Vendors Sought for Multicultural Festival — Reston Community Center is seeking arts and crafts vendors, food vendors and civic organizations of all cultures for the 17th annual Reston Multicultural Festival. The festival will be held Saturday, Sept. 23 at Lake Anne Plaza. Applications are being accepted through July 28. [Reston Community Center]
Covered Bridge Renovated — In its latest “Reston Today” video dispatch, Reston Association shows off the work that has been done on the covered bridge on the RA trail system near Lake Anne. [Reston Association/YouTube]
Metro Work This Weekend — The Silver Line will only run to Ballston this weekend. In addition, new Metro hours go into effect tonight. The system will close at 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights, but is only open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sundays. [WTOP]
Toll Road Work Rescheduled — Due to poor weather, the detour diverting traffic heading to the Fairfax County Parkway from the eastbound Dulles Toll Road exit ramp through the Herndon-Monroe Park & Ride north parking lot was canceled last night. It has been rescheduled for Sunday night, July 16. [Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project]
As the community continues to grieve after last month’s shocking killing of 17-year-old Nabra Hassanen, the All Dulles Area Muslim Society is providing opportunities for support.
“It’s still having a shock wave, a ripple effect, however you want to describe it,” said Joshua Salaam, ADAMS Center chaplain, prior to a parent-outreach session Thursday afternoon at Forest Edge Elementary School. “People of all ages, all genders, all ethnicities are so traumatized by it.”
To help work through that trauma, the ADAMS Center along with Fairfax and Loudoun counties have been reaching out into the community to lend strength. Further relief opportunities have been announced for later this month, including listening sessions, youth hangouts and a letter-writing campaign.
In addition, a public gathering to reflect on the tragedy is scheduled for Sunday, June 16, from noon-3 p.m. at the ADAMS Center (46903 Sugarland Road, Sterling). Abidah Ali, ADAMS Center youth coordinator, said the afternoon will be directed toward young people, but all members of the community are invited to attend and show their support.
Salaam said the July dates are the beginnings of a year-long support plan to help the community work its way through the stages of grief.
“[The plan] involves a diverse way of healing — some might be with animals, some might be with art, some might be with writing,” he said. “We want it to be long-term, so youth and parents are given hope that they’re not just going to be forgotten about in a week.”
To be kept up-to-date on future activities related to coping with the loss, text @e4Nabra to 81010. You can also stay connected through the ADAMS Youth website.
Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant has a late-August opening planned in the RTC West development (12130 Sunset Hills Road), and many other restaurants will follow.
The restaurant and retail space in the southwest corner of RTC West is the first phase of JBG Companies’ plans for the development. The site is bordered by Town Center Parkway to the east, the W&OD Trail to the north, and the plaza that contains Chick-fil-A, Potbelly Sandwich Works, Chipotle and more to the west.
Signage recently placed in office buildings on the property — formerly known as the Reston Executive Center — shows eight new businesses in total that are in the works to be coming. Along with Cooper’s Hawk, six other restaurants are listed:
- Punjabi by Nature, Indian cuisine. It has three current locations, in Leesburg, Vienna and Chantilly.
- The Black Squirrel, a DC-based gastropub. This would be its third location.
- Honeygrow, a Philly-based fast-casual chain serving stir-fry, salads and more.
- BGR The Burger Joint, which was first announced in January.
- Mezza Mediterranean Grille and Nando’s Peri-Peri, which were both announced last spring.
In addition, a Forever Nails location is listed as coming soon.
When asked for further details about the potential new businesses, a JBG spokesperson told Reston Now that the company is “working on a variety of leases and will hope to announce in the coming weeks.” We will provide more information about the new businesses when it is provided to us.
JBG announced late last year that it has further plans for the property, including two multifamily residential buildings and three more office buildings.
A home was forcefully broken into last week near Herndon.
According to the Fairfax County Police Department, the incident took place in the 12800 block of Graypine Place sometime between 9 a.m. June 28 and 11 p.m. June 30. Police say someone forced entry into the home and stole jewelry, gold coins and power tools.
