Reston Hospital Center is planning another major facility expansion for the medical center, which turns 30 years old this year.
HCA Virginia’s Reston Hospital Center recently completed a large addition and helicopter landing pad at its medical office building.
The Emergency Department also went through a major renovation, including the addition of five beds to Reston Hospital’s pediatric ER; as well as adding four additional operating rooms; 15 preoperative rooms; and 19 recovery rooms to the surgical services department.
The hospital’s latest plans include a state-of-the-art Intensive Care Unit, additional patient rooms, as well as an expansion and renovation of its Women’s and Children Services, including its Level III NICU, the hospital announced late last week.
“We’ve seen our community grow exponentially over the years,” John Deardorff, president and CEO of Reston Hospital Center, said in a statement. “This region’s commercial and residential development will be further accelerated with the expansion of public transit infrastructure. This expansion will ensure our ability to meet the ongoing demand for healthcare services within the community we so proudly serve.”
In addition to expanding patient care areas, the hospital’s plans include refurbishments to the lobbies, cafeteria, and other patient support areas located on the main level of the hospital.
The addition of a new visitor corridor and a second parking garage are also included in the plans. Work is expected to begin in late 2016.
A Reston man is facing several criminal charges after he entered a Great Falls home and passed out in the basement.
Police said the owner of a home in the 700 block of Seneca Road in Great Falls was away from home and checking his security camera online at about 5:20 a.m. Monday when he saw an unknown male trying to enter the house.
Officers from Fairfax County Police’s Reston District Station arrived and found Christopher Jones, 25, of Reston, passed out in the basement.
Police also found a vehicle registered to Jones not far from the home. The vehicle had struck a mailbox and then become stuck in a ditch.
Jones was charged with unlawful entry and hit and run, police said.
Photo: Christopher Jones/Credit: FCPD
Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va. 11th) announced on Thursday – at his annual St. Patrick’s Day Fete — that he would seek re-election to his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“Together, we’ve made investments in education, transportation, and protected Northern Virginia’s economy,” Connolly told more than 1,000 supports at the Kena Shriners’ Temple for his 22nd Annual St. Patrick’s Day event. “We’ve fought hard for health care reform, affordable housing, environmental protections, Wall Street reform, and equality for all.”
“But there is still important work to be done,” he said. “We have to build on the progress we’ve made and continue to grow our economy. Congress needs to pass comprehensive immigration reform, make college more affordable, and enact sensible gun reforms that will keep our communities safe.”
Connolly, who is in his fourth term in Congress, was re-elected in 2014 with more than 57 percent of the vote. Prior to his election to Congress, he served 14 years on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, the last five as Chairman.
Thus far, no Republican challenger has been named. The Virginia 11th Congressional District Republican Committee meets May 14, where it will most likely nominate a candidate for the House seat.
Rep. Gerry Connolly/file photo
Reston’s Place In The World — Reston filmmaker Rebekah Wingert-Jabi talks about the similarities between Reston and other settings for her films: community. Wingert-Jabi’s Another Way of Living: The Story of Reston, VA screens at the National Building Museum Thursday. [Washingtonian]
Save The Books? — Several people at a community forum on the Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) system last week recommended revising the policy on discarding old books, which is leading to a diminished collection as many still-useful books are being thrown out. [AnnandaleVA Blog]
Leidos Selling Off Section — Reston-based Leidos is selling its $175 million heavy construction business to Jacksonville, Florida-based construction company Haskell. [Washington Business Journal]
Photo: Students at Lake Anne ES perform in Disney’s “The Little Mermaid”/Courtesy Lake Anne ES
A black bear and a bear cub were spotted by residents in the 1500 block of Windstone Drive over the weekend, Fairfax County Police said.
Spring is the time when black bears and cubs emerge from their winter dens, so it is not unusual to see bears from mid-March to early May in Virginia.
The residents told police they saw the bears Sunday about 7 p.m. This location is near Difficult Run Stream Valley Park and Wolftrap Stream Valley Park. Police said the bears posed no problems or issues, but did stay on the property for about an hour.
Here are some bear behavior tips from FCPD:
Bears typically avoid humans, but may wander into residential areas in their search for food. Most often, bears will keep moving through an area once they fail in their attempts to find food.
