The “Pyramid of Light” is getting a makeover.

The temporary public art project created by South Lakes High School students and unveiled in May, has suffered the effects of this summer’s wind and rain storms. A large portion of the plexiglas panels has fallen off the pyramid-shaped structure that sits atop the Lake Thoreau spillway.

The students — Sammy Nazam, Gabriella Rando, Margaret Lashley, and Tehmeena Salahin — have been working during summer break to create about 100 new brightly colored panels. On Wednesday, they, along with art teacher Marco Rando and other helpers, were at the site replacing the panels with new reinforced hanging materials.

The project has received approval to remain in place until the end of August.

The SLHS students teamed with the Initiative for Public Art Reston (IPAR) to turn the spillway into public art. In addition to creating the work, they had to go through a lengthy approval process with Reston Association’s Design Review Board.

With the Fairfax County Public Library facing budget cuts and system scrutiny, one Reston resident has found a strategy to save some of the lesser-used books from shelf extinction: simply check them out.

Kathy Kaplan, whose library activism earned her Reston Citizens Association’s Citizen of the Year award earlier in 2014, says going to the library and simply checking out books will save them.

“We have lost thousands of nonfiction books in good condition since February, 2014,” says Kaplan. “Especially vulnerable are large art books, which are often only used in the library and not checked out because of their size and weight.”

“Patrons can check out books,” said Kaplan. “Once books are checked out, they are protected for two years. Two years from now we will have a new library director, and hopefully the new one will value the library as a place of learning and literacy. You can check out 50 books. Check out art, poetry, philosophy, science, history, biography, ethnic cookbooks. And don’t forget the children’s nonfiction. It’s the only way we have now to protect our collection. Think of it as a civic and patriotic duty.”

Kaplan, a children’s book author, helped bring attention in 2013 to the library system’s discarding — rather than recirculating — more than 100,000 books. The library board then amended its policies and scrapped a proposed Beta plan to change the staffing structure at several libraries, including Reston Regional.

The Fairfax County Public Library system is facing a budget crunch. Both spending per library and and money from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors are down by more than a third over the last six years. The system had to slash more than $649,237 from the FY 2014 budget.

Kaplan says low-demand items are books that have not been checked out for 24 months. Currently, low-demand books are transferred to Technical Operations. When they get there, many are being discarded, she said.

“Many neighboring library systems keep their books on the shelves for five years before they are considered for weeding,” said Kaplan. “Even then, I am told by librarians in other library systems, they are very reluctant to let go of nonfiction works. Nonfiction is the heart of any library’s collection. Our children need nonfiction for their school papers. Information from the Internet is often incorrect and incomplete.”

Kaplan says she has a variety of books checked out from the library that she has saved from the “discard stream.” Among them: Art books with the works of Lorenzo Ghiberti, Susan Rothenberg, and Jack Yeats;  “The World of African Song,” by Miriam Makeba; the Collected Poems of Vasko Popa, a Serbian poet; a book about Picasso’s “Guernica,” and a cookbook about stews.

Photo: Kathy Kaplan (left) receives Reston Citizen Association Citizen of the Year Award from then-RCA President Colin Mills in March 2014

Itemizing the Silver Line Overage — What caused Metro’s Silver Line to be $150 million over budget? Bills like $44.5 million to move utilities; $20 million for design changes; and $28 for new electrical substations. [Washington Post]

Go Pro On The Path — Here is an unusual video look at the quick bike ride from the W&OD Trail near Wiehle Avenue to the Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station. [Washington Post]

New Roof Amenities for Metropolitan — The Metropolitan, a luxury apartment building at Reston Town Center, held a grand opening ceremony last week for its renovated roof level. The new look features a sports club and a movie screening room with surround sound. [Reston Connection]

Reston Hospital Earns Honors — Reston Hospital Center’s Ann B. Rodriquez Cancer Centerhas earned STAR Program Certification from Oncology Rehab Partners, experts in the field of survivorship care. Certification means Reston Hospital is now uniquely qualified to offer premium cancer rehabilitation and survivorship services to people who suffer from the debilitating side effects caused by cancer treatments. [Reston Connection]

Work has begun on the interior space for Barcelona Wine Bar and Bartaco, two new restaurants that will open soon at Reston Town Center.

Crews are busy building out the 10,000-square-foot space on the ground floor of The Avant residential building at Town Square Street and Explorer Street. The restaurants are expected to open in the fall.

