Neyla, the new Mediterranean restaurant in the former Paolo’s space at Reston Town Center, plans to open later this week, restaurant management said.
The restaurant is having a soft opening tomorrow, general manager Souheil Moussadik said. Moussadik said Neyla should be open to the public later in the week, but the exact date is not yet known pending permits and other opening-day necessities.
Paolo’s, one of the town center’s longest restaurant tenants, closed in early April. The Capital Restaurant Group, which owns both Paolo’s and Neyla, hired top D.C. restaurant designers HapstakDemetriou+ to give the space a new look.
Neyla had been located in Georgetown prior to closing last summer. Meanwhile, the Paolo’s in Georgetown will remain.
The restaurant space was given its design makeover in just three weeks, said Moussdik.
The dark wood of Paolo’s has been replaced by shades of white and cool blue, as well as new fixtures and serving pieces.
Of course, the menu has been revamped too. Neyla will serve mezze (small plates ) as well as a regular menu. The mezze list includes baby artichokes, roasted eggplant, stuffed grape leaves, chicken shwarma sliders and middle eastern kibbeh (beef dumplings), among others.
Main dishes include flatbreads, salads, lamp chops, a mixed grill for two, felafel and more.
The restaurant is still hiring, says Moussedik. Stop by 11898 Market Street for an application.
A memorial service for Reston developer Bill Lauer will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, May 15 at St. Mark’s Catholic Church, 9970 Vale Rd, in Vienna.
Lauer, founder and CEO of Reston-based Tetra Partners, died unexpectedly last week.
Lauer had played an important role in Reston development since the 1960s, working with two homebuilding companies and for Gulf Reston in the 1960s and 70s as Reston developed as a New Town.
Lauer was also active in many professional organizations and charities, including the Lions Club, Joe Gibbs Youth for Tomorrow, Ronald McDonald House, Habitat for Humanity, Alternative House, Home Aid, Cornerstones and Devotion to Children.
Instead of flowers, Lauer’s family requests donations be made in his memory to Devotion to Children.
Photo: Bill Lauer/Credit: Tetra
Primo Italiano at Plaza America appears to have closed its doors.
The pizza-and-sub restaurant has been located at 11888 Plaza America since the shopping center opened in the 1990s, but had changed ownership recently.
The restaurant has had a hand-lettered “closed” sign up on the door since last week, but all the fixtures and supplies seem to still be in place. Reston Now placed several calls to the store, but there was no answer, so it is not yet known whether the closure is for good or temporarily.
Keep it quiet out there.
That could be the new way of doing things later this week in Fairfax County.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on its proposed new noise ordinance on Tuesday at 4 p.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center. If approved, new noise regulations will go into effect on Wednesday.
The county says it needs permanent noise regulations to replace interim ones that had been in place since 2013.
“It is the purpose and intent of the proposed Ordinance to recognize that certain noise is a hazard to the public health, welfare, peace, and safety, and the quality of life of the citizens of Fairfax County,” county planners say in a staff report on the subject.
“People have a right to and should be ensured of an environment free from sound that jeopardizes the public health, welfare, peace, and safety or degrades the quality of life; and it is the policy of the Board to prevent such noise to the extent such action
may be permitted pursuant to Federal or State law.”
The county adds that some noise is a given in a highly populous areas such as Fairfax County.
“Certain noises are a hazard to the public health, welfare, peace, and safety and adversely affect the quality of life of its citizens,” it writes. “However, it is also recognized that a certain amount of noise is inevitable, particularly in a suburban/urban area such as Fairfax County. It is believed that certain
levels of daytime noise should be allowed so that people can live, work, and play during the day.” Read More
The longtime building supervisor at Lake Anne Elementary School was charged with felony embezzlement last week after authorities said he stole an iPad and other items from the school.
Tony Alston turned himself into Fairfax County Police on May 5.
Police said they were alerted to missing iPad from a room within the school during spring break in early April. Detectives began an investigation in mid-April, said police spokeswoman Lucy Caldwell
Police served a search warrant on May 1 for the suspect’s residence at Northgate Square, where they found the iPad, Caldwell said. Detectives also determined additional items were reportedly stolen by Alston.
Police did not say whether the iPad and other items belonged to students or school. employees.