The Reston District Station of FCPD also reported the following larcenies over the holiday weekend:
LARCENIES:
11500 block of Buttonwood Court, property from residence
1800 block of Cameron Glen Drive, property from residence
1400 block of Church Hill Place, wheels and rims from vehicle
2400 block of Corn Crib Court, property from residence
600 block of Dranesville Road, electronic device from school
11600 block of Golf Course Square, property from vehicle
2100 block of Greenkeepers Court, property from vehicle
2100 block of Greenkeepers Court, jewelry from vehicle
12900 block of Highland Crossing Drive, cellphone from business
12900 block of Highland Crossing Drive, wallet from business
12900 block of Highland Crossing Drive, wallet from business
1900 block of Hunter Mill Road, property from residence
2500 block of John Milton Drive, liquor from business
2300 block of Nashua Court, credit card from residence
13100 block of Parcher Avenue, cellphone from business
1300 block of Pellow Circle, property from residence
2300 block of Soapstone Drive, cigarettes from business
11100 block of South Lakes Drive, liquor from business
11700 block of Stevenage Road, purse from vehicle
12100 block of Sunset Hills Road, merchandise from business
12600 block of Thunder Chase Drive, license plates from vehicle
11500 block of Waterhaven Court, bicycle from residence
1800 block of Wiehle Avenue, cigarettes from business
STOLEN VEHICLES:
None reported
Anyone with information about any of the incidents reported by FCPD should call 703-691-2131 or 1-866-411-TIPS(8477), or text “TIP187” plus the message to CRIMES(274637).
In the Town of Herndon, thousands of dollars in jewelry was stolen from a home in the 800 block of Sycamore Court last month. Police say someone entered the home on June 14 and removed two cardboard boxes full of jewelry, valued at about $3,000. However, the victim — who didn’t report the incident until June 20 — declined any further investigation.
In addition, a Herndon man was charged in Loudoun County last week after a reported larceny at Dulles Town Center. The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office reported on June 29 at about 10 a.m. to the Sears department store. The suspect in the larceny, 37-year-old Eric Campos of Herndon, was found in the area of Lakeland Drive and Route 7. Campos was arrested and charged with grand larceny and driving on a revoked license. He was released from the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center on a personal recognizance bond.
Flash Flood Watch in Effect Until 7 P.M. — Multiple rounds of rainfall will occur over the watch area, with the potential for torrential rain rates. Rainfall rates of 1 to 3 inches are expected in the strongest storms. [National Weather Service]
World Music Tonight at Lake Anne — The “Take A Break” concert series at Lake Anne Plaza will continue tonight with a performance by Mystic Warriors. [Lake Anne Plaza]
Alzheimer’s Town Hall Slated — Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) will join community organizations from across Northern Virginia on July 10 for a town hall focused on Alzheimer’s. [Rep. Gerry Connolly]
Government Contractor To Be Acquired — Reston-based government IT contractor NCI Inc., which fired a top executive this year for embezzling millions of dollars in company money, will be acquired by private investor HIG Capital for $283 million. [WTOP]
Bullets struck occupied homes in the Chestnut Grove Condominiums earlier this week.
According to a Fairfax County Police Department report, the incident took place at about 10:45 p.m. Monday. Residents of a home in the 11200 block of Chestnut Grove Square, off Wiehle Avenue, heard gunshots. A male subject was seen walking past the building, a witness told police.
Police determined that one bullet flew through a window of the home. Further investigation revealed that a second home’s glass door was also struck by a bullet.
No one was injured, and police say they are continuing to search for the suspect.
Map courtesy Google Maps
Visitors to Lake Anne in recent weeks likely have noticed the absence of its trademark fountain.
The fountain, owned by Reston Association, has been out of commission since early June. It was taken to the nearest factory-authorized service center — in Jessup, Maryland — a week ago.
“Currently, RA is waiting to hear back from the service center with the cause of the problem and how long it will take to repair it,” said Mike Leone, RA’s director of communications. “Unfortunately, at this time we have no further information.”