The Connecticut-based restaurant group announced last fall that it signed a lease for the Reston locations.

Barcelona has several East Coast locations, including one at Logan Circle in D.C.. The restaurant is known for tapas and other Spanish food, as well as a long wine list — featuring, of course, lots of Spanish wine.

Bartaco has five locations (three in Connecticut and one in Atlanta) and is known for craft margaritas and interesting twists on Mexican food. The restaurant is an inexpensive, very casual taco stand, but with unusual ingredients (in addition to the usual favorite ones) such as felafel, tofu, or fried oyster tacos.

With World of Beer and CVS already open on The Avant’s ground floor, the street level is fully leased. There are residential units in the luxury apartment building that are currently available for rent.

Reston Swim Team Association has decided to postpone Wednesday’s Individual Medley meet at Lake Thoreau Pool.

The meet was moved to Lake Thoreau earlier this week after Lake Newport, Reston Association’s largest pool and the site of big events such as the annual IM and All Star Meets, was closed for emergency repairs last week.

The IM meet attracts swimmers from all RSTA teams. Swimmers of all ages complete a 100-meter individual medley (breaststroke, backstroke, freestyle and butterfly).

Lake Newport will be closed until at least Monday, RA officials said.

“Due to concerns about safety [including parking, traffic and the close proximity to the major thoroughfare of Sunrise Valley Drive during rush hour], and the limitations of this venue to adequately accommodate our RSTA swimmers and families, it was determined, in consideration for our swimmers, to not hold the meet on this date at this location,” an RA spokesman said.

“Alternatives are being considered, but specific plans are not available at this time. We thank you for your patience and understanding.”

Lake Newport’s repair involves a mechanical failure within the main pool pump, including a damaged bracket. The maintenance team has purchased two replacement brackets that are being shipped, but they may not be a guaranteed match to existing components, RA says.

RA is also seeking to replace the entire pump, and that equipment may not arrive for several days.

RA aquatics staff says it will re-evaluate the situation by next Monday. If you have questions, call (703) 435-6530 or email [email protected].

Silver Line: A Fabric Changer for NOVA — Metro’s Silver Line, which will open July 26 with five stops from McLean to Reston, will ‘change the entire fabric of life’ in Northern Virginia. [Inside Nova]

Register To Vote This Summer — Fairfax County is encouraging unregistered voters to register online this summer. [Fairfax County]

Ranking Fairfax Business Developments — The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority wants to know what you think of Fairfax’s biggest business developments of the past 50 years. They have a quick online survey for you to take. [FCEDA]

Charges For Ex-Deputy Accused of Shoplifting — A 20-year Fairfax County Sheriff’s Deputy has been charged with two counts of petty larceny in a shoplifting incident at a Leesburg Target. He will go on trial in August. [Washington Post]

Photo: Campers at Reston Association’s Skate Camp at Lake Newport Soccer Field

Fairfax County Police said a sobriety checkpoint at Fairfax County Parkway and Walnut Branch Road Saturday resulted in five arrests for Driving While Intoxicated.

Police said 618 vehicles passed through the checkpoint. In addition to the DWI arrests, police also issued six summonses.

In other crime news this week from FCPD’s Reston District Station:

LARCENIES

12000 block of Bowman Towne Drive, license plates from vehicle

1200 block of Woodbrook Court, ring from residence

11900 block of Bowman Towne Drive, items from business

11700 block of Sunset Hills Road, merchandise from business

STOLEN VEHICLES

Explorer Street/Market Street, 2000 Nissan Versa

Rain began falling hard in Reston about 2 p.m. and could continue through most of the afternoon and evening.

The National Weather Service says rainfall rates of “up to two inches per hour” may cause flash flooding in some already-saturated areas.

The NWS has issued a Severe Storm Watch for most of the Washington, D.C., area through 9 p.m.

Fairfax County and most neighboring areas are also under a Flash Flood Watch until 10 p.m. tonight.

From NWS:

TROPICAL MOISTURE WILL REMAIN OVER THE AREA THIS EVENING. AFTER A COUPLE OF PREVIOUS OF HEAVY SHOWER AND THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY…ONLY ONE TO TWO INCHES OF ADDITIONAL RAINFALL WILL BE NEEDED IN TARGETED AREAS TO PRODUCE FLASH FLOODING. SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ARE LIKELY EARLY THIS EVENING ACROSS THE AREA…ESPECIALLY EAST OF THE BLUE RIDGE TO THE CHESAPEAKE BAY.

