This is a letter that Sherri Herbert, president of the Bentana Woods Cluster Association sent to county officials urging them to rethink the process to redevelop Tall Oaks Village Center into a housing development with limited retail.
The Jefferson Apartment Group, owner of Tall Oaks Village Center, has held a series of community meetings showing concept plans to 150 homes and about 7,000 sqare feet of retail at the site of the mostly empty 70,000-square-foot village center.
The redevelopment of one of Reston’s Village Centers into something completely Read More
Award For Oak Marr — The rec center received a 2015 Fairfax County Exceptional Design Honor Award for recreational design excellence for its 2014 renovations that included an updated lobby and administration area, a new entrance, and a two-story, 5,500 square-foot fitness center. [Fairfax County]
Inside SavvyApp — Take a look at the Reston business’s nice new digs near Wiehle-Reston East Metro. [Bisnow]
Big Contract For Leidos — Reston based company gets $43 Billion Department of Defense job. [PR Newswire]
Walking For Ty — Friends of Ty Lewis, the longtime Reston soccer coach who died of cancer in 2011, will hold a walk at Lake Anne Saturday to raise money for the Ty Lewis Cancer Foundation. [Facebook]
Every weekday in August, Reston Now will be offering suggestions for a Summer Bucket List — things to do, places to check out and activities to try in and around Reston before summer’s end.
Obviously, different ideas will appeal to different residents in different age groups. But we are open for ideas. If you have any “must-dos” of summer (even better: with a photo of you/your family participating in said event), email us at [email protected] and we will consider it.
Reston Summer Bucket List Item No. 13: Kid-Sized Tennis
The U.S. Open begins next week in New York City. But every Serena Williams or Andy Murray had to start somewhere — and Reston has an ideal spot for getting started.
Reston Association’s North Shore Tennis Courts are built for kids under 10.
In 2012, with the help from a grant from the United States Tennis Association, RA turned two regular courts into six kid-sized ones.
The courts are 36 instead of the regulation 78 feet, making it easier for the youngest players to volley, serve and really get a grip on their strokes.
The courts, located at 11515 North Shore Dr., are open to all RA members. For more info about junior lessons and leagues, visit RA’s Tennis Page.
Photo: RA Kid-Sized Courts/Credit: Sean Bahrami, RA
(Updated 1:15 p.m. Thursday to correct date and add details)
Fairfax County Police are looking for a suspect in an armed bank robbery that occurred Wednesday afternoon at the BB&T Bank at 2513 Fox Mill Rd.
Police responded to the bank about 4:33 p.m.
Witnesses said a man walked into bank, said it was a robbery, displayed a handgun and demanded money. The suspect fled on foot with cash, police said.
There were no injuries.
Witnesses describe the suspect as a light-skinned black or Hispanic man, about 5-foot-5 inches tall and 185 lbs. He was wearing a dark-colored jumpsuit and black bandanna on his head, witnesses told police.
Five Reston residents, including three incumbents, will run for three spaces in the Reston Community Center Board of Governors 2015 Preference Poll.
Bill Bouie, Lisa Sechrest-Ehrhardt and Gerald Zavala will all seek additional three-year terms to the board. Newcomers running for a seat are Karol Anderson and Richard Titus.
Voting begins on Sept. 11. Each property in Small District 5 (SD 5) will receive a ballot in the mail. Mail-in ballots must be received then 5 p.m. on Oct. 1. Walk-in and online ballots must be received by 5 p.m. on Oct. 2.
A Candidates Forum will be held on Thursday, Sept. 17, at 6:30 p.m. at CenterStage at RCC Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Rd.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors established the RCC Board of Governors to represent the interests of Reston (SD 5) residents and businesses in developing policy and providing financial oversight for RCC. Board appointments are made by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors after participants have made their preferences known in the annual poll.
The Board of Governors works to establish the overall policy for RCC and to guide its programs and budget. Board members represent Reston Community Center at social, recreational, cultural and educational activities throughout the district as well as function as liaisons to RCC’s community partners.
About the candidates (from their candidate statements):
Karol Anderson, left, has experience leading PTAs and several committee boards, including Chairperson (LHRC) Local Human Rights Committee Behavior Mental Health.
Bill Bouie, right, has served three terms on the RCC Board and is currently the vice chairman. He is also chair of the Fairfax County Park Authority Board and the vice chair of the Initiative for Public Art Reston (IPAR), among other community positions.
Lisa Sechrest-Ehrhardt, left, is a social worker by profession who has served in various Reston volunteer capacities, including Reston Swim Team Association and PTSAs.
