Fairfax County Fire and Rescue officials say an accidental fire caused $50,000 to a restaurant at 13861 Sunrise Valley Dr. on Saturday.

Units were called to the commercial area about 9:40 p.m., where they found smoke and fire coming from Sizzling Express Deli, which is located in an office building in unincorporated Herndon.

Firefighters encountered smoke and fire coming from the first floor of the four-story building upon arrival. Firefighters conducted an aggressive fire attack and quickly extinguished the fire, officials said.

There was no one in the restaurant when the fire broke out. The alarm company called 911 after a smoke alarm activated. There were no injuries.

Damage is estimated at $50,000.

Fire investigators have determined the fire was accidental and caused by an unattended pan on a hot stove.

Before the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors votes in June on the final changes to Phase 2 of Reston’s Master Plan, Reston Association’s Board of Directors wants to ensure that language is in place to allow Tall Oaks Village Center to undergo significant changes.

RA has a motion on its agenda for this week’s regular Board of Directors meeting whether to “reaffirm or change the Association’s original position requesting that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors delete Tall Oaks Village Center from the list of Village Centers and added to the list of Convenience Centers thereby allowing it to be redeveloped to residential and convenience center uses.”

RA formally voted in February to change Tall Oaks to convenience center designation.

The 40-year-old village center has not been a vibrant retail center for several years and is only about 13 percent occupied. In December, Tall Oaks was sold to the Jefferson Apartment Group (JAG), which plans to redevelop the location as 154 condos and townhomes and about 8,500 square feet of retail.

Meanwhile, the latest draft of the Reston Master Plan Phase 2, which the Fairfax County Planning Commission recommended for approval in mid-May, suggests  removing of the requirement for Reston’s village centers to undergo comprehensive plan amendments in order to redevelop.

The draft also adds language for Tall Oaks to recognize that the redevelopment plan may include a significantly reduced non-residential component.

Other convenience centers in Reston include the former Reston Visitors Center that RA is seeking to purchase, the Soapstone convenience center, Sunrise Valley convenience center and the Home Depot shopping center.

A convenience center designation for Tall Oaks would make it easier for developers to proceed without having to preserve existing retail space. JAG representatives said at April community meetings that there was virtually no interest from retail tenants to move to the space as is now.

Many residents maintain that Tall Oaks could return to life if it had the right management. Some have started an online petition to maintain a balance of retail and residential at Tall Oaks.

Sweet Prom Story — A Herndon resident helped his sister have a prom to remember. Kyle Hammersley, 22, escorted his younger sister, Emma Hammersley, who has Down syndrome, to the Herndon High School recently. [FOX 5]

Call For GRACE Entries — Greater Reston Arts Center is calling all teachers in the area for a new Art Educator’s Exhibition. The juried exhibition will highlight the talent and diversity among area art teachers. [GRACE]

What Does The Future Hold? — Bisnow business publications is hosting a seminar June 9 “The Future of Reston and Herndon” to look at the region’s business growth. Among the speakers: Reston founder Bob Simon, as well as representatives from Comstock, Renaissance Centro (The Harrison), JBG Companies and the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority. [Bisnow]

ICYMI: Death at Lake Swim — A 63-year-old North Carolina man went into cardiac arrest arrest at the Jim McDonnell Lake Swim at Lake Audubon Sunday. He died shortly after at Reston Hospital. [Reston Now]

Photo: Reston Town Center Pavilion dressed for Memorial Day/Courtesy Reston Town Center

A 63-year-old man who was participating in the Jim McDonnell Lake Swim at Lake Audubon died on Sunday after losing consciousness during the event.

The lake swims are an annual Memorial Day weekend event organized and hosted by the Reston Masters Swim Team. Swimmers take part in a two-mile open water loop around Lake Audubon.

Dr. Kennon Woods, a dentist from Raleigh, N.C., was removed from the water about 11:45 a.m. by on-site emergency medical staff using an aquatic vehicle, Reston Association said. CPR was initiated and he was transferred to an ambulance and taken to Reston Hospital, where he was pronounced dead from cardiopulmonary arrest.

While Woods’ death took place at an RA lake, it was not an RA-sponsored event.

RA issued this statement:

Reston Association works with the Reston Masters Swim Team each year prior to this event to ensure procedures are in place. Specifically, RA advises and coordinates logistics for borrowing boats and other equipment.

