Some streets in south Reston will be full of kids ages 6 to 15 on Sunday at the fifth annual Be Amyazing Reston Youth Triathlon.
The event raises money for brain cancer research. It was founded by a group of then-South Lakes High School students in honor of their friend Amy Boyle, who lost her battle with brain cancer when she was 12.
In the first four years, the event raised $47,000 for the Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation, race organizers said.
The triathlon is one of two youth triathlons held in Reston each year. The other, the Reston Kids Triathlon, will be held Aug. 2 and benefits the YMCA and Reston Association youth programming.
Sunday’s triathlon begins at 8 a.m. at Ridge Heights Pool, 11400 Ridge Heights Road.
From there, participants will ride their bicycles on Ridge Heights to South Lakes Drive, to Soapstone, back to Ridge Heights and South Lakes Drive to Seahawk Drive at South Lakes High School.
The running course will be on the Reston Association trails and the track at South Lakes.
Roads will not be closed, but will be partially blocked, so plan accordingly and watch for young athletes.
After nearly 13 years at Plaza America, M. Beem Jewelers will close for good later this spring.
Owner Michael Beem said in a mailer to customers that he has “decided to pursue other interests” and will shut the store at 11730 Plaza America Dr. #120.
“In life there are choices, and I have now decided to pursue other interests and close this chapter of my life,” he said.
The store is having a huge sale to clear inventory. All merchandise is on sale, with some fine jewelry priced at up to 70 percent off.
Store employees said they are unsure of the exact closing date, but it will likely be in mid-June.
The Fairfax County Public Schools Board will take action Thursday on protection for transgender students under its non-discrimination policy.
The motion, introduced by At-Large board member Ryan McElveen, 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.”
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 FCPS board voted 11-1 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.
McElveen has said 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.
McElveen has heard from parents who fear the protection could lead to coed bathrooms. Andrea Lafferty, president of the Traditional Values Coalition told the Washington Post that the policy would endanger children.
“So you are going to put people with serious mental-health issues that are at a risk for suicide in our classrooms?” Lafferty said. “What you’re going to have in class are she-males — people who are half-female and half-male. We ask that you protect our children. They deserve to be protected.”
McElveen’s proposal has been met with opposition from traditional values groups and from state delegates Robert G. Marshall (R) and David LaRock (R), who say the school board does not have the right to create protected classes.
Reston’s Del. Ken Plum (D), who has fought for LBGT rights in Richmond, says he is proud of the school board for taking on this issue.
“They could ignore it or put it off on the agenda,” he said. “I admire that they are not. There have been amazing advances on LBGT issues, and I think out schools ought to build on that and move forward.”
A Reston parent of a transgender teen who graduated last year said he is pleased with the potential policy change.
“I am certainly in favor or such a policy change,” said the parent, whose name is not being used for privacy reasons.
Photo: Ryan McElveen/Courtesy FCPS
Terraset Elementary School’s lower grades moved into their new classrooms this week, more than a year after renovations began at the 37-year-old school.
When the work is complete, the school will have more than 100,000 square feet of new offices, art and music rooms, classrooms and parking areas. The new Terraset will expand from a capacity of 600 students to around 900.
The new library and lower grades wing is done, featuring lots of windows, natural light and — new at this open-concept school — doors for a quieter classrooms.
The lower grades had been housed on the other side of the school while the new wing was built. The upper grades have been having classes in 23 trailers on school grounds since last school year, said school principal Lindsay Trout. The upper grades will move back into the school when renovations are completed in 2016, she said.
Reston’s Sunrise Valley Elementary is also in the midst of an overhaul that should be done next year.
A pair of brothers-in-law who have been home brewing beer for years plans to open a nanobrewery in Herndon’s Sunset Park complex later this year.
Andrew Kelley and Kai Leszkowicz have signed a lease for 257 Sunset Park (that’s the retail and industrial park where Amphora Bakery, Taste of the World restaurant and Rhythm Street dance studio are located).
They plan to brew five kinds of beer and serve it in a 28-seat brew house called Aslin Beer Company, said Kelley. A nanobrewery — a growing segment of the craft beer market — is a small microbrewery operation, typically producing fewer than three barrels at a time. A barrel is around 31 gallons or two kegs.
“Kai and I have been brewing together since 2011,” he said. “We found a common interest and we want to share it with the community.”