Richard Titus, right, is a Ph.D. published author of numerous scientific studies utilizing survey research and program evaluation who says he will bring professional survey and data analysis to gauge what participants want.
Gerald Zavala is the current treasurer of the RCC Board who has also worked with the Fairfax County Park Foundation, the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, Cornerstones, Reston Soccer and Leadership Fairfax.
Free Concert Tonight — Celtic band Iona is at the free Take a Break Concert at Lake Anne Plaza, 7 p.m. [Reston Community Center]
TJ Is Tops — Fairfax County Public Schools’ Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology is No. 1 on Newsweek’s list of America’s Best High Schools. [Newsweek]
Former FCPD Officer Faints In Court — Adam Torres, the former Fairfax County Police officer accused of second-degree murder in the shooting of an unarmed man in 2013, was in court Wednesday, where he was denied bond and also fainted. [Washington Post]
The National Weather Service has issues a flash flood watch for the this afternoon.
The advisory covers virtually of the Washington, D.C., area, including Fairfax County and Reston.
From the NWS:
FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH THIS EVENING
WIDESPREAD HEAVY RAIN AND THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED AHEAD OF A COLD FRONT THAT WILL CROSS THE AREA TONIGHT.
RAINFALL OF ONE TO TWO INCHES WITH LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS WILL BE POSSIBLE IN AN HOUR. THESE RATES COULD RESULT IN FLASH FLOODING…PARTICULARLY IN URBANIZED AREAS.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS BE ISSUED.
Herndon’s NextStop Theatre opens a new take on the classic musical Kiss Me Kate on Aug. 20.
The typical Kiss Me Kate production has a large cast and ensemble. NextStop is producing it with just 11 actors who will play 30 roles. They will be accompanied by a four-piece jazz ensemble.
Kiss Me Kate is a musical comedy about a divorced couple staging an outlandish musical version of Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew. Music and lyrics are by Cole Porter.
The show is directed by Michael Bobbitt (Artistic Director, Adventure Musical Theatre Center) and features choreography by Rachel Dolan (2015 Helen Hayes nominee for Cabaret).
The show stars Paul Scanlan (2014 Best Actor Helen Hayes Nominee) as Fred/Petruchio; Karen Vincent as Lili/Kate; Emily Levey as Lois; and Stephen Russell Murray as Bill. Read more about the cast on NextStop’s website.
The show runs Thursday through Sundays through Sept. 13. For schedule and ticket information, visit NexStop’s website.
Photo: Emily Levey and Stephen Russell Murray in Kiss Me Kate at NextStop Theatre/Credit: NextStop Theatre
A woman was changing in a dressing room of the Kohl’s store at 2100 Centreville Rd in Herndon when she saw a man looking up at her from the floor, Fairfax County Police said.
The woman told police she was shopping about 8 p.m. last Friday when she saw the suspect lying on the floor.
The victim yelled and the suspect fled.
The suspect was described as Hispanic, 20s, dark hair and wearing a pink striped collared shirt.
In other recent crime news reported by FCPD’s Reston District Station:
LARCENIES
- 11900 block of Democracy Drive, property from vehicle.
- 1800 block of Discovery Street, merchandise from business.
- 1400 block of Greenmont Court, bicycle from residence.
- 1400 block of Kingstream Drive, electronic equipment from vehicle.
- 1400 block of Lake Fairfax Drive, wallets and phones from business.
Meet Salty Fig and Sweet Lemon, two kittens who are looking for a home together.
Here is what the people at Little Buddies Adoption & Humane Society have to say about them:
Salty Fig (black and white) and Sweet Lemon (orange) were rescued and brought to us in a coffee can. These little boys are the friendliest kittens in the world! They provide their foster Mom with nonstop laughs and love.
Salty Fig and Sweet Lemon are incredibly bonded. They would make the most wonderful addition to any family. They have such an amazing capacity for love and playfulness. They would be the happiest kittens if you would spend your days holding them, playing with them, and snuggling with them.
If you’re interested in meeting these little darlings, a private visit can be arranged. Contact us at [email protected] Thank you!
Are you and these kitties a match? If so, let us know and our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, will send you some treats and $100 in Becky’s Bucks.
Want your pet to be considered for the Reston Pet of the Week?
Email [email protected] with a 2-3 paragraph bio and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos of your pet.
Each week’s winner receives a sample of dog or cat treats from our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, along with $100 in Becky’s Bucks.
Becky’s Pet Care, the winner of three Angie’s List Super Service Awards and the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters’ 2013 Business of the Year, provides professional dog walking and pet sitting services in Reston and Northern Virginia.
