Bloody Mary alert: Reston Town Center’s PassionFish has added brunch to its weekly menu offerings.
The restaurant began serving last weekend. Brunch is available Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
On the menu:
Pick any two dishes for $19, and also get $2 Bloody Marys and Mimosas or $5 speciality cocktails
Brunch dishes such as Smoked Great Lakes Whitefish Hash; Skinny Omelet; Huevos Ranchero; Eggs Bar Harbor (Eggs Benedict with lobster); New Orleans Style French Toast; and Smoked Salmon.
A kids’ brunch menu with pancakes, French toast, grilled fish, scrambled eggs and other favorites.
Raw bar selections
Seafood selections
See PassionFish menus on PassionFish’s website.
PassionFish dining room/file photo
The northern portion of the underground walkway from Parking Garage 1 and the Main Terminal at Washington Dulles International Airport will close on Jan. 11 for construction of Metro’s Silver Line station.
Signage within the garage and the terminal will direct passengers to increased shuttle bus service for travelers parking in the garage.
Here is what you need to know:
- Transportation between Garage 1 and the Main Terminal will be provided by shuttle buses approximately every five minutes during peak hours.
- Buses will pick up and drop off passengers at three locations on the south (terminal-facing) side of Garage 1.
- The parking shuttle buses stops at the Main Terminal at two locations along the second arrivals curb, near the exit at Door #2 and exit at Door #6.
- While the walkway to Garage 1 is closed, there will be no pedestrian access between Garage 1 and the Main Terminal.
- Pedestrian access between the Terminal Parking Lot and the Main Terminal via the walkway will be maintained. The walkway from Garage 2 to the Main Terminal will be unaffected and remain open.
“The expansion of the Silver Line Metrorail to Dulles International will play a significant role in the airport’s future,” Jack Potter, president and chief executive officer for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, said in a statement. “This temporary tunnel closure ultimately will result in a much more accessible airport and an enhanced experience for passengers.” Read More
Healthy Eats — New Herndon vegan/vegetarian restaurant Green Fare now has a pop-up shop at Reston Station. They are offering about eight healthy to-go meals. [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Drink Up — Reston company LifeFuels is officially launching its product — a Smart Nutrition Bottle — at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week. [PR Newswire]
Slow Going On Metro This Weekend — Track work will affect all six lines. [WTOP]
Christmas Tree Recycling — If you are taking down your tree and are on Fairfax County trash service, the county will pick up the discarded tree for recycling through next week. You can also take it to the I-66 Transfer Station for $1 per tree. [Fairfax County]
Photo by Ryan Goff
The plans for the Reston Town Center Metro station will have a Fairfax County Planning Commission hearing on Jan. 13, and the planners are expected to recommend for approval the plans that will bring another Silver Line stop to Reston.
While the basic entrance pavilions will look similar to those at the existing Wiehle-Reston East station, the Town Center stop, part of the Silver Line Phase 2 that is expected to open in early 2020, will have a very different character than Wiehle-Reston East.
The Wiehle-Reston East station was built adjacent to a large parking garage, a joint project by Fairfax County and Comstock. Comstock is also building apartments, a hotel, offices, retail and restaurants as part of its Reston Station project that is under construction at was previously a suburban vacant lot.
The Reston Town Center stop — which, like most other Silver Line stations will have virtually no parking — will be built close to Reston’s urban core. It still won’t be “at” Reston Town Center, though. Read More
The Capitol Steps return to Reston Jan. 31 for the troupe’s 33rd annual benefit performance for Cornerstones.
The Capitol Steps are a D.C.-based political satire troupe that mocks both sides of the aisle in skits and songs.
Here is what you need to know:
The show is 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 31 at the Hyatt Regency Reston
Tickets start at $75. Tables and sponsorships are available. Wine and dessert will be served.
Proceeds benefit Cornerstones’ efforts to provide affordable housing, emergency shelter, food, financial assistance, childcare and other essential resources to individuals and families in need.
Reston Association and residents who live in neighborhoods across from South Lakes High School are increasing their efforts to bring awareness — and hopefully, action — about stormwater runoff eroding the land nearby.
