Were you a Blue, Orange or Silver line Metro rider caught in delays Friday for the second day in a row this week?
Then you may be eligible for a SmarTrip card credit.
Metro Interim General Manager/CEO Jack Requa says the Washington Area Metro Transit Authority will issue a credit to all riders using Smartrip cards who traveled on the Blue, Orange and Silver lines today.
Each rider who used a SmarTrip card to enter and exit the system and traveled on the Blue, Orange or Silver lines between the hours of 5 a.m. and 7 p.m. Friday will automatically receive a credit on their card for the fare they were charged at the gates. Qualifying riders will receive the credit on their SmarTrip card early next week when they tap their card at a Metro faregate or fare machine.
The credits will be processed automatically to SmarTrip cards, no action is required by customers to receive the credit.
“We absolutely understand the frustration among our Blue, Orange and Silver line customers,” said Requa. “Given the significant service disruptions that inconvenienced riders over multiple commutes this week, we are taking this step to thank everyone for bearing with us. I also offer a sincere apology to everyone who was inconvenienced.”
On Thursday, Blue, Silver and Orange lines were in chaos during morning rush hours after an empty train car derailed near Smithsonian station. That was followed by single tracking through the afternoon and evening, resulting in evening rush delays.
Friday, Orange and Silver line service was disrupted due to a loss of third-rail power on the inbound track outside East Falls Church Station, says Metro. The passengers aboard a Silver Line train in the area without power had to be assisted by emergency responders to East Falls Church Station.
Rail service was suspended for about 30 minutes and then followed by single tracking until just before noon, says Metro.
It may be the dog days of August, but perhaps there is a good deal to be had for Reston home buyers? Start with these open houses this weekend. To see more open houses and full real estate information, visit Reston Now’s Real Estate section.
1291 Golden Eagle Drive
5 BR, 3.5 BA SFH
$785,000
Open Sunday 1 to 3 p.m.
1396 Park Garden Lane
3 BR, 3.5 BA TH
$549,000
Open Sunday 1 to 4 p.m.
16111 Vantage Hill Road
3 BR, 1.5 BA Condo
$204,900
Open Sunday 1 to 4 p.m.
2224 Springwood Drive
2 BR, 1 BA Condo
$285,000
Open Sunday 1 to 4 p.m.
11603 Vantage Hill Drive
3 BR, 2 BA Condo
$255,000
Open Sunday 1 to 4 p.m.
11541 Underoak Court
3 BR, 2 FB, 2 HB TH
$375,000
Open Sunday 1 to 4 p.m.
2214 Hunters Run Drive
2 BR, 2 BA Condo
$284,900
Open Sunday 1 to 4 p.m.
2304 Cavessson Court
4 BR, 3.5 BA SFH
$619,000
Open Sunday 12 to 2 p.m.
The Reston Citizens Association (RCA) has re-appointed sitting president Sridhar Ganesan as president, as well as appointed several new and returning neighborhood directors.
RCA is a nonpartisan community group representing the citizens of Reston. It usually holds annual elections, but RCA by-laws state that if only one candidate files, then RCA can appoint that candidate to the post.
The two directors joining the RCA board for the first time are Lynne Mulston (Town Center/Lake Anne/Tall Oaks) and Geoff Lewis (At-Large). Mulston has been a resident of Reston since 1968 and is the founder and principal of a consulting firm. Lewis is an architect with DBI Architects and is involved Reston Runners and the Initiative for Public Art – Reston (IPAR),
RCA’s reappointed sitting At-Large directors (three-year terms) are Annmarie Swope, Nick Georgas and Yavuz Inanli.
Ganesan, who represents Reston’s North Point District, was re-elected as president and John Hanley, Hunters Woods District director, was re-elected as RCA’s Vice President. Joe Leighton, South Lakes District, was re-elected as Treasurer and Nick Georgas as Secretary.
For more info on RCA visit www.rcareston.com.
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 5: Rock Out in Herndon
On summer Friday nights, Herndon’s Town Green (in front of the Herndon Fortnightly Library at 777 Lynn St.) is the place to be.
Sure, Reston Town Center has concerts on Saturday, but those can be a little subdued — as in bring your beach chair and actually sit in it.
At Friday Night Live, sponsored by the Town Of Herndon, the music usually lends itself to dancing — a U2 tribute band, a German heavy metal band and popular party band Gonzo’s Nose already on the stage this summer.
There are four FNLs left this season. Laura Lea and Tripp Fabulous — and all-woman rock band from Philly — play tonight. Aug. 14 is The Reflex (80s cover band); Aug. 21 is White Ford Bronco (90s music); and the Aug. 28 finale features popular Mic-Atlantic band Blue Label.
