Fitness Challenge Offered for the New Year — Start the new year with a 30-day fitness challenge at Reston Community Center Lake Anne. Participants will perform a selected fitness activity for 30 minutes. At the end of each week, a drawing will take place for participants who perform and log in at least five days of fitness activities. The log will be maintained at RCC Lake Anne. [Reston Community Center]
Pop Up Tea Shop Opens in Herndon — Every Saturday, Elden Street Tea Shop will hold a pop up shop at ArtSpace Herndon (750 Center Street) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The opening of a brick-and-mortar store in the Junction Square mixed-used building in historic downtown Herndon is set for the spring of 2018. Pre-opening tea selections include chai, herbal, rooibos, green, black and seasonal specials. [The Connection]
Local Food Service Operations Recognized for Outstanding Food Safety — Atrium Catering & Design, a Herndon-based business, and Simply Elegant, a Reston-based business, were recognized for outstanding food safety in the annual 14 Carrot Gold award this week. Businesses were selected from more than 3,400 permitted establishments inspected each year by the health department. [Fairfax County Government]
A local Herndon EMS technician was named the First Responder of the Quarter by the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce at a luncheon today.
Acting EMS technician David Bulman, who is currently stationed at station 404 in Herndon, was selected for the honor. Bulman was promoted from an entry fire medic to his current position despite only working for the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department for three years.
His experience was tested on June 24 when his unit was dispatched to respond to a a report of a drowning. During the incident, two children were in cardiac arrest at a pool. Bulman and his unit reacted quickly as the lead provider in the double cardiac arrest case.
Bulman showed “amazing tact” in managing the team and creating a stable scene until additional resources arrived, said Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Kit Hessel.
“Dave pushed himself to the highest professional medic level which helped maintain a very stable emergency scene… Dave’s love of the job shows every shift helping maintain readiness, preparing drills, and pride in making a difference on emergency incidents.” Hessel said.
The honor is given during an appreciation luncheon by the GRCC for local EMT, fire and rescue and police departments. The annual tradition, which began a decade ago, includes donations from more than 40 restaurants and businesses.
“As a growing district in our county, we are never really cognizant of what these first responders do every day, so the business community wanted to thank them for what they do and recognize these men and women who put their lives on the line every day to ensure we are safe.” said Mark Ingrao, president and CEO of the GRCC.
Photo courtesy of GRCC.
Langston Hughes Middle School (11401 Ridge Heights Road) could get some relief soon as a plan by the Fairfax County School Board to renovate and expand the building was approved by the Reston Planning and Zoning Committee last night.
In an unanimous vote, the committee approved the plan, which includes a new two-story addition with an elevator at the front of the building, an updated hall of nations that cuts through the building’s center, a large lecture hall, a new roof, an expanded cafeteria, an upgraded art room and an outdoor courtyard.
Currently, the one-story building has a gross floor area of roughly 132,000 square feet and eight temporary classrooms that will be removed if the project receives its final approval from the county. A public hearing on the project is set for Jan. 10 at 7:30 p.m. The county’s planning and zoning staff have not yet released a technical report on the plan.
The building is operating at 115 percent of its capacity for middle schools, according to current capacity utilization rates, which are calculated based on 2014 and 2015 attendance rates. By 2022, capacity utilization should dip to 80 percent, which is considered a surplus in capacity by the county.
By referendum, voters approved to allocate dollars for the project, which is expected to total roughly $41.7 million in construction-related costs.
Rendering via Hughes and Group Architects. More photos are available online.
Animal protection police officers are looking for the owner of an abused dog found last week in the area of Chatham Colony Court and Moorings Drive.
Police said the dog was “barely recognizable” and had nearly two pounds of matted hair covering is face and body. One of the dog’s eyes was visible and the other was infected and may not be functional. Anyone who recognizes this dog or knows where its owner lives is asked to contact the Animal Services Division at 703-691-2131.
Local law enforcement also arrested a man who refused to leave a restaurant on the 46000 block of Community Plaza on Saturday. Deputies from the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office arrested and charged Fabian Gutierrez-Rodriguez, a 28-year-old Reston resident with public intoxication, police said.