In an email to Lake Anne parents in Friday, school principal Brendan Menuey told parents Alston has been suspended from his position.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Alston has been with FCPS sine 1993.
Menuey said the school would have no further comment as the investigation is ongoing.
Photo: Tony Alston/Credit: FCPD
Reston Citizens Association is seeking candidates to serve on its board.
There are five seats up for election to the citizens advocacy group this year: the Town Center/Lake Anne/Tall Oaks District Director and four At-Large Director positions.
To run for Town Center/Lake Anne/Tall Oaks District Director seat, you must live in Small Tax District 5, be a Reston resident, and vote in designated precincts/polling places within Reston districts: Reston I, Reston II, Reston III or Cameron Glen precinct or Forest Edge Elementary or Lake Anne Elementary schools. The elected director for this position will serve for one year.
The At-Large Director positions are open to residents of anywhere in Small Tax District 5. All of the At-Large Directors seats are three-year terms.
RCA elections will take place June 7 to 22.
The RCA application is available on the Reston Citizens Association website. The completed application must be received by RCA by May 23 by email or by mail (2033 Approach Lane, Reston, VA 20191).
Silver Diner’s Health Impact — Silver Diner, the local chain with a location in Reston, revamped its kids menu in 2012. The health payoff has now been documented. [WTOP]
Bad Marks For School Board — Former FCPS School Board Hunter Mill rep Stuart Gibson says the current board had poor timing when voting themselves a large raise. [Washington Post]
Community Yard Sale Saturday — Reston Association is holding its spring Community Yard Sale Saturday May 16, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at RA headquarters, 12001 Sunrise Valley Dr. Nearly 100 families will be selling clothes, toys and household items. Vendor space is full. Rain date is May 17.
Photo: National Anthem at Reston Youth Triathlon/Credit: Raba Letteri
U.S. Rep. Barbara Comstock, U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, and Interim Metro General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Jack Requa hopped the Silver Line to Wiehle-Reston East on Friday to talk about more money for the Silver Line and other transportation projects.
The officials held a news conference in the Metro station to stress the need for continued federal investment in public transportation to ensure safety and reliable service for Metro riders.
“There is no scenario where we can cut funding and expect our transit system to meet the needs of a growing country,” said Foxx. “It belies math, belies physics and the growing demographics of our growing country.”
“Cutting the funding that we need to grow america’s transit systems can slow down the pace of Metrorail repairs that are supposed to enhance safety,” he added. “Cutting funding for WMATA, as has been proposed, would disrupt the phasing in of more than 500 new rail cars that are on the books to come online.”
Comstock (R-Va. 10th) recently broke with Washington, DC-area Republicans and joined with the Democratic leaders in expressing disappointment proposed big funding cuts to the Metro.
The cuts, announced last month, will reduce federal funding to the Metropolitan Area Transit Authority by half in 2016.
The federal government usually provides about $150 million annually to Metro. A $55 billion funding bill will reduce funding to $75 million.
“We have had a bipartisan consensus,” said Comstock. “We are very united in making sure the money for Metro is restored, that Metro gets the $150 million it has been getting since 2009.”
The Democratic Party of Virginia released a statement Friday stating the fact that it is odd that Comstock is now supporting the Silver Line after voted against the line when she was in the Virginia General Assembly representing McLean.
“If Barbara Comstock had her way, the Silver Line would have never been funded in the first place,” said Del. Ken Plum (D-Reston). “Our bipartisan transportation plan, which I’m proud of supporting, passed without Comstock’s vote. To show up for a photo op having done nothing but oppose the Silver Line is misleading.”
Photo: US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx (left) and U.S. Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-Va. 10th) at Wiehle-Reston East Friday.
(Edited 8 p.m. Friday to correct ribbon cutting date. The correct date is May 16)
The Fairfax County Park Authority will dedicate new outdoor racquetball and handball courts at Reston’s Stratton Woods Park on Saturday, May 16.
The $644,000 project includes the installation of a lighted racquetball and handball court complex, relocation of the volleyball court, demolition of one basketball court, as well as site improvements and landscaping, the park authority says.
This courts were largely financed through revenues from an onsite cell phone monopole. Cell phone companies pay leasing fees to schools and parks in return for being able to add a tower on the property.
