Reston Association’s Dog Park Working Group has a variety of solutions for keeping the peace at the off-leash area at Baron Cameron Park.
The ideas range from paid monitors to charging fee for users to installing noise mitigation and Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements.
The working group, which was formed last spring in response complaints for a group of RA members who live close to the park, will present its recommendations at Thursday’s RA Board meeting.
RA has no jurisdiction over the park, as it is on Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) land. The involvement of RA was to bring both sides together to suggest solutions to the FCPA The RA Board will discuss and vote on one of two motions:
- Move to approve, deny, or amend the short and long-term recommendations of the Dog Park Task Force on improving the operation of the Baron Cameron Dog Park for the benefit of the Dog Park users and surrounding neighbors; or
- Direct staff to send a letter, outlining Dog Park recommendations and request for a meeting to discuss such recommendations, to the Fairfax County Park Authority Chairs, and copied to the whole Park Authority Board; the Fairfax County Park Authority Director, Sara Baldwin; and Fairfax County Hunter Mill District Supervisor, Catherine M. Hudgins.
It’s a saga that has been going on for several years.
The problem is noise, say many residents of Longwood Grove, a subdivision located across Wiehle Avenue from the dog park. The Longwood Grove residents say they can hear dogs barking at the park day and night, and it is affecting their quality of life. Read More
Reston and the Washington, DC, area are under a heat advisory for Monday, which could be the hottest day here since July 26, 2012.
The heat advisory will be in effect from noon to 8 p.m. Monday. Temperatures will be between 95 and 100 this afternoon — but with the heat index will feel like up to 108 degrees.
The National Weather Service says take precautions — hydrate, wear loose clothing and avoid long periods of time outdoors if possible. Thunderstorms are forecast for this evening, but temperatures will return to only slight less scorching on Tuesday (mid-90s; heat index of 100).
Records for July 25:
- DCA: 100 (1930)
- IAD : 98 (2010)
- BWI: 100 (2010)
Want to keep cool?
Reston Association Pool Schedule
The Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole at Lake Fairfax Park
Lake Anne Recreation Area, 11301 North Shore Drive, has a spray feature.
Reston Town Square Park, Explorer and Market Streets at Reston Town Center, has a splash fountain.
Splash fountain at Reston Town Square Park/file photo
Tim Kaine’s Wild Ride — The last 48 hours before being named vice president was a whirlwind of ducking, dodging and guessing for Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine. [CNN]
Where’s Waldo? — Come to a special event at Scrawl Books on Saturday, July 30 to try and find him. [Facebook]
Last Chance for API Building? — The Washington Post checks in on this Reston development battle. [Washington Post]
When Hillary Clinton selected Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine as her Democratic Vice Presidential Candidate Thursday evening, it marked the first time since Woodrow Wilson that a Virginian is on the national ticket.
Virginia may be the mother of presidents — it’s had eight, more than any other state — just not in 100 years or so. And the last vice president from Virginia was John Tyler, who served for 30 days and then was vaulted to president upon the death of William Henry Harrison.
I’m thrilled to announce my running mate, @TimKaine, a man who’s devoted his life to fighting for others. -H pic.twitter.com/lTVyfztE5Z
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) July 23, 2016
Kaine, 58, has represented Virginia in the U.S Senate since 2012. Prior to that he served as Virginia governor (2006-10) and Mayor of Richmond. He has a law degree from Harvard and spent a year as a Catholic missionary in Honduras (where he learned to speak fluent Spanish). He is also a former Democratic National Committee Chairman.
Kaine’s early legal career was spent in Richmond, representing clients in fair housing and racial discrimination cases. His attention to civil rights is one factor that makes him “a Reston kind of guy,” says Virginia Del. Ken Plum (D-Reston).
“Tim Kaine is a Reston kind of guy,” said Plum. “He made his mark early on in civil rights litigation. The kind of things our community stands for are the kind of things Tim Kaine stands for.”
Kaine and Clinton spoke together last week at Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale.
Kaine has made many appearances in Reston in recent years. He sat next to Reston founder Bob Simon at Simon’s 100th birthday celebration in April of 2014. He praised Simon as a visionary in creating an integrated new town in a divided south.