On Sunday, sheriff’s deputies arrested Cristopher Duarte-Alvarado, a 21-year-old Herndon resident, in connection with an incident involving property damage. Duarte-Alvarado was located by the Town of Herndon Police Department on Old Ox Road and was transported to a local hospital. He was then charged with driving under the influence, driving on a suspended driver’s license, and hit and run. He was released on a summons for the charges.
The same day, sheriff’s deputies arrested Ekoue Doe-Bruce, a 43-year-old Herndon resident. He was charged with driving under the influence and is being held at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center.
Other reports from the Reston District over the past week included:
LARCENIES:
12000 block of Cheviot Drive, package from residence
11400 block of Cypress Point Court, tools from vehicle
1800 block of Explorer Street, bag from business
11900 block of Freedom Drive, coat from business
12900 block of Highland Crossing Drive, liquor from business
11500 block of Leesburg Pike, beer from business
2200 block of Hunters Woods Plaza, merchandise from business
11600 block of Stoneview Square, cell phone from school
12100 block of Sunset Hills Road, property from residence
1900 block of Reston Metro Plaza, equipment from construction site
11900 block of Winter Thur Lane, cell phone from residence
STOLEN VEHICLES:
None reported.
Anyone with information about any of the incidents reported by FCPD should call 703-691-2131 or 1-866-411-TIPS(8477), or text “TIP187” plus the message to CRIMES(274637).
South Lakes High School’s track and field team made a strong showing at Liberty University’s Christmas invitational over the weekend.
In her first indoor high school track meet, sophomore Hannah Waller won the girls’ 55-meter race, setting a school record of 6.94. During trials, Waller broke a record of 7.28 set by Nikayla Hoyte during the 2015 season. Both times qualify Waller for the 6A State Championship. Her time in the final is also the fastest in the nation this season, according to a statement issued by the team.
Waller, junior Nicole Post and sophomores Mary Gregory and Rhema Konadu finished second in the 4×200 meter relay with a time of 1:45:54, qualifying the team for the state meet.
Junior Isabelle Gulgert won both the 1,000 meters and 1,600 meters race, qualifying her for the Liberty District championship meet.
Senior Sean Casey finished with a region championship qualifying time of 4:30:87. Casey, who is the Liberty Conference cross country champion, also qualified for the region meet in the 1,000-meter race, during which he finished fourth.
Other highlights include:
- Senior Ronak Cuthill finished fourth, earning a qualification for the region meet.
- Junior Stevie Jones qualified for the region meet in the preliminaries of the boys’ 55-meter.
- Juniors Sophie Halkett, Jordan Anderson and seniors Reagan Tobias and Aly Rayle won the first running event of the meet, the girls 4×800 meter relay, in 10:17.72.
- The boys 4×800 meter relay team of senior Peter Delmolino and juniors Calvin Warstler, Webb Nims and Alex Lawson finished third (8:45.87).
Photo by Traci Waller
Abused Dog Found in Lake Anne — Local police found an abused dog in Reston last week in the area of Chatham Colony Court and Moorings Drive. The dog was barely recognizable and had nearly two pounds of matted hair covering its face and body, according to the report. Police continue to search for the owner. [FCPD]
NBC4’s Angie Goff Reflects on Growing Up in Herndon — In an interview with Washingtonian, an anchor and reporter on NBC4 reflects on growing up at Herndon High School and working at a local Chuck E. Cheese’s. [Washingtonian]
Safe Trade Zone Coordinated by Herndon Police Department — Individuals seeking to make a secure and safe transaction can take advantage of the police department’s safe trade zone, which includes 24-hour video surveillance, outside the police department’s offices at 397 Herndon Parkway. [Herndon Police Department via Twitter]
Last Day to Donate for Toys for Tots Campaign — Today is the last day to donate for the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department’s toys for tots campaign. Donations are accepted at all fire stations in Fairfax County. [FCPD via Twitter]
Photo via FCPD
Over the weekend, Maame Biney, a Reston native, became the first black woman to qualify for the U.S. Olympic speedskating team.
The 17-year-old native of Ghana won to two short track trials in Kearns, Utah on Saturday. According to the Associated Press, Biney set a “blistering pace” by taking an early lead.
Biney will be the youngest member of Team USA’s women speedskating team. She is the second black speedskater on a U.S. Olympic team.
Shani Davis, 35, was the first black athlete to win an individual gold medal at the Winter Olympics. He was 19 when he qualified for a short track team in 2002.
