Reston will be a great place to show your team spirit on Sunday when the U.S. Men’s National Soccer team plays Portugal in Manaus, Brazil, in the 2014 World Cup.

Major League Soccer’s D.C. United is hosting “Celebrate Soccer,” a World Cup party at Reston Town Center. The fun begins at noon and admission is free.

The party will take place in the pavilion and on Market Street, where fans of all ages will have a chance to meet and mingle with D.C. United players.

Two giant screens will air games from Brazil all day. The schedule: Belgium vs. Russia (noon), followed by South Korea vs. Algeria (3 p.m.) and USA vs. Portugal (6 p.m.).

There will also be food and drinks available for purchase, as well as prizes and activities for kids.

D.C. United’s major sponsor, Leidos, is located at Reston Town Center.

Photo: U.S. Soccer fans/Credit: Braveheartsports via Flickr

Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins says she is disappointed that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has decided to accept the Meals Tax Task Force report but not take action yet.

The task force report was given to the supervisors earlier this week. The task force is comprised of former Board of Supervisors chairs Tom Davis and Kate Hanley, as well as members of two dozen county organizations, including Republican and Democratic parties, the county Chamber of Commerce, the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington, Visit Fairfax, the Fairfax County Taxpayers Alliance and the Fairfax Education Association.

The group was assembled in April by Supervisor Chair Sharon Bulova with this mission: whether or not to proceed with a referendum for a meals tax; if it is the recommendation of the group to do so, the task force should recommend the timing (what year?) for the question to be put to voters; and the task force should return with a recommendation for how revenue from a meals tax should be used.

It is estimated that a county meals tax similar to the ones in Fairfax City and Vienna (4 percent) could result in $88 million annually for Fairfax County.

While the task force weighed the pros and cons of a meals tax, it did not recommend whether there should be a referendum or how the money should be spent. Instead, that decision will be up to the Supervisors, who deferred action until the report could be read more thoroughly.

“I am disappointed that the Board of Supervisors has chosen only to accept the report, and is not moving forward at this time,” Hudgins said in an email to Hunter Mill residents. “Hopefully, after a thorough reading by each member, the Board of Supervisors will decide to further explore this option of diversifying our revenue, as have 47 counties and 104 towns in Virginia levied in tax year 2013.

Pros included: The county needs the revenue; 28 percent of the taxes would come from non-county residents; and diversifying the tax base could have a positive effect on commercial land owners, among others.

Among the cons: The county populace is already overtaxed and the county should manage its money more effectively; the food tax unfairly targets the food service industry; Fairfax restaurants could actually lose business to Loudoun and Prince William counties, where there is no food tax; and the referendum itself will cost money, even if it ultimately fails.

The report also looked at when in the next three election years to hold the referendum and some of the possible areas in which the money could help the county. See the full report on the Fairfax County website. 

A meals tax proposal went to a Fairfax County voter referendum in 1992, where it failed.

Photo courtesy of PassionFish

On Display — Greater Reston Arts Center has a new exhibit. “Incubator: Renne Stout and Odinga Tyehimba” will be on display through July 5 with a gallery talk with artists June 26, 7 p.m. [Fairfax Times]

Is There a War on Cars? — After Fairfax County Supervisors approved a $100 million transportation referendum this week, one member raised concerned too much money is going for pedestrian and bike improvements. [WTOP]

Mega Mens Store — Two mens’ stores with locations in Reston are now part of the same company. Men’s Wearhouse has completed a $1.8 billion acquisition of Jos. A Bank. The company will now have 26,000 employees. It is not known if there will be layoffs. Men’s Wearhouse is located at The Spectrum in Reston; Jos. A Bank a few blocks down at Reston Town Center. [Washington Business Journal]

Photo: South Lakes HS Color Guard at 2014 commencement

The Pyramid of Light public art project that was built on the Lake Thoreau spillway in early May will remain there through the end of August.

The Reston Association Design Review Board has approved a request from the South Lakes High School art students that created the colorful project. The student artists — Margaret Lashley, Sammy Nazam, Gabriella Rando and Tehmeena Seher Salahin — originally had permission to keep the installation, which has received high praise from area residents, on display until the end of June.

The students turned the concrete platform into the base of a pyramid built of colorful hanging plexiglass panels.

