The Washington Nationals Dream Foundation and Delta Airlines presented South Lakes High School’s food pantry with a “2018 Delta Dream Grant.”

The $7,000 award was given during an on-field ceremony at Nationals Park on August 21. Grants support nonprofits that provide services for children and teens in the Washington, D.C. area. Ten other recipients received awards in the program, including Martha’s Table, Capitol City Little League and Kid Power, Inc.

SLHS Food Pantry receives Delta Dream Grant for $7k at tonight’s Nats game. Love the work of our PTSA and support of our community! @fcpsnews @FCPSRegion1 @foodpantryslhs pic.twitter.com/mbr057TRcc

— South Lakes High School (@southlakeshs) August 21, 2018

“This year’s grants are dedicated to improving local programming focused on healthful nutrition, as well as the refurbishment of youth baseball fields and/or the purchase of substantial baseball equipment. We are confident that the 2018 Delta Dream Grants will go a long way to improve the lives of children and teens in the Washington, D.C. region,” said Tal Alter, Vice President, Nationals Dream Foundation & Youth Baseball Academy. 

The Washington Nationals Dream Foundation is a nonprofit organization created in 2005 to improve the lives of children and teens in the region.

The pantry at SLHS accepts toiletries, canned goods, boxed and dry goods, cooking oil, laundry detergent, and dish soap. Donations can be dropped off at the school’s main office during school hours.

Since March 2017, the pantry has distributed more than 4,500 bags of groceries to about 50 families per week. Students in the South Lakes High School Pyramid can shop for food and toiletries at the pantry.

Twice in the last two days, Metro trains ended up on the wrong line, with a Blue line train coming onto the Orange Line and a Silver Line train coming onto the Blue Line.

On Monday, a Silver Line train diverted to the Arlington Cemetery station on the Blue Line, a routing issue that Metro officials said was called by signal problems. The next day, a Blue line train bound for Franconia-Springfield was misdirected to the Court House station on the Orange and Silver lines.

Metro is attempting to take corrective action to prevent similar issues in the future.

Over the weekend, an eight-car Silver Line train bound for McLean completely separated into segments of five and three cars. The incident happened on Saturday at around 10:45 a.m. Roughly 70 passengers were on the train when the issue occurred. No injuries were reported.

More from social media:

SV/McLean: #WMATA personnel are moving *5* of the 8 cars of the disabled train towards West Falls Church Yard. The remaining 3 cars will be moved to the yard by another recovery train.

— Rail Transit OPS (@RailTransitOPS) August 25, 2018

Here's the full video of the disabled train which pulled apart outside the McLean Metro station on Saturday. Look for the large gap between the trailing 3rd and 4th cars in the consist. #wmata pic.twitter.com/tUlhqyNaDW

— @[email protected] (@MetroReasons) August 27, 2018

File photo

Heat advisory in effect today — The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory from noon to 8 p.m. Stay hydrated and limited outdoor exposure. Heat index values are expected to fluctuate between 100 and 105 degrees. [National Weather Service]

Friendly back to school reminders — As day two of school goes into session, the county is reminding residents about rules for buses, speeding in a school zone and crossing guard directions. [Fairfax County Government]

But what’s actually happening in schools — “With a $2.9 billion budget and 198 schools, the Fairfax County school system is the 10th largest in the country. And the student body is still growing. Budget projections call for about 1,100 new students this year.” [WTOP]

Next month’s Reston Community Center guide — RCC’s professional touring artist series opens this season with The Bad Plus, a jazz trio. Check out more of what’s happening at the center next month. [Reston Community Center]

Calling all shrub lovers — The Walker Nature Center is selling native shrubs. All orders are due by Monday, September 24 at 5 p.m. You can also shop online. [Reston Association]

Trivia night at Reston Regional Library — Show off your book knowledge at trivia night. Bring your own team of three to five people or form a team with new friends. Book-related prizes will be offered for top teams.

Flickr pool photo by vantagehill

Edibles Incredible Desserts will permanently close its location in Reston today (August 28), leaving its home of 15 years in Reston Town Center.

The dessert and candies shop will relocate to its commercial kitchen and production facility, located at 22735 Executive Drive, Suite 190, on September 3. The business won Wedding Wire’s Couples’ Choice Awards this year.

Co-owner and COO Robyn Hannah said she was sad to leave RTC, where she and her husband have enjoyed serving Reston and the surrounding community. The business decision was motivated by a familiar concern voiced by other merchants: paid parking.

