Before we head off into the weekend, let’s take a look back at the biggest stories on Reston Now in recent days.
- More Changes Coming to ‘McTacoHut’ in Reston
- South Lakes High School Student Killed in Car Crash
- New Burger Spot Coming to Reston Town Center
- Facebook Inks Lease in Reston Town Center
- Construction on Steel Sculpture in Reston Town Center Begins
If you have ideas on stories we should cover, email us at [email protected] or submit an anonymous tip.
Feel free to discuss these topics, your weekend plans or anything else that’s happening locally in the comments below.
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Job site Monster’s list of the 2019 best places for veterans to work includes several Reston-based companies.
Ahead of Veteran’s Day (Nov. 11), Monster and Military.com ranked 10 companies in the United States as the best companies for veterans.
Intelligent Waves, a veteran-founded company that specializes IT and communications support, ranked second on the lost. This year, half of its hires were veterans and 44 percent of its total workforce are veterans. judges noted the company “focuses on placing veteran hires on the right job where they can be successful at building a civilian career.”
Cybersecurity and IT enterprise solutions company PRISM came in sixth on the list. Roughly 25 percent of its total workforce are veterans. The company was recognized for offering a veteran-focused performance management program.
A Tysons-based company, DynCorp International, topped the list. Roughly 60 percent of all employees are veterans.
The list was created with the help fo veteran-hiring experts who selected employers that demonstrated an “extraordinary commitment to veteran-hiring and retention,” according to a press release.
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The Lake Anne Nursery and Kindergarten is hosting a major children’s yard sale in Reston tomorrow.
The annual event, which happens from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., is a fundraiser that relies on donations.
The yard sale will include baby and kids gear like toys, games, book, stain-free clothing and gently-worn shoes. Larger items include high chairs, swings, music tables, bikes and kitchen sets.
All remaining items will be 50 percent off from noon to 1 p.m.
The sale takes place at 12021 North Shore Drive.
Tomorrow (Nov. 9)
- Sing Books with Miss Emily (10:30-11 a.m.) — Join Mis Emily to celebrate the 50th birthday of Sesame Street. The event is co-sponsored by Friends of Reston Regional Library.
- Sesame Street Birthday Celebration (10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.) — Celebrate the show’s 50th birthday, which will include games, activities, stories, songs and more.
Sunday (Nov. 10)
- Author Andrew Marble (2 p.m.) — Marble discusses his biography on a U.S. military leader. The event takes place at Scrawl Books in Reston Town Center.
- History of World War II (2-4 p.m.) — Harry Butowsky of George Mason University continues his six-part lecture series on the wart Reston Regional Library. This weekend’s session is the last of the series.
- Sunday Afternoon Dance (2:30-4:30 p.m.) — Dancers of all skill levels are welcome to dance at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods. The session is open to participants age 18 and above.
- Country Western Dance (5:30-7:30 p.m.) — Dances are held monthly in the community room at Reston Community Center. The cost is $5 per session for Restonians and $10 for all others.
Photo via LANK/Facebook
Reston Town Center Ice Skating Pavilion Opens Today — The rink will be open for the 2019-2020 season today. Information about pricing as well as daily hours is available online. [Reston Town Center]
Nominations Accepted for Volunteer Reston Service Awards — Reston Association is accepting nominations for the annual Reston Association Volunteer Service awards. Nominations are due by Feb. 28. [Reston Association]
Health and Safety Podcast Features Holiday Cooking Fire Safety Tips — The podcast includes information about grant funding for the county’s Fire and Rescue department, as well as tips on how to cook safely during the holidays. [Fairfax County Government Emergency Preparedness]
Photo via Flickr/Dario Piparo
The Town of Herndon has appointed its first-ever risk manager.
Fox Simkins, who previously worked with GEICO’s claims liability management team, was appointed to the newly created position this week.
As risk manager, Simkins is responsible for planning and managing the town’s insurance and risk programs, including risk management programs like workers’ compensation, injury management, and liability management. She will also analyze the town’s risk management processes, including reviewing risk elimination measures and determining controls.
“The establishment of this position fulfills a primary objective of the Town Council, to ensure that the town operates in a manner that optimizes productivity on behalf of citizens while mitigating unnecessary risk,” said Town Attorney Lesa Yeatts
Here’s more about Simkins from a media release:
Fox Simkins held positions of increasing responsibility at GEICO, culminating in a seat on the insurance company’s Claims Liability School management development team. In that role, she was responsible for developing curricula for supervisory programs and instruction, as well as managing their execution; working with multiple departments on regional and national compliance in risk management procedures; serving as a lead negotiation instructor; and working with company leadership on risk management issues. She was also a founding member of GEICO’s national training center.