Susan Cassell, of Lake Anne of Reston Condominium Association, was told last week that the fountain was pulled from the lake due to “repeated electrical malfunctions.”
In a 2015 interview with Washingtonian magazine, Reston founder Bob Simon said the fountain was inspired by the Jet d’Eau in Switzerland’s Lake Geneva.
File photo
(This article was edited at 2:45 p.m. Thursday, July 6. The Staples spokesperson had provided us with an incorrect date of the store’s closing. It will close Oct. 7, not Aug. 8 as originally reported.)
Office supplies will soon be replaced by alcohol at Plaza America.
Staples (11620 Plaza America Drive) will close Oct. 7, a spokesperson for the company has confirmed to Reston Now. According to a statement:
We continually evaluate our store performance to ensure we’re operating the business in the best way. As customers shift online, we are taking aggressive action to right-size our retail footprint. We are committed to providing great service and every product businesses need whether it’s in-store, online or through mobile.
Our customers in this area can continue to shop with us at our Sterling and Vienna, VA locations and online at Staples.com.
The Staples at Plaza America opened in 2011.
The Washington Business Journal reported last week that Staples will be replaced by beer, wine and spirit purveyor Total Wine & More, which plans to open by the end of the year.
According to the Total Wine & More website:
We’re passionate about wine, and know many of our customers feel the same way. So we are committed to offering the nation’s best wine selection, with an emphasis on fine wines. Our typical store carries more than 8,000 different wines from every wine-producing region in the world, including more than 2,000 wines not available in any other store. The typical Total Wine & More also carries more than 2,500 beers, from America’s most popular brands to hard-to-find microbrews and imports, and more than 3,000 different spirits in every style and price range.
There are several other Total Wine & More locations in the area, including in Sterling, Fairfax, Chantilly and McLean.
Mental Health Screenings Available — The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board now offers same day, in-person screening for mental health/and or substance use concerns to both adults and youth at its Merrifield Center (8221 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive, Fairfax). [Fairfax County]
Escaped Detainee Had Been Deported Five Previous Times — Marlo Danilo “Carlos” Rivas-Mendez, who temporarily escaped from ICE custody Monday while being transported, had previously been removed from the United States in 2007, 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2016. [United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia]
Wastewater Treatment Plant Gets Top Score — For the 19th consecutive year, the Noman M. Cole Jr. Pollution Control Plant in Lorton has earned the Platinum Peak Performance Award from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies. [Inside Nova]
Former Herndon Man to Run for President — In July 2013, Adam Kokesh’s Herndon home was raided by the U.S. Park Police after he called for a “Final American Revolution” and posted a YouTube video of himself loading a shotgun on DC’s Freedom Plaza. Now living in Arizona, Kokesh says he’s seeking the 2020 Libertarian presidential nomination. [Santa Fe New Mexican]
Celebrate the Fourth Today — Independence Day celebrations are taking place today in Herndon, Great Falls, Fairfax, Vienna and lots of other places in the area. [Reston Now]
Security Tight on National Mall — One of the nation’s largest fireworks shows will go off tonight on the National Mall in DC. Security will be heightened, but officials say visitors probably won’t even notice the increased efforts. [NBC Washington]
RA Marking the Holiday — Reston Association offices, including the Nature House and Central Services Facility, are closed today in observance of the Fourth of July holiday. RA will host holiday festivities at the Lake Newport Pool facility from noon-4 p.m. Registration is not required. [Reston Association]
File photo courtesy Reston Swim Team Association
(This article was updated at 3:25 p.m. after Rivas-Mendez was brought back into custody, and again at 5:20 p.m. after more information was released by the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office.)
Area police worked with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials Monday as they tracked down an ICE detainee who escaped custody.
ICE said Marlon C. Rivas-Mendez escaped in the area of Route 28 and the Dulles Toll Road, near Dulles International Airport. Spokesperson Carissa Cutrell told Reston Now that Rivas-Mendez “is in the country illegally and was being transported when he escaped from custody.”