Turning the spillway into public art was the idea of James Pan, a Reston resident who suggested the concrete square that can be seen from South Lakes Drive would be a great space for art. He offered financial support if the students would work on a project, says Anne Delaney, executive director of Initiative for Public Art Reston, which sponsored the project.

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue officials said an off-duty Montgomery County (Md.) firefighter helped rescue residents of a Herndon home when their house was engulfed in flames on Wednesday.

Firefighters were called to the home at 12645 Terrymill Dr.  about 1 p.m. and found a heavy fire in the front of the single family home. The fire was brought under control in 40 minutes, fire rescue officials said.

The firefighter is a neighbor of the Terrymill Drive residents. The neighbor, whom fire rescue did not identify, also assisted with evacuating a wheelchair bound occupant.

A total of six adult occupants and a dog have been displaced. One person was treated on the scene for a non-life threatening injury.

Fire officials say improperly discarded smoking materials caused the blaze. Damage is estimated at $350,000.

Photo: Northern Virginia Fire Buffs via Facebook

South Lakes High School’s Class of 2014 held commencement exercises at the Patriot Center at George Mason University on Wednesday.

Megan DeSisti was honored with the Bruce Butler Leadership Award. Student speakers were Melissa Thomas and Antonia Nagle.

Diplomas were awarded to 576 students. See where the college bound-members are heading next fall in this previous Reston Now story.

Reston Association’s Design Review Board on Tuesday unanimously denied the proposal for a 115-foot cell phone tower in Hunters Woods Park.

The tower would have been the first such structure on RA land, though there have been requests to do so before. One of those requests was dropped by the carrier; the other was also denied by the DRB.

Reston-based Milestone Communications and AT&T sought to install a monopole in the wooded area behind the soccer field at the park off of Reston Parkway. The equipment would be located in a fenced-in area of the park and would include cables and other support structures.

The DRB concurred with several community members that spoke of their concerns with the environment, property values and damage to trees, among others, at Tuesday’s meeting.

Milestone has teamed with local entities many times over the last several years. There are several hundred existing cell phone poles on Fairfax County Public Schools land, including at South Lakes High School, Herndon Middle School, Madison High School and Carson Middle School, to name a few.

The cell phone tower would have been a moneymaker for Reston Association. The cell phone companies pay the landowners to lease the pole space. FCPS, for instance, has made more than $4 million from the arrangement over the last six years, FCPS officials said.

Milestone collects rent from the wireless carriers on its towers, 40 percent of which goes to FCPS. Schools receive $25,000 each time a tower is built, and then $5,000 from each wireless carrier that leases space on the tower.

Milestone says schools and parks are ideal locations for these towers because they often have existing structures, such as field light poles, in place. Many Milestone towers are disguised as trees, so lots of times they go unnoticed.

FCPS has done studies on cell phones being located on school grounds and has determined the practice is safe.

File photo of proposed cell phone pole/Credit: Milestone

Bechtel Donates Portables To FCPS — Bechtel, selected as Fairfax County Public Schools’ 2014 Business Partner of the Year for its partnership with Reston’s Lake Anne ES, has donated nine portable classrooms to the school system. The project management company has a large headquarters in Reston. The portables, valued at $120,000, will go to Forestville and Keene Mill Elementary Schools and to Langley High School as those schools are undergoing renovations. [FCPS]

Giving Circle Grants Cycle Open — The Giving Circle of HOPE, which helps people in need in Northern Virginia by awarding grants and conducting service programs, has opened its 2014 grant cycle.  Grants up to $7,000 will be awarded to local non-profit organizations through a competitive screening process.  Grant applications are due by August 15 and may be accessed at www.givingcircleofhope.org or requested by e-mail at [email protected]. Since its inception the Giving Circle of HOPE has given over $755,000 to organizations in Northern Virginia.

USGS Scientist Killed In Plane Crash — Longtime Reston resident and U.S. Geological Survey pioneer in Geospatial Technology, Doug Nebert, 51, died in a private plane crash in Toledo, Ore. on May 31.  [Reston Patch]

Kids: Help Design Cornerstones’ T-Shirt — Young artists are invited to take part in Cornerstones’ first Help the Homeless T-shirt Design Contest.  The winning design will be on T-shirts for the Help the Homeless Program. The contest ends June 30. [Cornerstones] 

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday  authorized a $100 million transportation bond referendum for this fall.

