Crews worked to extinguish a fire on the second floor an apartment building on the 12000 block of Greywing Square around 8:45 a.m. today.

The fire, which was contained to the kitchen area of the unit, was extinguished around 9 a.m.

All occupants in the building were evacuated and no injuries were reported.

Units on scene of garden apartment fire 12000 block of Greywing Square in Reston area. Crews working to extinguish a fire in 2nd floor apartment. All occupants reported out. #FCFRD #FairfaxCounty pic.twitter.com/Bsqvh0xGSJ

— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) August 21, 2019

UPDATE: garden apartment fire 12000 block of Greywing Square in Reston area. No extension of fire. Most units are returning to service. No reported injuries at this time. #FCFRD #FairfaxCounty pic.twitter.com/ylB7KFpGy8

— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) August 21, 2019

Facilities Planning Council Seeks Representative — The school board’s Facilities Planning Advisory Council is seeking a member to represent the Hunter Mill District. Howard Perlstein, the current representative for the district, is leaving the council since it was established over a decade ago. [Fairfax County Public Schools]

County Hosts Launch of Statewide Checkpoint Strikeforce Campaign — State and local officials “launched the annual statewide anti-drunk driving Checkpoint Strikeforce Campaign. The DUI law enforcement and public education campaign continues through Labor Day weekend and will resume during Halloween and the holidays. Complementing the high visibility enforcement, Checkpoint Strikeforce is sponsoring an advertising campaign called “Act Like It.”‘ [Fairfax County Police Department]

Dog Days of Summer is Today — Enjoy a special play zone for dogs and their owners today at Reston Town Center’s pavilion from 5-7:30 p.m. The last session is on September 4. [Reston Town Center]

Photo via vantagehill/Flickr

More than 100 families neighboring Campus Commons, a mixed-use project on the southeastern corner of Wiehle Avenue and the Dulles Toll Road, are voicing their concerns about the proposed development.

Rescue Sunrise Valley, a group that includes representation from residents who live on Sunrise Valley Drive, as well as the clusters of Great Meadow, Winterport, Harbor Court, Whetherfield, Lakeport, and Boston Ridge, say that they are not opposed to development and instead are concerned about safety and the project’s impact on neighborhoods.

TF Cornerstones’ plan includes two residential buildings with a total of 630 units, an office building, and 26,000 square feet of new retail. Two mid-1980s office buildings will remain on the proprty.

Residents say that the proposal misses the mark on pedestrian safety, especially a proposed sidewalk that connects to the Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station that they say will “logjam traffic and up and down Sunrise Valley and put pedestrians at risk by sending them across nine lanes of traffic and dumping them on a concrete island in the middle of the off-ramp.”

“Anyone who drives, walks, or rides their bikes on Sunrise Valley near the Wiehle intersection knows this is a recipe for disaster,” the group wrote in a statement to Reston Now.

Residents want the developer to delay the proposal under neighborhood concerns are addressed. They created the group in response to the proposal and to inform unaware residents about the plan. Residents say accurate information about the proposal has been hard to come by. Others said the developer has not engaged with all neighboring residents to hear their feedback on the plan.

“We recognize that the developer wants to fast-track their plans because in their industry time is money, but for us, much more is at stake: our families and our neighborhood,” the group stated.

A TF Cornerstones’ representative told Reston Now the company has launched an extensive community engagement process over the last two years, including two meetings with Hampton Meadow residents, one meeting with Boston Ridge residents, and Reston Association. The development team has been before the Reston Planning & Zoning Committee four times since 2017.

“We have also broadened our outreach to include additional homes along Upper Lake Drive.  We are hosting a community meeting and have sent notification to the Harborside association, the Winterport association, and residents along Upper Lake Drive without an association,” said Ebony Young, vice president of corporate social responsibility. “We have made significant commitments for the project based on community input, and we look forward to the upcoming community meeting.”

The proposal heads to the Fairfax County Planning Commission on September 25. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is expected to take up on the plan on October 15.