This announcement comes at almost the same time as that of Lake Anne Brew House, another local start-up that will open on Washington Plaza this summer, if all goes 
according to plan.
Kelley, a 27-year-old management consultant who lives in Clarendon, and Leszkowicz, a 29-year-old Fairfax County employee who lives in Herndon, have named the business after their wives’ family name, Aslin.
The two brewers will keep their day jobs for now, says Kelley. A third owner, Richard Thompson, will run the operation full time.
Kelley said they are in the process of building out the space and will soon install brewing equipment. They plan to make five flagship beers: an American IPA; a Double Rye Pale Ale; a West Coast IPA; an Imperial Stout; and a Czech Pilsner.
He says the 2.250-square-foot location would be a great spot for private parties. They also hope to partner with Sunset Park NextStop Theatre for special events in the space.
Start-ups costs are expected to top $150,000, Kelley said. The owners have a group of investors but are also crowdfunding on a Go Fund Me page.
Photo: Aslin Beer Co. founders Andrew Kelley (left), Kai Leszkowicz and Richard Thompson/Courtesy Andrew Kelley
Food Truck Thursday at RTC — The monthly Food Truck Thursdays returns to Reston Town Center today. Expect The Big Cheese, DC Empanadas, Doug the Food Dude, and That Cheesecake Truck at Town Square Park and PassionFish on their patio. The event will happen the first Thursday of the month through October.
Fewer FCPS Suspensions — Changes to Fairfax County Public Schools’ zero-tolerance policy have meant fewer suspensions this school year. [WTOP]
Local Bartenders Take It To ‘Shark Tank’ — Two Herndon bartenders with a gadget that can prevent drugs being slipped into cocktails, make it to ABC’s “Shark Tank” audition round. [Fairfax Times]
Weekend Fun: ‘Shrek Jr.’ — Students from Langston Hughes Middle School (11401 Ridge Heights Rd.) will present this show Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 3 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door.
Smart Markets Reston market opens today in its new location at Reston Station.
The farmers market was formerly held in the office complex parking lot at Sunrise Valley and Reston Parkway (and prior to that, across Reston Parkway in another office park).
The market, which is open 3 to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays, hopes to serve both Metro commuters and shoppers arriving by car (or bike or foot) at the plaza adjacent to the Wiehle-Reston East Metro.
Here is what you need to know if you go:
If you park in the ParkX garage at Reston Station Boulevard and Wiehle Avenue, parking will be $1 (and not $4.85 like it is for daily commuters).
If you park in ParkX, take the elevator or escalator up to the plaza. If walking, you can access the plaza via the stair on Reston Station Blvd.
Smart Markets founder Jean Janssen says the market is working on getting free parking.
Maggie Parker, spokeswoman for plaza owner Comstock, says Comstock is looking for collapsible carts that shoppers can take to their cars. Stay tuned for that upcoming addition.
New vendors include:
Holly Brook Farm (meat; Trickling Springs Dairy; non-GMO chicken and duck eggs).
Fossil Rock (stock, soups, Liz Soaps recipes, honey from Virginia, flours and grains from Wade’s Mill; and Pennsylvania Dutch jams and jellies, traditional and creative varieties).
Casero Creations (baked goods, including gluten and sugar-free)
Candy Drawer Confectionary (candy and baked goods)
Phil’s Dills (pickles)
Fresh Foodie (prepared foods such as salads, smoothies and snacks)
Other favorites returning include Lobster Man-ia; Honey Brook Farm (meat, produce, baked goods); Tyson Farms (produce); Shenandoah Seasonal (produce); Fabbioli wines (every other week); and Uncle Fred’s BBQ truck.
Reston Station Plaza/file photo
The impact of AIDS in our society will be explored through dance, poetry and visual design at Reston Community Center’s CenterStage Wednesday at 8 p.m.
Persistent Voices by the Dakshina/Daniel Phoenix Singh Dance Company combines choreography and thought-provoking poetry to explore the effect of AIDS in our lives.
The performance is inspired by the anthology Persistent Voices: Poetry by Writers Lost to AIDS, which includes the work of eight DC poets whose lives and creativity will be celebrated through this performance.
