Spots are still available for July 4’s Firecracker 5K in Reston.

The sixth annual Firecracker 5K is sponsored by Reston-based Leidos and will benefit the USO of Metropolitan Washington.

There will be live music, American flags and the “Battle of the Branches” competition. Whichever military branch has the most registered runners will have donation to the USO made on its behalf.

Here is what you need to know:

Race is Saturday, July 4, 8 a.m. at Reston Town Center

Registration is $35 and through through Thursday night online. The price jumps to $40 after July 2.Discounts for Under 14 or Active Military.

The course goes on streets through Reston Town Center, as well as on Cameron Glen Drive, Sunset Hills Road, Reston Parkway and Town Center Parkway. Roads will not be blocked to traffic, but lanes could be blocked. The course is relatively flat.

Our national holiday the Fourth of July, or Independence Day, is known for fireworks, parades, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions and of course retail sales.

In the midst of all of our “Red, White, and Blue” festivities, we need to remind ourselves that the Fourth is about the celebration of freedom as expressed in the Declaration of Independence.

While we tend to forget the list of grievances we as colonists had against the Mother Country that are enumerated in the Declaration, almost everyone remembers its most significant message: all men are created equal and have certain rights that can’t be taken away–life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Everyone recognizes that the statement was aspirational; specifically it did not include women or slaves who made up a significant percentage of the population in the South.

The history of our country has been a movement towards realizing the liberties that are associated with the Fourth of July. The great compromisers who put together the Constitution and its Bill of Rights could not resolve the contradictions in our stated goal and the practices of society. It took a civil war and hundreds of thousands of deaths to free the slaves and another century of struggle to extend civil rights to persons of color.

Recently, we were starkly reminded of how far we still need to go to expunge racism from our society. The horrific massacre of nine people at a Bible study in Charleston, South Carolina, puts into focus the extent to which some people are willing to go with their Confederate flag and symbols to glorify a conflict that was about a segment of society that was willing to go to war.

They fought to keep their ability to take away life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as well as the property of others. The Civil War was not about states’ rights; it was about people who wanted to continue a lifestyle and economy on the backs of their slaves which the southern states were willing to allow. If any “rights” were lost in the Civil War, it was a mistaken notion that one should have a right to discriminate against others. The Confederate battle flags need to go down, and our work to end racism needs to intensify.

The Fourth of July was followed in our history by a long list of men and women who worked hard to extend the promises of the Declaration of Independence to everyone. Their work is paying off with the results we saw last week in the Supreme Court decisions on marriage, health care and housing.

Our celebration of the event that happened a long time ago needs this year as much as ever to include a commitment to work for freedom for all, to reject hate and divisions, and to ensure that the inalienable rights of all men and women to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are enjoyed in this country.

Ken Plum represents Reston in Virginia’s House of Delegates. His opinion does not reflect that of Reston Now.

The World Police & Fire Games are nearly ready to wind down — but not before some big final events take place in Reston.

Here’s what’s happening:

Thursday: Wrist Wrestling, 1 to 7 p.m. at the Reston Town Center pavilion. Kick off your holiday weekend right by watching cops and rescue personnel go hand to hand.

Friday: Triathlon, 7 a.m. to noon. The Police & Fire Games triathletes will follow the same course used by the Reston Triathlon participants each September.

• Swim portion will take place in Lake Audubon.
• Biking will be on nearby streets, including Twin Branches, South Lakes Drive, Soapstone Drive, Sunrise Valley Drive and Colts Neck Road.
• Running will start and end at South Lakes High School and take place mainly on Reston Association paths.

Roads will not be closed, but they may have lanes blocked, so it may be slow going Friday morning. See more course information on the Reston Triathlon website.

Saturday: Indoor rowing in the Hyatt Regency Reston ballroom, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sunday: Just as the Olympic finale includes the marathon, the World Police & Fire Games will conclude with the half marathon. The race begins at 7 a.m. at Reston Town Center. Runners will be on RA paths as well as Reston streets, so watch for slowed traffic.

To see what is happening at World Police & Fire Games venues outside of Reston, consult the master schedule on the Games’ website.

Closing ceremonies will take place Sunday at 6 p.m. at Wolf Trap National Park in Vienna. There are limited tickets available for the general public.

WPFG officials will pass the flag the torch to Montreal, site of the 2017 Games. After the ceremony, 80s cover band The Legwarmers will play.

Independence Day falls on a Saturday this year. That means the federal holiday for workers is July 3, so there may be some confusion as to what is open or closed.

If you are heading to a store, restaurant or camp program, it may be wise to ask them ahead of time.

Here is a look at Fairfax County and other local services:

Reston Association offices – Closed Friday, July 3. Most pools will be open. Lake Audubon Pool will be closed for the World Police & Fire Games Triathlon on Friday, July 3. All pools will close at 6 p.m. on July 4.

Fairfax County Government – Closed Friday, July 3.