This means the county can petition the Circuit Court to order the referendum. It will be on the Nov. 4 general election ballot if so ordered.  Fairfax County voters will be asked to vote “yes” or “no” on the proposed bond that will improve roads, sidewalks, bike lanes, and trails.

If approved by voters, the money will be spent as follows:

• Spot road improvements to increase roadway capacity, reduce congestion, improve safety, and improve transit access ($16 million)
• Pedestrian improvements to improve capacity, enhance safety and complete missing pedestrian links that connect neighborhoods, and improve access to schools, Metrorail stations and activity centers ($77.5 million)
• Bicycle improvements that include developing new bicycle facilities, constructing trails, adding bicycle parking and enhancing accessibility ($6.5 million)

Several Reston projects are high on the priority list for the county, but funding has not yet been secured. Those include:

• Dulles Toll Road /South Lakes Drive Overpass — $82 million.  Construct a four-lane overpass over Toll Road from Sunrise Valley to Sunset Hills.  Identified ed in Reston Comprehensive Plan Draft as significant way to alleviate traffic. Contingent on development.
• Dulles Toll Road/Town Center Parkway Underpass — $157 million. $6.1 million already in place as part of Silver Line Phase 2 funding. Construct four-lane divided roadway under Town Center Parkway from Sunrise Valley to Sunset Hills. Identified in Comprehensive Plan amendment as significant way to alleviate traffic. Contingent on development.
• Dulles Toll Road/Soapstone Overpass — $91.75 million.  Construct a four-lane roadway over toll road from Sunrise Valley to Sunset Hills. Includes pedestrian and bike access. Identified in Comprehensive Master Plan Draft as major way to alleviate traffic.

The $100 million bond is one of many funding sources that will be used to pay for more than $1.4 billion in transportation priorities during the next six years, the county officials say. Due to the flexibility of bond funds, projects like spot roadway, pedestrian and bicycle projects can be funded and implemented efficiently and expeditiously, said Fairfax County Supervisors Chair Sharon Bulova. The projects proposed for bond funding were identified through extensive public outreach and engagement in the Countywide Dialogue on Transportation.

The county has the highest credit rating possible for any government: triple-A from Moody’s Investors Service Inc.; from Standard & Poor’s Corp.; and from Fitch Ratings. Currently, Fairfax County is one of only eight states, 37 counties, and 32 cities to hold a triple-A rating from all three rating agencies. For this reason, Fairfax County’s bonds sell at relatively low interest rates compared to other tax-free bonds, a county spokesman said.

If you are planning on attending South Lakes High School’s 2014 Commencement Wednesday night at George Mason University’s Patriot Center, plan to avoid taking Route 123.

Route 123 (Chain Bridge Road) was shut down in both directions near Nutley Street in Fairfax about 3:30 p.m. due to a gas main break. It is expected to remain closed for several hours, which could cause major traffic backups, Fairfax County officials said.

SLHS commencement begins at 7:30 p.m.

A good alternate route to GMU from Reston is the Fairfax County Parkway to Braddock Road.

Fairfax County is considering new zoning rules that would make it easier for food trucks to do business here.

The proposal, authorized by the county Board of Supervisors at their meeting on Tuesday, makes it cheaper for vendors to obtain permits and allows the trucks to operate at construction sites and commercial and industrial properties, such as office buildings and shopping centers.

Under the previous rules, food trucks were zoned as free-standing fast food restaurants. This classification required them to obtain a special exception from the Board of Supervisors. To get the exceptions, truck operators have to pay a $16,375-fee and  have two public hearings.

County Supervisor Sharon Bulova says she worked with people in the industry to try and come up with a solution.

“Food trucks are becoming a popular venue as an alternative to traditional sit-down and fast food restaurants,” she said. “I’ve enjoyed working with the food truck industry and Fairfax County’s hospitality industries to find ways to accommodate this use.”

Highlights of the measure:

• Proposed zoning rules allow food trucks to operate at construction sites, office buildings, shopping centers or other developed commercial and industrial properties.
• Trucks will need a $100 permit, permission from property owners, plus a $35 Solicitor’s License and $40 Food Establishment Permit.
• They can stay at any single location for four hours, but they may go to multiple locations. However, trucks still may not park on public roads to sell food. Virginia law prohibits vending on state-maintained roads.
• Trucks may not be the primary or principal use at a lot. Under the proposed regulations they are considered an accessory use. They may only sell during the regular business hours of the nearby commercial space.
• Trucks may only sell food at developed industrial or commercial properties that have a minimum of 25,000 to 30,000 square feet in gross floor area.
• Only three trucks may congregate in one area.