Simkins has a B.A. in political science from Hofstra University. She begins her position on Dec. 2.
Sprint is gearing up for several community engagement events in order to educate residents about a 125-foot monopole and ground equipment that is proposed at Herndon High School (7999 Bennet Street).
The company is seeking the county’s approval to build at 91-by-35-foot structure enclosed with a telecommunications facility. The project heads to the Fairfax County Planning Commission for a public hearing on Wednesday, Jan. 15, at 7:30 p.m.
Here’s more from Sprint on why the project is needed:
The project will help Sprint bring improved coverage to your community. The shaded section below shows the approximate area that will receive enhanced network strength with the proposed wireless facility. The new facility will improve Internet connectivity speed and voice connectivity–especially inside homes and buildings–and help your area respond to the increasing demand for quality wireless service. Users outside of the shaded area may also see improved service as the new facility off-loads some of the traffic from the existing facilities in the area.
A community balloon fly will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 8 a.m., with a rain date of Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 8 a.m. A community meeting is set for Monday, Dec. 16 at 6 p.m. at Herndon United Methodist Church (701 Bennett Street).
More information about the project is available online.
Photo via Sprint
Retiring Hunter Mill District Supervisor Cathy Hudgins and two other local election officials are being honored by George Mason University for their leadership.
Hudgins, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Sharon Bulova and retiring Prince William County Supervisor Marty Nohe were selected for the university’s inaugural Regional Leadership Awards.
The award is administered through the Schar School of Policy and Government.
“It is our pleasure to present these long-serving public officials with our first-ever awards,” said Schar School Dean Mark J. Rozell. “It’s a small way to recognize the effort each of them has contributed to making Northern Virginia among the most successfully governed regions in the country. These awards are well-deserved.”
The retiring elected officials will be recognized at a dinner on Nov. 18.
This is an opinion column by Del. Ken Plum (D), who represents Reston in Virginia’s House of Delegates. It does not reflect the opinion of Reston Now.
The outcomes of the election on November 5 are not known as I write this column. I will no doubt have much to say about the results in future writings as this election is going to be pivotal for the Commonwealth’s history regardless of who turns out to be the winners. What I was able to observe in the weeks and days leading up to election day was the highest level of people willing to help throughout the state in knocking on doors, making phone calls, writing postcards, and otherwise willing to chip in for their favorite candidates. If the level of activity leading up to election day is any indication, the turnout of voters should have been record-breaking. “When we vote, we win” became the mantra of campaigns hoping to hold onto power or to transfer it to a more progressive legislature. As I traveled around the state, I became aware that while I had focused on state legislative contests there were many local elections that were critical to the future of local boards of supervisors and school boards.
What is known before the first vote was cast is that these elections were the most expensive ever seen in off-year elections in Virginia. When the total expenses of both candidates in many legislative elections are added together, it will not be unusual that the total exceeds a million dollars. For some highly contentious races the totals exceed three million dollars. I have never seen the generosity of individuals to contribute to elections in other parts of the state as great as it was this year. There is a growing recognition that while it is important who your elected official is, there is an equal importance to who holds the majority in the legislative body. You not only work to get your representatives elected, you also need to help the campaigns of those with whom he or she will have to work. Political contributions from out-of-state individuals and organizations poured into the state in record amounts.
Also interesting in this election cycle is the amazing transformation that occurred in some incumbent legislators. It took Virginia more than four years to approve Medicaid expansion in the state. Yet, if you listened to television commercials downstate you would not be able to find anyone who opposed the expansion. To the contrary, there were claims on the part of some incumbents who had voted against the expansion who in the campaign claimed credit for passing it. It is amazing what a refreshment with voters can do to some legislators’ point of view and memories
To analyze state and local election returns I recommend that you go to the website of the State Board of Elections at elections.virginia.gov to see actual voting results. For more information on who the candidates were and how much they spent I suggest a visit to the Virginia Public Access Project, vpap.org. In future columns I will provide my take on what the election results mean for the future of the Commonwealth.
A special shout out of recognition and thank you goes to all who worked so hard this election cycle. You are what makes the system work. Thank you!
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A fire at an apartment building on Greywing Square was caused by an unattended candle, according to fire investigators.
Roughly 25 people were in the building on the 12000 block of Greywing Square when fire and rescue personnel arrived on the scene on Tuesday (Nov. 5) at around 4:09 p.m.
The fire started in the living room of an apartment unit and spread to the unit directly below. Three residents were displaced as a result of the fire. Residents in the apartment unit where the fire started were not home at the time.
The incident caused roughly $25,000 in damages.
