Victim Assaulted by Four Suspects — A man was assaulted by four individuals as he was walking alone along the 1200 block of Herndon Parkway on Oct. 23. The incident is under investigation. [Herndon Police Department]
Reston District Station Collects Drugs for Take Back Day — The station collected 13 bags and 145 pounds of drugs during the 18th annual drug take back day on Saturday, Oct. 26. Franconia collected the most pounds of drugs, with Reston ranking fourth in the number of donations. [Fairfax County Police Department]
Photo via Flickr/vantagehill
A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for the area until around 9:45 p.m. today (Thursday).
The National Weather Service says damaging winds could cause damage to trees. A tornado watch also remains in effect until midnight.
Here’s more from the alert:
HAZARD…60 mph wind gusts.
SOURCE…Radar indicated.
IMPACT…Damaging winds will cause some trees and large branches to fall. This could injure those outdoors, as well as damage homes and vehicles. Roadways may become blocked by downed trees. Localized power outages are possible. Unsecured light objects may become projectiles.
In the event of a tornado, residents are encouraged to move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Centreville VA, Bethesda MD, Reston VA until 9:45 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/Yd3T39tjEM
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) November 1, 2019
The county is seeking proposals for a permanent, 3D public artwork at the Innovation Center Metro Station‘s garage.
The artwork must integrate with the larger public space in the project at 2435 Innovation Center Drive.
The Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services has budgeted $100,000 for the project, which should “evoke the spirit of 21st century urban living, creative inspiration and a sense of community.”
The artwork would be located in the pocket park on the southeast corner to the Metro garage.
Here’s more from the county about the project:
The Innovation Center development will be a new transit-oriented development just south of the Dulles Toll Road, adjacent to the Innovation Center Station, one of six Metrorail stations being built in the Silver Line’s second phase. The overall 14.6-acre site consists of the 5.5-acre footprint for a County-constructed Metro commuter garage, kiss-and-ride spaces, pocket park, and Metro plaza with the remaining 9.1-acres to be developed by a private developer. Fairfax County has partnered with the private developer to clear and grade the nearly 15-acre undeveloped site before installing stormwater infrastructure, building a road network, erecting streetlights, constructing public space, and landscaping. The infrastructure will serve the overall development including the Metro Station Garage.
The design of the Innovation Center Metro Garage and adjacent development envisions a site-specific artwork to evoke the spirit of 21st century urban living, creative inspiration, and a sense of community. The artwork may address local themes or landmarks of the surrounding area. The work should be visible from the street and the Metro Plaza, just north of the pocket park and kiss-and-ride. The artwork shall be accessible to the general public of all ages and ability levels, and shall not impact planned infrastructure, easements, trees, and critical root zones. The artwork may engage visitors by being tactile or interactive; may be an identifiable landmark or gathering spot on the site; may offer opportunities for environmental education; or may engage site features such as trees or topography to provoke a spatial experience.
Applications are due by Friday, Nov. 8. Three semi-finalists will be selected by a committee with representatives from the county.
More information about submission guidelines is available online.
File photo
A tornado watch is in effect for Fairfax County until, according to the National Weather Service.
The alert is in effect until midnight tonight (Thursday).
A tornado watch has been issued for parts of southern Virginia and northwestern North Carolina until 11 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/yBY7lLMKAV
— NWS Eastern Region (@NWSEastern) October 31, 2019
Reston Community Orchestra kicks off its 32nd season this Saturday (Nov. 2) at 4 p.m. at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods.
The ensemble, which is composed of volunteers, aims to enhance the culture of the community by presenting diverse symphonic music.
Maestro Dingwall Fleary has served as the music director and conductor of the ensemble since 1995.
The orchestra offers free concerts in an effort to fulfill its pledge, “Great music for a great community.”
The show, which is free and open for all, kicks off at 4 p.m. Donations are appreciated.
Photo via Reston Community Orchestra
Global consulting firm ICF International Inc. has inked a full-building lease at Comstock’s Reston Station, according to a company release.
The firm will occupy 1902 Reston Metro Plaza, an eight-story, 250,000-square-foot office building at the mixed-use development atop the Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station. The company plans to relocate its headquarters of three decades in Fairfax by the end of 2022.
The glass and steel building, which sits on top of parking and restaurant space, is expected to be complete by 2021.
“We are confident that Reston Station has everything we need to provide one of the best employee experiences in the Washington D.C. metro area,” said John Wasson, Chief Executive Officer of ICF. “Having our global headquarters in the heart of a rapidly expanding technology corridor directly supports our strategic growth plans and provides so many more conveniences to our employees.”
