A longtime tenant of Reston Town Center has closed its doors.

Stylists at Le Shoppe salon, located at 11934 Democracy Dr., gave their last haircuts , blowouts and manicures on Sunday.

The full-service salon had been at the town center since it opened in 1990.

A salon spokeswoman said they are referring all clients to Jouvance Aveda, which is located at 11913 Democracy Dr. She also said the stylists will be moving on to other area salons, so if you want to follow your stylist, check with them to see where they can be found.

No word yet on what will go into Le Shoppe’s spot.

Reston Association will review this week an additional cost of $14,000 to build a bocce court at Cabots Point Recreation Area.

RA CEO Cate Fulkerson said in materials for Monday’s Board Planning Meeting that RA has checked with a civil engineering firm, who says that a site review for the land at Cabots Point will cost $14,000.

The estimate takes into account:

• Establishing survey control and accurate topography on site: $2,000
• Developing a minor site plan for submission to Fairfax County. Requirements include, but are not limited to: siting of elements, grading (existing and proposed topography), possibly erosion and sediment control plan and narrative, stormwater management calculations and narrative, possible landscaping requirements: $10,000
• Plan submittal and review to Fairfax County: $2,000

Additionally, RA documents say that materials to build the court will cost most than $4,000. However, RA says it can donate the 80 hours of labor costs ($1,884).

RA will have to ensure the addition of the bocce court and additional elements (walkway, bench, picnic table etc.) would meet current ADA/accessibility standards, said Fulkerson.

RA documents also said that Friends of Reston, which says it will pay the costs of the court, has $1,500 in designated donations for the project. RA has not marked any money to pay for the courts, so it is unclear where it would get $14,000 for a site plan.

When the project was approved by the RA Board nearly a year ago, the estimated total cost of the project was about $2,500.

There have been several other setbacks for the plan as well, including many complaints from neighbors who do not want the court, saying it will bring noise, traffic and garbage to the area off of South Lakes Drive.

Others have told the RA Board that they were not adequately notified of the planned project, proposed by South Lakes Director Richard Chew last December, before the board approved it. RA has since changed the process of getting member feedback before voting on a new project.

In the last year, RA Directors have twice proposed pulling the bocce plan and starting over. Both times, the board voted to press on.

The board will discuss and vote Monday on whether to further move on the cost estimate at its Dec. 18 full board meeting.

Bruce Butler, the former principal of South Lakes High School, has a new job: Interim principal at Langley High School.

Butler replaces Matt Ragone, who took over as principal at South County High School in late November. South County’s longtime principal Jane Lipp was named FCPS’ assistant superintendent for special services earlier this year.

Butler was principal at South Lakes High School from 2005 to 2012. Prior to that he was an assistant principal at SLHS for seven years.

In 2012, Butler retired after 31 years in the school system.

FCPS awarded him the Nancy F. Sprague First-Year Administrator Award and named him 2007 Outstanding First-Year Principal by Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS).

Butler was a fixture in the halls of SLHS and at extracurricular activities. He also saw the school through a multimillion dollar renovation and sometimes contentious redistricting battle.

The school population grew to more than 2,100 students during Butler’s tenure, and test scores and achievement also rose.

South Lakes gives out a Bruce Butler Leadership Award each spring to a graduating senior who shows outstanding leadership, scholarship and service.

Photo: Bruce Butler at community sendoff in 2012/File photo

Fairfax County Schools Superintendent Karen Garza stopped in Reston on Saturday as part of her principal’s listening tour.

What she found was a packed house at Hunters Woods Elementary School and more than 30 parents ready to speak out on issues ranging from class size to special needs to cyberbullying.

The five-stop listening tour is key part of outreach as FCPS prepares for what might be a brutal budget cycle, said Garza.

Continued growth — the district grows by 17 to 20 students a day, she said — hiring needs and class sizes will continue to be a challenge. So will compensating current teachers and adding to the retirement funds without cutting student services, said Garza

“Over last six years, we have grown by almost 20,000 students,” said Garza.

“When we look at our capital improvement dollars, which are quite limited, we can’t stretch them far enough. Teacher salaries: I am not happy with where we are. By comparison, when you look at a 10-year teacher, there are only two area systems lower than we are. The two things I mentioned are two significant parts of the budget. Eighty-eight percent of our budget is personnel cost.”

Garza, who is in her second year as FCPS’ superintendent, said that over the last six years, 2,146 positions have been cut (731 in 2014 alone).

“Those are real people who ordinarily would have been serving children,” she said. “Our demands are increasing and our resources are decreasing.”

More than two dozen community members lined up to speak to Garza. While they spoke on a wide range of subjects, there were a few themes that ran through the conversations.

Class size. With class sizes creeping up close to or above 30 students, many parents have concerns.

“This is a major, major issue” said a mom with children at Reston’s Aldrin Elementary School. “My daughter’s math class is 36. Teachers have gone above and beyond the call of duty. At some point, they are going to be tapped out and can only go so far.”