Photos via handout/Fairfax Count Government

Reston is under a severe thunderstorm warning until 6:15 p.m. today.

The watch, which was issued by the National Weather Service, covers most of the DC, Maryland and Virginia region.

Numerous thunderstorms beginning to develop and become severe over the higher elevations. These will push east throughout the afternoon/evening. Damaging wind gusts and large hail will be the main threats. pic.twitter.com/xtn9vbFiTF

— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) August 20, 2019

Photo via vantagehill/Flickr

Two juveniles — one of whom was armed with a gun — took the bicycles of two other juveniles in Reston last week.

The victims were walking near the intersection of North Shoer Drive and Wainwright Drive at around 8 p.m. on Thursday, August 15 when two other juveniles demanded their bicycles at gunpoint.

Police believe the suspects are boys. One was wearing a blue shirt and black shorts and the other was wearing a white shirt with black dots.

The Fairfax County Police Department’s Reston District Station also reported the following minor incidents in recent days:

LARCENIES:

6300 block of Alderman Drive, wallet from location

1700 block of Clubhouse Road, property from business

13300 block of Fones Place, backpack from vehicle

2300 block of Hunters Woods Plaza, cell phone from location

2500 block of John Milton Drive, liquor from business

2100 block of Whisperwood Glen Lane, wallet from location

1800 block of Wiehle Avenue, bag from location

STOLEN VEHICLES:

None reported

In a separate incident, a Reston woman was charged with driving while intoxicated and refusal to provide a breath test on August 17.

Alexandra Gilmore, 33, was arrested on near Hogback Mountain Drive, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office.

Photo via FCPD

As fall descends on the region, North Point Village Center is hosting a fall kick-off event next month.

The event, which is set for September 7 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at North Point Village Center, will include fun, food and prizes.

A guest appearance  is scheduled between noon at 2 p.m. — although details have not been released yet.

The kick-off event will also include an obstacle course, moon bounce, and other games.

The event is free and open to all. The village center is located at 1452 North Point Village Center.

Photo via North Point Village Center/Facebook

The first of several planned improvements to the Route 7 Corridor is officially complete.

A third left-turn lane from westbound Route 7 to Baron Cameron Avenue opened to traffic on Monday (August 19) — the first of several traffic flow improvements planned between Reston Avenue and Jarrett Valley Drive.

The project includes other improvements like a third lane in each direction, shared-use paths on both sides, the replacement of a bridge over Difficult Run and a pedestrian underpass to access Colvin Run Mill Park.

The complete list of planned improvements is below:

Widening the road from four lanes to six lanes

Building continuous shared-use paths along eastbound and westbound Route 7

Raising the Difficult Run bridge above flood elevation

Shared-use trail under the Difficult Run bridge with minimum height clearance of twelve feet

Adding a pedestrian underpass at Colvin Run Mill Park for enhanced park access

Shifting Route 7 lanes away from Colvin Run Mill; enlarging culvert under Carpers Farm Way

Adding noise walls with architectural treatment (where reasonable/feasible per final analysis)

Adding stormwater ponds

Replacing/relocating the existing Lewinsville Road intersection with McLean Bible Church’s eastern entrance with a new displaced-left with two coordinated signals

At Towlston Road, shifting Route 7 away from Andrey Chapel Cemetery; adding right- and left-turn lanes on southbound Towlston Road

Widening Forestville Road to add southbound left- and right-turn lanes

Adding a third left-turn lane from westbound Route 7 to southbound Baron Cameron Avenue, as well as a free-flow ramp from northbound Baron Cameron Avenue to eastbound Route 7

Improving the approach angle from Utterback Store Road to Route 7

Lengthening left- and right-turn lanes from Route 7 to many side streets along the corridor; eliminating some median crossings for safety

Building new ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps 

Officials estimate the project will be complete by 2024.

Until then, the speed limit along Route 7 has been reduced to 45 miles per house in active work zones between Reston Avenue and Delta Glen Court.

