Reston resident Don Chernoff recently used his engineering background and concern for his dog Sunny to invent a sturdy shoe that he says has improved the pet’s quality of life.

Chernoff, inventor and founder of Skyroll luggage said Sunny, now 12, had a tumor in his left front paw. The paw was amputated about two years ago.

Sunny got a prosthetic from the vet, but the dog kept breaking it and chewing on it. That’s when Chernoff was inspired to design one himself.

“I thought using a sneaker on the bottom would work better, and it did,” Chernoff said in an email.

Chernoff said he destroyed his old pair of Nike Zoom Vapor 9 shoes. He used the shoe parts and duct tape, to upgrade into a “faux paw” — and now Sunny gets around much better.

Chernoff says he is not looking for a patent, a deal with Nike or to make more shoes. That is, unless Sunny breaks his current faux paw.

SLHS Opens State Lacrosse Play Tonight — South Lakes Boys Lacrosse will begin its first-ever state tournament in Virginia 6A play tonight at Stafford’s Colonial Forge High School, 7 p.m.

Metro GM: Repair Program ‘Won’t Be Perfect’ — Metro GM Paul Wiedenfeld says Metro’s SafeTrack program, which begins this weekend, will try hard but won’t work miracles. The repair program will go on for nearly a year in order to fix some major Metro safety issues. [WTOP]

Snakes! — Fairfax County has them and you should be careful. [Fairfax County]

Music at Reston Station — Reston Station’s Summer Stage begins tonight with a performance by the Alan Scott Band, performing on the plaza from 6:30 – 9:00 pm. Family fun on Saturday with Finding Nemo airing at the outdoor film series at sunset.

Roads and paths in North Reston will be affected by the 10th annual Reston Sprint Triathlon on Sunday.

The race begins at 7 a.m. with a quarter-mile swim at the Lake Newport Pool.

The biking portion is a 12-mile loop that involves Reston Parkway, Wiehle Avenue and Baron Cameron Avenue. See the course map on the race website.

Race officials offer this advice to cyclists: “Beware of the turn at Reston Parkway and Wiehle Ave. It is downhill and more than 90 degrees. Also, watch for cars encroaching into the bike lanes at Baron Cameron and Reston Parkway. Drivers may not understand how to make a right turn, when we have closed the turn lane. Bicycle handlebar end caps are required as are serviceable helmets in good condition.”

The 5K run course goes mainly on on bike paths in the Center Harbor/Lake Newport/North Village/Wiehle Avenue area. The start and finish area is adjacent to the Lake Newport Pool.

Affected streets will not be closed, but lanes may be blocked and traffic slowed. As always, watch for participants in the road.

The last participants should wrap up by 9 a.m.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Cornerstones.

See more details about packet pickup, spectator locations, parking and more information on the race site.

There are still volunteer opportunities available.

Jim Lewis and Michele Hymer “Cookie” Blitz have been selected as Hunter Mill’s Lord and Lady Fairfax as part of 2016 Celebrate Fairfax.

Each year, Fairfax County Supervisors select members of their districts who have demonstrated superior community service.

The Lords and Ladies will be honored at the Board of Supervisors’ meeting on June 7, as well as at a special dinner reception that evening. Celebrate Fairfax is June 10-12 at the Fairfax County Government Center.

From Celebrate Fairfax:

James G Lewis, Jr. is the ultimate storyteller. He shares his expertise, talents, extensive knowledge, and enthusiasm for local history with all. In fact, in most conversations with Mr. Lewis, you can count on hearing, “I have a story about that.”

As an avid historian with an interest in the Hunter Mill Road corridor, Mr. Lewis not only reports the history, he discovers it. His explorations have uncovered sites of skirmishes, encampments, graves and structures from the Civil War era and before. He shares this history with the community through his popular lectures; bus, walking, and cemetery tours; and numerous books and publications.

He helped produce the documentary, “Danger Between the Lines”, shown on public television and winner of the County’s historical award.

He was instrumental with the research, applications and installation of several roadside markers that denote important historical events. Recently, Mr. Lewis expanded his repertoire of lectures to include talks on WWII milestones and events, which he shares around the county at no charge. With his enthusiasm and wealth of knowledge, he connects residents across generations to our rich local history.

Michele Hymer Blitz, or Cookie as she is affectionately known, serves as the Hunter Mill District appointee to the Fairfax Area Disability Services Board and past Board Chair, a position she has held since 2006.  Over her tenure, Hymer Blitz has proved to be a champion for County residents with disabilities, especially in employment and housing issues and is a member of the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee.

Along with her advocacy for individuals with disabilities, Cookie is completing a two year term as President of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, and is also a long time member of the Board of Directors of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington.