Said another Aldrin parent:  “How are you going to have project-based learning in classrooms with the poor teacher trying to manage 35 kids? The system needs to focus on basics — reasonable class with 26 to 28 at most.”

Read More

Millenials Live Large Here — Washington-area residents between the ages of 18 and 34 are better paid, more likely to have a four-year college education, and more diverse than their peers around the rest of the United States, according to a Census Bureau report. [Washingtonian]

Hallowed Ground? — There may be a former slave cemetery located on the grounds of the Fairfax Hunt Club, which may be rezoned for residential development under Phase II of the Reston Master Plan. [Fairfax Times]

Nationals’ Werth Sentenced in Fairfax — Washington Nationals right fielder Jayson Werth has been found guilty of reckless driving. He was caught going 50 mph over the speed limit on the Beltway near Georgetown Pike over the summer. Werth was sentenced Friday to serve 10 days in Fairfax County Jail, with another 170 days suspended. [NBC4 Washington]

Sounds of Season Thursday at SLHS — Sounds of the Season” will by presented by the South Lakes High School Choral Department at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11in the SLHS Little Theatre. Admission is free.Holiday musical selections will be sung by the Women’s Chorale, Men’s Camerata as well as by a Cappella groups Noteworthy and DoReMigas.

Photo: Santa arrives by boat at Jingle on Lake Anne Saturday/Credit: Ken Knueven via Facebook

If your holiday shopping includes a new home, start here.

1335 Quail Ridge Drive
4 BR, 2.5 BA SFH
$769,000
Open Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.

12195 Chancery Station Circle
3 BR, 3 BA TH
$749,900
Open Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.

11216 Lagoon Lane
4 BR, 3.5 BA TH
$749,000
Open Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.

11436 Tanbark Drive
6 BR, 3.5 BA SFH
$675,000
Open Sunday, 12 to 3 p.m.

1860 Stratford Park Place #210
2BR, 2BA Condo
$475,000
Open Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.

11990 Market Street #218
1 BR, 1 BA Condo
$410,000
Open Saturday, 1 to 3 p.m.

11228 Chestnut Grove Square #329
4 BR, 2.5 BA Condo
$359,000
Open Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.

1573 Woodcrest Drive
2 BR, 1.5 BA TH
$336,000
Open Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.

For more real estate listings, visit Reston Now’s Real Estate Section.

This weekend might be the busiest of the season for all things holiday-related around Reston. Here is a lineup of events, all happening over the next few days. Did we miss any? Add them in the comments.

Jingle on Lake Anne
Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 pm.
Lake Anne Plaza
Free

Outdoor festival with carols, a petting zoo, a holiday crafts market and Santa Claus arriving by barge at noon.

Gifts From the HeART
Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Reston Community Center Lake Anne
Free

Shop for gifts at this fair featuring local artists in a variety of mediums. Ten percent of proceeds will benefit Cornerstones.

Alternative Gift Fair 
Unitarian Universal Church in Reston, 1625 Wiehle Ave.
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Free

Shop 30 booths with crafts and alternative gifts benefitting local and international nonprofits.

Reston Chorale’s “The Wonder of the Season”
Saturday, 4:40 and 7:30 p.m.
Reston Community Center Hunters Woods
Cost: $25, Adult (18-61); $20, Seniors (62+); Free,  17 and under with adult or senior ticket holder. (Tickets Required)

The Reston Chorale presents its annual holiday concert  featuring  Twas the Night Before Christmas.

Run With Santa 5K
Sunday, 8:30 a.m.
Reston Town Center
Cost: $40

Don a holiday-themed or your regular running gear for this race, which will also feature a kids’ fun run. Online registration closed. Registration available on race day.

Walker Nature Center Holiday Open House
Sunday, 1 to 3 p.m.
Walker Nature Education Center, 11450 Glade Dr.
Free

Bring the whole family for holiday music, refreshments and nature activities.

Have you entered Reston Now’s Gift Local Contest?

The holidays are a time for giving, and we’re giving you a weekly chance to win some great gifts from local businesses this month. Keep them for yourself or gift them to a friend, coworker or family member.

To enter the contest, free of charge, all you need to do is sign up for our daily email newsletter. The newsletter delivers Reston Now headlines to your inbox on weekday (and some weekend) afternoons. No spam, we promise.

If you’re one of our more than 1,000 existing newsletter subscribers, you’re automatically eligible to win. See our official contest rules for an alternate means of entry and other sweepstakes details.