Animal Shelter — Friday, July 3 (open noon to 7 p.m.); Saturday, July 4 (open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

Courts – Closed Friday, July 3.

Public Schools and School Offices – Closed Friday, July 3.

Library – Closed Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4.

Fairfax Connector – Fairfax Connector will operate holiday weekday service on Friday, July 3, and regular Saturday service on Saturday, July 4.

Fastran – Not in service Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4.

Park Authority – Holiday schedule.

Teen and Senior Centers – Closed Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4.

Reston Community Center Hunters Woods – Friday, July 3 (open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.); Saturday, July 4 (open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.).

Reston Community Center Lake Anne – Friday, July 3 (closed); Saturday, July 4 (open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.).

County Trash and Recycling Collection – County residents should contact their trash and recycling collector directly for service schedule changes due to the holiday.

Fairfax County Collection Customers – Trash and recyclables will be collected as scheduled on Friday, July 3. Please have your materials to the curb no later than 6 a.m. to ensure collection.

Recycling and Disposal Facilities:

I-66 Transfer Station – Closed on Saturday, July 4.
I-95 Landfill Complex – Closed on Saturday, July 4.

Travel News You Can Use — Tips on how to navigate I-95, the Bay Bridge and other choke spots if you are heading out of town today. [Washington Post]

Day In Court — Eddie Rodriguez and Dominique May, both charged with felony use of a firearm and attempted robbery in an incident in a which a man was shot and killed in Reston May 17, will have preliminary hearings in Fairfax County General District Court on July 22.

Restonian Snapchats — Restonian has some fun with the Reston Snapchat geofilter. [Restonian]

Reston Man Assaulted in Worldgate Parking Lot — Three men assaulted a Reston man and robbed a Sterling woman, police said. [Herndon Patch]

A Reston man was arrested by Fairfax County Police Wednesday for having inappropriate contact with a minor at a nearby martial arts studio.

Han I. Tak, 30, was charged with taking indecent liberties with a minor, police said. Tak is an instructor at Fox Mill Tae Kwon Do in Herndon. He was charged for allegedly inappropriately touching a juvenile karate student.

FCPD is seeking more info on this case. Anyone with information is asked to please call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131 or contact Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477, e-mail at www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or text “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES/274637.

After more than a year of being closed for repairs, the splash fountain in Town Square Park at Reston Town Center is back up and running.

The fountain, located in front of The Avant apartments and Barcelona restaurant is available for youngsters to walk through to cool off on a hot summer day.

New bonus: bartaco across the street sells gelato cones to go that you can take back to the park.

Sounds of tiny strings will fill Lake Anne Plaza on Saturday, July 11 when the Ukulele Festival returns for its sixth year.

The free festival will feature performances by acclaimed ukulele musicians, music demonstrations, a morning public jam session, food and drink vendors, and other family friendly activities.

This festival is the only ukulele festival in Northern Virginia. It will take place rain or shine.

Here is the 2015 lineup:

9 a.m. to 11 a.m. — Community Stage Morning Jam Session at Café Montmartre.

Main Stage

• 11:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. – Aloha Boys (Hawaiian)
• 12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. – Ukeabilly Mama (Donna Frost) (Blues/Folk)
• 1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. – Hula Monsters (Swing)
• 2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. – Gina De Simone & the Moaners (Blues & Swing)
• 3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Isa Pacifika Dancers (Traditional Hawaiian Dance Performance)
• 3:45 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. – Stuart Fuchs (Folk, Classical, Jazz, Rock)
• 4:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. – Afternoon Jam Session lead by Gina DeSimone

The festival is hosted by the Lake Anne Merchants with support from the Reston Community Center, Friends of Lake Anne (FOLA), and the Northern Virginia Ukulele Ensemble.

Coworking space UberOffices has signed a lease for a large location at JBG’s RTC West development.

UberOffices will take up 40,000 square feet over two floors in the development at Sunset Hills Road and Town Center Parkway.

Coworking spaces will be available in September, says UberOffices CEO Raymond Rahbar.

RTC West is a forthcoming project from JBG that will turn some existing ground floor office space (15,000 square feet) and add about 25,000 square feet of retail to what is currently an office park.

The addition of RTC West brings amenities closer to where the Reston Town Center Metro stop will eventually open in early 2019.

The development has already signed a major retail tenant: Cooper’s Hawk Winery. The Chicago-based restaurant and bar will take over nearly 10,000 square feet of space.

Rahbar says expanding to Reston is an important addition for the company, which has co-working spaces in Rosslyn, Tysons Corner, Bethesda and Dupont Circle.

“Reston Town Center has been one of the most important business parks not just in the region but also in the country,” he said. “We are very excited to be able to expand here.”

Co-working spaces offer small businesses, startup and other companies office space in a collaborative environment. Tenants can lease anything from a single desk for $300 a month to a 12-person office. There are shared amenities such as lounges, conference rooms, quiet call rooms and kitchens.