Water from the school area runs under South Lakes Drive to a steep, downhill drainage ditch that runs between Cedar Cover Cluster and Wakerobin Lane into Lake Audubon. Fairfax County Public Schools officials say a planned 40,000-square-foot addition, as well as more than 100 additional parking spaces, will not add to the stormwater runoff.
Residents say they have dealt with soggy ground for years, and they expect the planned addition for the high school will only make the problem worse. Meanwhile, the school system applied for and received a waiver to meet updated runoff regulations, rather than new ones that went into effect last summer.
“Residents of Wakerobin and Cedar Cover Cluster have been plagued for more than two decades with the ever-growing ditch between our two developments,” Terry Maynard, a Wakerobin resident, told the RA Board in December.
Members of the #IAMFCPS movement, a grassroots group that supports fully funding Fairfax County Public Schools’ 2017 budget, is planning a “Rally for the Budget” at 6:30pm on Thursday at Luther Jackson Middle School, 3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church.
The rally will be in advance of the 7 p.m. school board meeting, where FCPS Superintendent Karen Garza will introduce her proposed FY2017 budget to the school board. The final budget will be adopted in May.
“Fairfax County is facing a critical challenge with county and state funding revenues having not kept pace with the educational needs of our children,” Melanie Kadlic Meren, chairperson of the #IamFCPS steering committee, said in a statement. “We need to fully fund our schools to restore the quality of excellence in FCPS and this rally is to show support for Dr. Garza’s budget. No more cuts — it’s time to advocate for what our public schools should look like.” Read More
Who Wants to Run For RA Board? — Reston Association is holding an information session Wednesday at 7 p.m. at RA offices (12001 Sunrise Valley Dr.) for those interested in running for a Board of Directors seat in 2016. Seats are open in Lake Anne/Tall Oaks, North Point and an At-Large Seat. All are three-year terms. Applicants must file by late January. [Reston Association]
Thanks, Law Enforcement: Wings On Us — Buffalo Wing Factory (Hunters Woods) is hosting Law Enforcement Appreciation Day Saturday, Jan. 9 with free wings for all active or retired law enforcement officers. Must show ID. [Instagram]
Feel The Bern — The Bernie Sanders for President campaign is holding an organizing meeting Sunday, Jan. 9 at 11 a.m. Reston Community Center Hunters Woods. Anyone interested in meeting Virginia leaders of the campaign or signing up to volunteer is invited. [Bernie Sanders for President]
New Year, New Baby At Frying Pan Park — An Alpine Doe was born at Kidwell Farm on Saturday, Jan. 2. [Herndon Patch]
Nearly $200,000 in planned community improvements will be postponed by Reston Association to future years.
That is standard practice as RA does a year-end budget review to determine which capital repair and replacement projects are timely and which can wait. Some of the projects carrying forward into this year, in fact, were originally scheduled for previous years.
Deferred project money is held in the Repair, Replacement & Reserve Fund for use at a future date when these projects have been scoped and are ready for completion, says RA.
In any case, here’s what won’t happen until after 2016:
- Three baseball backstop replacements (at Wainwright, Bordeaux and Running Cedar fields) – $44,832
- Purchase of replacement Vermeer Chipper (machinery) – $40,000
- Pathway and sidewalk improvements at South Lakes/Lake Thoreau Dam and on Twin Branches Drive – $37,000
- New deck at Shadowood Pool – $75,000
- New tennis backboard at Lake Anne Park – $7,000
Meanwhile, a number of previously scheduled or already underway projects are slated to carry forward to 2016. Among them:
- Improvements to pathways and parking lots at Hunters Woods Park and North Hills Pool.
- Improvements to Lake Anne Park Fountain, Lake Thoreau Pool’s shower rooms, and North Hills Pool exterior lights.
- Funds for planning renovations at Pony Barn Pavilion ($9,420)
- New time clock for RA employees ($44,000) and new FIOS connectivity for Nature House ($20,000)
- Member experience tech upgrade ($201,000)
- Hunters Woods Pathway Lighting funds are being carried forward as RA is looking to community partners to bring more funds to the total project. ($124,916)
Some of the projects carried forward to 2016 may carry forward again into 2017, RA documents show. See a full breakdown beginning on page 43 of RA’s December meeting agenda.