Biney immigrated to the United States from Ghana when she was five years old. The Washington Post reports she grew up around Reston’s Dominion Speedskating Club, where she first began practicing to learn the sport.
Seventeen-year-old speedskater Maame Biney just punched her ticket to the 2018 Olympics in South Korea. pic.twitter.com/VlrLuQFrMW
— Chris Kamrani (@chriskamrani) December 16, 2017
The 2018 Winter Games will take place in February in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
Photo via Associated Press
Reston Association will no longer fund Fit Kids Enrichment Clubs amid concerns that the program was conducted under the name and location of a different after school program at The Lake House.
The nine-member Board of Directors voted to defund the program for next year and pushed for the need to reel in more revenue from rentals of The Lake House while maintaining programs and services that meet the needs and desires of RA members. RA purchased the property after a controversial referendum two years ago.
The Fit Kids Enrichment Club is a pay-to-play program created last year that includes gardening and fishing clubs that typically run between 4:30 and 6 p.m, according to Laura Kowalski, RA’s deputy director for recreation. The clubs serve roughly 100 students annually.
Board members said it was not appropriate for a homeowners’ association like RA to become a daycare provider by funding the program.
“We should not enter a market that does not need our entry… it was a market we should have never gotten into,” said at-large director Eric Carr.
Others worried that RA’s ongoing effort to court more rentals and reel in more revenue from The Lake House could clash with the need for using the facility in a way that benefits RA’s membership — especially with programs like the enrichment clubs that are expected to bring in a little over $4,000 in revenue next year.
“It has saddened me that since we’ve purchased the property that we haven’t used it to the members’ benefit… I’m fearful that right now we’re veering off to only rentals and not being able to take care of members with things they wish to do,” said Julie Bitzer, South Lakes district director.
Board members said it was integral to provide direction to RA staff on how to drive rentals at The Lake House in a manner that is in concert with guidelines that ensure programs are of benefit to the community, including the possibility of extending hours to expand opportunities for additional revenue.
The board plans to reconsider if it will fund enrichment clubs in 2019.
Nominations Open for Volunteer Service Awards — Reston Association is seeking nominations for its annual Volunteer Reston Service Awards which recognize individuals, groups, families and businesses that are contributing to the community through volunteer service. Award winners will be announced at a ceremony at The Lake House on April 19. Nominations are due by Feb. 9. [Reston Association]
Artwork Available for Purchase from Monster Drawing Rally — Greater Reston Arts Center is selling remaining artwork from its live monster drawing valley event and fundraiser. During the program, more than 50 artists created artwork on site. Pieces are available online. To purchase, email [email protected] or stop by the gallery. All proceeds benefit the center. [Greater Reston Arts Center]
Election Information Session Set for Jan. 3 — Individuals interested in running for an open seat on RA’s board of directors can attend the information session, which will provide an overview of the elections process and candidates’ roles and responsibilities. The session will take place at RA headquarter (12002 Sunrise Valley Drive) from 7 – 8 p.m. [Reston Association]
Greater Reston Arts Center is inviting artists to submit artwork in response to the theme, “If you could do anything, what would that be?”
Guests Curator Don Russel and GRACE’s associate curator Erica Harrison will select five artists from submission for the 2018 annual Mary B. Howard Invitational.
The exhibition is in honor of Mary B. Howard, an artist and supporter of GRACE who died in February 2015. Howard also a founding member of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Reston. After retiring from her work as the head of a real estate brokerage, Howard graduated from the Corcoran College of Art in 1996 and held solo shows at the Arlington Arts Center and GRACE.
Russel, the curator judging submissions, explores new social contexts for art and currently serves as George Mason University’s curator. He also directs Provisions Research Center for Art & Social Change
Artists that are selected will receive $250 in honorarium and $1,000 for materials. In order to qualify, artists must live or work in Washington, D.C., Maryland or Virginia, be a member of GRACE, provide a written proposal, artist statement, resume and images of past work.
Submissions are due by Feb. 16. Selected artists will be announced on March 15. The exhibition will take place between December 15, 2018 and February 9, 2019.
A Herndon man pleaded guilty this week to attempted capital murder, among other charges, in connection with an incident in January where a police officer was shot at during a traffic stop in the Great Falls Area.