Showtimes are 6:30 p.m. Admission is free. You can bring a picnic, but no alcohol can be brought in (but is sold on site).
For more info, visit Friday Night Live’s website.
Photo: Friday Night Live under a blue moon/Credit: Friday Night Live via Facebook
Fairfax County Police report several shooting incidents in the Reston District this week in which buildings were damaged but no one was hurt.
On Monday, a security guard in a building in the 2200 block of Monroe Street in unincorporated Herndon reported hearing gunshots about 10:35 p.m. He located bullet holes in the front door to the building, police said.
On Wednesday, an employee of a building in the 2200 block of Corporate Park Drive in unincorporated Herndon reported to police damage and several holes to the front of a building that appeared to be gunshots.
Last week, an employee who works in the 12000 block of Worldgate Drive told Reston Now that his building also was damaged by mystery bullets.
Police are investigating to see if the incidents are related.
In other police news:
BURGLARY: 11400 block of Great Meadow Drive, Aug. 4. A resident reported someone entered the residence and took property.
ASSAULT: 13100 block of Parcher Avenue, Aug. 1. A man was approached by four male juveniles about 1:30 a.m.. The suspects assaulted the victim and fled. The victim did not require medical attention. The suspects were described as males in their teens. One of the suspects was wearing a black T-shirt. A second suspect was wearing a white T-shirt, blue jean shorts and a red baseball hat.
BURGLARY: 1000 block of Aziza Court, Aug. 1. A homeowner reported someone entered the home and took property.
LARCENIES
- 1700 block of Bracknell Drive, merchandise from business
- 11100 block of Branton Lane, property from residence
- 2500 block of Camberwell Court, property from residence
- 2100 block of Centreville Road, purse from business
- 2300 block of Hunters Woods Plaza, merchandise from business
- 2400 block of Masons Ferry Drive, cash from residence
- 1900 block of Reston Metro Plaza, bicycle from residence
- 11900 block of Winterthur Lane, cash from residence
- 2300 block of Hunter Woods Plaza, beverage from business
- 2100 block of Enright Place, property from vehicle
- Wiehle Avenue/Reston Station Boulevard, bicycle from metro
- 10100 block of Clover Glen Drive, property from business
STOLEN VEHICLES
2500 block of Fox Hound Court, 2007 Toyota RAV4.
Photo: Bullet hole in bulding window on Worldgate Drive/reader photo
Wide Reaction To Proposed FCPS Cuts — The Fairfax County Public Schools budget task force suggestion to cut sports and arts programs ranges from “political posturing” to “school would be 100 percent less interesting.” [Washington Post]
Totally Trucks Today — Grab your preschooler and head to Reston Association’s Central Services facility on Sunset Hills Road (next to the YMCA) from 9:30 a.m. to noon for this annual event to climb on a fire truck, “drive” an ambulance and step aboard other rigs. [Reston Now]
Mystics Player Holding Camp In Reston — Washington Mystics guard Ivory Latta is holding a session of the Ivory Latta Academy, a basketball camp for girls ages 8 to 16, at the Fairfax County YMCA Reston on Aug. 15. [IvoryLatta.com]
Shopping For School Supplies — The first day of school in Reston is nearly a month away, but if you want to take advantage of Virginia Tax Free shopping this weekend, here is a list of local elementary school’s supply lists. [Reston Patch]
The Reston Association Board of Directors passed two motions on Wednesday relating to its role in future development at Tall Oaks Village Center and Reston Town Center North.
The first motion authorized RA President Ellen Graves to send a letter to Fairfax County authorities requesting that the developer, The Jefferson Apartment Group (JAG), include the Urban Land Institute’s defined standards for public plazas and meeting areas.
JAG, which purchased the ailing village center last year for $14 million, plans to redevelop it into a neighborhood of more than 140 residences, including two garden-style condo buildings, 2-over-2 townhouses and 100 traditional townhomes.
The developer said it listened to public input after the community meetings in April, when residents said there was not enough public or retail space. At a June meeting, JAG showed concept plans for double the initial retail space, a decrease in the original number of townhouses, and expanded park areas.
The Urban Land Institute has documented the importance of public-outdoor plazas and meeting areas as follows:
“A successful public realm is one in which commerce, social interaction, and leisure time activities may mix easily in an attractive, pedestrian-friendly, outdoor setting. People are drawn by the simple enjoyment of being there. If that enjoyment is to be felt, the public realm and public spaces must be well designed and programmed.