In FCPA parks that have monopoles, revenue received is reinvested in the parks, with 30 percent going to the park authority Natural Resource program, said FCPA Board Chair Bill Bouie. Last year over $250,000 was generated for the Natural Resource programs at the Park Authority, he said.
The ribbon cutting ceremony will take place on May 16 at 10 a.m. at Stratton Woods Park, 2431 Fox Mill Rd. The public is invited to hear remarks, enjoy light refreshments and observe a demonstration by nationally-ranked players from the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour and the United States Racquetball Association.
“These new courts give us a competitive facility for those of us who love racquetball and handball,” said Bouie, who is a Reston resident and a nationally-ranked racquetball player. “I am thrilled we could make that happen with such a first-class facility.”
“However, for Supervisor Cathy Hudgins and myself, the real pleasure is in seeing Stratton Woods Park built-out to its full master plan specs and knowing that the great majority of the funding to do so came from proffers and telecom fees and not taxes.”
Looking for a new home? Check out some of these open houses this weekend. Note: Many are on Saturday due to Mother’s Day. Visit Reston Now’s Real Estate Section for much more real estate information.
11305 Myrtle Lane
4 BR, 3.5 BA SFH
$619,000
Open Saturday 1 to 3 p.m.
12503 Thunder Chase Drive
4 BR, 3.5 BA SFH
$645,000
Open Sunday 2 to 4 p.m.
2505 Goldcup Lane
4 BR, 3 BA SFH
$655,000
Open Sunday 1 to 4 p.m.
1709 Ascot Way
2 BR, 2 BA Condo
$294,900
Open Saturday 2 to 5 p.m.
11618 Ivystone Court
2 BR, 2 BA Condo
$269,000
Open Sunday 1 to 3 p.m.
1344 Park Garden Lane
3 BR, 2.5 BA TH
$625,000
Open Saturday 1 to 4 p.m.
As Mother’s Day approaches, Joy & Co. is, understandably, very busy.
The floral studio at 286 Sunset Park in Herndon was opened by Reston resident Joy Charles this spring, with the vision of creating custom, gorgeous arrangements.
More importantly, the goal is putting the freshest flowers in those arrangements, says Charles.
“I am really focused on freshness as much as local product,” says Charles. “If the flowers don’t last a week, then I have failed.”
The studio does not have a large refrigerated section and does not participate in online or mail-orders. Instead, Charles is focused on creating relationships and repeat customers.
She is building those with area Realtors, who come by weekly for fresh open house arrangements; brides, who seek her design skills for weddings; and, of course, individual customers who want flowers with a personal touch.
“We don’t have a big stock of refrigerated flowers,” says Charles. “But I can get anything on 24-hours notice.”
Charles previously spent several years working in floral studios. She branched out into a home-based wedding planning business as she spent time with her young sons, now ages 5 and 3, the last few years.
“It made me realize I wanted to return to floral design,” she said.
She still has kids in mind, though. The studio features a kids’ activity table, and Charles’ boys often come to work with her.
Kids can come in Saturday, May 9 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to create their own Mother’s Day bouquets and cards, says Charles. They can pick out flowers (Joy & Co. will charge by the stem), a vase, choose ribbon and make a card for mom (or grandma or any other special person).
Joy & Co. is also partnering with Sunset Park neighbor Scoop of the Hill for Mother’s Day. For $50, patrons can send a bouquet and a box of one dozen Scoop on the Hill macarons. Orders will be taken through Saturday at the store or by phone (703) 627-2725.
Friday, May 8 is the last day to vote in Reston Association’s Tetra referendum. Cast your ballot online by 5 p.m. if you have not done so already.
RA has met the quorum needed for the referendum on the purchase of the 3,128-square-foot building to be valid.
As of the end of last week, RA had recived 4,060 ballots back. The association needed to hear from 1,751 (10 percent of the eligible 17,511 homeowners).
The referendum asks members if RA should be authorized to borrow up to $2.65 million to purchase the 32-year-old former Reston Visitors Center (now office space for Tetra Partners commercial real estate) and repurpose it for community space.
The 3.47-acre property sits adjacent to other RA-owned open space, including Brown’s Chapel Park and Lake Newport Tennis. Acquiring the property will give RA 98 contiguous acres of open space and fend off commercial development of the property, which sits on the banks of Lake Newport.