“Our lease ended the end of this month. We did not want to negotiate higher rent because the last few years since paid parking went into effect, we’ve lost several hundred thousand dollars in sales,” Hannah told Reston Now. She also said other factors contributing to the decision.

The business will be offering free cupcakes, cakes, and other desserts at 3 p.m. today. A new tenant for the space at 11917 Freedom Drive has not been announced.

The owners are now looking forward to reaching a new milestone: consolidating their retail location with the production facility.

The business began when Hannah and her husband, then single, met at a single’s event. One brought homemade English toffee and the other brought a plate of fudge, attracting attention from others at the event. Utilizing their joint capabilities in baking and decorating, they opened up their first store in 2003. The addition of candies, they hoped, would make their business viable outside the popular window for wedding orders. They married in 2007.

Hannah said she looks forward to a new chapter in the shop’s story. “The Reston location was our baby. It was our home. Now, we’re moving on,” she said.

File photo

The Fairfax County Office of Community Revitalization and the Reston Urban Design Advisory Group are seeking feedback on draft guidelines for the urban design and streetscape details for new development in Reston’s Transit Station Areas.

During a community meeting on September 24 at 6 p.m. in the Reston Community Center, local officials will seek input from the public. Written comments can also be submitted to [email protected].

The design guidelines are formulated to support the implementation of the Reston Comprehensive Plan, which was last amended in 2014. They will apply to all properties located within the boundaries of Reston’s three TSAs and help applicants and designers proposing to develop in TSAs by providing specific goals. Precise standards will not be prescribed, according to a county statement.

Following the first community meeting, additional meetings will be held with the Reston Association’s Design Review Board, Reston Planning & Zoning Committee and the Reston Town Center Association in September.

The comprehensive plans aim to establish a sense of place for TSAs while respecting surrounding neighborhoods, aims to improve connectivity and foster walkability and seeks to design sustainable environments.

Draft guidelines are available online. Printed packets are also available for view in the following locations:

• Hunter Mill District Office (North County Government Center) – 1801 Cameron Glen Drive, Reston, VA 20190
• Reston Association Member Services – 12001 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, VA 20191
• Public Art Reston – 12001 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, VA 20191
• Reston Library – 11925 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston, VA 20190
• Herndon Municipal Offices – 777 Lynn Street, Herndon, VA 20170
• Herndon Library – 768 Center Street, Herndon, VA 20170

Map via Fairfax County Government

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory in effect from noon today through 8 p.m.

Heat index values are expected to climb up to 105 degrees due to temperatures in the mid-90s and dewpoints in the lower-to-middle 70s.

According to the alert, heat and humidity today may cause heat stress during outdoor exertion or extended exposure.

More from the alert:

A Heat Advisory means that a period of high temperatures is expected. The combination of high temperatures and high humidity will create a situation in which heat illnesses are possible.

Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible and drink plenty of water.

To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency – call 911.

Photo by Ruth Sievers

First day of school — Fairfax County Public Schools are back in session today. Local police are reminding commuters to be wary of school traffic and buses. [Herndon Police Department]

Reston 101 — In case you need a basic primer, Mercia Hobson offers a brief description of the Planned Residential Community and its five village centers. [The Connection]

Something different at the end of the tunnel — Lake Anne students and staff painted a community circles mural at the entry to a tunnel on Fairway Drive on August 17. [Patch]

Nearby: Man who exposed himself found — Local police have found a man who exposed himself to a woman in a church parking lot over the weekend. Police released an image of the suspect yesterday. [WJLA, Fairfax County Police Department]

Photo by Ruth Sievers

Students will return to Herndon High School tomorrow (August 27) as a major construction project at the school, which has not been renovated since 1991, continues.

Between now and the 2022-2023 school year, more than 100,000 square feet of space will be added to the school. Renovations were approved as part of the FCPS Fiscal Year 2017-2021 Capital Improvement Program, which includes $310 million approved by county voters in a school bond referendum.

Currently, the second half of phase one of the project is underway, which includes adding a new wing to the back of the building and an addition to the front of the building where a new library, main office and administrative and counseling offices will be located. The school’s assistant principal Jim Hannon expects this phase to be completed by next fall or the beginning of the 2019-2020 school year.

Three other phases remain, which call for renovating locker rooms, art rooms, the gym, music rooms, the cafeteria, the stadium press box and tennis courts. 

School officials told Reston Now that parking continues to be a challenge this year. The number of spaces was slashed from 377 to 90, pushing the school to create a lottery system to accommodate student parking. Seniors who received a number between 1 and 100 in the recent lottery will receive spaces. Others must complete application forms to be entered into the lottery.