Fairfax County Police report a residential burglary in Reston over the holiday weekend.
A resident in the 1600 block of Valencia Way said someone entered the residence and took property in the early hours of Sunday, Jan. 3.
In other crime reported to the Reston District Station:
STOLEN VEHICLES
2000 block of Royal Fern Court, 2007 Yamaha R6
LARCENIES
- 12900 block of Highland Crossing Drive, alcohol stolen from business
- 2200 block of Sanibel Drive, property stolen from residence
- 11900 block of Democracy Drive, property stolen from business
- 2300 block of Hunters Square Court, property stolen from residence
- 1700 block of Fountain Drive, money stolen from business
New Reston restaurant Not Your Average Joe’s is now open at 1845 Fountain Dr.
The restaurant opened for lunch at 11 a.m. Monday, and will have a short ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce at 4 p.m.
Not Your Average Joe’s, a local branch of a Boston-based franchise, remodeled the former Macaroni Grill space. Romano’s Macaroni Grill closed in December of 2014.
The Reston NYAJ location is the company’s fifth Washington-area outpost. There are NYAJ locations in Leesburg and Woodbridge, Va., as well as in Gaithersburg and Bethesda, Md.
NYAJ will be open for lunch and dinner, and has an extensive menu featuring seafood, steaks, creative appetizers, salads, stone hearth pizzas, and burgers. The menu also features seasonal selections.
Some of the specialty dishes: ahi tuna wontons served with pickled ginger and wasabi aioli; red-wine braised short ribs; and sage pecan salmon with a sage pecan pesto, chipotle mashed sweet potatoes and roasted brussels sprouts. See the whole menu on NYAJ’s website.
NYAJ also features a large wine list and more than 20 beers on tap, including several local craft brews such as Devil’s Backbone Vienna Lager, Lost Rhino Faceplant IPA, and Flying Dog’s seasonal brew.
The 7,300 square-foot restaurant seats 218, with a full bar and two seasonal outdoor patios offering an additional 100 seats. A private dining space accommodates 22 seated guests.
Over the weekend, Not Your Average Joe’s held a soft opening with donations benefitting Reston nonprofit Cornerstones.
Save the dates for Reston Community Center’s 31st annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day activities. The theme of celebration: Are We Keeping the Promise?
There will be music, family activities and special guest playwright/actress Anna Deavere Smith, who will deliver the keynote address at Monday’s community luncheon, as well as a Sunday night presentation From Rodney King to Michael Brown at RCC’s CenterStage.
Here is the full lineup of events. Some require advance registration or tickets.
Saturday, Jan. 16
Community Service Projects
9 a.m., Southgate Community Center, 12125 Pinecrest Rd. All ages. Free.
RCC is partnering with Southgate Community Center, Reston Association, Cornerstones, and The Closet on community service projects. Indoor projects include making bag lunches for the Embry Rucker Community Shelter, sorting and organizing items from The Closet and several other projects at Southgate Community Center. There will also be several outdoor projects such as cleaning up the natural areas, pathways, and hardscape surrounding the area, weather permitting.
Volunteer activities conclude around noon, at which point volunteers will gather to share a lunch that will be provided. Sorting donations is for ages 13 and up. Children 12 and younger are welcome to participate in the other projects, but they must be accompanied by an adult age 18 or older.
To volunteer, please contact Ha Brock, Reston Association Volunteer & Community Outreach Coordinator, at 703-435-7986 or [email protected].
Reston Community Orchestra’s 10th Annual Memorial Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
4 p.m., RCC Hunters Woods, Free but donations appreciated
As part of the community’s annual tribute to the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the orchestra will be Remembering the Dream. The program features an array of composers from diverse backgrounds designed to reflect Dr. King’s belief in equality, freedom, and brotherhood. Reston singer Beverly Cosham and other solo artists, choruses and student groups will participate.
