It’s Columbus Day. That’s a federal holiday, so the U.S. Government is closed. But it is a workday for many. Here’s a look at what is open and what’s closed Monday:

The federal government, including the U.S. Post Office, is closed.

Fairfax County Public Schools are closed.

There is no in-person absentee voting at the Fairfax County Government Center. Absentee voting will resume on Tuesday.

Fairfax County government, courts, public schools and libraries are closed.

Fairfax County Parks and RECenters are open.

Reston Community Center Hunters Woods and Lake Anne are open, but check if your individual class or event is scheduled.

Metro — Trains and buses will operate on a Saturday schedule, with service every 6 to 12 minutes during daytime hours. Parking at all Metro-owned lots and garages will be free, and off-peak fares will be in effect all day.

Fairfax Connector — Routes 335, 393, 394, 395, 432, 494, 495, 585, 599, 724, 734, and 985 will not operate. Route 980 which will run every 12-15 minutes instead of every 6-8 minutes.

Stores are generally open. Virginia ABC stores are open.

See more county service change on this holiday list on Fairfax County’s website.

Photo: Christopher Columbus/Wikipedia Commons

South Lakes Still Undefeated — The No. 19 Seahawks won the annual football games with Herndon — “The Baron Cameron Bowl” — 56-23 at Herndon Friday. South Lakes (6-0) have won four of the last five meetings against the Hornets (1-5). [South Lakes Athletics]

Join Shoreshim For Yom Kippur Services  – Sponsored – Shoreshim is honored to invite the Jewish community of the Greater DC area to Yom Kippur services, free of charge, no tickets required. Erev Yom Kippur (Kol Nidre) services are Tuesday, Oct. 11 at 7:30 p.m.  Yom Kippur Day Services are Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2016, 10 a..m. Services are in Reston. For more information, call 571-445-0563 or email  [email protected]. [Shoreshim]

NoVa Homes: Prices Up, Inventory Down — Analysts expect no big changes during Fall and Winter markets. [Washington Post]

Columbus Day Metro Schedule — Here’s what you need to to know if you are commuting today. [Metro, Fairfax Connector]

Park Bonds Chat Wednesday —  On Nov. 8, voters may vote “yes” or “no” on parks and human services bonds. Learn more about how the county plans to use the money for parks, human services and transportation, if approved. The county is holding an online chat Wednesday, Oct. 12 at 11 a.m. to discuss. [Fairfax County]

Photo: Kids Pumpkin Run at Oktoberfest Reston 2016/Credit: Oktoberfest Reston 

Get To Virginia Wine Month Safely — The Commonwealth of Virginia has partnered with Uber to provide safe rides for visitors to Virginia Wine Month festivities. During weekends in October, Uber passengers will receive discounts on wine tastings, merchandise and bottles of wine when they visit wineries near Charlottesville, Richmond and Leesburg. [Washington Post]

New Land Use Process for Reston —  Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins will be introducing a new Land Use Process, Reston Land Use Launch, at the Reston Planning and Zoning meeting on Monday, Oct. 17, at 7 p.m. at Reston Association’s Conference Center (12001 Sunrise Valley Drive). This new step in the local land use process is an attempt to share these proposals with the larger community earlier in the land use process and afford an earlier opportunity for community engagement. [Hunter Mill Land Use]

Lake Fairfax’s Pump Track Now Open — The pump track cycling feature at Lake Fairfax Park opened for business on Saturday. Pump tracks are small, looping bicycle trail systems that riders navigate by pumping with their arms and legs, rather than pedaling. The track at Lake Fairfax measures 50 x 100 feet and is suitable for bicyclists of all ages and abilities. The track is free to use and open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. [Fairfax County]

Trains were delayed due to police activity at the Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station Friday afternoon.

A citizen notified transit police about 3:45 p.m. of a threatening note left aboard the train, said Metro spokesman Dan Stessel.

Trains were held while the Metro Transit Police Department K9 K9 swept the train and deemed it safe.