Photo via Virginia Department of Transportation

New App to Track Bus Arrivals — County schools are introduced a new school bus arrival app for the upcoming school year. The app, “Here Comes the Bus,” gives parents and guardians real-time bus locations through text or email alerts. [Fairfax County Public Schools]

Parking Limited at Wiehle-Reston East — For the next three weeks, up to forty parking spaces will be temporarily removed from the Wiehle-Reston East Metrorail Station parking garage as crews complete routine maintenance. The garage is currently at capacity. [Fairfax County Government]

Farmers & Makers Market is Today — Local farmers and artisans return to the market today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today. The market will be on through November. [Reston Town Center]

Photo via vantagehill/Flickr

Reston is under a several thunderstorm warning until 11:15 p.m. today (Monday).

The National Weather Service issued the alert, which says to expect wind gusts of up to 60 miles per hour and quarter size hail.

Here’s more from the alert:

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.

* Locations impacted include… Reston, Herndon, Fairfax, Vienna, Lowes Island, Mantua, Potomac, Oakton, Sterling, Chantilly, Tysons Corner, Wolf Trap, Great Falls, Merrifield, Countryside, Dunn Loring, Darnestown, Belleview,

Bradley Farms and Sterling Park.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.

Photo via NWS/Twitter

The author of the book, “Radical Suburbs: Experimental Living on the Fringes of the American City,” will discuss why she classifies Reston as a radical suburb this month.

The event, which features author Amanda Hurley, is set to take place on September 18 from 7-9 p.m. at Reston Community Center Lake Anne’s Jo Ann Rose Gallery.

Hurley’s talk will compare Reston to other communities, including a co-housing commune in Pennsylvania, a tiny-house anarchist community in New Jersey and a government-planned garden city in Maryland.

Here’s more about the book from the publisher:

America’s suburbs are not the homogenous places we sometimes take them for. Today’s suburbs are racially, ethnically, and economically diverse, with as many Democratic as Republican voters, a growing population of renters, and rising poverty. The cliche of white picket fences is well past its expiration date.

The history of suburbia is equally surprising: American suburbs were once fertile ground for utopian planning, communal living, socially-conscious design, and integrated housing. We have forgotten that we built suburbs like these, such as the co-housing commune of Old Economy, Pennsylvania; a tiny-house anarchist community in Piscataway, New Jersey; a government-planned garden city in Greenbelt, Maryland; a racially integrated subdivision (before the Fair Housing Act) in Trevose, Pennsylvania; experimental Modernist enclaves in Lexington, Massachusetts; and the mixed-use, architecturally daring Reston, Virginia.

Inside Radical Suburbs you will find blueprints for affordable, walkable, and integrated communities, filled with a range of environmentally sound residential options. Radical Suburbs is a history that will help us remake the future and rethink our assumptions of suburbia.

Signed copies of her book will also be available for purchase. The event is hosted by the Reston Historic Trust & Museum.

Sprouts Farmers Market is looking to hire 150 employees for its newest location in Herndon Centre this week.

The grocery story, which offers organic and natural foods, plans to open in Herndon Centre at 494 Elden Street.

Walk-in interviews are scheduled for Thursday (August 22) from 8 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and on Friday (August 22) from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Interviews will take place at the Hilton Garden Inn (22400 Flagstaff Plaza).

The store is hiring for cashiers, grocery clerks, meat and produce clerks, as well as staff for the deli and bakery.

The hiring events are scheduled in partnership with Snag.

The 13th annual Lake Anne Jazz and Blues Music Festival returns to Lake Anne Plaza on August 31.

The event, which takes from place 2-8 p.m., brings together several bands and artists. Beer will be provided by Ornery Beer Company and tacos will be provided by Lake Anne Deli.

The following groups and individuals are scheduled to perform:

• BIG Whitson
• Shacara Rogers
• The Vaughan
• Ambrose Octet
• Jamal A. Brown, Feedel Band
• Michael Pavone
• VMC!

The event is hosted by the Friends of Lake Anne and is sponsored by Lake Anne, Reston Community Center, Friends of Lake Anne and Foxes Music Company.