Mother bears are protective over their cubs. If encountered, bears and their cubs should not be approached. When sensing danger, a female bear will typically send her cubs up a tree and leave the area. In such cases, the female will almost always return to gather up the cubs when no people or pets are around, usually after dark.
If a bear huffs or woofs, clacks its teeth, growls or slaps the ground, it is warning you that you are too close.
The Fairfax County Wildlife Management Specialist and the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries suggest residents take the following precautions to minimize encounters with black bears:
Keep a respectful distance! In most cases, the bear will move on quickly.
If a bear is up a tree on or near your property, give it space. Do not approach, and bring your pets inside to provide the bear a clear path to leave your property.If you see a very small cub, do not try to remove it from the area or “save it.” The best way to encourage the bear not to return is to remove food sources.
Do not store household trash, or anything that smells like food, in vehicles, on porches or decks.
Keep your full or empty trash containers secured in a garage, shed or basement.
Take your garbage to the dump frequently.
If you have a trash collection service, put your trash out the morning of the pickup, not the night before.
Take down your birdfeeder for 3-4 weeks after the bear visits.
Unless the animal is sick or injured, or poses a threat to public safety, Animal Control Officers do not take actions to attempt to remove bears from a neighborhood.
Black bears have a natural fear of humans, and in most cases, would rather flee than encounter people.
You may contact the Fairfax County Animal Services Division, Animal Control Section at (703) 691-2131 , for further information. Bear sightings should be reported to the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries through the Virginia Wildlife Conflict Helpline at (855) 571-9003 .
Photo: Bear in Fairfax County/FCPD file photo
A traffic stop turned into a police pursuit and drug charges for a Reston man on Friday.
Fairfax County Police said officers attempted a traffic stop for a traffic violation in the 1800 block of Old Reston Ave. about 10 p.m.
The suspect vehicle continued and finally stopped in the 11600 block of Charter Oak Court, police said. The driver was placed under arrest without incident. William A. Butler, 28, of Reston, was charged with possession of marijuana, disregard police signal to stop, and driving on a suspended license.
In other news from the FCPD’s Reston District Station:
PERSON IN EMOTIONAL DISTRESS, 11300 block of Geddys Court,, March 18 at 9:03 a.m. Officers responded to a call from Adult Protective Services that a man was in crisis. The social worker was at the scene and another resident were escorted out of the house for safety purposes. Officers were initially unable to make contact with the man, but he voluntarily exited the house and was transported for mental health treatment.
BURGLARY, 1700 block of Clubhouse Road, March 17, 10:36 p.m. Police officers responded to a burglar alarm at a business. One officer observed an unknown male holding property. The suspect was described as 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 9 inches tall, 130 to 150 pounds, wearing a black shirt, dark pants, black backpack, and black winter cap, inside the business. The suspect was not located.
LARCENIES
- 11800 block of Baron Cameron Avenue, snacks from business
- 1500 block of Coat Ridge Road, license plate from vehicle
- 11900 block of Democracy Drive, tip jar from business
- 11600 block of Plaza America Drive, wallet from business
- 11800 block of Spectrum Center, phone from business
- 12000 block of Town Square, merchandise from business
Rescue Reston, the grassroots organization aimed at protecting Reston’s open space, has been selected by the Reston Citizens Association as its 2015 Citizen of the Year.
The annual Citizen of the Year Award traditionally honors an individual who has contributed to the quality of life in Reston, helped others in need and acted with the goals of Reston in mind, without thought of personal benefit or recognition, RCA says.
RCA chose Rescue Reston for its defense of Reston National Golf Course as open green space in a drawn-out legal battle of more than four years. RN Golf, the owners of Reston National, recently dropped their legal appeal in the effort to see if the course could be developed as residential.
“Typically, RCA has awarded the honor to an individual from Reston, but chose Rescue Reston for 2015 because it greatly represents the things that make Reston very unique — strong community involvement and passion for core founding principles such as preserving open green space and having ample recreational facilities within the community,” RCA President Sridhar Ganesan said in a statement.
“Thousands of citizens united behind the Rescue Reston cause, which resulted in a great public common good for Reston. Being an association of, by and for the citizens, RCA is proud to honor this organization that represents a citizen-led movement,” he said.