The trains were given the all clear about 4:45 p.m.

The first phase of an eventual 1.5-million square-foot mixed-use development on the south side of the Wiehle-Reston East Metro was recommended for approval by the Fairfax County Planning Commission on Thursday.

The first phase of Vornado’s plan for Commerce Executive Park at Wiehle Avenue, Sunrise Vally Drive and Commerce Park Drive, calls for a 200-unit residential building, as well as interior roads, pedestrian paths and a cycle track.

The planning commission held a public hearing last week but deferred decision until Oct. 6 to iron out some development conditions. While those issues — when a bike lane on Wiehle will be built, as well as expected contributions to the Reston Road Fund, among others — are not completely settled, Hunter Mill Commissioner Frank de le Fe says he is confident the parties will work together as the development plan comes together. Read More

See you in the beer garden on Saturday.

The Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce’s annual Oktoberfest Reston is tomorrow at Reston Town Center.

Food, wine, music and vendors will fill the area around Market Street. Oktoberfest takes place rain or shine (and there is rain in the forecast for Saturday).

Here is what you need to know:

The fun begins at noon and runs until 11 p.m.

Admission is free. Food and drink tickets are $1 per ticket or $20 for 24 tickets. You can purchase advance tickets online at www.OktoberfestReston.com or at the festival.

Beers on tap include Samuel Adams Oktoberfest, Warfteiner, Blue Moon and Miller Lite. There will also be a Craft Beer Alley featuring Fair Winds, Flying Dog, Heritage, Old Ox and Old Bust Head.

Among the local restaurants with food for sale: Tavern 64 Regional Kitchen; Vinifera Wine Bar & Bistro; American Tap Room; Neyla; Buffalo Wing Factory; The Melting Pot; Pittsburgh Ricks; The Melting Pot; and GreenFare.

Among the entertainment: Alpine Dancers, The Low’nBrows German Band, Dr FU, DJ Edward Daniels and DJ Moon Man. Check the event website for the exact schedule at the two stages (RTC Pavilion and on Library Street).

While Oktoberfest is one day only, the celebration continues on Sunday, Oct. 9 with the Pumpkin 5K and Kids Pumpkin Dash. Participants are encouraged to run in their Halloween costumes. The race begins at 8:15 a.m. and goes on a flat course around Reston Town Center.

Online registration ends today. Participants can also sign up Saturday and Sunday at packet pickup.

A woman told police a man with a knife attempted to abduct her as she was getting into her car on Wednesday afternoon at Reston Town Center.

Fairfax County Police said the woman was parked in the parking garage at Freedom and Fountain Drives about 3:30 p.m.

A man approached the victim and displayed a knife. The victim screamed loudly; she shouted for help and the suspect walked away, police said.

Officers were able to identify a suspect and obtained a warrant for Derrion M. l.ewis, 27, of Herndon, charging him with abduction.

Police, citing a pending case, did not give details on whether the suspect and victim knew one another or how they identified the suspect so quickly.

Officers have attempted to serve the warrant, but Lewis could not be located. The warrant is on file. The victim did not require medical attention.

This is an op-ed from Reston resident Lynda Reyes. It does not reflect the opinion of Reston Now.

I am writing in support of the Meals Tax. My parents risked their lives to come to this country. They had nothing when they arrived, but they worked long hours at low wages to provide my family with opportunities that are not available in other countries. We made Fairfax County our home, but because of the rhetoric surrounding the Meals Tax, we do not feel welcome here anymore.

In conversations and online comments, there is a consistent emphasis on the burden imposed by kids who are not white and wealthy. One commenter on FCPS School Board member Pat Hynes’ recent op-ed stated that “the outputs of English language learners, special education students, emotionally challenged students, and less financially advantaged students is incommensurate with the financial input” — in other words, it is supposedly a waste of money to educate immigrant kids, kids with special needs, and poor kids. Read More

Drinking and smoking are at their lowest rates in five years among Fairfax County teens.