ICF is the latest tenant to join the development. Search engine giant Google has moved into Reston Station’s first office building and other companies like Neustar, Rolls-Royce North America, British Telecom and Spaces by Regus are also in the pipeline.
“We look forward to welcoming ICF and its entire team to the Reston Station neighborhood,” said Christopher Clemente, CEO of Comstock Companies. “Comstock is committed to creating a world-class development that provides world-class companies a remarkable neighborhood and an attractive platform for our tenants to recruit and retain talent needed to grow their business.”
ICF is a global consultancy and digital services provider that has more than 7,000 employees.
Photo via Comstock
Collect for Kids Campaign Exceeds Goals — The annual campaign, a drive for backpacks or school supplies for students in need, raised more than $28,400 this year. [Fairfax County Public Schools]
Campus Commons Moves Forward — “The Campus Commons project near the Wiehle-Reston East Metro stop is moving forward after the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors gave the final okay. It is the latest in a rash of approvals to redevelop office parks close to the Silver Line, but this particular project has provoked a new wave of opposition against long-planned changes–like new housing and offices–in Reston.” [Greater Greater Washington]
Fun at Reston’s Halloween House — “Children three through ten years of age delighted in Reston Association’s non-ghoulish Halloween House and Trick-or-Treat Trail at Walker Nature Center, held Oct. 25-26. Even though the association added more tickets for this year’s event, according to Katie Shaw, Nature Center Manager, advance times sold out once again before the weekend.” [The Connection]
Photo via Flickr/vantagehill
The election is less than one week away for Fairfax County voters.
While Democrat Walter Alcorn won the primary seat for Hunter Mill District Supervisor Cathy Hudgins, who is retiring, there are still plenty of local races to follow.
The makeup of the Fairfax County School Board is expected to change considerably, with nine contested seats. Six district seats and the chair are contested on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
Two candidates are running for the seat of Pat Hynes, who currently holds the Hunter Mill District seat on the school board. Earlier this year, Hynes said she would not seek reelection after serving on the 12-member board for the last seven years.
Reston Now will be covering the race for the chair of the Board of Supervisors, the Commonwealth’s Attorney, the at-large seat for the school board, and the Hunter Mill District Seat for the school board.
Chairman of Board of Supervisors
- Joseph Galdo (R)
- Jeff McKay (D)
Fairfax County School Board — Hunter Mill DistrictLaura Ramirez Drain
Fairfax County School Board — At-Large Seats (voters choose three)
Commonwealth’s Attorney
- Steve Descano (Democrat)
- Jonathan Fahey (Independent)
Absentee voting, which is offered at 10 locations, runs through Saturday, Nov. 2 at 5 p.m. Polling locations are available on the county’s website.
Residents will also vote on a number of bond referendums for schools, including planning funds for a new “Silver Line” elementary school.
Election returns will be posted by the Virginia Department of Elections online. Stay tuned for more information and coverage next week.
File photo
The Town of Herndon has a number of openings for local advisory committees, boards, and commissions.
Town residents are encouraged to apply to open positions in the Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee (PBAC) — which aims to promote safe walking and bicycling in the town — and the Fairfax County Athletic Council. One resident will represent the town on the athletic council, which is an advisory body that sets policies and priorities to improve sports programs in the county.
Middle and high school students can also serve on the Herndon Youth Advisory Council, which advises the council on issues and decisions relevant to youth. Students who either live in the Town of Herndon or attend Herndon Middle and Herndon High schools are encouraged to apply.
Town of Herndon Mayor Lisa Merkel said the youth council is a critical way to engage Herndon’s youth, especially as the town’s population increases in number and diversity.
“This is a great way for middle and high school students to develop lifelong habits of community activism,” Merkel said. “The voices of our young people are important and need to be heard.”
Applications are available online and at the clerk’s office in the Herndon Municipal Center (777 Lynn Street).
Image via Town of Herndon
The Iranian American bestselling author of “Reading Lolita in Tehran” comes to Reston Community Center’s CenterStage next month.
Author Azar Nafisi is set to discuss her book and other work — which offers a portrait of the Islamic revolution in Iran and its effect on one university professor and her students — on Wednesday, Nov. 6 at 8 p.m.
Copies of her books, including “The Republic of Imagination: America in Three Books,” will be available for purchase and signing after the event.
Nafisi is a fellow at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies and has taught at Oxford University and several universities in Tehran.
Tickets are $15 for Reston residents and $20 for all others. More information about the event is available online.
