A Go Fund Me account has been set up to help the family of Ayrton Climo as the Reston teen-ager remains in a Canadian hospital.
Climo, a member of South Lakes High School’s Class of 2014, was severely injured in a Go Kart crash in Quebec a week and a half ago.
Climo is an experienced Go Kart racer. He was on a practice run at Le Monaco de Trois-Rivieres when he made contact with the hay bales ringing the track and was thrown from his cart.
Climo suffered a head injury and underwent immediate surgery. His parents are reportedly in Quebec with him.
From the Go Fund Me site #KEEPFIGHTINGAYRTON:
Dear friends, family and Karting Community around the World.
We are hoping you would help a young man by the name of Ayrton Climo.
Ayrton was involved in a serious kart racing incident in Trois Rivieres, QC Canada last week and remains in the hospital under the great care of the Medical Team in Trois Rivieres.
Ayrton lives in the USA. Please help us help Ayrton and his Mom, Lisa and Dad, Ed during this very difficult time. Your donations are gratefully received. Please also keep Ayrton and his family in your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.
University Mall Theatre Needs A Kickstart — The ownership of Fairfax’s University Mall Movie Theatre is seeking patrons help in raising $100,000 to purchase new seats. The theatre that shows second-run movies at bargain prices, already owes on two loans and can’t borrow more for renovations. [Washington Business Journal]
New FCPS Teachers Get Great Beginning — About 1,2000 new FCPS teachers will start the school year on Monday as part of the Great Beginnings: The Next Generation Summer Institute at South County High School. Great Beginnings is designed to ensure that new teachers and experienced teachers who are new to FCPS have the knowledge, skills, and tools they need to be successful in the classroom from day one. [FCPS]
County Info on How To Prevent, Spot Rabies — Recently, an outdoor pet cat was found to have the rabies virus in Fairfax County. County animal control officials want to make sure citizens know how to prevent rabies in their pets as well as spot potential rabies. [Fairfax County]
Officers from Fairfax County Police Department’s Reston District Station says a string of larcenies occurred over the weekend.
In the crime report for Aug. 11:
LARCENIES
2500 block of John Milton Drive, liquor from business
11900 block of Market Street, wallet from business
1600 block of Parkcrest Circle, jewelry from residence
11600 block of Plaza America Drive, merchandise from business
11600 block of Plaza America Drive, cell phone and sunglasses from business
11200 block of Roger Bacon Drive, cell phone from business
2200 block of Stone Wheel Drive, cell phones from business
STOLEN VEHICLE
12000 block of Greywing Square, 2012 Honda
It’s been three years since The Melting Pot closed down its location at 11400 Commerce Park Dr. and moved to Plaza America.
The space on the ground floor of an office building still sits empty.
The good news: That location is could not be closer to commuters who use the Wiehle-Reston East Metro stop. Located just steps from the South entrance of the Metro, is another restaurant chose to open there it could be the closest place to get a beer when you stepped off the train.
The bad news: The parking lot of access Commerce Park Drive is now mostly via key card, which might make it difficult for those who wanted to drive there.
What do you think you should open there? Tell us in the comments.
The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch for Fairfax County and most of the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. area through late Tuesday night.
Heavy rain is expected to continue off and on through this evening, which could result in flooding, says the NWS/
A Flash Flood Watch means conditions could develop leading to flooding.
From the NWS:
* AT 1139 AM EDT…EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT REPORTED FLASH FLOODING FROM VERY HEAVY RAIN. RADAR ESTIMATES THAT UP TO 2 INCHES OF RAIN HAVE ALREADY FALLEN ACROSS PORTIONS OF THE WARNED AREA. ADDITIONAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF UP TO 1 INCH CAN BE EXPECTED.EXCESSIVE RUNOFF FROM HEAVY RAINFALL WILL CAUSE FLASH FLOODING OF SMALL CREEKS AND STREAMS…URBAN AREAS…HIGHWAYS…STREETS…UNDERPASSES AND OTHER DRAINAGE AREAS AND LOW LYING SPOTS.