That’s the findings of the newest Fairfax County Youth Survey of eighth, 10th and 12th graders.

The annual survey, whose 2015-2016 results were recently released, examines behaviors, experiences, and other factors that influence the health and wellbeing of the county’s youth.

Students’ participation in the survey was voluntary and anonymous.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and the Fairfax County School Board co-sponsor the survey to collect information about youth behaviors, both positive as well as those that are harmful.

The survey was administered in November, 2015, and resulted in valid responses from 33,276 students.

Some of the key findings:

More than one-third of Fairfax County students (35.8%) reported drinking alcohol at least once in their lifetime, ranging from 16.9% of eighth-grade students to over half of twelfth-grade students
(56.9%).

All of the overall rates for alcohol use (lifetime, past month, and binge drinking) were the lowest reported in the past five years. The lifetime prevalence rate decreased 9.7 percentage points since  2011, while the past month rate decreased by 5.6 percentage points and binge drinking in the past two weeks decreased by 3.4 percentage points.

Thirteen percent of the students (13.1%) reported smoking cigarettes at least once in their lifetime, ranging from 5.4% of eighth-grade students to over one-fifth of twelfth-grade students (22.4%).
Lifetime and past month prevalence rates for cigarette use were the lowest reported in the past five years. The lifetime prevalence rate decreased 7.5 percentage points since 2011, while the past month rate decreased by 4.1 percentage points.

Marijuana was the second most commonly used substance by Fairfax County students overall. One-fifth of the students reported using marijuana in their lifetime (19.2%), ranging from 4.4% of eighth-grade students to over one-third of twelfth-grade students (36.4%).

Ten percent of the students (10.3%) reported using marijuana in the past month, ranging from 2.0% of eighth-grade students to one-fifth of the twelfth-grade students (20.0%).

Both lifetime and past month prevalence rates for Fairfax County students overall were lower than the national comparison data for alcohol, marijuana, cigarette, and inhalant use.

The overall rate for binge drinking also was below the national rate, as were the past month prevalence rates for e-cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and Ecstasy use.

To see more stats on sexual activity, physical activity, depression and other public health issues, read the entire youth survey on Fairfax County’s website.

Here Comes Bikeshare — Fairfax Advocates for Better Biking (FABB) has spied bikeshare stations installed at Reston Town Center and Reston Station, among other locations. Fairfax County’s first Capital Bikeshare operation is slated to open this fall, officials say. [FABB]

FCPS Picks Interim Superintendent — The Fairfax County School Board has appointed Deputy Superintendent Steve Lockard to replace Karen Garza upon her departure in December. Lockard has served as FCPS deputy superintendent since August 2014. The search process for a permanent superintendent has begun and will be completed before July 2017, the school board says. [FCPS]

Save The Date To See Terraset’s New Digs — The community is invited to an open house to see the Reston elementary school’s giant renovation on Oct. 22 from 3 to 5 p.m.

See Inside Fire Stations — Next week is Fire Prevention Week. Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Stations will be holding open houses from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15.  Young visitors can meet a firefighter, try on a uniform and climb aboard the fire truck, among other activities.

Football Tonight — Undefeated South Lakes (5-0) plays at Herndon (1-4) at 7 p.m.

South Lakes junior Kurtis Grant shot four birdies on the final nine holes at Reston’s Hidden Creek Country Club en route to a 4-under-par 67 and the Virginia 6A regional boys golf title on Wednesday.

Grant shot a 68 on Tuesday, which helped him win the individual medal by eight shots.

As a sophomore in 2015, Grant finished one stroke behind the winner. Grant was also the winner of last week’s Conference 6 tournament at Herndon Centennial Golf Course.

Grant, along with other regional qualifiers move on to the Boys 5A-6A state championships in Mosely, Va., Oct. 10-11.

Read more about Kurtis and see regional tournament pictures in this Washington Post story.

Pressed for time? There are no shortages of apps and services that come to you. You can get a meal in a box, an Uber ride with the click of a finger, and pretty much anything at any time within the hour on Amazon Prime Now.