RAINFALL RATES IN HEAVIER SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MAY EXCEED 2 INCHES PER HOUR IN TARGETED AREAS THAT RECEIVE TORRENTIAL RAIN FOR LONGER THAN 30 MINUTES.

FLASH FLOODING MAY BEGIN QUICKLY. BE AWARE OF LOW AREAS THAT MAY FLOOD. NEVER CROSS ROADS THAT ARE FLOODED. TURN AROUND DON’T DROWN. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING.

Photo: Reston Now file by Bahmad Farzad 

Metro’s Silver Line opens in 11 days, but before you can take the train you have to get to the train.

Fairfax County is holding an open house Saturday to show potential Metro riders their access and parking options.

There will be a ceremonial ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. The open house runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors can tour the transportation center and talk to representatives from Metro, Dulles Corridor Rail Project and Fairfax Connector.

When Phase 1 of the Silver Line opens July 26, Wiehle-Reston East will be the only onsite parking garage at the five new Metro stations in Phase 1.

• 3,300 public parking spaces (eventually there will be fewer when office space at Reston Station is leased)
• 45 “Kiss and Ride” spaces
• 10 bus bays on the north side, 5 on the south
• A secure locker room for over 200 bicycles.

The garage was built as a public- private partnership by Comstock and Fairfax County. The county owns the commuter garage, and Metro will collect parking fees. The rates will be the same as at other Metro garages in the county:

• $4.85 per day
• $65 a month for reserved parking
• $75 a year for using the secure bike room. The $75 fee includes a one-time $15 registration fee and $60 for the first year’s annual membership.

The bike room is the first of its kind for Fairfax County. There will be both vertical and regular parking, as well as room for oversized bikes or bikes with trailers. It features two fully-equipped “fix-it” stations with pumps and tools and a work bench for bike repairs. Additional bike parking is also available for non-members.

The bus station at Wiehle-Reston East features 10 bus bays on the north side of the Toll Road, and five bus bays on the south side of the Toll Road. In addition to Fairfax Connector service, Washington Flyer will operate its Silver Line Express from the north side, and Loudoun County Transit will operate bus service from the south side.

A Connector Store is located on the north side bus platform, where passengers can purchase fare cards, speak to a customer service representative, and find maps, timetables and information.

The current commuter lot, Sunset Hills Interim Park and Ride, will permanently close at midnight on July 25. The 600-space lot at the intersection of Sunset Hills Road and Town Center Parkway was temporary parking while Wiehle was under construction.

Fairfax Connector has also changed its bus routes in order to serve the Silver Line. There will be 16 new routes, changes to 28 existing routes and five routes will be eliminated. The new routes go into effect July 26.

Also coming soon at Reston Station: BLVD apartments (currently under construction), as well as retail, restaurants, office space and a hotel. No tenants have been announced.

Photo: Bike room window at Reston Station garage

Lake Newport Pool, which closed last week for repairs, will remain closed through Monday, July 21, Reston Association officials said.

The repair involves a mechanical failure within the main pool pump, including a  damaged bracket. The maintenance team has purchased two replacement brackets that are being shipped, but  they may not be a guaranteed match to existing components, RA says.

RA is also seeking to replace the entire pump, and that equipment may not arrive for several days.

Lake Newport, located at 11601 Lake Newport Rd. in North Reston, is Reston Association’s only 50-meter pool. It is the site of many community events, most of which have been relocated for the next week.

The Reston Swim Team Association Individual Medley, scheduled for Wednesday evening at Lake Newport, has been relocated to Lake Thoreau Pool, 2040 Upper Lake Dr.

All group swim lessons at Lake Newport this week will take place at North Hills Pool, 1325 North Village Rd.

Water aerobics held at Lake Newport Wednesday and Friday this week has been canceled.

RA aquatics staff says it will re-evaluate the situation by next Monday. If you have questions, call Phone: (703) 435-6530 or email [email protected].

