As schools go back into session later this month, the Friends of the Reston Regional Library is hosting a book sale for teens, children, and educators this weekend.
The book sale, which began on Thursday, continues through the weekend. Books will be available for purchase tomorrow (Saturday) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sunday (August 18) from 1-3:30 p.m.
It takes place at Reston Regional Library and features books in used condition.
The next book sale — which will not include children’s books — is set for September 25.
Tomorrow (August 17)
- Back 2 School Bash (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) — The bash includes interactive activities and offers information to help children and families prepare for school. The event takes place at South Lakes High School (11400 South Lakes Drive).
- The Arithmechicks Add Up Book Launch (11 a.m.) — Ann Marie Stephens celebrates the launch of her third children’s book “Arithmechicks Add Up.” Refreshments will also be offered.
- Summerbration Fun Brunch (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) — Enjoy tunes from the Ryan Forester Band at the Reston Station Plaza. Parking is free on weekends in the Metro parking garage.
- Reston Concerts on the Town (7:30-10 p.m.) — Underhill Rose brings progressive bluegrass, country and Americana to Reston Town Center’s pavilion. Attendees should bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket.
Sunday (August 18)
- Summerbration Fun Brunch (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) — Enjoy a performance by Interactive Theater of Jef at Reston Station Plaza. The event is free and open for all ages.
- Sunday Art in the Park (7-8 p.m.) — The class of 2020 presents a cabaret-style performance featuring Broadway hits at Reston Town Square Park.
Three major development proposals head to the Reston Planning and Zoning Committee for a vote on Monday (August 19.
The committee, which meets at the North County Government Center at 7:30 p.m., will vote on plans for Isaac Newton Square, Halley Rise and Reston Station Promenade.
Peter Lawrence Cos and MRP Realty are partnering to redevelop Isaac Newtown Square, an aging office park at Sunset Hills Road and Wiehle Avenue, into a mostly residential neighborhood with around 2,100 units. The plan also includes an athletic field.
One Reston Co. LLC and Two Reston Co. LLC’s Halley Rise project — which is the site of the future Wegmans — is also on the docket. The developer is seeking the committee’s approval for changes to two blocks of development, which is located north of Sunrise Valley Drive and south of the Dulles Toll Road.
Finally, the board will consider changes to Comstock’s Reston Station Promenade project, which is north of the BLVD and Comstock’s development atop the Wiehe-Reston East Metro Station. Changes are largely limited to one building.
The complete agenda is available online.
Verity Commercial, a Reston-based company, was recognized by Inc. magazine as one of the fastest growing private companies in the country for the third time in four years.
The company, which is a real estate advisory and investment firm, was listed in the magazine’s Inc. 5000 list.
“Making our 3rd appearance on the most prestigious ranking for the nation’s fastest-growing businesses is incredible,” says Herm Diebler co-Founder of Verity. “Repeated success means we’re doing something right and our clients are experiencing long-term success using Verity’s approach. We wouldn’t be here without them.”
Verity was also given the 2019 ACE Business of the Year award by the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce. It was established in 2010.
The Inc. 500 list ranks businesses based on percentage revenue growth when comparing 2015 and 2018. Only companies that are U.S.-based, privately held, for profit and independent are considered for the list.
Photo via Google Maps
The Fairfax County Park Authority is honoring John Foong for a major environmental project at Frying Pan Farm Park.
Foong received the 2019 Sally Ormsby Environmental Stewardship Award for creating and implementing an ambitious plan to remove invasive plants and replace them with native plants.
The student, who describes himself as an avid naturalist, worked five separate workdays to oversee 150 volunteers as they removed 120 large bags of stilt grass.
Volunteers came from ten different Fairfax County Public Schools and ranged in age from 5 to 80.
The project was developed as part of Foong’s efforts to earn a Boy Scouts of America William Hornaday Award.
He will be honored by FCPA in November.
The award was established in 2007 in recognition of Sally Ormsby’s service as a citizen steward. It recognizes individuals and organizations “whose actions embody the spirit and values of stewardship and result in tangible environmental benefits.”
Photo via FCPA
Pool Schedule Season Five Begins Next Week — A number of changes are coming to the timings and hours of Reston Association’s pools beginning Monday. [Reston Association]
A Debrief on the Reston Planning & Zoning Committee — Reston Association’s Chief Operating Officer Larry Butler discusses the role of the committee, a volunteer group that meets the third Monday of each month at the North County Government Center (1801 Cameron Glen Drive). [Reston Today]
Enjoy Four Star Combo Tonight — “The sound of The Combo is high-energy 1950’s Rockabilly and Honky Tonk played without any pretense of modernization or any kind of damn-fool ‘fusion’ of styles.” The band will perform at Reston Station Plaza from 7-9 p.m. [Reston Station]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
A new statewide progressive advocacy group for climate change is set to launch at Great Falls Library on Saturday (August 17).
The group, Earth Rise Indivisible, seeks to seeks to mobilize the public to address what it calls a “climate crisis.”