Photos via Charlotte Geary Photography

Five candidates are running for seats on the Reston Community Center’s Board of Governors.

First-time candidates Laurie Dodd and Robert Petrine join incumbents Beverly Cosham, Michelle Moyer and Paul Thomas in the race for three positions.

Voting begins on September 6. All properties in Small District 5 will receive ballots in the mail.

Mailed ballots must be received by 5 p.m. on Thursday, September 26. Walk-in and online ballots must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, September 27.

The board is responsible for establishing RCC’s policies and guiding development of its programs and budget. The terms will be for three years.

Statements of candidate, which were provided by RCC, are below.

Beverly A. Cosham

What previous experience or participation in civic activities would you bring to the RCC Board? 

My previous experiences and participation in civic activities that I would bring to the RCC Board are my nine terms on the Lorton Arts Foundation, three terms on Advisory Board of ArtsFairfax, one term each on the Lorton Land Reuse Committee and the Actor’s Center, and nine terms on the Reston Community Orchestra and six terms on the RCC Board of Governors. I am a founding member of the Reston Chorale and the Reston Players.

How would your leadership enhance RCC’s efforts to bring the community together by providing opportunities for enriching leisure experiences and connections that reach out to all to foster inclusiveness and a sense of belonging? 

As an incumbent, I have experience creating and realizing Strategic Plans by working with the board and staff to create programs and partnerships to better serve the growing and diverse community. RCC is the heart of Reston and strives to keep Bob Simon’s Principles to ensure that Reston remains a welcoming place to live, work and play for all.

Laurie Dodd

What previous experience or participation in civic activities would you bring to the RCC Board?

I have lived in Reston for 23+ years, raising two children here. As an attorney with my own practice, I have been a leader in many community groups over the years. I served as board member for Reston Swim Team Association, Reston Children’s Center, and my church. I have volunteered with Coalition for a Planned Reston, Rescue Reston, Reston Runners, Embry Rucker Shelter, RA Community Gardens, and PTA. I have attended and testified at numerous meetings of RA, the Board of Supervisors, and the School Board. I recently ran for Hunter Mill Supervisor in 2019, finishing second among five candidates 

How would your leadership enhance RCC’s efforts to bring the community together by providing opportunities for enriching leisure experiences and connections that reach out to all and foster inclusiveness and a sense of belonging?

During my recent local campaign, I spoke with hundreds of Reston residents about their views. I know that RCC has truly been a center of our community, providing cultural, educational, and recreational experiences for many families, including my own. Reston residents want to be engaged in shaping the future of RCC. Just as my legal work has focused on helping underserved people and groups get what they need, I will work to ensure that RCC meet the needs of this community. I will bring fresh eyes to RCC programs, seeing that they are effective and efficient. RCC must provide opportunities for people from different social, economic, ethnic, and racial backgrounds to come together. Reaching out to get input from all is essential. As a board member, I will work diligently to help RCC serve the community, in collaboration with its many civic, cultural, and recreational partners. 

Michelle Moyer 

What previous experience or participation in civic activities would you bring to the RCC Board? 

After serving two terms on the RCC Board I am eager to continue this role with a community-wide focus. During my 30+ years in Reston, I have participated, and held leadership roles, in a wide variety of community organizations including Reston Masters Swim Team, PTA, All Night Grad Party committee, Reston Swim Team Association board, Fellowship Square Corporate board, cluster board, and Christ the Servant Lutheran Church. While I am still involved with some of these organizations, my main volunteer focus in recent years has been the RCC Board of Governors.

How would your leadership enhance RCC’s efforts to bring the community together by providing opportunities for enriching leisure experiences and connections that reach out to all and foster inclusiveness and a sense of belonging?

RCC has some important opportunities, such as the completion of the Aquatics Center renovation and meeting the needs identified in the Community Survey results. I look forward being involved with the next steps for RCC as we continue efforts to identify what the Reston community needs and desires and to determine how to best meet these needs within fiscal restraints. 

