until 7 p.m. for the special election to fill an At-Large seat on the Fairfax County School Board. [Reston Now]

South Lakes High School Sports Schedule — The SLHS volleyball and golf teams have matchups tonight. Other sports including field hockey, cross country and football will go up against competition later this week. [South Lakes High School]

Lake Anne Brew House Owner Touts Women in Brewing — Melissa Romano, owner of Lake Anne Brew House, was one of speakers at the “She Can Brew It” series, dedicated to women who brew and own breweries, Saturday night in Alexandria. [Mash the Patriarchy]

Digital Services Provider Moves to Reston — Octo Consulting Group has moved from Tysons Corner to a new 25,000-square-foot headquarters at 10780 Packridge Blvd. Octo has about 350 employees, 130 of whom have been hired in the past 18 months. [Washington Exec]

A 33-year-old Reston man has been charged in the attempted sexual assault incident that took place near Tall Oaks Village Center earlier this month.

The Fairfax County Police Department says Dominique Ashley Childs was arrested Monday in Manassas as a result of a tip received by detectives. He was charged with abduction with intent to defile in connection with the Aug. 14 incident, and he is being held without bond at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center.

Police say that at about 2:30 p.m. on Aug. 14, a man came out of a wooded area on North Shore Drive across from the entrance the village center, approached a 22-year-old woman from behind and pulled her off the sidewalk into the woods. There, he attempted to remove her clothes, but fled before any sexual assault took place.

A sketch of the suspect was released to the public later that week.

According to Fairfax County General District Court records, Childs will face a judge Oct. 10 for a preliminary hearing.

Residents in the 11600 block of Vantage Hill Road had a rude awakening Saturday morning.

According to the Fairfax County Police Department, residents heard gunshots at about 6:20 a.m. in the neighborhood, which is off North Shore Drive near Lake Anne. One resident who contacted Reston Now about the incident said his truck was broken into. He said vape supplies were taken from the vehicle.

“[The perpetrator/s] let off 5 gun shots as they were making their getaway,” the resident wrote. “[FCPD] was out in full force with helicopters and dogs.”

FCPD said evidence was recovered from the scene of the crime, which the resident said included a baseball bat and shell casings. The resident also said one other vehicle on the road was struck.

Anyone with information about this crime should call FCPD at 703-691-2131 or 1-866-411-TIPS(8477), or text “TIP187” plus the message to CRIMES(274637).

Photos provided to Reston Now by victim via Facebook

A vacant At-Large seat on the Fairfax County School Board will be filled in a special election Tuesday. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The position is nonpartisan; however, two candidates have been supported by political parties:

• Chris S. Grisafe: Supported by the Fairfax County Republican Committee. Has served as an appointed member of the FCPS School Bonds Committee, Superintendent’s Business Advisory Committee and Adult Education Advisory Committee. (Website)
• Karen A. Keys-Gamarra: Supported by the Fairfax County Democratic Committee. Endorsed by the Fairfax Education Association, the Fairfax County Federation of Teachers and the Washington Post editorial board.   (Website)

The other candidates on the ballot are:

• Sandra D. Allen, the Minority Achievement Program Representative at James Madison High School (Candidate Statement)
• Michael H. Owens, a former teacher and PTA member (Facebook page)

For more information about each of the candidates, go to their websites or check out the video from a League of Women Voters candidates’ forum last week in McLean. (Allen did not participate in the forum.)

The special election was necessitated after Jeannette Hough, who was elected to the Board in 2015, stepped down from the position effective June 1. The term will run through the end of December 2019.

Voting will take place in each of the county’s 243 precincts. Officials remind voters that 160 of the precincts are in schools, which will be in session. While they will be open all day, those voters are encouraged to visit the booth before or after school hours.

To find your polling place, visit the Virginia Department of Elections website.

Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant is now open at 12130 Sunset Hills Road, marking the official opening of the RTC West restaurant and retail complex.

In March 2015, JBG Companies (now JBG Smith) announced that Cooper’s Hawk would be the anchor tenant of the 40,000-square-foot RTC West development. With its opening this morning, the Reston location becomes the 30th Cooper’s Hawk restaurant in the nation. It is the third in Virginia.