According to a report from the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office:
At 12:20 p.m. the Sheriff’s Office received a call to assist ICE with a search of an escaped subject in the area of the Dulles Toll Road between the exits of Loudoun County Parkway and Old Ox Road. The subject was identified as Marlon C. Rivas-Mendez, 27, of Sterling.
Rivas-Mendez was arrested by LCSO deputies earlier this morning. He was transferred into ICE custody at 11:08 a.m. without incident.
During federal transport, Rivas-Mendez assaulted the transport personnel and escaped custody on the Dulles Toll Road.
Members of the Loudoun Sheriff’s Office alongside the Virginia State Police, Fairfax County Police Department, Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority and ICE canvassed the area. LCSO deputies located Rivas-Mendez at 2:20 p.m. in the area of Mercure Circle and Old Ox Road and took him into custody without incident.
Rivas-Mendez was arrested on local charges of Assault & Battery by the LCSO and was released into ICE custody.
Mugshot courtesy ICE
Don Renner sent us these photos of the signage coming down at Il Fornaio restaurant’s Reston Town Center location on Saturday morning.
After 10 years in business here, the restaurant closed after a final celebration Friday evening. Here’s what Renner said about it:
Here are a few photos from Saturday AM … the closing party stopped at about 4AM … within hours these gents showed up to take down the signs.
This restaurant was kind of like our neighborhood “Cheers” place to meet and was ingrained in the RTC fabric. Sad to see this establishment move on … there had to be hundreds of people stopping by starting Friday at 5 PM for a final taste and a final toast.
Do you have any memories or photos of Il Fornaio you’d like to share? Drop them in the comments below.
Photos courtesy Don Renner
Crime reports provided by Fairfax County Police Department in the month of June, plotted in the interactive map above, show a wide variety of incidents through the Reston District Station. Use the icon in the top left corner of the map to toggle the types of crimes displayed.
In total, FCPD’s June reports included the following breakdown of criminal incidents in the area:
- 46 larcenies
- 3 burglary/unlawful entry investigations
- 3 indecent exposure/peeping reports
- 2 stolen vehicles
- 1 commercial robbery
- 1 scam report
Of course, the biggest crime story in the area in the month of June was the attack, abduction and murder of Nabra Hassanen on June 18. The suspect in her death, Darwin Martinez Torres, remains in custody at Fairfax County Adult Detention Center, awaiting a July 19 court date.
Anyone with information about any of these crimes should call 703-691-2131 or 1-866-411-TIPS(8477), or text “TIP187” plus the message to CRIMES(274637).
The Reston District Station of FCPD covers Reston, Great Falls and portions of Herndon and Vienna.
Fairfax County’s police reports are not comprehensive lists of every police event in the stated time frame. Addresses shown indicate blocks and not specific locations, unless otherwise noted. This data was compiled using the reports released by police between June 1 and June 30, meaning some of the incidents occurred in late May.
Herndon Names New Town Manager — Bill Ashton had been serving as acting town manager since February, following the retirement of previous town manager Art Anselene. [Town of Herndon]
Suicide at County Detention Center — A 33-year-old man being held at the county Adult Detention Center on a malicious wounding charge hanged himself in his cell Sunday night. [Fairfax County]
Numbers to Remember Over the Summer — South Lakes High School provides a list of sources, some from the school system and some independent, that may be of assistance if family emergencies or other needs arise over the summer. [South Lakes High School]
File photo courtesy Surf Reston
Scott Simpson, a foreign service officer from Reston, will be a contestant on “Jeopardy!” next month.
Simpson will be shown on the stage, giving the questions to host Alex Trebek’s answers, on the episode that airs Tuesday, July 11.
Other Reston residents have appeared on the quiz show in past years. Most notably, State Department employee Mark Lowenthal has won over $160,000 over numerous appearances on the show between 1988 and 2014. He is the co-author of a book about success on the quiz show, “Secrets of the Jeopardy! Champions.”
Most recently, there were two contestants from Reston in 2016: Justin Lucas and Norm Burnosky.
Locally, “Jeopardy!” airs on WJLA, channel 7, at 7:30 p.m. each weeknight.
Photo of Simpson with Trebek, courtesy “Jeopardy!”