The Reston Masters Swim Team is responsible for safety measures and forming the Emergency Action Plan, which reportedly functioned as planned on Sunday. The swimmer was removed from the water within one minute, allowing EMS to immediately transport him to Reston Hospital.

The Jim McDonnell Lake Swim has been held for the last 28 years. It is named in memory of avid Reston Masters swimmer Jim McDonnell, who died in 1998 of lymphoma.

Lake Audubon will be the site later this summer of an open water swim and the swim portion of the triathlon at the 2015 World Police Fire Games. It will also hold the swim portion of the Reston Triathlon in September.

Looking for a new home? Even on a holiday weekend, there are plenty of open houses (note, not all are on Sunday). For complete real estate information, visit Reston Now’s Real Estate section.

1421 Northgate Square
2 BR, 2 BA Condo
$219,000
Open Saturday 1 to 4 p.m.

2130 Golf Course Drive
3 BR, 3.5 BA TH
$479,500
Open Sunday 1 to 4 p.m.

11775 Stratford House Place
3 BR, 2.5 BA Condo
$574,990
Open Sunday 2 to 4 p.m.

11819 Riders Lane
4 BR, 4.5 BA SFH
$799,900
Open Sunday 1 to 4 p.m.

1575 Inlet Court
5 BR, 3 BA TH
$650,000
Open Sunday 1 to 4 p.m.

10851 Grovehampton Court
4 BR, 3.5 BA SFH
$833,725
Open Sunday 12 to 4 p.m.

Stocking up for summer stuff? Think about buying some supplies to get your through the 2015 hurricane season, which begins June 1 and ends Nov. 30.

Though hurricanes don’t typically make landfall in Fairfax County, the effects of high winds and flooding can affect homes, roads and property here. To help prepare Virginia, will hold its Hurricane and Emergency Preparedness Equipment Sales Tax Holiday May 25-31.

Items such as batteries, generators up to $1,000, chainsaws up to $340, smoke detectors, first-aid kits, flashlights and more will be tax-free. See entire list of tax-exempt items from the Virginia Department of Taxation.

The hurricane preparedness sales tax holiday is part of the statewide Hurricane and Flooding Preparedness Week, May 24-30, that coincides with National Hurricane Preparedness Week sponsored by the National Weather Service.

Attention Brides-to-Be: Want to score a dress at a discount and help a good cause this weekend?

Then mark your calendars for Brides Against Breast Cancer’s Reston event Sheraton Reston Hotel, 11810 Sunrise Valley Dr.

Brides Against Breast Cancer is a Florida-based non-profit that travels the country to sell new and gently used bridal gowns to raise money to help support cancer patients through the Health Support Network.

The trunk show brings to town a roomful of gowns (sizes 4 to 20) in the $75-$1,800 range. The average gown price is $600, the organization says.

Have a wedding dress you would like to donate? Brides Against Breast Cancer is asking recent brides, bridal shops and designers to “pay it forward” by donating your gowns. You will receive a tax deduction letter for your gown donation.

Their goal this year is to receive 5,000 gowns, which would allow Brides Against Breast Cancer to provide 40,000 hours of free cancer support services to those in need. Visit Brides Against Breast Cancer online to find out how.

Updated 11 a.m. Friday to clarify raise information.

The Fairfax County Public School Board adopted a $2.6 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2016 on Thursday, which will allow for small pay increases for all employees.

The raises — though very small at 0.62 percent — are still bigger than FCPS has been able to give in recent years. Schools spokesman John Torre said all eligible employees will get a step salary increase along with the 0.62 market scale scale adjustment. Combined, it will be about a 3.1 percent increase.

Superintendent Karen Garza said earlier FCPS needed additional money to give a market scale increase of 1 percent. The FY 2016 budget is an increase of $53.9 million, or 2.2 percent, over the FY 2015 Approved Budget.

The budget includes an increase in the Fairfax County transfer to the School Operating Fund of 3.2 percent, or $56.7 million, above the FY 2015 Approved Budget, which is $14.0 million less than requested in FCPS’ Advertised Budget, FCPS said.

The shortfall will be partially offset by an increase in state aid and a reduction in the employer contribution to the Virginia Retirement System, FCPS says.

The board still needed to slash an additional $7.6 million, which they say was achieved by reducing the planned 1.0 percent market scale adjustment for employees.