The public realm is open to programs that are significant to the community such as charity events, holiday events, and civic events. It becomes a true public place, taking on a life of its own. As part of the community that goes beyond simple commerce or public relations, it ultimately becomes a place with a history. The public realm should allow for the integration of the people, the place, and the larger community.”
Graves will send a letter to Fairfax County Hunter Mill District Supervisor Cathy Hudgins and Planning Commissioner Frank de la Fe with that request.
The board also approved a motion to allow RA counsel inform Fairfax County/INOVA that a parcel of land located in the area known as Reston Town Center North is RA-covenanted property.
RA says its wants to make clear any future development there is subject to RA Design Review Board standards and that new residents will be members of the association.
Fairfax County and Inova recently completed a land swap to organize the 49-acre space from New Dominion Parkway to Baron Cameron Avenue. The county also recently issued a Request for Proposals for the first two blocks of Town Center North.
Town Center North will be a mixed-use district, with renovated or relocated space for the Reston Regional Library and Embry Rucker Community Shelter, as well as offices, hotels, a performing arts center, an indoor recreation center, a town green and at least 1,000 new residences.
Metro commuters generally had a horrendous Thursday morning after an empty train car derailed near the Smithsonian, throwing Blue, Silver and Orange line schedules into chaos.
Rep. Gerry Connolly (Va.-11th), who represents Reston, sent this Tweet Thursday afternoon:
“While the cause of the derailment is still unknown, today’s Metro incident is yet another example of why we must retire and replace the old series rail cars and make immediate system and safety upgrades.”
As of 2:30 p.m., here is what Metro is saying about the evening rush home.
Metro has restored limited rail service using a single track between McPherson Square and Federal Center SW stations. The restoration of service follows the successful re-railing of two railcars from the non-passenger train that derailed this morning at a switch location outside Smithsonian.
Customers on the Blue, Orange and Silver lines may experience longer waits for trains due to single tracking. Trains will run in one direction for approximately 15 minutes, and then the flow of traffic will be reversed to run in the opposite direction for approximately 15 minutes.
Trains will operate as follows:
Silver Line: Trains will run ONLY between Wiehle-Reston East and East Falls Church. Silver Line riders traveling between DC and Virginia should transfer to/from Orange Line trains at East Falls Church
Orange Line: Trains running in both directions between Vienna and New Carrollton. Trains will run less frequently than normal due to single tracking and will bypass Federal Triangle and Smithsonian stations.
Blue Line: Trains running in both directions between Franconia-Springfield and Largo Town Center. Trains will run less frequently than normal due to single tracking and will bypass Federal Triangle and Smithsonian stations.
Federal Triangle & Smithsonian Stations Remain Closed — In the interest of reducing train delays through the single tracking area, two stations — Federal Triangle and Smithsonian — will remain closed.
All Orange and Blue line trains will run non-stop between Metro Center and L’Enfant Plaza (bypassing Federal Triangle and Smithsonian).
Free shuttle buses will run in a continuous loop between Metro Center, Federal
Triangle, Smithsonian and L’Enfant Plaza. (Federal Triangle is a 0.3 mile walk to Metro Center. Smithsonian is a 0.4 mile walk to L’Enfant Plaza.)
NOTE: Only riders traveling to/from Federal Triangle or Smithsonian need to use shuttle bus service. All other riders can remain on the train.
What to ExpectAt Metro Center and L’Enfant Plaza, all trains — both directions — will arrive on the eastbound (to New Carrollton/Largo) track.
There will be no Silver Line trains between East Falls Church and Largo Town Center. Use Orange or Blue line trains instead.
Platform Information Displays (i.e. “Next Train” signs) will not show accurate predictions during single tracking.
Additional Travel Tips & Ways to Avoid Delays
If traveling between DC and Virginia: Consider using the Yellow Line if possible. Board Yellow Line trains at Gallery Place (Red Line transfer point), Archives or L’Enfant Plaza stations.
If traveling between Red Line stations and Blue/Orange/Silver line stations in Virginia: Transfer between lines by using Farragut Crossing. For example, riders can exit at Farragut North, walk one block to Farragut West and re-enter the Metrorail system at no cost.
Consider bus service: Metrobus and Circulator bus service may provide an option for some riders. To check, use theTrip Planner at wmata.com and select the “bus only” option. For example, Metrobus 38B route provides service from Downtown DC to several Orange Line stations in Virginia.
Metro crews continue work to complete re-railing work at the site of this morning’s derailment. A cause has not yet been determined.