Metro is warning riders not to buy discounted SmarTrip cards from individuals or non-official sellers, as the cards may not work on buses or faregates in rail stations.
Metro says it is concerned that its customers may fall victim to discount fare card scams. The cards are purchased fraudulently and then sold to the public for less than the fare value on the cards.
The Metro Transit Police Department investigates potentially fraudulent sales of SmarTrip cards, including monitoring activity on online auction sites.
From Metro:
“Riders should be aware that any SmarTrip card purchased from an unauthorized individual or website may be subject to deactivation and the loss of any value on the card,” said Metro Transit Police Chief Ron Pavlik.
SmarTrip cards are available for sale at thousands of locations around the region, including dispensers at all Metrorail stations, at Metro Sales Offices, and through licensed vendors including CVS, Giant, Safeway, and Walmart. Any card purchased from an individual or unlicensed source is considered invalid and may be flagged for deactivation.
SmarTrip security tips
- Only purchase SmarTrip cards at authorized locations such as Metrorail stations, CVS, Giant, Safeway and Walmart.
- Never purchase a SmarTrip card from online auction websites.
- Never purchase a used SmarTrip card from another person.
- Register your card online to protect its value.
- If your SmarTrip card is lost or stolen, report it immediately.
- If you suspect fraud, notify Metro Transit Police at (202) 962-2121 or text MyMTPD.
Free Taco Tuesday — California Tortilla is celebrating being selected “Best Mexican” by Washingtonian magazine readers by giving out free tacos on Tuesday. All locations (including Reston’s at North Point) will serve free tacos all day long (limit one per customer). [Washingtonian]
Save On Fall Class Sign-Ups — The Fairfax County Park Authority is offering a discount of $8 per class for fall classes if you sign up by Friday, Aug. 15. [Fairfax County Park Authority]
Win a Big Back-To-School Shopping Spree — Reston Town Center is holding a Back-to-School shopping sweepstakes. You can win a $500 shopping spree as well as gift cards to a wide assortment of RTC shops. [Reston Town Center Facebook]
Reston’s Historic Outbreak — Catching up with researchers who found the Reston strain of Ebloa in 1989. [KOAA.com]
There will be two chances this fall for Restonians to weigh in with their thoughts on the future of Reston’s neighborhoods and village centers.
These meetings are the next steps in Phase II of the Reston Master Plan Special Study process. Phase II, which kicked off in June, will look at what, if anything, should be done to redevelop those areas.
On Saturday, Sept. 13, there will be a community meeting to present and discuss “Strawman” text for Phase II’s neighborhoods.
The meeting is tentatively scheduled for 8:30 a.m. at Reston Association, 12001 Sunrise Valley Dr.
The second meeting, on Saturday, Oct. 18, will to discuss Strawman text about the village centers. The time and place will be announced soon.
Phase I of the Reston Master Plan Special Study was approved by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors earlier this year. Phase I looked at development around the three Silver Line Metro stations in Reston — Wiehle-Reston East, which opened last month, and Reston Parkway and Herndon-Monroe, which will open with Silver Line Phase II in 2018.
While Phase I took dozens of meetings that went on for more than four years, Phase II will be done under the new Fairfax Forward method of comprehensive plan review, which will rely on greater community engagement.
Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins said previously that as Reston embarks on its second 50 years, there needs to be a plan in place for redevelopment, whether that happens next year or in 30 years.
“Whether we develop today or in the future, we need to determine what the county’s role will be in that plan and what the plan should be,” she said. “Phase I changed the rules. Here, we are not changing the rules.”
Fairfax County officials say the the current comprehensive plan, last updated in 1989, requires revision because Reston no longer has a master developer to update the plan for Reston; the plan for Reston has outdated elements; and with population expected to grow with the arrival of Metro later this year, Reston is evolving as a community.
To read community suggestions for Phase II or to add your own, visit the Master Plan Special Study website.
Reston Master Plan Phase II Timeline
September 2014 — County will formulate “strawman” proposals on neighborhoods and village centers and present to residents in community meetings.