Additionally, she is a Trustee of the Jewish Federations of North America and serves as National co-chair of the Aging and Family Caregiving Committee. Hymer Blitz also enjoys volunteering at the Closet in Herndon and is a supporter of Cornerstones in Reston. In 2014, she was named one of 30 Social Justice Makers in VA by the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy.

Next Stop Theatre Company and PassionFish are teaming up for a special weekend package.

For $60, enjoy brunch at noon and VIP seating at a performance of “City of Angels” at 2 p.m. Package seats are available June 4 and 5.

Reservations must be made by 5 p.m. tonight.

The Live Theatre & Brunch Package includes:

A two-course brunch (including tax and gratuity) with a Bloody Mary or mimosa at PassionFish Reston in Reston Town Center.

A ticket to NextStop Theatre for a matinee of City of Angels with VIP reserved seating and a signature “matinee mimosa.”

Additional restaurant menu items or substitutions are subject to an additional charge. Package availability subject to ticket availability.

Use the code “BRUNCH” when you order your package online or by phone at 866-811-4111.

PassionFish/file photo

Fairfax County says it has sent $6,000 in invoices to some of the county’s worst roadside and median sign violators.

Under a legal agreement with the state, Fairfax County removes signs from public rights of way on about 71 major roads. The law allows the county to collect a $100 civil penalty against sign owners. The penalty is assessed for each sign posted.

The county says it began charging penalties last month, and five sign owners have received invoices for these amounts:

• We Pay up to $100-200 Junk Car: $3,500
• Bruce and Tanya REMAX: $1,600
• Debbie Dogrul, Long & Foster: $600
• Mount Vernon Athletic Club: $200
• Target Marble: $100

In this fiscal year (which ends June 30), the county has picked up 27,621 signs so far under the removal program it began in 2013.

Crews remove these signs from public rights-of-way along 71 streets — or about 200 miles of roadway. Most are two-lane, divided highways Fairfax County Parkway, Route 50 and Route 28. Signs are not removed from neighborhood streets, nor are they cleaned up based on public complaints, county officials said.

It’s almost here. Metro’s first SafeTrack work begins on Saturday. Are you ready with alternative commuting plans?

The first of 15 “safety surges” will affect Reston-area residents and workers as the repairs be on the Silver and Orange line lines.

After many recent delays and safety incidents, Metro is implementing the intensive schedule in order to make three years of necessary repairs in about a year.

To avoid gridlock, commuters are urged to consider carpooling, vanpooling, taking the bus, biking and teleworking as often as possible during Metro’s ongoing work.

Nick Perfili and Ciara Williams from Fairfax County Department of Transportation will be online Thursday, June 2 at noon to answer your questions about commuter options in the county. Log on live or submit your questions to learn more.

Herndon Senior Earns National Merit Scholarship — Herndon High’s Jessica Nielsen is one of 15 Fairfax County Public Schools students who have earned a Merit Scholarship from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. About 3,000 students nationwide are chosen as National Merit finalists and will receive a monetary award from their chosen university. Nielsen will attend Brigham Young University. [FCPS]

Be Prepared — Fairfax County is conducting a survey to see how families prepare for emergencies. [Fairfax County]

Summer Sale at Small Change — Lake Anne Plaza’s Small Change consignment store is now hosting its annual half-price sale. There will be pop-up specials on Melissa & Doug toys and even deeper discount on clothes and shoes continuing throughout the summer. Small Change is

The bricks at Lake Anne Plaza will turn into brightly colored murals at the third annual Chalk on the Water Festival, which returns to the plaza June 11-12.

Registration is now open for individuals of all ages for the two-day street-painting festival.

Festival goers can purchase a “plot” of brick space on the plaza and paint whatever flows from their imagination. Cost for spaces are $10 for families and school-age children (elementary to high school), $15 for amateur artists, and $15 for professional artists.

Register on Chalk on the Water’s website.

Only 150 spaces/plots are available for this event. Participants have a chance to win cash prizes for various categories, awarded by community judges.

Lake Anne collaborated with Initiative for Public Art-Reston (IPAR) to bring this public art themed event to the plaza.  Funds raised from the festival will be donated to IPAR.

The festival is sponsored by the Friends of Lake Anne (FOLA), Reston Art Gallery, and Washington Parent Magazine. For sponsorship inquiries, visit www.chalkonthewater.com.

Editor’s note: An incorrect version of this story accidentally posted earlier today. This is the correct version.

Metal pellets from a BB gun were aimed at a Reston Association official’s Reston home on Sunday night, police confirmed.