“This year’s revenue shortfall did not allow us to provide the full 1.0 percent market scale adjustment for employees that we had hoped we could fund, however, we remain resolved and dedicated to have employee compensation competitive with our neighboring school districts,” School Board Chair Tammy Derenak Kaufax said in a statement. “It is critical that we attract and retain the talented and skilled workforce necessary to support the increasing educational needs of our growing student population.”

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors passed its budget three weeks ago. In it, they approved a $2 billion transfer for Fairfax County Public Schools. That amount was a $66.7 million increase over 2015 but still about $14 million short of what FCPS says it needs for programs and teacher raises.

Garza said then that the supervisors were “unconcerned” about FCPS.

“Supervisors are sending a clear message that they are unconcerned about the increasing challenges of our students, our teachers, and our schools,” said Garza.  “The supervisors refused to fully fund our budget for the 2015-16 school year (FY 2016), when faced with a nominal $7.6 million deficit. We have grave concerns as to what will happen in the 2016-17 (FY 2017) school year when we face a devastating shortfall of more than $100 million.” Read More

Trees Cleared near Sunrise Valley ES — Fairfax County has been removing trees near Sunrise Valley Elementary in order to meet easement requirements on Cross School Road. A new asphalt path to access the school and re-planting of trees and shrubs will be done as part of the ongoing renovation project. [Reston Association]

Kudos For Schools — Several Reston-area schools are among the 64 Fairfax County Public Schools receiving the 2015 Virginia Index of Performance (VIP) award for exceeding state and local standards. [FCPS]

Ace Is Back — Ace, the missing Reston dog with a social media following, has come home. However, his family now has some big vet bills to pay. A Go Fund Me page has been started to help the pup and his people. [Go Fund Me]

Funny Friday — The South Lakes High School Theatre Arts program is presenting comedian Adam Ace for a “A Night of Comedy” fundraiser tonight at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $8 for students and seniors and $10 for adults. [Southlakesdrama.com]

More than 1 million Virginians will hit the road this Memorial Day weekend, the American Automobile Association projects.

They will join 37.2 million travelers nationwide who will drive or fly more than 50 miles from home during the holiday weekend.

The 2015 projection is an increase of 4.2 percent over the number of Virginians who traveled in 2014 and the highest travel volume for the holiday since 2005, AAA Mid- Atlantic says.

Virginia’s lowest gas prices  in five years — around $2.69 a gallon in Reston –have boosted travel numbers.

“Fluctuating gas prices had little impact on Virginians’ decision to travel in the past,” said Tammy Arnette, AAA Mid-Atlantic’s Public Affairs Specialist. “This year is a different story, however, as gas prices hit a five-year holiday low and prompted more holiday celebrations away from home.”

AAA says:

Of the over 1 million travelers, 90 percent of Virginians (952,358) will travel by automobile, an increase of 4.8 percent over last Memorial Day.

Holiday air travel is expected to increase 1.8 percent to 77,491 passengers with average airfares for the top 40 domestic flight routes coming in two percent cheaper this year, falling to $222.

This year’s travelers will encounter slightly higher average daily car rental rates, up $19 from 2014.

Three Diamond hotels will cost seven percent more, averaging $182.

Gas prices in Virginia overall are averaging $2.48 a gallon — $1 per gallon less than last year and the the lowest since Memorial Day 2009, when prices were $2.33.

Beltway traffic/file photo

First, there was standup paddleboarding on Reston’s lakes. Then came yoga on said paddleboards. Now, Steve Gurney, the owner of Surf Reston Stand Up Paddleboarding, has come up with a new way for fun on the lake.

Two summers ago, Gurney attached a lacrosse stick to a paddle and got the idea for Paddle Polo. Players can use the paddle to pass the ball back and forth as the cruise around on water — or engage in a fast-paced polo, lacrosse, even golf or baseball games.

About a dozen design changes later, Gurney has a provisional patent, a Reston-based (albeit small) manufacturing operation and an e-commerce site.

“I was lifeguarding via SUP at the lake swim [on Lake Audubon], and I had a couple of lifeguards talking about lacrosse,” said Gurney.

Gurney shared his idea with his father, Jack, a retired engineer. Jack Gurney tweaked the design and used the 3D printer at Langston Hughes Middle School, where he is a volunteer, to make the second prototype, said Gurney.