The performance is choreographed by Daniel Phoenix Singh. The Dakshina/Daniel Phoenix Singh Dance Company is a National Performance Network (NPN) Creation Fund Project co-commissioned by Dance Place in partnership with Kala Vandanam Dance Company and NPN.
In the first half of the performance, Dakshina presents an excerpt that showcases Singh’s unique vision combining modern and Bharata Natyam movement. Dakshina presents a work choreographed by the esteemed danseuse Rama Vaidyanathan from India on one of Dakshina’s principal dancers Sudha Radhakrishnan.
Tickets are $15 for Reston residents; $30 for non-residents and are available online.
Persistent Voices dance/Courtesy RCC
Several bicycles were stolen from Forest Edge Elementary School in the last week, Fairfax County Police said in its Reston District Station larceny report.
Other larcenies:
- 11100 block of Glade Drive, electronic equipment from vehicle.
- 2300 block of Hunters Woods Plaza, merchandise from business.
- 2200 block of Stone Wheel Drive, bicycle from residence.
- 900 block of Challedon Road, cash from residence.
- 12000 block of Greywing Square, phone from residence.
- 12500 block of Chasbarb Terrace, property from residence.
- 12500 block of Dardanelle Court, property from residence.
In other crime news from Reston District Station:
BURGLARIES
1400 block of Northgate Square, May 2. A resident reported someone entered the residence and took property.
10900 block of Woodland Falls Drive, Great Falls, May 3. A resident reported someone entered the residence and took property.
STOLEN VEHICLE
2000 block of Durand Drive, 2008 Lexus RX.
SUSPICIOUS INCIDENT
Authorities at Crossfield Elementary School said a student was walking to a bus stop on Myterra Way in unincorporated Herndon when he was approached by an unknown adult male who offered him a ride in his car on Thursday, April 30 at 8:30 a.m.
The car was described as a metallic silver/bronze four-door sedan. The student went to a neighbor’s house and contacted a parent who, in turn, notified police. The adult is described as a white male, 40-50 years of age, black hair with a mustache and beard, wearing a tan or brown baseball cap and a tan and orange checkered shirt.
If you have any information about this incident, please contact the Fairfax County Police Dept. at 703-691-2131.
RDGLDGRN In The House — Modern Reston catches up with the Reston natives who have made a mark on the music industry. [Modern Reston]
ComScore Scores California Company — Reston-based web analytics company ComScore has purchased Menlo Park’s Proximic for an undisclosed amount of money. [ComScore]
News Nearby — Fairfax County Police officers pulled a man from a car on fire on the Beltway near I-66 last weekend. [FCPD]
Real Estate developer William “Bill” Lauer — who played an important role in building Reston — died unexpectedly at his Reston home Tuesday.
A native Washingtonian, Lauer founded Tetra Partners in 1978. Prior to that, he was with two homebuilding companies and for Gulf Reston in the 1960s and 70s as Reston developed as a New Town.
Lauer’s job with Gulf Reston was was to get all the new residential and commercial spaces sold and leased. He said in a recent profile for Executive Leaders Radio he was up for the challenge.
“That total immersion taught me everything from property management to country club construction,” he said. “It was a melting pot of opportunity that you can’t get anywhere. When it comes to real estate, there’s no school better than the School of Hard Knocks, and I was enrolled in advanced courses.”
During his long career, Lauer played an active role in industry trade associations and was on the executive committee of the Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance.
He was also active in many charitable organizations, including the Lions Club, Joe Gibbs Youth for Tomorrow, Ronald McDonald House, Habitat for Humanity, Alternative House, Home Aid, Cornerstones and Devotion to Children. Devotion to Children was founded by his wife, Rosemary Tran Lauer, who survives him.
Lauer was a former member of the board of Cornerstones (the called Reston Interfaith). He served on the Affordable Housing Task Force launched by Rep. Gerry Connolly that worked to provide avenues for low-income families to rent and own homes. He also served on the governing board of the county’s Partnership to Prevent and End Homelessness.
In 2008, Tetra was honored with a Best of Reston award for its community service.
Lauer said in a mission statement on Tetra’s website he was pleased that his grown children worked at Tetra with him and that he ran a business where everyone was family.