I am a Human Resources consultant, focusing on compensation and affirmative action. I have had my own practice for the past 28 years. This work requires analytical, communication, and creative problem solving skills coupled with the ability to work cooperatively with management teams and boards. This experience and these skills are directly applicable to the role on the Board of Governors. I would like to apply my business consulting experience and civic work to solicit input, anticipate needs, support programs, and continue valuable partnerships with other like-minded community organizations.  

Robert T. Petrine

What previous experience or participation in civic activities would you bring to the RCC Board?

My background is in finance. I have been the chief financial officer of two banks and have 20+ years’ experience as a federal bank regulator. I have served on several professional boards and committees that represent the educational and developmental interests of those organizations and those of the general public including the Education Committee of the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce. 

I regularly attend and participate at RCC and RA Board meetings to keep informed of what’s going on in my community; active in CPR, Reston 20/20, RCA, and Rescue Reston.

I’m a 43+ year resident; coached Reston soccer teams. 

How would your leadership enhance RCC’s efforts to bring the community together by providing opportunities for enriching leisure experiences and connections that reach out to all to foster inclusiveness and a sense of belonging? 

This is my opportunity to give back to the community that has provided my family and I with innumerable cultural activities and events that have broadened our perspectives to other cultures and activities which have deeply enriched our lives. I intend to use the executive skills and experiences that I have developed in corporate finance and strategic planning over the past 5 decades to ensure RCC’s fiscal responsibility and program effectiveness.

I now have the time and am willing to make the commitment to use these skills for the benefit of my community. To meet my latter objective, I would conduct outreach meetings with community groups and individuals to inform them of the vision, values, and mission of the RCC and, most importantly, seek their input of the scope, availability, and cost of RCC programs and activities.

Paul Thomas

What previous experience or participation in civic activities would you bring to the RCC Board?

My wife and I both grew up in Reston, and we are raising our kids (ages 14 and 18) here. I currently serve on the RCC Board of Governors, and I am president of the South Lakes HS PTSA. I have served on other nonprofit boards and one county task force:

• Reston Community Center Board of Governors: 3 years
• Reston Association Board of Directors: 4 years; VP for 2 years
• Reston Historic Trust Board of Directors: 2 years
• Reston Swim Team Association Board of Directors: 2 years; VP both years
• Reston Master Plan Special Study Task Force: 2 years

How would your leadership enhance RCC’s efforts to bring the community together by providing opportunities for enriching leisure experiences and connections that reach out to all to foster inclusiveness and a sense of belonging?

Our changing community provides challenges and opportunities for those who care about our remarkably diverse, inclusive community. As the demographics and geography of Reston evolve, we need to continue to create spaces, events, and programs that are essential elements of Reston’s unique sense of place. Some people see RCC as a recreation center. Others see it as a fine and performing arts center. For others, it is a provider of camps for kids or continuing education for adults. To me, RCC is more than a sum of its parts; the Reston Community Center is an organization that helps define, serve and unify our community. My deep involvement with many facets of the Reston community help me understand and support the experiences and connections that make Reston such as great place. As a member of the Board of Governors, I hope to continue helping RCC with its critical mission.

Photo via RCC

Lane and Ramp Closures This Week — Lane, shoulder and road closures are planning on several local roads this week due to work on phase two of the Silver Line. Impacted roads include Sunset Hills Road, Sunrise Valley Drive, and Herndon Parkway. [Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project]

Committee Takes On New Development Proposals — The Reston Planning & Zoning Committee meets tonight to vote on three developments in Reston: Isaac Newtown Square, changes to Halley Rise, and Reston Station Promenade. [Reston Planning & Zoning Committee]

Hopes for the Silver Line and Revenue Boosts — “Diminishing fuel-tax returns of about 45 percent have hampered Virginia’s infrastructure-funding efforts, but higher tax rates approved by the General Assembly this year will boost those efforts, Virginia Secretary of Transportation Shannon Valentine told the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce at an Aug. 7 panel discussion.” [Inside NOVA]

Photo via vantagehill/Flickr