The 9,365-square-foot restaurant also features a 522-square-foot mezzanine area. It has “a lively tasting room and market, indoor dining for 196 guests, outdoor dining for seating for 146, and a private event space that can accommodate up to 44,” according to a recent press release from the restaurant. More than 200 employees were hired this summer.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new restaurant was Saturday night, Around Reston reports.

https://www.facebook.com/AroundReston/posts/1388010274569261

The restaurant’s menu includes items such as candied bacon and artisan cheeses; gnocchi bolognese with braised short rib; Southern hot chicken; pan-roasted barramundi; shrimp and scallop risotto; and wild mushroom-crusted chicken. In addition, more than 40 wines — produced at the Cooper’s Hawk winery in Illinois — are available to customers. Each menu item has a wine-pairing suggestion.

One of the restaurant’s most popular features, its representatives say, is its Wine Club. Members are privy to special wine offerings each month, as well as monthly Wine Club dinners and tastings.

Cooper’s Hawk will be open at 11 a.m. each day. Closing times are 9:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; and 9 p.m. Sundays.

Work also continues on other buildings in the RTC West development that will soon house six more restaurants, a nail salon and a Starbucks. The other restaurants on site will include Punjabi by Nature, The Black Squirrel, Honeygrow, BGR The Burger Joint, Mezza Mediterranean Grille and Nando’s Peri-Peri.

Happy 1st day of school Armstrong! #firstdayfairfax pic.twitter.com/7Zlz02ctJy

— Armstrong Elementary School FCPS (@ArmstrongFcps) August 28, 2017

School’s back in session for Fairfax County students.

Classes began for the 2017-18 year this morning at all schools in the county. For the first time in decades, the first day of school is the week before Labor Day, meaning students and their families need to get familiar with their new routines during the last week of August this year.

Fairfax County officials are reminding residents that more than 1,700 buses travel around the county each school day to transport students. Drivers must stop in both directions when they encounter a bus with flashing red lights, except when they are separated from the bus by a median.

Kids are back to school tomorrow morning. Please drive safely and cautiously and follow all school zone and school bus laws. pic.twitter.com/kSKbd14DMh

— Herndon Police (@HerndonPolice) August 27, 2017

Here are some more safety tips to keep in mind when driving during the school year:

1. Be alert. Children are unpredictable. Children walking or biking may show up suddenly and quickly; pay attention at all times.
2. Drivers should not block crosswalks. Allow pedestrians plenty of space to walk safely.
3. Pay attention to school zones, especially where they start and end. Those slower school zone speed limits are there for a reason. Follow the speed limit when the lights are flashing.
4. Always stop when directed by a police officer or crossing guard.

To see more photos from and information about the first day of school, check out #FirstDayFairfax on Twitter.

County Water Rescue Team Helping in Texas — About 14 members of Fairfax County’s swift-water rescue team left Sunday for Texas, where they are assisting in rescue efforts after massive flooding related to Hurricane Harvey. They expect to be there for about two weeks. [WJLA/Fairfax County Fire and Rescue]

SLHS Football Team Starts Season with Big Win — The South Lakes Seahawks opened the 2017 varsity football season Friday night with a 42-7 win over Woodson High School. [ScoreStream]

Green Fireball Streaks Across Sky — Did you happen to notice a bright green streak across the sky at about 9:14 p.m. Friday? You weren’t the only one. Reports of the meteor came from across Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland and beyond. [Fauquier Times]

Deon King a Strong Performer Again for Browns — The Cleveland Browns are 3-0 on the preseason, with their latest win coming Saturday as they topped the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 13-9. One of the Browns’ leaders on defense in the victory was South Lakes High School graduate Deon King, who recorded five tackles. [ESPN]

Herndon Ballet Company Looks to Expand — Classical Ballet Theatre (320 Victory Drive, Herndon) is undertaking a fundraising campaign to convert its rehearsal space into an all-new dance theater that will seat up to 150 people. [Fairfax Times]

Image via South Lakes Athletics/Instagram

Aaron Gordon has owned Red Velvet Cupcakery (11939 Democracy Drive) in Reston Town Center for seven years.

He does not believe there will be an eighth.

“I feel very, very, very confident that they are planning not to renew our lease, and they’re stonewalling us,” Gordon said. “This is all retaliation, plain and simple.”