Photo via Twitter/Azar Nafisi
Appraisals Roadshow Set for Election Day — Bring one personal valuable and appraisal experts will offer information on what the item is worth and what can be done with the treasure. The roadshow is set for Tuesday, Nov. 5 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Reston Association’s headquarters. [Reston Association]
Shop for a Cause at Scout and Molly’s Boutique — “October is shop-for-a-cause month at Scout and Molly’s boutique in Reston, Virginia. Their goal is to support local women fighting breast cancer. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Scout and Molly’s Boutique will be donating a portion of all of their proceeds to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. This foundation largely supports women fighting breast cancer and breast cancer survivors.” [Local DVM]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Someone broke into a home on the 11600 block of Charter Oak Court on Oct. 23.
According to the Fairfax County Police Department, the incident happened between 11:15 a.m. and 1:38 p.m. Personal items were taken.
FCPD’s Reston District Station also reported the following incidents in recent days:
LARCENIES:
600 block of Deerfield Farm Court, laptop computer from vehicle
2500 block of John Milton Drive, merchandise from business
2100 block of Reston Parkway, property from vehicle
11300 block of Sunset Hills Road, purse from vehicle
13300 block of Parcher Avenue, tools from vehicle
11800 block of Sunrise Valley Drive, food from business
12100 block of Sunset Hills Road, wallet from location
STOLEN VEHICLES:
None reported
Photo via FCPD
A recent engineering report has flagged several safety issues with Lake Thoreau pool — including cracks in the pool’s retaining wall — prompting the Reston Association to once again reconsider the future of the nearly 40-year-old facility.
An Oct. 23 report by engineering firm Terracon found that two sections of the pool’s retaining wall were below minimum safety standards. The firm recommended that RA replace or remediate the pool’s existing timber retaining wall — a move that would likely impact the existing pool deck or shell during demolition and reconstruction efforts.
The report — which echoes similar findings by Dewberry Consultants in 2017 — also notes that the retaining wall has “slightly rotated/creeped down” towards Lake Thoreau. Cracks were also found in the pool shell and concrete deck. Dewberry, which was contracted by RA to complete a preliminary engineering assessment three years ago, recommended that RA replace the retaining wall within one to two years, noting that the pool structure “appears sound enough to restore for additional long-term service.”
At a meeting last week, RA staff suggested reimagine the future of the pool, especially given that the cost of replacing the retaining wall may be too burdensome.
“Do we look at this as the opportunity to do something perhaps more interesting and this is obviously working with the community and so forth,” said Larry Butler, RA’s Chief Operating Officer.
The pool — which staff said does not meet Fairfax County safety guidelines — may be closed for the 2020 season, according to RA.
“Generally speaking, it should not be occupied,” said Chris Schumaker, RA’s senior capital projects operations manager.
In the event the pool is closed next year, RA Board Director Julie Bitzer encouraged the corporation to accommodate members by extending hours at other community pools.
The conversation — which will include community engagement — is in its early stages and no plans have been formally proposed. In recent months, members urged RA’s board to keep the pool– which they described as a community asset and a major attraction for area neighborhoods — open.
Currently, the cost of replacing the retaining wall is unknown.
Photo via vantagehill
Paddywax Candle Bar, a shop that allows customers to hand-pour candles they create, is opening its first Virginia location in Reston Town Center next month.
The business, which is marketed as an “experiential retail shop,” has seven other locations in the country.
Customers chose a vessel during each one-hour candle pouring session, as well as a fragrance. Workshop participants are then guided through the process of making their own candle by placing the wicks, mixing the fragrance and pouring the wax.
The candle bar also includes beer and wine available for purchase.
It takes over space previously occupied by The Tasting Room Wine Bar and Shop, which closed in February.
Photos via Paddywax Candle Bar
Make Halloween a Treat, Not a Truck — “Ghosts, goblins, and ghouls will soon be coming out all over the area. Halloween is a festive occasion that we need to celebrate safely. Traditional jack-o-lanterns with candles are a tremendous fire hazard. A better way to light up your jack-o-lantern is to use a small string of holiday lights with yellow and red flashing bulbs. Additionally, small battery-powered candles can be used.” [Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department]
County to Hold Hearing on Real Estate Tax Exemption — “Fairfax County currently provides income-based real estate tax relief to homeowners based on income and disability. A revision to the Virginia Code in July now allows localities to exclude the disability income of disabled relatives living in a taxpayer’s home from the total combined income calculation.” [Tysons Reporter]
McDaniel College Names Field in Honor of Reston Couple — “McDaniel College hosted the dedication of Rembert Field at McDaniel’s Kenneth R. Gill Stadium in honor of 1961 alumnus Donald Mosby Rembert, Sr., and 1960 alumna Judith Ellis Rembert of Reston, Va. The ceremony took place during the Green Terror football game against Muhlenberg on Saturday, Oct. 26.” [Reston Patch]
Photo by Marjorie Copson