Sunday, Jan. 17
Voices of Inspiration
4:00 p.m. , Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation, 1441 Wiehle Avenue
Voices of Inspiration a musical program honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This event is sponsored by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Christian Church and includes many Reston faith communities. Free and open to all ages.
Anna Deveare Smith: From Rodney King to Michael Brown
8 p.m., CenterStage at RCC Hunters Woods, $25 Reston/$35 Non-Reston Purchase Tickets.
Smith has been listening to people across the country from all walks of life for the last several years, using Walt Whitman’s idea “to absorb America” as an inspiration. Using interviews she conducted following the aftermath of the first Rodney King trial in 1992, Ms. Smith offers an update to her Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992 show with this exploration of race relations in America.
Monday, Jan. 18
MLK Keynote Address and Community Lunch
12 p.m., CenterStage & Community Room, RCC Hunters Woods
$5 Reston resident/$10 Non-Reston. Purchase Tickets.
Anna Deavere Smith’s Keynote Address will explore issues of race, identity and community in America. Join her to experience the intensity of recognition as she uses her artistic powers to prompt discussion, public debate and action in honor of Dr. King and his legacy.
Especially For Youth Activities
11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., RCC Hunters Woods. 6-12 Years Old. Free, but registration required.
Register your school-age child (first through sixth grades) to participate in activities at RCC. Children will rotate through a series of activities including a performance, an age-appropriate video, and arts and crafts. All activities will be based on the history of Dr. King and the civil rights movement.
Photo: Anna Deavere Smith/Courtesy RCC
Fairfax County may find an issue as it presses forward with the development of Reston Town Center North. Original county documents show that according to the Reston Deed, 10 acres of the 50-acre project must remain in its natural state.
The county approved a land swap with Inova last fall, clearing the way for future development of the area from Baron Cameron Avenue to New Dominion Drive.
County planners have held several community meetings to discuss future plans, which are likely to include a new Embry Rucker Community Shelter; a new Reston Regional Library; a new building for community health, social and mental health services; a 90,000-square-foot indoor recreation center; and more housing and retail. A multi-acre park is planned for the center of the parcel.
While Reston Town Center North still has to go through a lengthy rezoning and approval process and is not expected to be completed for a decade, it may run into a problem soon.
The entire parcel is subject to the Reston Deed. In 1974, 50 acres of land were sold and conveyed to the Board of Supervisors by Gulf Reston, the developer of Reston at that time, county records show.
However, the 10 acres running along Baron Cameron Avenue and is subject to many restrictions, that say the space must remain in its natural state.
“No building, structures or improvement shall be built or placed on the property conveyed herein, except structures which may be required for storm drainage or sanitary sewage purposes, or any building, structure or improvement which, in the aggregate, covers no more than 10 percent of the land area of this parcel and which is intended for recreational uses,” 1974 county documents state.
“The property shall otherwise be left in its natural state,” the document reads. “This covenant shall run with the land and be binding on the Grantee and its successors and assigns, for a period of ninety-nine (99) years from the date hereof.”
Coats For Cornerstones — Cleaning out your closets to kick off 2016? Reston Town Center offices and stores will be collecting winter coats for Cornerstones clients Jan. 11 though 22. Bring new or gently used winter coats (in good condition and cleaned), and new hats, gloves and scarves to help those in need get through winter.
Battle Of The Bands Auditions — Registration is still open for the 2016 Battle of the Bands to benefit South Lakes High School’s Marching Band. Selected bands (high school age and younger) will compete at Ned Devine’s in Herndon Feb. 21. [Battle of the Bands]
Safety Training at Herndon Metro Site — Crews will be doing safety training at the future site of the Herndon Silver Line station Monday through Wednesday this week. The training includes big crane rescue operations, but be aware it is just a drill. [Herndon Patch]
Happy 2016, Reston.
Reston Now is off today. We will be back on Monday with more news, events and other things to know around town.
2015 was a busy year here. What are your predictions for Reston in 2016?
Thanks to all our readers — whether you discovered us when we launched in October 2013 or just started reading us yesterday — for another great year.
Meanwhile, read this funny in-and-out list from our friends at Restonian.
Surf Reston file photo