The county gave zoning approvals to 14 trucks last year to vend at primarily commercial locations. It also began allowing food trucks in county parks. The parks currently have 10 locations where trucks are licensed to do business, and separate permits are required.

Food trucks can be found weekdays at various office park locations in Reston. One popular spot is Business Center Drive off of Sunset Hills Road, where several vendors from a rotating lineup can be found.
If the new Fairfax rules pass, it will be cheaper to sell tacos and falafel and other truck fare here than in nearby jurisdictions. The District of Columbia’s fees range from $476 to $1,200 for two years, and Arlington requires an annual $500 vendor fee.

The Fairfax County Planning Commission is slated to hold a public hearing on food trucks on July 30, and the Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on Sept. 9.

After 30 years of young gymnasts tumbling around a large warehouse space on Sunset Park Drive in Herndon, Gymini Gymnastics has closed its doors.

The gym closed on May 31, said owner Marty Comiskey, who was at the cavernous space with the last remaining balance beams and mats on Tuesday.

Comiskey, 65, said he and his wife, Gwynne, had been thinking of retiring when a real estate broker made an offer to purchase the space last year.

“I have been involved in gymnastics for over 50 years, teaching/coaching for more than 40 years and a club owner for 35 years,” he said in a message to parents earlier this year. “I think it is time. … It has been a good run; 35 years is a long time for a small business to survive. We have many pleasant memories working with all the girls and boys in our class programs.”

Indeed, hundreds — perhaps thousands — of children growing up in Reston, Herndon and surrounding areas took classes and attended birthday parties at the gym. Gymini offered all levels, from preschool age to competitive teams. Comiskey coached many state, national and college competitors over the years.

Comiskey said the gymnasts will continue at other area gyms. The equipment was also sold to other gymnastics facilities and schools, he added.

Reston Association has been looking for what killed several hundred of Lake Thoreau’s fish, but has been unable to pinpoint an exact reason. 

Since tests have not pointed to one reason, RA lake specialists say that the fish likely died of natural causes.

RA, along with scientists from Aquatic Environmental Consultants, Inc. (AEC), were looking for clues after more than 200 fish were discovered dead in Lake Thoreau in late May and early June. The fish in other Reston lakes were not dying in such large numbers.

AEC consultants said they have seen similar fish kills in other area lakes they manage. RA does not believe toxins were responsible for the fish kill.

Potential causes include:

• Weather-related conditions, including flucuations in termperatures and heavy rains.
• Stress on the fish from spawning and fighting for territory.
• Possible low oxygen levels due to an algae bloom on the lake.
• Columnaris Disease (a bacterial infection).

A man delivering food in the 2500 block of John Eppes Road in unincorporated Herndon was assaulted by three men on Saturday, Fairfax County Police said.

The victim had delivered some food about 9:25 p.m. and was sitting in his car when the first suspect approached him, officers from the FCPD’s Reston District Station said.

The first suspect implied he had a gun and demanded money. The victim resisted and two more suspects approached and assaulted the victim. The victim continued resisting and all three suspects fled on foot. The victim did not require rescue, police said.

The first suspect was described as a black male, 24-27 years old, about 5 feet 9 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall with bald head. The second suspect was described as a black male, 20-24, about 5 feet 11 inches to 6 feet tall with black hair. The third suspect was described as a black male.

In other crime news for the week ending June 17:

BURGLARIES

9400 block of Myra Drive, June 13. A resident reported someone entered the residence and took property.

10000 block of Leesburg Pike, June 11. A resident reported someone entered the residence and took property.

STOLEN VEHICLES

2400 block of Masons Ferry Drive, Ford Mustang

LARCENIES

2600 block of Fox Mill Road, tools from vehicle

2500 block of John Milton Drive, liquor from business

2400 block of Centreville Road, cell phone from business

11300 block of Links Drive, bicycles from business

11800 block of Spectrum Center, purse from business

130 block of Yarnick Road, wallet from residence