Photo: Thursday morning Metro train offloading at Arlington Cemetery/Credit: Katie Watson via Twitter
Del. Ken Plum represents Reston in Virginia’s House of Delegates. His opinion does not reflect that of Reston Now.
In 1982, my then-legislative assistant came to me distressed that her father had been found to have Alzheimer’s disease.
My response was similar to that of many at the time to say, “What is that?” Not much was known about Alzheimer’s before the 1980s. Old people were called senile; some had dementia. If testing to determine the reason for memory loss was negative, the patient was declared to have Alzheimer’s disease — whatever that was.
Soon after I became aware of Alzheimer’s Disease, national news stories started to break about the number of people suffering severe memory loss and the rapid rate at which that number was growing.
After consulting with researchers at the Medical College of Virginia (now the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine), who were doing work in the areas of dementia and Alzheimer’s, I introduced legislation establishing the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Research Award Fund to provide seed money for larger federal and foundation grants.
The Fund continues to today and has shown a 10-to-1 return on money invested by the state in the first state-level research fund. I also introduced legislation establishing the Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Commission that continues to do studies and make recommendations on policies related to Alzheimer’s. Its work can be reviewed at Alzpossible.org, including the Dementia State Plan along with lists and descriptions of resources on the subject.
What I never realized when I was first introduced to this subject was the extensive nature of it. The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that 5.3 million have the disease with women almost twice as likely as men to get it. The direct costs associated with the care of Alzheimer’s sufferers are estimated to be $221 billion. Projected to the year 2050, the number of people with the disease is likely to be 13.8 million Americans with a cost of care of $1.1 trillion.
The effect of the disease on the individuals is devastating; the loss of memory for some can be gradual over many years and for others can be rapid.
In my experience from chairing the Alzheimer’s Study Commission for several years, I found that the effects on family caregivers can be devastating as well. While some resist institutional care, the 24/7 responsibility of caring for someone can take its toll. The number of day programs that can accommodate individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease has expanded as have other opportunities for respite care.
According to the CDC, Alzheimer’s is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States and the only one in the top 10 for which there is no prevention, cure or effective treatment.
Congress has been slow to appropriate increased monies for expanded medical research. Although there continues to be some hopeful work going on, research and educational programming is highly dependent on individuals contributing through such organizations as the Alzheimer’s Association.
With the projected increase in the number of people affected by Alzheimer’s and the promising effects of genome research, funding should be a priority.
Del. Ken Plum represents Reston in Virginia’s House of Delegates. His opinion does not reflect that of Reston Now.
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. 4: See an outdoor movie
The drive-in movie is mostly gone. But in its place we have movies under the stars. Outdoor movies have popped up all kinds of places in the D.C. area the last few years — from city rooftops to the national mall to public parks.
In Reston, we have the Lake Anne Summer Film Festival, with monthly free screenings on Lake Anne Plaza.
August’s movie, airing Sunday, Aug. 9 at dusk, is a classic: West Side Story.
Come early to get a good seat. Bring a chair or blanket and a picnic. Lake Anne restaurants are also open for a before-movie meal or to get takeout.
The festival will also show 1960’s Jazz on a Summer Day Aug. 30 in conjunction with the Lake Anne Jazz & Blues Festival.
The developer of The Harrison, the recently built 360-unit apartment buildings at Reston Parkway and Temporary Road, is planning another luxury building just next door.
Renaissance Centro says it has plans to build 110 to 120 luxury condos at 1801 Old Reston Ave. That address, at Reston Parkway, Old Reston Avenue and Temporary Road, is currently an office building.
Renaissance Centro owns the 29,300-square-foot, four-story office building. Residential development on the site would require a rezoning from commercial to residential. No rezoning application has been filed.
Reps from Renaissance Centro did not return calls, but a glimpse at the company website shows a little of what it eventually plans.
1801 OLD RESTON AVENUE
LUXURY CONDOMINUM UNITS
197,000 SQ. FT. | 110-120 UNITS1801 Old Reston Avenue will be an infill multi-family project adjacent to Reston Town Center. The future building will be within walking distance of the new Silver Line Metro station at Reston Town Center, feature direct access to the W&OD Trail network and all the rich amenities that Reston has to offer. The project will feature well-appointed units and elegant amenity areas.
INTERIOR FEATURES
Grand Lobby
Resident Lounge/Party Room
Fitness Center
Rooftop Amenity Package (subject to final design and programming)
Renaissance Centro, based in Bethesda, Md., already has quite a presence on that stretch of Reston Parkway from Sunset Hills to Temporary Road. In addition to The Harrison, the company built Carlton House and Stratford House across from Reston Town Center.