“In 1964, when Reston opened, discrimination was rampant and legal,” Kaine said that day at Lake Anne Plaza. “It wasn’t until 1968 that the federal Fair Housing Act was passed. It wasn’t until 1971 that the Virginia General Assembly passed the South’s first fair housing law. Bob [Simon] was a real visionary.
“When we look at Virginia history since World War II, Bob should be one of the five or six individuals [we talk about]. Bob took a state that was facing backward and turned it facing forward.”
Kaine also spoke at Simon’s celebration of life last April. Read More
Reston Station’s Urban Pop is welcoming a few new businesses this summer.
Here’s a look at who is new in the little glass booths by the Wiehle-Reston East Metro.
Scoop and Paddle — Cool off with a treat from this Kensington, Md., ice cream maker that specializes in homemade ice cream sandwiches. Scoop and paddle offers cups of vanilla ice cream ($4) or an ice cream sandwich big enough to share for $6. Flavors vary, but when we stopped by this week there were chocolate chip cookies with vanilla ice cream and chocolate cookies with mint chip.
This is Scoop and Paddle’s first try at a shop. Until now, the company has done mostly catering and special events in its vintage VW bus and bright red ice cream cart.
Paradise Springs Winery — The Clifton, Va.-based winery will be selling its wares at Urban Pop.
Citizen Frederick — Need a haircut? This Frederick, Md., company is a combo of an old-timey barber shop, men’s grooming products retailer and clothier. The main store is in Frederick, but the company is setting up a one-seat shop at Urban Pop.
Urban Pop is open 3 to 8 p.m. weekdays.
Photo: Top, Citizen Frederick/Credit: Citizen Frederick via Facebook; Bottom, Scoop and Paddle/Reston Now.
Fairfax County Police report a series of property crimes in the Reston District in the last week. Here is what was reported to the police for the week ending July 22:
BURGLARY: 9300 block of Arnon Chapel Road, Great Falls. July 16, 11:51 a.m. A resident reported someone entered the residence and took property.
BURGLARY: 13600 block of Legacy Circle, Herndon, July 18 between 10 a.m. and 7:25 p.m. Someone forced entry into a home and stole portable electronics and other property from inside.
ROBBERY: 13100 Parcher Avenue, Herndon, July 18 around 7:19 p.m. Police were dispatched to the 7-Eleven at 13190 Parcher Avenue for a report of a robbery. A 20-year-old man was approached by a group of teenaged boys in the parking. The suspects allegedly punched and kicked the victim repeatedly, grabbed his backpack and fled. The suspects were described as Hispanic, wearing dark-colored clothing.
UNLAWFUL ENTRY / VEHICLE TRESPASSING: 11900 block of Grey Squirrel Lane, Reston, July 11, 9 p.m. A resident reported someone entered their garage and rummaged through their vehicles. Nothing was taken.
LARCENIES:
- 11200 block of Harbor Court, kayak from residence
- 2200 block of Huston Place, package from residence
- 200 block of Seneca Road, property from residence
- 1900 block of Solaridge Court, wallet from residence
- 2400 block of Centreville Road, items from business
- 11900 block of Escalante Court, cash from vehicle
- 12000 block of Greywing Square, golf cart from residence
- 2300 block of Soapstone Drive, beer from business
- 12300 block of Brown Fox Way, wallet from vehicle
- 2400 block of Centreville Road, merchandise from business
- 11200 block of Roger Bacon Drive, bicycle from residence
- 11500 block of Glade Drive, phone from residence
- 12900 block of Highland Crossing Drive, wallet from residence
- 2300 block of Soapstone Drive, snack from business
The Fairfax County Planning Commission had a “do over” of sorts on Thursday regarding the former American Press Institute building.
The planning commission had to go back and take another look at its June vote to recommend denial of Sekas Homes’ plan to tear down the Brutalist office building and build 34 townhouses and 10 condos in its place along Sunrise Valley Drive.
After the historical significance of the Marcel Breuer building — the only structure in Virginia designed by the famous architect — was brought to the planning commission’s attention fairly late in the application process, the commission reached a tie when voting for a recommendation for denial last month.
The board sent the recommendation to the Board of Supervisors. However, it was then brought to the planning commission’s attention that that recommendation was not valid since it needs a majority vote.