Former Great Falls Restaurant Sues Google — The owners of the Serbian Crown Restaurant, which closed in 2013, are suing Google, saying that Google Maps incorrectly listed the weekend hours, which caused a 75-percent drop in business.  The Serbian Crown, open for decades, was listed as closed Saturday through Monday. [In The Capital]

Obama To Speak Up For Highway Trust Fund — The federal Highway Trust Fund is nearly out of money, putting the $1.9 billion in loans for Metro’s Silver Line Phase 2 — as well as dozens of other transportation projects nationwide — in jeopardy. President Obama, in public appearances this week, is expected to put pressure on Congress to find a solution. [CBS News]

Police Stepping Up Safety Education Near Metro — Fairfax County Police will be working on a pedestrian safety campaign at the Vienna Metro this week. The goal of the campaign is to prevent injuries and deaths due to pedestrian crashes. There were 24 crashes involving pedestrians or bicycles near the Vienna Metro in 2013-14. [Fairfax County Police Department]

Last Call For North Point Director — Tuesday at 5 p.m. is the deadline for Reston Association members interested in the North Point Director spot to declare their intent. The board will pick from among candidates for the post, which will run through April 2015. The post is open because director Tim Cohn recently resigned. [Reston Association]

Photo: Kids try out firefighter activities at Fairfax 2015 World Police & Fire Games Sports Extravaganza at Reston Town Center Sunday/Credit: Reston Town Center

Reston may be a 50-year-old “new town,” but there is one building that dates back to the days of yore.

The Bowman Distillery on Old Reston Avenue has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1999. It has been empty much longer.

The structure was built in 1890, and in addition to the place they made Virginia Gentleman whiskey, the building also served as the long-ago Wiehle Town Hall and a church.

The distillery has gone through several rezoning applications over the years. In 1989, after Bowman Distillery moved  operations to Fredericksburg, the building was rezoned as part of a larger mixed-use development. Some of that development happened on parts of the original 32-acre property, but the historic building remains untouched.

In 1998, it was sold to an owner who planned to build a Bed and Breakfast or condo. It sold again in 2010 for $540,000.

With its historic bones and close proximity to the W & OD Trail and Reston Town Center, surely someone has a vision for the property. What is yours? Tell us in the comments.

Photo: Bowman Distillery/File photo by Reston 2020

Metro is still planning to open the Silver Line on July 26 even though work remains unfinished by Bechtel contractor Dulles Transit Partners.

Metro spokesman Dan Stessel said on Monday that several items DTP should have completed by now are not finished.

One area — the application of heat tape on the third rail — is to be done by the end of July according to the post-operational readiness agreement. Stessel says the heat tape work has not even started.

“It has been disappointing to us to see that the contractor has not been taking advantage of every available work window,” he said. “They could have done much more.”

Stessel said DTP has also not resolved water leaks at several stations. He said that the heat tape, which prevents freezing so it isn’t urgently needed in July, can be applied after opening.

“Our goal has been to get anything that required track access out of the way so it does not affect passenger service,” said Stessel. “Unless they step up their game, we will have them do that during non revenue hours.”

Meanwhile, the Tri-State Oversight Committee has completed its inspections and found no issues, Stessel said. Certificates of Occupancy should be in place next week.

The opening of the $2.9 billion, 11-mile Phase 1 of the Silver Line has been delayed by several months. Many of the delays this spring were due to unfinished items. MWAA (which oversaw construction of Silver Line Phase 1) and Metro reached a special agreement in April to allow the turnover of the project to Metro with unfinished items, provided DTP got the work done prior to passenger service.

As recently as June 9, Metro was expressing frustration at the slow pace of work.

In other Silver Line news:

Simulated Silver Line Service begins Sunday. Trains will run on the same schedule that they will operate after July 26. The trains will not be available for passengers. However, passengers can ride the trains from East Falls Church to Large Town Center as part of Orange Line service. Beginning Monday, July 21, trains at the far end of the Orange Line will run every six minutes during rush hour.

The Metro website has been updated. The online trip planner now includes updated schedule information to include the Silver Line fares and schedules.

Metro alerts have been updated for Silver Line users. If you get Metro Alerts, you can now pick Silver Line info (i.e., delays, issues) to be sent to you.

The first train on the Silver Line will leave Wiehle-Reston East at noon on July 26.

The new Glory Days Grill at Reston’s North Point Village Center is still in the permitting phase and will not open until early 2015, a company spokeswoman said.

The sports-themed restaurant signed a lease for the space, empty since Blockbuster Video closed in 2011, last October. Initial estimates were that the new location would open in Summer 2014.

But Glory Days says that the process has taken longer because of an addition they plan to build on to the North Point space.