Photo: 1801 Old Reston Avenue(left) and The Harrison
New Faces At Forest Edge ES — Forest Edge Elementary School has a new principal and assistant principal. Leona Smith-Vance will replace Kim Price as principal. Current assistant principal Jon Mitchell will be transferring to South County MS. New assistant principal is Rochelle Proctor from Hutchinson ES. The school is holding a “Popsicles on the Playground” event today at 5 p.m. for families to meet the new administration.
Parks Survey — The Fairfax County Park Authority needs your help to gauge its Twitter effectiveness. Take a survey here. [Survey Monkey]
Magic in the Park — Reston Community Center’s Family Fun Series continues Saturday with Magic by Geo at Town Square Park at Reston Town Center. The free show begins at 10 a.m. [RCC]
Tysons Silver Line Ridership Misses Mark — The Silver Line has been open a year, Why is ridership from the Tysons Stations so much lower than expected? [WAMU]
A derailed Metro train is causing major delays on all rail lines Thursday morning.
The train, with no passengers aboard, derailed early Thursday morning at a switch point outside of Smithsonian Station
From Metro:
Silver Line trains will operate between Wiehle-Reston East and East Falls Church only to reduce congestion downtown. Silver Line riders should transfer to Orange Line trains to continue their trip.
Rail service on the Blue and Orange lines has been suspended between Federal Center SW and McPherson Square stations.
Smithsonian and Federal Triangle stations are closed.
Lower level platforms at Metro Center and L’Enfant Plaza stations are closed.
Riders will experience significant delays on the Blue/Orange/Silver lines and should consider alternate travel options this morning.
Yellow Line may provide an alternate for riders traveling from Virginia to Downtown DC
Metro personnel are working to restore normal service as quickly and safely as possible. However, at this time there is no estimate on when normal service will be restored.
The cause of the incident is under investigation.
In the midst of the booths that are selling ripe, red tomatoes, fresh peaches and homemade baked goods at Reston Station is Patrick Roche, the Smartmarkets’ fungi guy.
Roche operates Semper Fi Fungi at Reston’s Smartmarket at Reston Station Wednesday afternoons. He can also usually be found at the Oakton Smartmarket on Saturday and Chantilly on Thursday as well.
Roche, a former Marine, has been identifying and foraging Fairfax and Loudoun County land from mushrooms since he was a kid. Now he has turned that into a foodie business, selling a variety of mushrooms this time of year.
This week, he had Giant Polypore mushrooms for sale. Those are fungi as big as your head — growing in 2.5-pound clumps. Roche sells them for $6 for one-half pound.
“I wouldn’t suggest someone buy the entire two pounds,” says Roche. “They probably wouldn’t eat it in time [before it went bad].”
Roche, who also carries chanterelle, morel and other mushrooms, depending on what is available, will also tell you how to prepare your find.
He says the Giant Polypores are tasty after they are sautéed down and put in a soup.
Patrick Roche of Semper Fi Fungi with a Giant Polypore
This weekend is the time to shop tax free for all things back to school or emergency supplies or energy-saving appliances.
In its 2015 session, the Virginia General Assembly passed legislation that combined all its previous tax-free holidays into one shopping weekend that begins the first Friday in August.
The tax free purchases, available Aug. 7-9, include:
School-related items
- Qualified school supplies – $20 or less per item
- Qualified clothing and footwear – $100 or less per item
- Virginia’s list of qualifying items
Hurricane and Emergency Preparedness Items
- Portable generators – $1,000 or less per item
- Gas-powered chainsaws – $350 or less per item
- Chainsaw accessories – $60 or less per item
- Other specified hurricane preparedness items with a sales price of $60 or less per item
- Detailed list of hurricane preparedness items
Energy Star and WaterSense Items
Qualifying items carrying either the Energy Star or WaterSense label with a sales price of $2,500 or less purchased for non-commercial home or personal use.
- Qualifying Energy Star items include dishwashers, clothes washers, air conditioners, ceiling fans, light bulbs, dehumidifiers, and refrigerators
- Qualifying WaterSense items include bathroom sink faucets, faucet accessories such as aerators and shower heads, toilets, urinals, and landscape irrigation controllers
- Detailed list of Energy Star and WaterSense items
Online purchases of qualifying products will also be exempt from the sales tax as long as the orders are placed during the Aug. 7-9 exemption period and the sellers have the items available for immediate shipment.
For more information, visit the Virginia Department of Taxation website.