Rescue Reston will be honored at the annual RCA Award Ceremony on Sunday, April 24 at 6 p.m. at the Reston Community Center Hunters Woods.
At least two petitions have been organized by Reston Town Center patrons in response to the news that the mixed-use area will go to a paid parking system this August.
There is a petition on Change.org, as well as on on StandUnited.org, reflecting the frustration of many RTC patrons. From the StandUnited petition:
To Boston Properties: Your paid parking plan is going to kill the Town Center, not help it. Instead of making RTC appealing to people who want to grab a bite to eat or stop at a few shops, you are penalizing them.
Part time and full time hourly employees should not be penalized because commuters have been taking advantage of your parking structure. You are stealing money from people who are trying to better themselves by charging employees monthly fees to park where they work. What other retail places charge employees to park?
Please reconsider your paid parking plan. Tyson’s Corner was able to cut down on commuter abuse without penalizing the store patrons and employees. It’s not right to make businesses who are already paying an exorbitant amount in rent have to subsidize their employees’ and customers’ parking.
A RTC spokeswoman said last week that an app-based system that will go into place in August. The app, RTC Park, will also help patrons locate their car and pay the parking charges by credit card.
Parking will cost $2 an hour. Store and office employees will have to pay for parking as well, but monthly passes (up to $70 for office workers; $50 for retail workers) are being offered. Many stores also say they will offer validation, but that exact plan has not yet been worked out.
Parking will still be free on weekends, holidays and during major community events such as the holiday parade, Oktoberfest Reston or the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival. There will also be designated free parking for quick stops at stores such as FedEx, CVS and the dry cleaners.
There will be a community meeting on the topic at 6:30 p.m. on March 31 at The Avant (12025 Town Square St. at Reston Town Center).
“We have been discussing paid parking options since the Silver Line was approved,” said RTC spokeswoman Marion Myers. “Since last year’s opening of the Wiehle-Reston Metro Station, we have seen an increase in the already problematic use of RTC parking by commuters and non-patrons. The upcoming additional Reston station will only add to the problem.”
The Reston Town Center Metro station is scheduled to open in 2020.
North Point Restaurant Clears Development Step — The plan for a new Chick-fil-A restaurant at North Point Village Center was recommended for approval by the Fairfax County Planning Commission, which met last week. Chick-fil-A plans to tear down the former North Point Burger King building. No Board of Supervisors hearing date has been set. [Reston Now]
Jewish Film Festival Preview in Reston — Reston Community Center Hunters Woods will host a free screening of the documentary “Raise the Roof,” Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. The movie is about American art professors who set out to replicate the mosaic roof of an 8th-Century Polish synogouge using only period tools and techniques. [Reston Community Center]
Metro’s Malfunctions — In reflecting on last week’s shutdown of the entire system for a safety inspection, here is a good history of how Metro got to be so broken. [WAMU]
Adopt An Artist With GRACE — The Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival returns to Reston May 21-22. Greater Reston Arts Center is sponsoring an “Adopt An Artist” program, where citizens can sponsor a participating artist, learn more about them and earn festival perks. [GRACE]
Photo: Reston Association’s 2016 Kids’ Trout Fishing Day/Credit: Sean Bahrami
Adam Carlton Levine, 21, of Reston, died early Saturday in Miami following complications from a seizure, his family said.
Levine was a 2013 graduate of Herndon High School who was a junior Political Science major at the University of Miami.
At Miami, he was a member of Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity and was active in undergraduate student government.
Levine’s larger-than-life personality and witty sense of humor made him the life of the party, whether it was a gathering of two or a stadium full of fellow students.
“Truly beloved by all, Adam’s outgoing, caring personality and sense of humor was known to always make his friends smile,” Miami’s Vice President for Student Affairs Patricia Whitely said in a statement. “With a remarkably joyful disposition, he enjoyed helping his fellow students.”
Levine spent a semester abroad in Sydney, Australia, last year and had plans to enroll in dental school after graduation.
He had a passion for leadership and helping others, working when he was a teen as a teacher at Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation’s (NVHC) religious school and as a counselor at its summer camp for preschoolers.