Visit UberOffices’ website for pricing and more information.

Note: UberOffices is a Local News Now advertiser.

Photo: UnderOffices Tysons Corner/Credit: UberOffices

Did you know? Fairfax County’s Channel 16 has a nightly recap of the games? You can also check it out online.

Locally: Fairfax County Police detective Jay LaWalt finished third in men’s 40+ 74KG wrestling. LaWalt is also coach of the Herndon Rattlers Youth Wrestling program.

The Fairfax County Police women’s basketball team won gold on Tuesday.

Fun at Champions Square: Beer is $4 at the pop-up bar in the area set up on the surface lot at Reston Town Center. There is also a mechanical bull, darts, a video arcade and live music. This are is open to the public.

Today’s events:

Ice hockey continues at Reston SkateQuest and Rugby goes on all day at Lake Fairfax Park.

You will have to go farther afield for other competition. Check out swimming, tennis track and baseball at George Mason University and the Ultimate Firefighter at Springfield Town Center.

For the master schedule, visit Fairfax2015.

Photos: Top – Toughest Competitor Alive Competition at Tysons/Credit: Beth Burns; Bottom – Pop-up bar at Champions Square at Reston Town Center.

Starting today, employers in Virginia cannot ask employees for social media passwords, women in the commonwealth can breastfeed anywhere they want and Virginia has two new state songs.

These are two of many new laws that go into effect in Virginia July 1.

Among the new laws:

Social media: Employers cannot ask employees or prospective employees for the username and passwords of social media accounts. Virginia is the 19th state to enact password protection legislation.

Breastfeeding: Women can breastfeed anywhere the mother is lawfully present. Virginia was one of only three states with no such protections, making it possible to kick a mom out of a public place for feeding her child.

Campus sex assault: There are several measures related to campus sex assault violence that will go into effect. They include requiring campus police departments to notify local prosecutors within 48 hours of starting any investigation into possible felony sexual assault and requiring university registrars to put a note on the transcripts of any student who is suspended, expelled or withdraws from school for reasons related to an offense involving sexual violence.

Medical marijuana: The law allows epilepsy patients who have a doctor’s note to use cannabis oil for treatment.

State song: Virginia will now have two official state songs. The official traditional song is “Our Great Virginia” and the official popular song is “Sweet Virginia Breeze.”

Police drones: The law requires law enforcement agencies to obtain a search warrant for use of unmanned aircraft systems.

Traffic: Drivers can cross double yellow lines in order to pass pedestrians and cyclists safely.

Hemp: Farmers can now grow industrial hemp as part of a university-managed research program.

Emergency vehicles are on the scene of a car crash on Wiehle Avenue at North Shore Drive.

The accident occurred about 8 a.m. Wednesday.

Traffic is backed up on Wiehle from the Dulles Toll Road to Baron Cameron as of 9 a.m.

It is not known whether there were any injuries.

Photo/Courtesy Dianne Rose

Camp Spots — Greater Reston Arts Center still has some spaces in this summer’s arts camps. [GRACE]

Take A Break Concert — Kick off your holiday weekend at Thursday’s Take a Break Concert at Lake Anne Plaza. [Reston Community Center]

Slower Silver Line? — Metro is considering adding train cars to Blue line routes, which may come at expense of other lines, including Silver. [Washington Post]

More than one million Washington, DC-area residents are getting ready to hit the road for the long July 4 holiday weekend, says AAA Mid-Atlantic.

AAA estimated one-fifth of area residents will travel 50 miles or more from home (and countless residents from other areas will travel to DC for the holiday).

That comprises a 0.4 percent increase in the number of Washington metro area residents who traveled at this time last year, says AAA.

Nearly 90 percent of Washington-area travelers will be driving, which will make for the highest travel volume for the Fourth of July holiday since at least 2001, AAA said.

Since July 4 is a Saturday, most workers have Friday off as an official holiday. That means getaway traffic could start as early as Wednesday night.

Nationwide, AAA says 42 million people will be on the road or on an airplane, up one percent from last year. Nationwide, about 84.7 percent of travelers will drive, which is the highest level for the Independence Day holiday travel period since at least 2001.

“Remarkably, 2 in 10 persons living in the Washington metro area (or 17.2 percent of the area’s population of 5,860,342 people) will venture from home for the July Fourth holiday travel period,”  John B. Townsend II, AAA Mid-Atlantic’s Manager of Public and Government Affairs, said in a statement.

“This marks the second time since at least 2001 that over one million Washington metro area residents will take a vacation during the Independence Day holiday period.”

Part of the increase in the number of travelers is due to gas prices, which remain well below levels from July of 2014 and the lowest in five years, AAA said.

In Virginia, the average price for regular unleaded gasoline has dropped slightly to $2.59 per gallon. Today’s price is eight cents higher than one month ago and remains significantly discounted from this time last year with drivers saving an average of 90 cents per gallon year-over-year.

Beltway traffic/file photo