Reston has a new service: Gas-e, which will skip you a trip to the gas station.

Gas-e is a new app-directed service now available here, the first place in what the company hopes will be several spots in Northern Virginia, says Thomas Monson, a founder of the company.

Gas-e works like this: Users park their car and request a fill up via the app, which can be downloaded from iTunes or Google Play. They choose what kind of gas they prefer (regular unleaded, premium, etc.). Gas-e then delivers gas directly into their cars (clients need to leave the gas door popped open) and charges the credit card on file.

Users get a text when the truck is on its way and another one when the car’s tank is filled. Prices are comparable to those at nearby gas stations.

Reston Now had a few questions for Monson. Here’s what he had to say:

Reston Now: How did you get the idea for Gas-e?

Thomas Monson: The idea for gas-e came one day at a gas station watching a mother manage two screaming kids in the back seat. I felt like there had to be a way to help make her day run a bit smooth.

The car that she was driving sits idle for more 90 percent of the day, so why fill it up during the busiest time of her day? We can do this during the work day or at night. Thus, offering the highest level of convenience and flexibility in achieving an uninterrupted commute. Now if we could only do something about DC traffic. Read More

The Fairfax County Planning Commission has recommended for approval Pulte Homes’ plan to rezone a one-story industrial building into 44 residences at 1825 Michael Faraday Court near the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station.

After a planning staff report recommended denying the application and the commission held a public hearing last week, the panel delayed making a decision until Wednesday.

Hunter Mill planning commissioner Frank de le Fe said he still had some issues with the plan for the Lofts at Reston Station — which jams 12 2-over-2 townhouses and 32 multifamily units into fewer than two acres of land.

The staff report asked the developer that a few units be removed to allow greater ease of movement and parking for emergency vehicles and trash trucks.

Pulte said that removing units would affect the number of homes set aside for workforce housing, de le Fe said.

The dangers of heroin use — a growing problem in Virginia and nationwide — are the topic of a talk by Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring Thursday at Herndon Middle School (901 Locust St, Herndon) at 6:30 p.m.

There will be a special free screening of “Heroin: The Hardest Hit,” a documentary that explores the heroin and prescription drug epidemic and its effects on Virginians.

Herring will be joined by Town of Herndon’s Vice Mayor Jennifer Baker and Chief of Police Maggie DeBoard.

Heroin overdose fatalities in Virginia have more than doubled from 100 deaths in 2011 to 239 deaths in 2014, while an additional 547 Virginians died from prescription drug overdose in 2014, the movie materials say.

Between 2011 and 2013, every region of the state experienced an increase in heroin overdose fatalities. More Virginians were killed in 2014 by heroin and prescription opioid drug overdose than car crashes.

“There is not one corner of the Commonwealth untouched by heroin’s influence and destruction,” Herring said.

In response to this growing public health and public safety problem, Herring has launched a plan to combat heroin and prescription opiate abuse by creating and implementing partnerships and creative solutions for a complex problem.

This film is one example of the preventive and educational measures the Herring’s office is pursuing to make all Virginians  — from teenagers to adults — more aware of the growing crisis involving heroin and prescription and the risks associated with dangerous drugs.

Checking In On Silver Line Phase 2 — NBC4 transit reporter Adam Tuss gets an update on rail to Dulles, which is still on track for 2020 opening. [NBC4 Washington]

Special RA Board Meeting Tonight — Reston Association’s Board of Directors will have a special meeting at RA offices (12001 Sunrise Valley Drive) Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Subject: Performance evaluation for CEO Cate Fulkerson and a look at goals for 2017. There will be a public comment period. [Reston Association]

Reston Native Runs In Honor Of Fallen Friend — Reston native Jim Anderson is running the Marine Corps Marathon later this month in honor of his friend and fellow South Lakes High School cross country teammate David Williams, who was killed at the Pentagon on Sept. 11. [WTOP]