Robert Nosanchuk, a family friend and the former rabbi at NVHC, said Levine has always been “the kind of kid people gravitated toward.”
“I first met him when he was nine, and that was the same kid at 21 the students at University of Miami will miss,” said Nosanchuk. “He was so affectionate and open hearted. He defined loyalty and protection. I saw that time and again. If this [tragedy] had happened to someone else, he would care more than anyone else. He was such a loyal, consistent friend.”
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 22 at NVHC, 1441 Wiehle Ave. in Reston.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to the Camp Harlam Memorial Fund, c/o NVHC.
Photos courtesy Levine family
Reston Town Center employees can expect to pay a monthly parking charge when the center goes to a pay parking system this summer.
The town center announced earlier this week it is in the process of installing a paid parking system for its seven garages. The system, which will be rolled out gradually, will likely go into effect late this summer, RTC officials said.
That has led to frustration by many merchants and outrage from many customers, who say they will no longer visit RTC if they have to pay to park.
“Horrible stupid idea,” said one commenter on Reston Now. “Penalize everyone for the misdeeds of a few. … What they don’t get is that the majority of those going to the restaurants during the week are usually business related and folks from out of town. Imagine trying to tell your business client that you have to download an app in order park, so that you can drink your $8 beer? We don’t need to get used to it because we have choices.”
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Three freshman from South Lakes High School won first place awards at the Fairfax County Regional Science and Engineering Fair at Robinson High School last weekend. They will move on to the Virginia State Science Fair in Lexington April 8-9.
Winners included Ghaaliyah Brown (The Effect of Garlic Juice on the Growth Rate of Oral Bacteria); Rachel Taylor (The Effect of Roadside Pollutants on Plant Growth); and Alessandra Mandala-Kol (The Effect of Type of Compost on the Health of Kidney Bean Plant).
South Lakes sent 20 students to the fair, which featured more than 400 county students. All the SLHS students’ projects were place winners.
Other winners:
Honorable Mentions: Ilana Levy and Alex Loukili.
Third Place: Soemi Photavath, Anna Prater, Rachel Kessler, Anika Kumar, Sanika Lawate, Michael Gmarnik, Phillip Bladen, Lina Modjarrad; and the team of Daniel Sprague and Caroline Kulczycky.
Second Place: Stephanie Williams, Gwyneth Pudner, Aravindan Balaguru, Michelle Whitlock; team of Jacob Mamros, Max Peters, and Ashton Reinhold; team of Samuel Wirth and Charles Zawacki.
For complete FCPS Regional Science Fair information, visit FCPS’ website.
It’s nearly Easter, so its time to have some holiday fun.
Children ages 1 to 8 and their parents/caregivers are invited to Brown’s Chapel Park Saturday, March 19 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. for Reston Community Center’s Eggnormous Egg Hunt.
Here’s what is in store: Carnival games, entertainment, moon bounces, prizes, and a strolling magician, as well as the main event, the egg hunt. The egg hunt starts at 10:30 a.m. sharp.
Brown’s Chapel Park is located off of Baron Cameron Avenue at 11300 Brown’s Chapel Rd.
The event is free. The rain date is Saturday, March 26.
Don’t forget to bring:
- A basket to carry your eggs
- A camera for all the photo ops
- A picnic to enjoy outdoors
A planned pedestrian bridge that will move the W&OD Trail over — rather than across — Wiehle Avenue at Sunset Hills Road will take extra time to build because a half dozen electrical poles must be relocated, Fairfax County transportation officials said.
The overpass will cost $10 million (money for it was allocated by the county several years ago) and will be completed by 2021, says Scott Ruffner, Fairfax County Department of Transportation Project Manager.
Moving the utility poles will be an 18-month process, he said.
Who Needs A Golf Cart? — Reston National Golf Course has a new way for golfers to get around. The course now has six GolfBoards, electric-powered stand up scooter carts. [Reston National]
More Mini Makers — Here is a good recap and photos of Sunday’s NoVA Mini Maker Faire. [Anna Kulyk Photography]
Fairfax Meals Tax Backlash — There is a grassroots group forming to protest the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors’ proposal to look into a meals tax here, which would create millions in additional revenue for Fairfax County Public Schools and other county programs. [Facebook]