October 2014 — January 2015 — Community review and comment; possible additional community meetings.
February 2015 — Publish comprehensive text and staff report.
April 2015 — Fairfax County Planning Commission Public Hearing
June 2015 — Board of Supervisors Public Hearing.
File photo: Reston Master Plan Phase II open house at United Christian Parish in June
It’s Metropolitan D.C. Restaurant Week, and several Reston restaurants will among the more than 200 businesses taking part.
Participating establishments are offering three-course lunches for $20.14 and dinners for $35.14 per person.
It is a great chance to try a variety of restaurants and more affordable prices.
In Reston, The Melting Pot (dinner only), PassionFish and Vinifera Wine Bar & Bistro have restaurant week specials.
Slightly farther afield, other Fairfax County spots with specials include 2941 (Falls Church), America Eats Tavern (McLean), Ruth’s Chris Steak House (Fairfax Corner) and Stone’s Cover Kitbar (Herndon).
To see the entire list of Restaurant Week participants — as well as make reservations — visit the Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Association’s website.
File photo of PassionFish
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue officials said improperly discarded smoking materials caused a fire that destroyed two townhouses and damaged four others in the McNair Farms section of Herndon Sunday night.
Units were called to the 2400 block of Wheat Meadow Circle at 7:05 p.m.
Firefighters encountered heavy smoke and fire coming from two floors of the three-level, middle of the row townhouse upon arrival, Fairfax County Fire Rescue said. The Incident Commander quickly called a second alarm, bringing more than 60 firefighters to the scene.
Despite firefighters conducting an aggressive fire attack, the fire had spread to several adjacent townhomes. It took firefighters 45 minutes to bring the fire under control. Occupants from several townhomes all escaped unharmed. Firefighters also conducted extensive overhaul and salvage operations.
Nine occupants have been displaced and are receiving assistance from the American Red Cross.
Damage estimate for all six townhomes is estimated at $900,000.
The Washington Metropolitan Airports Authority has hired an experienced transportation project leader from the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) as executive director of the Silver Line project.
Charles Stark will take over the project as Phase II — extending the rail line from Reston through Washington Dulles International Airport to Ashburn — gets underway.
Stark succeeds Pat Nowakowski, who resigned this spring to become president of the Long Island Railroad.
Phase I of the Silver Line opened to the public July 26. The 11.7-mile rail line, Metro’s first new line in more than 20 years, has four stops in Tysons Corner and one at Reston’s Wiehle Avenue. Wiehle-Reston East will be the end of the Silver Line until Phase II opens in 2018. It is by far the busiest stop on the Silver Line, according to Metro officials.
Stark has 40 years experience in rail transportation, including 20 years engineering and operations experience with some of the largest transit agencies in the U.S. and 20 years experience in senior executive positions with private engineering firms, MWAA said.
His most recent post was vice president and project executive for Aecom, a major engineering firm with specialty expertise in large transit infrastructure projects, where he managed several projects for Los Angeles MTA, including the Westside Subway Extension.
He previously was assistant general manager of San Francisco’s Bay Area Rapid Transit system and executive officer for engineering and construction for the Los Angeles MTA. He also has held a number of other positions, including leadership of a team involved in rebuilding New York’s World Trade Center complex and its public transit facilities following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Stark holds a master’s degree in civil engineering from Manhattan College and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from City College in New York. He is a registered professional engineer in Virginia and California.
“The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority is fortunate to have someone of Charles Stark’s broad experience in transit construction and engineering in this position as we complete the Silver Line project,” Airports Authority President and CEO Jack Potter said in a statement. “He will be instrumental in achieving our goal of providing top-quality transportation infrastructure for the National Capital region.”
The $2.9 billion Phase II will include six rail stations, including five at ground level and one on an elevated structure; nine entrance pavilions and pedestrian bridges; aerial guideways through Dulles Airport; and 89,000 feet of track. Engineering and design work on Phase II has been ongoing since last year.