Gordon has been one of the most outspoken opponents of paid parking at Reston Town Center, initiated in January by RTC owners Boston Properties. Gordon was one of the organizers and is the mouthpiece for the Reston Merchants Association, a group of business owners and managers at RTC fighting the system.

Now, as Gordon looks at negotiating a lease extension with his landlord, he believes the spotlight he’s put on himself through the Merchants Association is making such an extension impossible.

“I have no doubt that they are retaliating against me and Red Velvet Cupcakery for being one of the leaders of the fight against paid parking,” he said. “I have a whole timeline of reasons I believe this to be true.”

We reached out to Gordon’s landlord, Boston Properties, and were told by spokesperson Marion Myers that “lease negotiations with tenants and prospects are not communicated publicly until both parties are in agreement.”

Gordon said Red Velvet Cupcakery’s lease at the Town Center comes up in May. Last year, he said, he was in negotiations not just to renew, but to bring another of his concepts, Bakers and Baristas, to the Town Center as well.

“Before this whole battle, they loved Red Velvet, they loved me as an owner, and they loved the new concepts I [would be] putting in,” he said. “Until, of course, now.”

Gordon says he is almost certain there will be no agreement with the landlord, as he feels they are going out of their way to make sure he knows he is no longer welcome at the Town Center — where he says he makes a “fairly modest but steady income” despite what he says is an 8-10 percent drop in sales in 2017.

Read More

A Reston man was arrested Thursday evening after police say he initiated a robbery after asking for money — the second time in 2017 he has been charged in such an incident.

Akeem Wauran Gale, 40, was arrested Thursday at about 9 p.m. after allegedly attempting to rob a man in the parking lot of Hunters Woods Village Center. According to a report from the Fairfax County Police Department:

The victim was getting food at a nearby restaurant when a man walked up to him and asked for money. The victim refused to give him money and went into the restaurant where [the] man followed him and again asked for money until the victim left. Once in the parking lot, the suspect then grabbed the victim and tried to steal his jewelry. A Good Samaritan came to help the victim and was punched by the suspect, who then left the area. Officers located the suspect, 40-year-old Akeem Wauran Gale of Reston, and placed him under arrest, then took him to the Adult Detention Center.

In January, Gale was charged after a similar incident at the Sunoco in the 2100 block of Centreville Road in Herndon. In that case, which took place on the afternoon of Jan. 5, FCPD said:

A 44-year-old woman was pumping gas when a man approached her and demanded money. When she declined, he grabbed her in a bear hug. She continued to decline his demands and she was able to break free and run to a local store where she summoned police. Akeem Gale, 39, of Reston was arrested, charged with assault, and taken to the Adult Detention Center.

According to Fairfax County General District Court records, Gale is scheduled to appear before a judge on Sept. 13 to answer to an assault charge; on Oct. 11 to answer to obstruction and trespassing charges; and on Oct. 31 to answer to charges of petit larceny and violating terms of bond.

Silver Line Only Running To Ballston — There will be no trains Saturday or Sunday between Foggy Bottom and Federal Triangle. This means Silver Line trains are only scheduled to run between Wiehle-Reston East and Ballston, where riders can transfer will need to transfer to the Orange Line to continue their trips. [WTOP]

DMV Looking at Change in Renewal Reminders — About 120,000 customers who have online DMV accounts, and whose vehicle registrations expire in October, will receive a yellow postcard as a renewal reminder instead of full-size packets. The state DMV is testing the efficiency of the change in an attempt to save costs. [Virginia DMV]

Former Local Teacher, Administrator Has New Job — Jennifer Hertzberg is taking over this year as the principal of Flint Hill Elementary School in Vienna. Among Hertzberg’s previous jobs were as a teacher at Floris Elementary School and an assistant principal at Forest Edge Elementary School. [Inside NoVa]

SLHS Grad Takes Football Coaching Position — Former South Lakes High School gridiron star Chris Royal, who had a stellar career playing at Marshall University, will be working this season as the cornerbacks coach at Morehead State University in Kentucky. Royal is also the older brother of NFL wide receiver Eddie Royal. [The Morehead News]

Time to Go Back to School — Pat Hynes, Hunter Mill District representative on the Fairfax County School Board, has issued a video statement welcoming students and their families to the 2017-18 school year. [YouTube]

Coming off a very successful 2016, the South Lakes Seahawks varsity football team will start its 2017 season Friday night with a game against Woodson High in Fairfax.