The Gurneys then moved the design test to Reston’s Nova Labs, a makerspace, where the design went through further changes.

“My dad and I presented at the Nova Mini Maker Faire this spring to show people how you can execute on an idea using community resources,” said Gurney. “Our current model is manufactured from several sources but assembled in my garage. Things are heating up with the sales we are doing really well with youth camps and lacrosse camps leagues and tournaments.”

The paddles retail for $32.95 on Paddlepolo.com. The site also sells Paddle Polo floating balls and offers volume discounts (in case you want to outfit a team).

Interested in trying before buying? You can test out Paddle Polo at a Surf Reston session on Lake Anne or Lake Audubon.

Photos courtesy Paddle Polo

Adam John of Reston is one of four Northern Virginia Community College students named to the Phi Theta Kappa Top Ten All-Virginia Academic Team

John, 25, studied biology at NOVA’s Loudoun Campus and served as president of the Alpha Zeta Rho chapter of Phi Theta Kappa. He completed two research-based internships and will transfer in the fall to Columbia University to study neuroscience.

He said he hopes these experiences will help him gain acceptance to a MD-PhD program, where he plans to pursue medical research in brain function.

John was honored — along with Allan Edzii of Sterling, Amanuel Eshete of Alexandria, Isabela Lopes of Gainesville — at a recognition ceremony last month in April.

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, the national honor society for two-year college students, is the largest honor society in higher education with 1,285 chapters on college campuses in all 50 of the United States, plus internationally.

Photo: Adam John/Courtesy Northern Virginia Community College

Reston’s Emilia Cirker will spend the summer mixing, baking, sautéing, braising, talking and competing in front of a national TV audience.

The culinary instructor and software company executive is among the 12 finalists on Season 11 of Food Network Star, which begins airing June 7.

A top finish on the reality competition could be a springboard to TV chef stardom. Cirker, who filmed the competition in Los Angeles last spring but is sworn to secrecy on the outcome, says she is ready.

“Excited doesn’t even do it justice,” Cirker, 36, says of earning a spot on the show and cooking for celebrity chef judges such as Giada de Laurentiis and Bobby Flay. “I couldn’t imagine being my age and accomplishing the biggest goal I ever set for myself.”

Cirker says she has always loved to cook and first auditioned for the show six years ago. But with thin kitchen credentials, she realized she did not have much of a shot. That’s when she set about turning a hobby into a profession.

Cirker enrolled and graduated from culinary school at L’Academie de Cuisine in Gaithersburg. She then took jobs as a line cook and pastry chef at Sterling’s Bungalow Lakehouse, which then led to post as the head pastry chef for the Washington Redskins.

She wasn’t making little petit fours for big football players, she said.

“What the Redskins mean by pastry is not just cupcakes,” says Cirker, a single mom who lives in North Point. “I made lots of high-protein and low-carb bread, pasta, pizza.”

After that, she taught cooking classes at Sur La Table at Pentagon Row in Arlington, as well as private classes for area moms’ groups. With the encouragement of a friend, she set out to audition again for the Food Network.

It’s a lengthy process to get on the show and a tough process to stay on, as at least one contestant is eliminated weekly. The biggest challenge for contestants often is maintaining eye contact and audience interest while trying to cook — something that is much harder than it sounds unless you are already Rachel Ray.

Each contestant has a food point of view that they try to perfect as the competition progresses. Cirker says her POV is “global goes local.” She says she was inspired by her parents, whose jobs took them around the world before settling in Reston in the 1990s.

Cirker is firmly planted in Reston, where she has lived since high school (she is a graduate of Bishop O’Connell in Arlington and George Washington University). Her day job is as Director of Talent for Distil Networks, an Arlington Software company.

Some of her local favorites include Paradise Indian Cuisine on Elden Street, which she calls “the best Indian restaurant, hands down;” Williams-Sonoma at Reston Town Center; and the Reston Farmers Market at Lake Anne, where Cirker visits meat and dairy vendors, as well as shops for produce.

“[Reston] is the coolest town no one knows about,” she said. “I never want to leave.”

Season 11 of “Food Network Star” airs on Food Network June 7 at 9 p.m. Read more about Emilia Cirker on FoodNetwork.com. Reston Now will check in as the series runs in June through August to follow her progress.

Photo: Emilia Cirker/Courtesy Food Network