In a release, the Fairfax County Police Department said Brian Neftali Landaverde, 21, shot at the police officer on Jan. 22. The officer was not injured during the shooting and Landaverde sped away from the scene, police said. He was arrested the next day when he was found by Herndon Police Department on unrelated charges.
Landaverde will receive his sentence on March 9. He pleaded guilty to attempted capital murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and speed to elude.
According to police, three people, including two juveniles, were in Landaverde’s car prior to the shooting on Rossmore Court.
Photo via FCPD
As temperatures dip and the risk of hypothermia increases, local cold weather and hypothermia prevention programs are coming into full swing.
Beginning this month, all three of Fairfax County’s emergency centers that serve single adults instituted a “no turn-away policy.” Through March 31, the North County Human Services Building on 1850 Cameron Glen Drive will be open to individuals through the hypothermia prevention program.
Additional sleeping space will also be available at the Cornerstones’ Embry Rucker Community Shelter, a 70-bed residential shelter, throughout the winter season. Services include hot dinner, breakfast, bagged lunches, showers, laundry, bus tokens and basic self-care supplies.
On Wednesdays from 3 to 5 p.m., the organization will also provide employment services at the main shelter. The shelter, which opened in 1987, has 42 beds for families, 28 beds for unaccompanied adults and 10 beds for cold weather overflow.
If an unsheltered individual is seen at night who may be at risk of hypothermia, the Fairfax County non-emergency phone line accepts calls at 703-691-2131. Emergency personnel will determine the shelter most suitable for the individual as needed.
For more information, contact Cornerstones at [email protected] or [email protected]
To volunteer or donate, please contact Susan Alger at [email protected].
Terraset Elementary School students visited a leadership class at South Lakes High School to take part in leadership and teamwork activities. Students in fifth and sixth grade made snack bags for children at the Embry Rucker shelter and held a newspaper fashion show. According to a statement by the Fairfax County Public Schools System, the Terraset students were selected for their leadership potential and the high school students planned and led the workshop.
South Lakes High School Collaborates with Lake Anne Service Center — The high school’s Parent Teacher Student Association has partnered with the center on 11410 North Shore Drive. For every gallon of gas pumped, the service center will donate $0.005 to the PTSA. Customers should save their receipt and drop it off at the school’s main office. [South Lakes High School PTSA]
Donate New or Gentled Used Coats and Winter Clothes Through Jan 31. — The office of Hunter Mill District Supervisor Cathy Hudgins is collected new or gently used men’s, women’s and children’s coats, hats, gloves, scarves and mittens at the office on 1801 Cameron Glen Drive. Items can be donated in a 24-hour drop off box or during operating hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 – 7 p.m. [Cornerstones]
Tour de Lights Holiday Bike Road on Saturday — Reston’s Multimodal Transportation Committee will take a bike tour around north Reston to experience the holidays lights on Saturday from 5 – 7 p.m. Participants must be able to keep a pace of around 10 miles per hour over a 1.5-hour drive. [Reston Association]
Reston Hospital Center has filed plans to build a two-story emergency department in Tysons, according to the Washington Business Journal.
The hospital, which is owned by HCA Holdings, Inc. would build an emergency center on 2000 Old Gallows Road in Vienna, land that is currently zoned for commercial uses. The proposal for the $1.1 million project includes 11 patient rooms for emergency care. RHC is seeking to have the property rezoned from commercial use. The project has already received state regulatory approval.
According to the Washington Business Journal, the move could deepen a battle between HCA and Inova over the market in northern Virginia:
HCA officials said the 24-hour emergency department would offer hospital-level emergency care in an accessible location, not to mention one with rapid population growth. They pointed to growth projections showing that Tysons will have more than 100,000 residents and 200,000 jobs by 2050, adding that a new freestanding emergency department there “will reduce the time county emergency services need to spend transporting patients while decompressing local hospital emergency rooms.”
At about 4 miles away, the nearest full-service hospital to Tysons currently is Inova Fairfax, the flagship, 833-bed facility that anchors Inova Health System, Northern Virginia’s largest hospital network. Indeed, HCA’s latest plan for the Tysons emergency department deepens a longstanding battle between HCA and Inova for market share in the highly competitive health care space in Northern Virginia.