“We run as a family business, and I am blessed not only to have members of my family working with me, but also a workplace where every professional feels part of a larger family,” he said. “This environment fosters open communication where ideas are exchanged freely and allows us to get things done quickly. “
“While I am proud of the accolades, awards and success we have achieved over the years, I am most grateful for the relationships and friendships that we have forged and maintained. These relationships are the cornerstone of our success; and I can not thank our clients, advisors and families enough for their support.”
Service information is pending.
Photo: Bill Lauder/Credit: Tetra Partners
Fairfax County Police are investigating a robbery that took place at Hunters Woods Village Center on Sunday evening.
Police said the victim was walking about 8:30 p.m. and was approached by two men.
The suspects assaulted the victim, took property and fled. The victim incurred non life-threatening injuries.
The suspects were described as two black males, police said.
Three weeks ago, four teens tried to rob a woman of her purse at knifepoint in broad daylight at Hunters Woods. It is not known if the incidents are related.
It’s getting down to the wire for the Reston Association member referendum on the purchase of the former visitors center.
Haven’t voted yet? You have until Friday at 5 p.m.
RA needs a quorum of member approval to borrow and spend up to $2.65 million on the 3,123-square-foot building on the shores of Lake Newport. RA will spend additional money to repurpose the building, currently office space for Tetra Partnerships, into event and community space. It forecasts bringing in more than $100,000 annually from event rentals. It also says purchasing the building, which sits on 3.48 acres adjoining other RA community space, will preserve open space and fend off possible commercial development.
There is a vocal opposition that says the purchase price is far too high as the most recent Fairfax County tax assessment was $1.2 million. The opposition also says the site sits on a resource protection area and cannot be redeveloped commercially.
It’s Cinco de Mayo! Go out and celebrate, but don’t get behind the wheel.
The Washington Regional Alcohol Consortium is offering SoberRide for Cinco de Mayo drinkers. This is the first time the organization, which typically offers free rides on New Year’s Eve and St. Patrick’s Day, is offering Cinco de Mayo rides.
Here is what you need to know:
The program will be offered from 4 p.m. Tuesday until 4 a.m. on Wednesday, May 6.
To receive a free cab ride home (up to a $30.00 fare), please call 800-200-8294 (TAXI). AT&T customers may dial #WRAP from their wireless phones. Please refer to the SoberRide information listed below for important details concerning this program. You must be 21 or older to use the SoberRide service
Important note: All requests for SoberRide service must be called to and dispatched from 1-800-200-8294. Do not call a taxi company directly for SoberRide service as the ride will not be covered.
WRAP’s SoberRide provides a free cab ride home up to a $30 fare. Callers are financially responsible for anything over $30.
You must be 21 or older to use SoberRide. All calls must originate in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties in Maryland; the Cities of Rockville, Bowie, College Park, Gaithersburg, Greenbelt and Takoma Park in Maryland; the District of Columbia; Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William and Eastern Loudoun Counties in Virginia; and the Cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax, Manassas and Manassas Park in Virginia.
You cannot reserve a SoberRide or schedule a pickup in advance. To receive a ride, you must call 1-800-200-8294 (TAXI) during the program hours. A SoberRide call operator will direct your request to the correct participating cab company.
Participating Taxi Companies:
Alexandria Yellow Cab (Alexandria)
Barwood, Inc. (Montgomery County)
Fairfax Yellow Cab (Fairfax County)
Loudoun Yellow Cab (Eastern Loudoun County)
Northern Virginia Checker (Prince William County)
Red Top Cab Company (Arlington County)
Silver Cab of Prince George’s County (Prince George’s County)
Yellow Cab of District of Columbia (District of Columbia)
Yellow Cab of Prince William County (Prince William County)
When waiting for a SoberRide, please watch for a cab from the participating taxi company in the area from which you are calling.
Red Top Cabs/file photo
Reston Association pools kick of the 2015 season beginning Saturday, May 9.
Ridge Heights Heated Pool
Weekdays 1-8 p.m.; Weekends 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Lake Thoreau Pool & Spa
Weekdays 1-8 p.m.; Weekends 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
RA says the North Shore heated pool is undergoing a front entrance improvement project and is currently scheduled to open May 23. Over the weekend, the deck of North Shore was briefly flooded when water was left running.
The remaining pools will open May 23. See the full schedule on RA’s website.
Still need to buy your pool passes? Visit this link on RA’s website.
Ridge Heights Pool/file photo