“The science on the climate crisis is precise; climate change is happening, and can likely be attributed to human activities. We are impacting every facet of life on our planet destructively. However, we can take action to save our big blue marble. Immediate action can stop or reduce potential adverse outcomes,” according to a press release issued by the organization today (Thursday).
The event runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and features a vegetarian bag lunch, a celebratory happy hour at Old Brogue (760 Walker Road), skill-building workshops, yoga breaks and presentations by Climate Reality and Green New Deal VA.
Registration is open online.
Photo via Fairfax County Government
A flood warning is in effect for Reston and parts of Northern Virginia until 6:45 p.m. today (Thursday).
The National Weather Service says that thunderstorms and heavy rain are likely to cause flooding. More than two inches of rain have already fallen in the region.
Earlier this afternoon, NWS also issued a severe thunderstorm warning, which stated that damaging winds are expected to cause damage to trees. Localized power outages are also likely.
Hail and wind gusts of up to 60 miles per hour are expected.
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, South Riding, Herndon, Broadlands, Lowes Island, Brambleton, Dulles International Airport, Ashburn, Sterling, Chantilly, Great Falls, Countryside, Arcola, Belmont, Gleedsville and Sterling Park.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Ashburn VA, Sterling VA, South Riding VA until 3:30 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/0wkWMqlwh7
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) August 15, 2019
A new third left-turn lane is set to open next week from westbound Route 7 to westbound Baron Cameron Avenue.
The addition of the lane is the first of several major improvements planned for the Route 7 Corridor to improve the flow of traffic.
Construction between Reston Avenue and Jarrett Valley Drive is ongoing. The project will widen the ride from four to six lanes, add shared-use paths and upgrade several intersections between Reston Avenue and Jarrett Valley Drive.
The speed limit has been reduced to 45 miles per hour in active work zones between Reston Avenue and Delta Glen Court.
Eastbound Route 7 traffic turning right onto westbound Baron Cameron Avenue must yield to oncoming traffic before merging into the through lane.
The new lane will be open to traffic on Monday (August 19).
Map via Virginia Department of Transportation
Hunter Mill District Supervisor Cathy Hudgins voiced disapproval against the Trump administration’s proposed shelter for migrant children in Northern Virginia.
Hudgins joins other Northern Virginia elected officials — including Fairfax County Board Chairwoman Sharon Bulova — who spoke out against the proposal.
“It doesn’t like it its is appropriate and it is certainly not representative of the community we live in,” Hudgins told Reston Now.
Earlier this month, the General Services Administration issued a pre-solicitation notice stating that the government is seeking 110,000 square feet of space for up to 14 years in Arlington, Fairfax Loudoun or Prince William counties.
Hudgins also noted that shelter for unaccompanied children may not meet the needs of the children they house.
“It seems like we should be trying to restore family structure,” Hudgins said.
The proposed shelter could house roughly 440 children.
Virginia currently has shelters for unaccompanied immigrant children in Bistow and Staunton.
File photo
With little fanfare and a nod to staff, the Herndon Town Council unanimously approved the town’s first bicycle master plan on Tuesday (August 13).
The plan, which was created by staff and the town’s Pedestrian Bicycle Advisory Committee, offers policy guidance for the town’s bicycle network planning and design, as well as a longterm plan for connectivity and network improvements.
The plan highlights the locations of mixed-use trails, cycle tracks, bicycle lanes, and sharrows — including future connections. Areas in the center of the town are largely designated for further study.
Council members lauded staff for their work on the plan and the town’s efforts to promote cycling as a viable alternative mode of travel.
Councilmember Pradip Dhakal said the document — which is part of the town’s efforts to seek a national award for being a bicycle-friendly community — was a “step in the right direction.”
“This is a product that I think the town can be proud of,” council member Cesar del Aguila added.
The plan also ensures that connectivity is a priority, especially between new developments, said council member Signe Friedrichs.
Photo via Town of Herndon
Several Teens Rob Juvenile — Police believe two to three teens assaulted a juvenile victim and stole his bike on the 1200 block of Herndon Parkway. The incident happened on August 8. [Herndon Police Department]
Texas Chainsaw Horns Concert Tonight — Enjoy rhythm and blues at the weekly summer concert series at Lake Anne Plaza from 7-9 p.m. The event is free and open for all ages. [Reston Community Center]
Leidos Secures Contract to Support Nuclear Detection Office — “The Operations Support and Studies II contract continues the Reston technology company’s work with the U.S. National Data Center, which detects and tracks nuclear-based events globally.” [The Washington Business Journal]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
A record number of teams competed in the Reston Historic Trust & Museum’s third annual Lake Anne Cardboard Boat Regatta over the weekend.
This year, 56 teams assembled bright, duct-taped boats to compete in the race on Saturday – the largest number of teams to take part in the event Designs ranged from a large pinwheel to Slinky from Toy Story.
In addition to watching the race, attendees had the chance to run on a life-size human hamster wheel to make a snow cone, as well as fun with super. soakers.
Five Fairfax County public schools took part in the race, as well as several nonprofits, businesses, and families.