Opponents of the purchase say the sales price is too high since the most recent Fairfax County tax assessment was $1.2 million. They also say that environmental restrictions and easements ensure there is almost no chance of commercial development on the site.
Results of the referendum will be announced at a special RA meeting Monday at 6 p.m. at RA headquarters, 12001 Sunrise Valley Dr.
According to Virginia law, the conditional sales contract is still valid despite the sudden death this week of Tetra Partners president Bill Lauer.
The Fairfax County Public Schools Board voted on Thursday to add gender identity to its non-discrimination policy.
The 10-1 (with one abstention) vote came in a packed hearing room at Luther Jackson Middle School, where testimony was interrupted by applause, boos, and other noise from an impassioned capacity crowd.
The FCPS board voted last fall to include sexual orientation in its policy after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to allow gay marriages in Virginia and other states. In March, Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring issued an opinion that grants local school boards the authority to include sexual orientation and gender identity in non-discrimination policies.
The motion to add protections for transgender students, teachers and employees was introduced by At-Large board member Ryan McElveen. McElveen says it is important for the largest school system in Virginia to make a statement “that we unequivocally protect, value and embrace all of our students and employees for who they are.”
National statistics show about half of transgender teens have attempted suicide once before they turn 20. McElveen said that number was crucial in his reasons for introducing the transgender protection.
The new policy states that “no student, employee, or applicant for employment in the Fairfax County Public Schools shall, on the basis of age, race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, marital status, or disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity, as required by law.”
At Thursday’s meeting, Springfield board rep Elizabeth Schultz, the lone dissenter on the board, made a motion to give the proposal some more time before voting.
“[That] a class of individuals may hurt another in a bathroom is not the issue,” she said, pointing out the concern that the protections has been oversimplified by some in the community as an issue about coed bathrooms.
“How those rights are protected has not been addressed by this board. … We have no information about the potential cost [of implementation]. It is fiduciary malfeasance to undertake anything without understanding the germane costs of such action.”
Providence member Patty Reed, who abstained from the vote, said the quick process to move the motion through “has been troubling and embarrassing.”
Prior to the vote, the board heard testimony from 10 citizens on the subject — the maximum allowed at a FCPS meeting that is not officially a public hearing.
The speeches ranged from fears of sex crimes against children to support for the board providing the same rights for students and employees as federal and state laws.
Freddy Burgos, who has three daughters in FCPS, said the motion undermined First Amendment rights “by institutionalizing that boys and men can dress like girls in school.”
He also said the distraction of transgender students will lower performance, and that will harm minorities. Read More
Honoring Fallen Officers — Fairfax County Police have a full slate of events next week for National Police Week. [FCPD]
Lakeside Asia Flagged by Inspector — South Lakes Village Center’s Lakeside Asia was cited for nine critical health violations in a recent Fairfax County health inspection. [Fairfax County]
WaPo Opens Reston Office — The Washington Post has opened a satellite software development center in Reston. The new office on Michael Faraday Drive. [Washington Post]
Herndon Big Truck Days — Preschoolers can get up close with big trucks and other heavy equipment today (Friday, May 8) from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Herndon Public Works Complex, 1479 Sterling Road, Herndon. Free.
Photo: Duck family on Lake Audubon/Credit: Sam Simon
On Fridays we take a moment to thank our sponsors and advertisers.
Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, the business community for the vibrant region.
The Harrison, apartments now leasing at Reston Town Center.
Berry & Berry, PLLC, Reston law firm specializing in federal employment, retirement, labor union, and security clearance matters.
Just Cats Clinic, Reston’s first cats-only vet practice.
Reston Real Estate, Eve Thompson of Long & Foster Real Estate specializes in Reston homes.
Becky’s Pet Care, offering friendly pet services in Northern Virginia.
Reston Community Center, Serving Reston’s recreational and cultural needs.
George Washington University, offering teacher licensure programs to fit your schedule.
Potok’s World Photography, specializing in wedding and portrait photography.
Uber Offices, shared work spaces with locations in Virginia, D.C. and Maryland.
Hunters Woods Co-Operative Preschool, registration now underway for 2015-16.
YMCA Fairfax County Reston, day camp registration now open.
Reston Hospital Center, Reston’s medical center that is nearly done with its $40 million expansion.
Plane Sense fractional plane ownership program.
Greater Reston Arts Center, Reston’s community arts organization sine 1974.