“Under the county zoning ordinance, the planning commission can only take valid action only if authorized by a majority,” said Hunter Mill PC representative Frank de le Fe. “As a result, our votes did not constitute any action.”
The board then held some discussion on parking considerations, but nothing about the historical preservation of the building.
In the end, it voted Thursday 7-4 for denial of the project. The Board of Supervisors will make a final ruling at a date not yet determined.
The building, which housed API from 1974 to 2012, has been empty for four years.
Former API employees and architectural historians began protesting the plans and signing a petition last spring to make the planning commission aware of the building’s historic significance. There has also been a grassroots effort to get Fairfax County officials to consider turning the building into a public library.
The building has not been considered for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places because it is less than 50 years old.
Hot.
That’s the word of the weekend for Reston and the rest of the Washington, D.C. area.
Some of the hottest air of the season and possibly of the last several years will hit us beginning today and lasting through at least Monday.
Temperatures will feel like they are around 100 today — and the heat index reads more like 105 — or more — for Saturday and Sunday.
“You should expect excessive heat with temperatures in the upper 90s with heat indices at or above 105°F (Fahrenheit). The hottest days appear to be Saturday, July 23 and Sunday, July 24 when heat indices could approach 110°F,” says the Fairfax County Department of Emergency Management.”
The hot weather system is part of a “heat dome” stretching over much of the country. Read more about the forecast from the Capital Weather Gang.
Meanwhile, there is a Code Orange air alert for Friday. That means the air will be unhealthy for sensitive groups, including children, people with asthma or heart disease and the elderly. Those groups should avoid strenuous activity outdoors.
Graphic: National Weather Service
Fairfax County Police arrested an alleged regional heroin dealer at the Exxon on Wiehle Avenue near Isaac Newton Square in Reston on Wednesday.
Clarence “Nephew” Dickerson, 39, of Washington, DC, was stopped by police at the service station — located next to Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Station 25. In his car, police found heroin, crack cocaine, scales, packaging material and “other items commonly used in the distribution of illegal narcotics,” police said.
Based on evidence from an informant, police said they had been observing Dickerson for some time.
“The Organized Crime Narcotics Division (OCN) has been conducting a long term investigation into the distribution of heroin in Fairfax County,” FCPD said in a statement. “Based on evidence obtained during the investigation a suspect was identified as ‘Nephew’ who was allegedly selling heroin in several areas of Fairfax County. ”
“As the investigation progressed, ‘Nephew’ was identified as Clarence Dickerson, a 39-year-old, black male, of 57th Street SE, Washington D.C. A confidential informant was developed and purchases of heroin were made in various areas throughout the county.”
Police then obtained arrest warrants for Dickerson, charging him with five counts of distribution of heroin.
The FCPD helicopter was used as part of the surveillance during the investigation, police said. This led to the discovery of a consistent pattern in Dickerson’s distribution habits. A buyer was identified in the Town of Vienna, as well as at a business on Richmond Highway. Read More
The Fairfax County Planning Commission unanimously recommended for approval on Thursday Jefferson Apartment Group’s plans to redevelop Tall Oaks Village Center.
The planning commission held a public hearing on JAG’s plans for 156 homes, 8,500 square feet of retail space and about 6,000 square feet of office space last week. However, the commission deferred a decision until last week so some development conditions and contributions could be met.
One of the conditions: Reston Association’s request for money to improve the Tall Oaks Pool, which is across North Shore Drive from the village center.
RA CEO Cate Fulkerson said last week that JAG should contribute for ADA (Americans With Disability Act) accessibility upgrades; improvements to the parking lot; the addition of bike racks; and improvements to the underpass that connects Tall Oaks to the pool area.
Mark Looney, land use attorney representing JAG, said Thursday the developer has agreed to give RA $20,000 for pool improvements. He also said the developer has agreed to new conditions regarding school contributions and traffic improvements. Read More
Pokefest Success — Here’s what happened when hundreds of Pokemon Go players gathered at the Sully Government Center to play on Wednesday. [NBC4]
Silver Line Disagreement — There may be more than 1,000 construction- related issues that need to be solved by Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and Metro regarding Silver Line Phase 2. [WTOP]
Food Truck Rally Tomorrow — Herndon’s Food Truck Rally is Saturday, starting at 11 a.m. More than two dozen trucks will be at the free event at Open Door Presbyterian Church, 2999 Centreville Rd. [Facebook]
The surface lot area of the Reston International Center has gone from an old strip mall to a giant construction area seemingly overnight.