Photo: Silver Line train in Reston/File photo by Vita Images
Aug. 17 Is Works Sunday — Members of 10 local congregations (Jewish, Christian and Muslim) will take part in Works Sunday next week. Works Sunday is a day of service with community projects ranging from making lunches at Embry Rucker Community Shelter to helping organize Inova’s Ronald McDonald House to running an ice cream social at Tall Oaks Assisted Living. Participants do not have to be congregation members. [Works Sunday]
Candy Drug Bust At Dulles — More than $80,000 worth of cocaine was found hidden inside caramelized sugar cane candy during an inspection at Washington Dulles International Airport last week. Customs officials seized over 1.5 pounds of cocaine disguised as candy from a Honduran woman. [Washington Post]
Virginia In-State Tuition Rises — Undergraduates at Virginia’s four-year public colleges and universities will see an average increase of 5.2 percent in tuition and mandatory fees compared to last year, the State Council of Higher Education says. That’s an average increase of $544. [Fairfax Times]
Photo: Paddleboard yoga clinic at Life Time Athletic/Credit: Surf Reston via Facebook
Looking for a new home? Start with these open houses in Reston.
2214 Springwood Drive
3 BR, 2 BA Condo
$253,000
Open Sunday, 12 to 5 p.m.
2356 Horseferry Court
3 BR, 2.5 BA TH
$415,000
Open Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.
11745 Great Owl Circle
3 BR, 3.5 BA TH
$525,000
Open Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Open Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.
11530 Links Drive
4 BR, 2.5 BA TH
$485,000
Open Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.
11613 Windbluff Court
3 BR, 2.5 BA Condo
$310,000
Open Sunday, 1 to 3 p.m.
12016 Talesin Place
1 BR, 1 BA Condo
$329,900
Open Sunday, 1 to 3 p.m.
2452 Cloudcroft Square
2 BR, 2 BA TH
$308,000
Open Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.
11801 Breton Court
1 BR, 1 BA Condo
$199,900
Open Sunday 1 to 4 p.m.
1599 Autumn Ridge Circle
3 BR, 3.5 BA TH
$439,900
Open Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.
For more open houses and real estate information, visit Reston Now’s Real Estate Section.
Welcome to our new Reston Now readers — and thank you to all of the readers who have forwarded us news tips, story ideas and photos since we launched in October 2013.
There are a few ways to this site work even better for you. Reston Now is a great place to publicize an event, talk to your neighbors, get the news delivered right to your inbox.
Here are five things to know to make Reston Now easier and better for you.
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3. Something On Your Mind? Let Us Know! — We have lots of ways for you to speak your mind. You can send a letter to the editor to [email protected]. You can comment in the comments section of a story, engaging in a lively discussion of the news of the day with your neighbors. You can answer one of our poll questions. You can send us an anonymous news tip. Coming very soon: Reston Now Forums, where you can talk about any topic.
4. Want To Share Your Photos of Reston? — We would love to see them, and maybe we will use them on the site. Visit our Reston Now Flickr Page to upload your pictures, or post them to our Facebook page or send to [email protected].
5. Mark Our Calendar — Reston Now has a free events calendar, and we will gladly publish your fundraiser, performance or any other event happening around town. Just click on our events page to submit your event.
Labor Day weekend at Lake Anne Plaza will be the spot for music lovers as the Jazz & Blues Festival returns on Aug. 30.
The free event runs from 2 to 8 p.m. and will feature a variety of notable regional and national jazz and blues artists.
This year’s headliner is the Adrian Duke Project. Duke is a New Orleans-influenced pianist, composer and vocalist.
Performance Schedule
- 2 p.m. — Nia Olibesi Trio
- 3 p.m. — John Lee Quartet
- 4 p.m. — Mykle Lyons Quintet
- 5 p.m. — Chip Bubeck Trio
- 6 p.m. — Sam Gunderson
- 7 p.m. — Adrian Duke Project
The festival is sponsored by Lane Anne Merchants, Friends of Lake Anne, Northern Virginia Magazine, the Reston Community Center, Reston Association and Republic Land Development.
The festival will be held rain or shine. Photo: Adrian Duke at 2013 Lake Anne Jazz & Blues Festival