The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department is reminding residents to take the following precautions when lighting a candle:
- Never leave burning candles unattended
- Keep all combustible materials away from open flames
- Do not burn candles near windows or doorways
- Place candles in glass or ceramic containers
- Place candles on a flat, sturdy non-combustible surface
- Never leave candles burning when children or pets are present
Local Schools Recognized for Excellence in Web Content — “Fairfax County Public Schools has recognized ten school websites for excellence in web design and use of web-based tools in the 2019 Best of the Web Awards. Winners were recognized at this year’s Web Curators conference.” [Fairfax County Public Schools]
County Executive, FCPS Superintendent Discuss Budget, Collaboration — The county’s latest edition of “Connect with County Leaders,” a podcast, features County Executive Bryan Hill and Superintendent Scott Brabrand of Fairfax County Public Schools. [Fairfax County Government]
Reston Artist Unveils Newest Mural in Falls Church — “Reston artist Dana Scheurer is known for her many commissions and installations, among them “The Midtown Community Mural” on New Dominion Parkway in Reston Town Center, Public Art Installation — Bicycle Racks at Walker Nature Center, and Lobby Installations — The Jordan in Arlington, AHC Inc. Baltimore office, The Serrano, Jackson’s Crossing and The Woodbury Apartments, according to the artist’s website.” [The Connection]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Local police warn of an uptick in the number of stolen vehicles and items stolen from vehicles in the Town of Herndon.
In a statement, the Herndon Police Department encouraged residents to lock their cars, take valuables inside and avoid leaving the car running when drivers or passengers are not inside.
County officials encouraged residents to take the following steps to protect their vehicles:
- Install an anti-theft system in your vehicle
- Etch your car’s vehicle identification number on each window
- On an incline, leave your vehicle in park or in gear with the wheels turned toward the curb or another obstruction
- Keep vehicle locked at all times, even when driving
Police indicated that most of the incidents reported in the last week were avoidable.
Photo via Unsplash
A new business that offers family haircuts is coming to the Tall Oaks Professional Building.
The business, which is listed as Family Hair Cutt on an Oct. 29 permit, will be located at 12054 North Shore Drive.
H&R Block, a tax preparation company that has locations around the world, also plans to move into the building.
Photo via Google Maps
A fire that happened at a home in the Town of Herndon on Monday (Nov. 4) was caused by a malfunctioning kitchen light.
Local fire and rescue crews extinguished the fire in the single-family home. Two residents who were home at the time of the incident were not injured.
Fire investigators determined the fire was accidental in nature and started in the kitchen ceiling light fixture. The cause of the fire was an electrical event in the light fixture.
Residents of the home accepted assistance from the Red Cross.
The fire caused roughly $93,750 in damages.
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State Democrats Take Control of State Legislatures — “Virginia Democrats continued their winning streak under President Trump on Tuesday and took full control of the statehouse for the first time in more than two decades. Suburban voters turned out in big numbers to back Democratic candidates, continuing a trend of once GOP-friendly suburbs turning blue. This is the third election in a row in which Democrats made significant gains since Trump was elected.” [Associated Press]
Reston Town Center Ice Rink to Open on Friday — The public ice skating rink will open on Friday (Nov 8). Access is $10 for adults, $9 for youth under 11, and skate rentals are $6. [Reston Town Center]
Edison Academy to Host Apprenticeships and Skilled Workforce Fair — “High school students and recent graduates interested in the construction-related trades, service industries, manufacturing, and information technology are invited to attend the Apprenticeships and Skilled Workforce Career Fair on Thursday, November 7, at Edison Academy. The fair is designed to encourage interest among high school students and recent graduates in the in-demand skilled career fields that are attainable through two-year degree programs, certifications, apprenticeships or on-the-job training.” [Fairfax County Public Schools]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Melanie Meren, a former U.S. Department of Education employee, easily won the Hunter Mill District seat on the Fairfax County School Board.
With a little over 69 percent of the vote, Meren overtook her opponent, Laura Ramirez Drain, as of 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday (Nov. 6). According to unofficial election returns, 27 of the 28 precincts reported results.
Meren has described herself as a “Fairfax County parent leader” who wants to promote strong education. Drain’s campaign focused on the family life education curriculum, school boundaries and the FCPS budget.
Earlier in January, Hunter Mill District representative Pat Hynes said she would not seek re-election.
Voters also ceremoniously ushered in former Planning Commissioner Walter Alcorn, the Democratic candidate for the Hunter Mill District Supervisor seat, Tuesday night. Alcorn, who won the Democratic primary, faced no candidate from any other party.
Democrat Steve Descano won the Commonwealth’s Attorney position in Fairfax after ousting current Commonwealth’s Attorney Raymond Morrough in the June primary.
Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust (D) retained his position on the county board, which he has held since 2007, as well, defeating Republican opponent Ed Martin.
Photo via Melanie Meren