Actually, it has been a little more than six months since major construction work began in the eight-acre site on Sunrise Valley Drive near Reston Parkway. But you may have blinked — and then noticed a multi-story parking garage has been built.
Let’s revisit what is planned for JBG’s development, which will be called Vy at Reston Heights.
JBG’s application was approved by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in spring of 2013. The mixed-use development will be about a half-mile from the future Reston Town Center Metro station that is expected to open in 2020. Read More
Former United States Poet Laureate (2001-03) Billy Collins will be making an appearance in Reston in September as part of George Mason University’s Fall for the Book event and Reston Community Center’s Professional Touring Artist Series.
Collins will be at RCC’s CenterStage on Sept. 28 at 8 p.m. Tickets go on sale Aug. 1 ($15 Reston/$20 Non-Reston).
Collins has been dubbed the most-popular poet in America by The New York Times.
“Billy Collins is famous for conversational, witty poems that welcome readers with humor but often slip into quirky, tender or profound observation on the everyday, reading and writing, and poetry itself,” says The Poetry Foundation.
He is the author of more than a dozen books and a contributor to several more. Collins has received fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Guggenheim Foundation, and the New York Foundation for the Arts and has taught at Columbia University, Sarah Lawrence, and Lehman College, City University of New York, where he is a Distinguished Professor.
The Professional Touring Artist Series will also include music, drama, and more. RCC also announced that Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post columnist Eugene Robinson will be the keynote speaker at RCC’s Martin Luther King Day celebration Jan. 16.
See the full schedule and purchase tickets for the Professional Touring Artist Series on RCC’s website.
Photo: Billy Collins/The Poetry Foundation
Update, 1:45 p.m. Thursday: Police have identified the crash victim as David Reese Allison IV, 24, of Great Falls.
Detectives from the Crash Reconstruction Unit determined that the vehicle that struck the tree was a 2001 Volvo S40. The Volvo was traveling south on River Bend Road when it partially crossed the double-yellow line. At the same time, a vehicle was traveling north in the same area of River Bend Road and the Volvo apparently swerved to avoid hitting it. The Volvo went off the roadway and struck the tree.
Alcohol may be a contributing factor.
Original story, 10:30 a.m. Thursday:
Fairfax County Police are looking for witnesses to a fatal crash that occurred Wednesday on River Bend Road in Great Falls.
Police from the FCPD’s Reston District Station after a car that crashed into a tree in the 300 block of River Bend shortly after 3 p.m. When officers, along with Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department personnel, arrived the vehicle fully engulfed in flames.
One adult male had apparently been ejected and was found under the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Detectives from the Crash Reconstruction Unit were summoned to investigate the crash.
Police have not yet released the victim’s name.
Anyone with information or who might have witnessed this crash is asked to contact Crime Solvers electronically by visiting www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or text-a-tip by texting “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES(274637)** or by calling 1-866-411-TIPS(8477), or call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.
Presumptive Democratic Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton will likely make her pick for vice president on Friday or Saturday, and a familiar name keeps surfacing among the frontrunners: Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine (D).
Kaine, 58, is said to be among the top two Clinton is considering as the Democratic National Convention gets closer. The DNC is next week in Philadelphia.
The other top contender, according to The Washington Post, is Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
Clinton and Kaine campaigned together last week in Annandale.
Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said on Wednesday Kaine would be someone President Obama would recommend to Clinton as a vice-presidential pick.
Kaine attended Harvard Law School and was a Catholic missionary in Honduras (he is fluent in Spanish) before entering politics. He has served as Mayor of Richmond, Governor of Virginia and was elected to the senate in 2012.
Here is what would happen to Kaine’s Senate seat should he become VP.
Kaine will be in Northern Virginia all day today. In the morning, Kaine will host a roundtable discussion in Arlington with local advocacy groups on immigration reform. In the afternoon, he will host a roundtable discussion at the All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) in Sterling with leaders of the Northern Virginia interfaith and civil rights communities to discuss the importance of tolerance and religious freedom in light of recent rhetoric surrounding Muslim communities in America.
Would adding Kaine to the ticket influence your vote? Take our poll.