We’ll conduct a drawing every Friday through the end of December. The first prize drawing is Dec. 5 — today — and there are still a few more hours to enter. Today’s prizes are:

• Gift certificate for food at Kalypso’s Sports Tavern – $50 value
• Gift card to Michael’s from Cindy Beyer Design – $50 value
• Free feline exam from Just Cats Clinic – $75 value

Future prizes for the Dec. 12 , 19 and 26 include:

• Apple iPad Air 16GB from RestonNow.com
• Adult Sonicare toothbrush from Reston Serenity Smiles
• Personal training session from Storm Fitness
• One month of free swim lessons from Goldfish Swim School
• $109 gift card for artisan flower arrangements from Bloompop
• Exercise class from The Harrison Apartments
• $150 donation to Cornerstones on your behalf from Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate

Please join us in supporting these and other local businesses when making your holiday shopping plans and New Year’s resolutions.

It has been nearly three months since Dairy Queen at Hunters Woods Village Center shut its doors.

The store abruptly closed in September after more than 15 years at the location. The Dairy Queen owners said that Edens, the company that owns the village center, did not renew its lease.

But the corner location is one of several vacancies for Hunters Woods, which underwent a huge facelift project two years ago.

The store’s departure leaves several vacancies in the same stretch at Hunters Woods. Two doors down, Solar Planet Tanning Studio closed in August after failing to reach a lease agreement.   The space formerly housing At Play Cafe has been vacant since 2011. The space formerly housing Lady of America Fitness is also vacant, as space in the stand-alone section that houses Unleashed by Petco and Dunkin Donuts.

A local restaurant, Chintos Burritos, had signed a lease for the space by Unleashed earlier this year, but had to back our when financing fell through.

A check of Fairfax County permits, which are necessary before any remodeling or changes can be done for an new retail space, shows nothing in the works right now for any of Hunters Woods’ vacancies.

What would you like to see go in Dairy Queen’s space? Tell us in the comments.

At Harlem’s Height Tonight — Check out the New York Festival of Song’s program At Harlem’s Height tonight at 8 p.m. at Reston Community Center’s CenterStage.At Harlem’s Height celebrates the music of Eubie Blake, Duke Ellington, Fats Waller, Billy Strayhorn, W. C. Handy and many other composers who led the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s and 30s. Tickets are $20 for residents. [Reston Community Center]

New System For Blighted Properties — Fairfax County Supervisors have approved a new system to deal with blighted properties. The new rules allow the county to repair blighted homes at an owner’s expense. Previous rules only allowed the county to demolish blight homes, not repair them. [Fairfax County]

Virginia Sirius XM Customers Could Collect –Virginia customers of Sirius XM Radio Inc. may be eligible for restitution under a settlement to resolve claims that the satellite radio company engaged in misleading advertising, billing, and cancellation practices. [Commonwealth of Virginia]

Reston Association mascots Myrtle the Turtle, Walker the Woodpecker and Earl the Squirrel/Credit: RA

Cornerstones has extended its Gifts for Kids drive through Monday, Dec. 8.

The Reston nonprofit is gathering gifts for kids of all ages whose families might not have the money for holiday gifts.

Cornerstones says they especially need gift cards for teens.

Gifts will be collected at Cornerstones’ main office, 11150 Sunset Hills Road, Suite 210, Reston, Friday, Dec. 5 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 6, from 9 a.m. to noon; and Monday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Questions regarding this program?  Please contact Alacia Earley or call 571.323.9568.

If you drive by Lake Thoreau this holiday season, you will see lots of twinkling lights off the balconies, boats and homes surrounding the lake.

The Lake Thoreau Entertainment Association is sponsoring the second annual Festival of Winter Lights. Not only will it add a festive glow on the water, the group is also giving back to charity.

As a motivation to get maximum participation among the 550 or so condos, boats and houses, anonymous donors will donate the following for each condo, house, and boat that lights up the night:

• $15 to art project on the spillway. The association is working Initiative For Public Art Reston (IPAR)/ South Lakes High School to help fund a project similar to this year’s Pyramid of Light, which stood on the lake all summer.
• $10 contribution to Cornerstones.

The group is also inviting anybody who wants to become an additional donor to one of the above organizations or to another charity on a per house basis. If you are a participating Lake Thoreau resident who would rather choose their own charity, contact James Pan at [email protected].

Send photos of your Lake Thoreau light displays to us at [email protected] and we will create an album of the community’s best work.

Here is a spot see Santa Claus around Reston: In running shoes this weekend.

Runners of all ages are welcome to take part in Run With Santa, Sunday at 8:30 a.m. at Reston Town Center.

The 5K course takes participants in and around Reston Town Center. If you are not racing, be aware that Town Center Parkway, Reston Parkway and Sunset Hills will be affected (lanes will be closed but the streets will be open to cars). See course map.

Online registration ($35) closes Thursday at 9 p.m. In-person registration ($40) is available at packet pickup Friday and Saturday and at the race on Sunday.

Runners are encouraged to race in Christmas-themed costumes. There will be a free Fun Run for kids on Market Street. Cash prizes will be awarded to age-group winners.

Proceeds will benefit local charities.

Photo of 2013 Run With Santa/Credit: Potomac River Running via Flickr