Last year, the Seahawks went 9-1 in the regular season before knocking off Oakton, Centreville and top-ranked Lake Braddock in a spirited Region 6A playoff run. Their year came to an end with a loss to Westfield in the state semifinals.

This year, the Seahawks return nearly all of their skill players as they aim toward another deep playoff run. According to UltimateRecruit.com, top players for SLHS going into this season include:

• QB Devin Miles
• RB Spencer Alston
• RB Albert Mensah
• WR Michael Riche
• WR Dave Hagengimana
• WR Chris Ezidinma
• C/DT Jacob McCarty
• OT Eric Walter
• OT/LB Chris Logan
• G/DT Spencer Coppage
• G Tim Brown
• TE/DE Noah Seneca
• LB Sage Beuchert-Irvine
• CB Eddie Mohler
• CB Diego White
• DB Kojo Kumi
• FS Joseph Dagbe

On special teams, the Seahawks bring back punter Evan Matthes and kicker Kahlil Dover.

Key losses for the team are headlined by lineman David Kroll, who will be playing collegiately at the University of Delaware this season. The UltimateRecruit.com article also lists 2017 graduate FS/WR Andrew Funaki as a major loss to the roster.

In its 2017 pre-season rankings, the Washington Post ranks SLHS as the No. 8 team in the DC Metro region. Only one Virginia team (Stone Bridge, No. 7, who plays in Region 5A) is ranked above the Seahawks.

The full 2017 South Lakes football schedule is listed below (home games in bold):

• Friday, Aug. 25, 7 p.m.: at Woodson
• Friday, Sept. 1, 7 p.m.: at Falls Church
• Friday, Sept. 8, 7 p.m.: at Oakton
• Friday, Sept. 15, 7 p.m.: vs. Dominion
• Friday, Sept. 22, 7 p.m.: vs. Centreville
• Friday, Oct. 6, 7 p.m.: vs. Langley (homecoming)
• Friday, Oct. 13, 7 p.m.: at Washington-Lee
• Friday, Oct. 20, 7 p.m.: vs. McLean
• Friday, Oct. 27, 7 p.m.: at Yorktown
• Friday, Nov. 3, 7 p.m.: vs. Herndon

One of the most anticipated professional fights in history will go down Saturday night, as undefeated boxing champion Floyd Mayweather goes toe to toe with UFC superstar Conor McGregor.

If you want to watch “The Money Fight,” you have several options. If you have the means, you could go to Las Vegas and be in the crowd at T-Mobile Arena, where you’ll spend at least $2,500 on a ticket.

A more reasonable option would be to shell out $99.95 to purchase it on pay-per-view and watch it at home. But for many, it might be more fun — and more cost-effective — to enjoy it with other fans at a sports bar.

Locally, there are multiple options.

• In Herndon, O’Sullivan’s Irish Pub (754 Elden St.) will be showing the fight. There will be no cover charge to watch it there.
• Elsewhere in Herndon, CarPool sports bar (208 Elden St.) will be showing the event. That bar is charging a $20 cover.
• Tysons Biergarten (8346 Leesburg Pike) will be showing the event with no cover charge.
• In Sterling, Bungalow Lakehouse (46116 Lake Center Plaza) will also be showing the fight with a $20 cover.
• Also in Sterling, First Break Cafe (46970 Community Plaza) will have the fight live; again, the cover charge there will be $20.

UFC’s official website shows several other area sports bars that will also be broadcasting the fight live. While none of those locations are in Reston or Herndon, there are several within a short drive. These include:

• Buffalo Wild Wings locations in Sterling (21980 Colorado Drive) and Leesburg (524 Fort Evans Road)
• Hooters restaurants in Chantilly (14441 Brookfield Tower Drive) and Fairfax (10060 Fairfax Blvd.)
• Summers Grill and Bar (1520 Courthouse Road) and Champps (1201 S. Joyce St.) in Arlington

If we find information about other nearby locations that will be broadcasting the fight Saturday night, this article will be updated.