Lake Anne Brew House won first place in the navigator category with the fastest time of 1 minute and 45 seconds. Lake Anne Coffee House & Wine Bar took the “the titanic award” and the school winner was “Hunters Woods Elementary School.” From the crop of merchants, Lake Anne Brew also took first place in the “merchants” category. The complete results are below:
Skipper:
- Marty Boys
- Ehrlich
- Eighty-Fifty Nine
Cadet:
- Yellow Submarine
- Swim Team Kids
- The Wild Sloth
Navigator:
- Lake Anne Brew House
- RHOA’s Ark
- Hunters Woods Elementary
Registration for the next race is expected to open in early 2020. This year’s title sponsor was Griffin Owens Insurance Group.
Photo courtesy Charlotte Geary Photography
(Updated at 3:55 p.m.) Commuters who park at the Wiehle-Reston East garage may need to make alternative plans for parking beginning August 19.
The garage — which is often at capacity during peak commuter hours — is undergoing maintenance repairs. Up to forty spaces on parking levels G4, G5, and G6 will be taken away in order to make room for ongoing maintenance work.
In a release, the Fairfax County Department of Transportation said the garage is at capacity. Commuters should use other transportation options, including the Fairfax Connector, biking, walking and ride-sharing, the county stated.
The department offered the following transportation alternatives, including free parking at park and rides with bus service to the Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station:
From Herndon Monroe Park and Ride
- Route 551 – South Lakes Drive
- Route 924 – Herndon-Dranesville Road
- Route 926 – Herndon-Dranesville Road
- Route 929 – Centreville Road
- Route 950 – Herndon-Reston
- Route 951 – Sunrise Valley- Sunset Hills
- Route 952 – Sunrise Valley- Sunset Hills
- Route 980 – Herndon-Reston
- Route 981 – Dulles Airport-Udvar-Hazy Center-Wiehle-Reston East
- Route 983 – Dulles Airport-Udvar-Hazy Center-Wiehle-Reston East
From Reston South Park and Ride:
- Route 585 – Reston South-Franklin Farm
- Route 553 – Reston South
- Route 557 – Reston South
- Route 559 – Reston South
From Reston Town Center Transit Station:
- Route 505 – Reston Town Center
- Route 950 – Herndon-Reston
- Route 981 – Dulles Airport-Udvar-Hazy Center-Wiehle-Reston East
- Route 983 – Dulles Airport-Udvar-Hazy Center-Wiehle-Reston East
- RIBS 1 – Lake Anne-Hunter Woods
- RIBS 2 – South Lakes-North Point
- RIBS 3 – Lake Anne-Hunter Woods
Other Routes to Wiehle:
- Route 552 – Reston North: North Shore – Lake Fairfax
- Route 553 – Reston South: Viking – Pinecrest
- Route 554 – Reston North: Wiehle Avenue – Center Harbor
- Route 556 – Bennington Woods – Wiehle-Reston East
An FCDOT spokesperson said that standard maintenance of the garage is scheduled. Access to parking spaces will be restored by early September.
Eight Native American tribes from the state are set to take part in the Virginia Native American Festival at Riverbend Park in Great Falls next month.
The festival — which includes hands-on activities and live demonstrations — is set for Saturday, September 7 at the park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Demonstrations include storytelling, fire making, archery, spear throwing and making stone tools. Attendees will also get the change to help build a dugout canoe. Vendors will also be on-site to sell Native American crafts, pottery and jewelry.
Registration is $8 online and $10 at the gate.
The Rappahannock tribe dancers and drummers are also scheduled to perform at the event.
The festival is organized by the Fairfax County Park Authority and Riverbend Park, which is located at 8700 Potomac Hills Street in Great Falls.
Photo via Fairfax County Park Authority/Facebook
Reston Association has no immediate plans to temporarily or permanently close Lake Thoreau Pool, contrary to community speculation that the pool is set to shutter due to low usage next year.
The future of the pool — which is in need of major renovations and has struggled with comparatively low utilization — has been the focus of discussion over the last several years. Last year, one RA board members said the pool was “falling into the lake.”
So far, staff and the Board of Director have had no formal conversations to discuss any and all operational and capital costs associated with pools for next year’s season, said RA’s spokesman Mike Leone.
An August 8 email from Julie Bitzer, the board’s vice president, about the fate of the pool has attracted recent community concern. Some RA members circulated a flyer indicating that the pool would be closed next year as RA examines whether it should pursue renovation or consider another use of the space.
Leone said that speculation was simply a “rumor.”
RA is in the early phases of its budget development process. As part of ongoing discussions, board and staff are gathering data on the utilization and of RA’s community pools and other recreational amenities.
The organization’s analysis of its recreational facilities will help RA determine if and how future amenities will be impacted by closures, renovations or other changes.
A budget workshop on the first draft of the 2020-2021 budget is set for August 21 at RA headquarters (12000 Sunrise Valley Drive). A series of meetings, including public hearings, will precede the adoption of the budget in November.
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