Sometime late Sunday night, someone shot at the front and back deck of the home, according to a report filed with Fairfax County Police. The Reston Association official’s name and home location are not being used for privacy reasons.

The RA official was out of town at the time. No other houses in the area were believed to be damaged and there were no injuries, police said. Detectives took BBs from the scene and will further investigate the incident.

The RA official is concerned that the shooting was done by someone in the community “who has an issue” with Reston Association.

The Virginia Department of Transportation, in cooperation with Fairfax County, is holding three public information meetings this month on a multimodal study of the 31-mile Fairfax County Parkway (Route 286) corridor from Route 7 to Route 1.

The study is assessing existing transportation issues and developing short-term multimodal improvements that can be implemented within the next 1 to 10 years.

This project began in 2014 and is expected to be completed by early 2017. It Includes the following activities:

• Traffic/Safety Data Analysis – Spring 2015
• Identify Issues – Spring 2015
• Analysis of Existing Conditions – Fall 2015/Winter 2015-2016
• Identify & Evaluate Improvements – Winter 2015-2016/Spring 2016
• Public Information Meetings – June 2016
• Finalize Evaluations/Final Project Documentation – Winter 2016/2017

The public is invited to stop by to learn more about the study, view displays and discuss questions with VDOT and Fairfax County staff at one three meetings.

The closest meeting to Reston is on Thursday, June 9 at Oak Hill Elementary School, 3210 Kinross Circle, Herndon.

Other meetings will be held

Wednesday, June 8 at Hayfield Secondary School, 7630 Telegraph Road, Alexandria and Monday, June 13 at Sangster Elementary School, 7420 Reservation Drive, Springfield,

All meeting times are 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., with a presentation at 7 p.m.

Comments maysent to VDOT by July 5.

Visit the VDOT project page for more details.

Photo: Fairfax County Parkway/VDOT

Officers from Fairfax County Police’s Reston District Station report that two burglaries took place May 29 and 30.

The first incident was in the 10000 block of Scenic View Terrace in the Vienna area on May 29. A resident reported that someone came into his garage and took property.

The second was on May 30 in the 500 block of Haven Lane in Great Falls. A resident told police someone came into their home and took property.

In other police report news in the last week:

LARCENIES

• 12100 block of Sunset Hills Road, license plate from vehicle.
• 2500 block of Reston Parkway, mulch from business.
• 2500 block of John Milton Drive, alcohol from business.
• 12000 block of Lake Newport Road, laptop computer and phone from residence.
• 11900 block of Market Street, merchandise from business.
• 11900 block of Market Street, property from residence.
• 1300 block of Stable Farm Court, jewelry from residence.
• 2500 block of Centreville Road, merchandise from business.
• 700 block of Ellsworth Avenue, wallet from vehicle.
• 1500 block of Hiddenbrook Drive, jewelry and medication from residence.
• 2500 block of John Milton Drive, liquor from business.
• 2400 block of Old Silo Court, jewelry and cash from residence.
• 13200 block of Overcup Oak Court, wallet from vehicle.
• 1800 block of Cameron Glen Drive, bicycle from residence.

STOLEN VEHICLES

1200 block of Difficult Run Court, 2016 Infinity G37X.

A new study says Fairfax County and its western neighbor Loudoun are some of the happiest places in America.

In its second annual survey, the financial website Smartasset.com looked at nearly 1,000 counties with populations of 50,000 or more. Smartasset then looked at eight factors, some positive and some negative.

The positive factors were each county’s marriage rate, income ratio (the ratio of median income to cost of living), life expectancy and physical activity rate (the percentage of the population getting adequate physical activity each week). The negative factors were each county’s poverty rate, unemployment rate, divorce rate and personal bankruptcy rate.

Not included were factors that residents who live here experience: high home costs, long commutes and an overcrowded public school system. Read More

Reston Company Purchased — Gathersburg-based BroadSoft Inc. has purchased Reston-based Intellinote as part of its ongoing quest to dominate the digital workplace productivity market. [Washington Business Journal]

Second Chance For Vets In Court — A look inside Fairfax County’s first Veterans Treatment Court program, where veterans accused of crimes can sometimes opt for serious therapy program. [Washington Post]

Art and Meditation — There is another chance to meditate at Greater Reston Arts Center on June 8. [Facebook]

Farewell After 40 Years — Helen Guest, teacher and director at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church Preschool in Herndon, is retiring after 40 years with the school. [Fairfax Times]

Sobriety Checkpoint — Fairfax County Police conducted a sobriety checkpoint in the Reston District over the holiday weekend. It resulted in 539 cars screened, two arrests for DWI, and four other traffic violations.