Every weekday in August, Reston Now will be offering suggestions for a Summer Bucket List — things to do, places to check out and activities to try in and around Reston before summer’s end.
Obviously, different ideas will appeal to different residents in different age groups. But we are open for ideas. If you have any “must-dos” of summer (even better: with a photo of you/your family participating in said event), email us at [email protected] and we will consider it.
Reston Summer Bucket List Item No. 12: Sip Summer in a glass.
What does summer taste like? Depends on who is doing the tasting.
To us, there is a drink at the new Reston outpost of Barcelona that comes pretty close.
The Summer Street Sling is one cool drink — Chamomile-infused Tito’s Vodka, fresh pink grapefruit and lemon juices and Scrappy’s Grapefruit bitters over ice.
At $9.50, it is a slightly pricey taste of summer, but highly refreshing on one of the last hot days.
Long-awaited South Lakes Village Center restaurant Red’s Table has a sneak peek at its dinner menu.
The locally owned spot plans on opening its doors around Labor Day, says co-owner Ryan Tracy.
Ryan and his brothers, Matt and Pat, have been working on the replacement to Lakeside Inn since early 2014.
The Tracys are planning an upscale spot with locally sourced ingredients. On the menu: Hand-cut steaks; raw bar items; small plates; charcuterie; and more. There will also be more than a dozen craft beers on tap, specialty cocktails and homemade desserts. Lunch service will start later in September, Ryan Tracy said.
See the sample menu on Red’s Table’s Facebook page.
Dinner small plates will run in the $8 to $12 range. Entrees from $14 to $38.
Red’s Table is still hiring. Apply by sending a resume to [email protected] or stop by the restaurant at 11150 South Lakes Village Center.
Reston author Kwame Alexander will be one of the headliners at the National Book Festival in D.C. next month.
The Library of Congress’ National Book Festival, in its 15th year, brings together 175 authors with their fans. There are book signings, readings and a family friendly activity expo, among other events.
The event used to be held on the National Mall, but has been moved inside the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Sept. 5 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Alexander’s presentation will be from 11:20 to 11:50 a.m. He will hold a book signing from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
Alexander is an acclaimed poet, novelist and book author. He received the 2015 Newbery Medal for his teen novel The Crossover.
He is the author of 18 books and the founder of two literacy organizations, Book-in-a-Day and LEAP for Ghana.
Book-in-a-Day is a literacy program that has used poetry to inspire more than 3,000 student authors in 72 schools, including many in the Reston area. LEAP for Ghana is an international literacy project that builds libraries, trains teachers and empowers children through literature.
To see the full list of authors and their scheduled National Book Festival appearance times, visit the event website.
Photo: Kwame Alexander/Courtesy of Kwame Alexander
Will Student Map Shape New Voting Districts? — A student’s 2011 map of redrawn congressional districts may be the basis for new boundaries in Virginia [WAMU]
Fairfax County Fugitive In Custody — Feds arrested Colton West, wanted on drug charges here, in Wisconsin. [Fairfax Times]
Herndon Man Drowns in Shenandoah River — A 29-year-old man from Herndon slipped crossing the river near Charles Town, W.Va., on Sunday. [Herald Mail]
Need A Tutor? — FCPS has a list of school employees who tutor for the 2015-16 school year. [FCPS]
Photo: Reston Relay Triathlon/Credit: Sean Bahrami, Reston Association
Updated, 6:42 p.m. Tuesday:
Fairfax County Police said a teenager was walking along the patch near Salt Kettle Way and Ridge Heights Drive and saw an adult male completely nude, with his hands near his groin area about 1 p.m. on Tuesday.
The victim ran and the suspect fled prior to police arrival. Officers checked the area with assistance from the helicopter, but the suspect was not located, police said.
The suspect was described as a white male, pale skin, a lean build, between 40 to 50 years of age and gray hair.
Original story, 4:30 p.m. Tuesday: South Lakes High School principal Kim Retzer is warning students and parents to beware of a naked man seen near the school today.
Retzer sent this email to SLHS families:
A SLHS student reported today that she observed an adult male not wearing any clothes in the park playground area across from the school around 12:45 p.m.
The student reported this incident to us when she arrived at school and our office contacted Fairfax County Police. The police department is investigating and searching for this individual.
As the new school year approaches, this is an opportunity to remind your son or daughter to be aware of their surroundings and avoid any seemingly dangerous situation. Students should travel in pairs to and from school and bus stops whenever possible, and immediately report to an adult any suspicious activity.