Photos via Fairfax County Public Schools

Lululemon, a Canadian athletic apparel retailer, is now open in Reston Town Center, becoming a companion to Athleta, another athletic store located also located on Market Street.

The business takes up up the former location of bebe, a women’s clothing store, at 11957 Market Street. The store’s first day of business was on August 24. 

An official grand opening is planned for September 9 from 9-10:20 a.m. A complimentary yoga class will be led by the store’s mindfulness ambassador, Jafar Alexander, in Reston Town Square Park.

Snacks will be provided for all attendees and participants of all levels are encouraged to attend. Registration is required online.

Photo via Facebook

Attempts to introduce new evidence in Nabra Hassanen trial — According to recent court filings, prosecutors plan to introduce evidence during a capital murder trial suggesting the man accused of killing Nabra Hassanen, a Reston teenager, was suspected of being a member of the MS-13 street gang. Darwin Martinez Torres’s brother-in-law believed the 23-year-old alleged killer was affiliated with the gang. [The Washington Post]

What’s the state of the arts — Fairfax County government is conducting a survey to understand how to better meet the visual and performing arts needs of its residents. All responses will remain anonymous and confidential. [Fairfax County Government]

The Great American Read book club tonight — Join book lovers for a discussion about “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood. The discussion is open to adults only. [Reston Regional Library]

Viewpoints from Herndon residents — Local residents offer their thoughts on their experiences living in Herndon, including the best places to go, events to check out and lingering concerns. [The Connection]

Flickr pool photo by vantagehill

Upgrades to the Pony Barn, located on the corner of Steeplechase Drive and Triple Crown Road, are expected to be complete by October 1.

A renovation plan — scaled back from initial proposals due to budgetary constraints — was approved earlier this year. Upgrades to the structure, which has not had major upgrades since it was converted from a horse stable into a picnic pavilion in the 1980s, include minor structural repairs, new security lighting in the pavilion, new security lighting, and a new tot lot play area.

ADA-friendly upgrades are also proposed, including an asphalt parkway and parking lot, water fountain, outdoor grill and bathroom enclosure.

The Pony Barn is one of seven picnic pavilions owned by RA. Currently, work is underway on converting the wood chip flooring into concrete flooring. The renovation project began in early July.

Photos by Reston Association

The Herndon Planning Commission will host a panel discussion on the preservation and enhancement of the town’s housing diversity on September 5. Panelists, which will include Fairfax County Officials and Shelly Murphy, CEO of Wesley Housing, will discuss how to preserve and protect housing diversity in the area.

The event is designed to help the town prepare for the arrival of the Silver line is 2020. The discussion will begin at 7 p.m. in the Herndon Council Chambers (765 Lynn Street).

Other panelists include Tom Fleetwood, director of the Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community development and Cynthia Bailey, deputy county attorney.

“Our aim is to listen, learn and then recommend to the Town Council appropriate goals and objectives toward maintaining the housing diversity that is a hallmark of neighborhoods in Herndon,” said Planning Commission Chair Melissa Jonas.

Jonas hopes the event will help the commission better understand the benefits of housing diversity and navigating pressures created by Metro’s arrival.

The event is free and open to the public.

Photo by Cornerstones

Word on the street — StreetShares, a financial technology startup, has moved to new headquarters in Reston. It offers a marketplace to provide financing for small business. [Technical.ly]

Calling all volunteers — Reston Association is looking for volunteers to help out with the multicultural festival at Lake Anne Plaza on September 22. To volunteer, contact [email protected]. [Reston Today]

The weekender — Looking for things to do in Fairfax County this weekend? Local officials offer the following roundup of events in the area. [Fairfax County Government]

Summerbration concert tonight — Enjoy a free concert as part at Reston Station Plaza from 7-9 p.m. This week’s event The Swingin’ Swamis. [Reston Community Center]

Flickr pool photo by vantagehill

New York Times bestselling author and Reston Resident Kwame Alexander will present an author’s talk at Reston Regional Library in early September.

Alexander is a poet, educator and author of 25 books, including the young adults novel, The Crossover, which won a Newbery Medal.  His books will be available for purchase at the event on September 8 (Saturday) from 2-4 p.m.

The event is part of The Great American read programming, which is sponsored by PBS, the American Library Association, WTA TV 26 and Friends of Reston Regional Library.

The author talk is free and open to all ages.

Photo via Reston Regional Library