There’s a new crane marking the skyline at Wiehle Avenue and Reston Station Boulevard.

That is because work is getting underway on the first office building at Reston Station’s mixed-use development.

The building at 1900 Reston Metro Plaza was designed by world-renowned architect Helmut Jahn. The 365,000-square-foot Trophy Office space building will rise 16 stories above the Reston Station Transit Facility with frontage on Wiehle Avenue, the Dulles Toll Road, and Reston Metro Plaza, says developer Comstock Partners.

The building is expected to take two years to complete. Comstock had said last year it would wait for a major tenant to sign on before construction. But with a large recent investment from an outside source, the developer decided to go ahead with office construction.

The modern design will feature a concrete-and-glass façade; a two-story natural stone lobby;  a dedicated below grade parking garage; in-building amenity space,a roof top helipad, and plaza level retail.

The building will be the first new office building to be developed since 2009 along the Dulles Toll Road with Metro access.

Jones Lang LaSalle will handle leasing the space.

“Reston Station is being developed in the most supply-constrained submarket in Northern Virginia, where significant net absorption has occurred over the past 24-months as office tenants seek trophy-quality, transit-accessible office space in the Toll Road market,” Bob VeShancey, Managing Director at JLL, said in a release.

Meanwhile, Reston Station’s Urban Pop retail spaces are under construction and are expected to open by Thanksgiving, says Comstock. The major retail tenant, Founding Farmers restaurant, is slated to open in late 2016.

The leasing center for BLVD apartments, which expects occupancy early next year, is now open on the plaza, weekdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from noon to 6 p.m.

Photos: Top, crane at Reston Station; Bottom, rendering of finished office building courtesy of Comstock.

Wednesday, Nov. 11 is Veterans Day, and many national businesses have specials to thank our troops.

Here is a list of some discounts and deals in and near Reston:

On the Border (Spectrum): A free “Create Your Own Combo” featuring a selection of tacos, salads, enchiladas, and more (max value: $10.79) is available to all veterans and active military.

California Tortilla (North Point): Show a military ID and get one free taco.

Outback Steakhouse (Elden Street): Customers with military ID get a free Blooming Onion appetizer and free beverages on Nov. 11, and all military and their families get 15 percent off the bill anytime from Nov. 12 to Dec. 31.

Bar Louie (Herndon): Free appetizer or entree for veterans and active military on both Tuesday, Nov. 10 and Wednesday, Nov. 11.

TGI Friday’s (Worldgate): From 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Nov. 11 free lunch for veterans and active duty military.

Carrabba’s Italian Grill (Sunset Hills Road): Free appetizer for veterans and active duty military now through Sunday, Nov. 15.

World of Beer (Reston Town Center): Show an ID card with proof of service and you’re welcomed to pick a free draught beer.

Amazon.com: Offering 20 percent off of select apparel on Veterans Day 11/11/15. Promotion code: “20veterans”

Starbucks (various): — Veterans, active-duty military personnel and their spouses will receive a free 12-ounce cup of coffee.

For more specials and deals, see this list on Money magazine’s website or MilitaryBenefits.com.

Reston’s bluemercury, the high-end cosmetics boutique that recently opened at 11918 Market St. in Reston Town Center, is holding a Grand Opening Celebration on Saturday.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The first 100 visitors get complimentary sample bags. There will be cupcakes from Georgetown Cupcakes, as well as mini treatment and makeover appointments.

To book a makeover, call 703-435-4355.

Bluemercury opened at Reston Town Center two weeks ago. The chainlet, which began in Georgetown in the District, now has locations in 20 states. Owners Barry and Marla Malcom Beck recently sold the bluemercury to Macy’s for more than $200 million.

The store features beauty services such as facials and massages, was well as a wide variety of brands of cosmetics, including Laura Mercier, Bobbi Brown, Trish McEvoy and La Mer.

Fairfax County Fire Rescue officials have charged three juveniles from Herndon with setting fires at Runnymeade Park.

Runnymeade is located off Herndon Parkway between Elden Street and Queens Row Street in the town of Herndon.

The suspects, all male, were charged on Monday for an incident that happened Oct. 16.

Fire officials charged the boys with one count of setting fire to woods, fences, grass; a class six felony. They were also charged with one count of  mischievous fire play involving the burning leaves and paper near the historic Carroll House inside the park; a class one misdemeanor.

The Carroll House, a stone house built in 1909, is listed on the Virginia Historical Registry.

Fairfax County Public Schools’ Budget Task Force has completed its analysis, and on Monday presented Superintendent Karen Garza with its recommendations.

Among the suggested changes: fees for AP tests, increase in student parking fees, increase in class sizes and elimination of language immersion programs.

The task force has been working since last summer on finding ways to narrow a projected $50 million or $75 million budget gap for FCPS for 2016-17. The group, which also considered input from the community, is working with two numbers because it is still unknown how much funding it will get from the commonwealth and Fairfax County.

Budget cutting is still a work in progress. Rather than present a list of definite services and programs to be changed in order to save money, the group ranked ideas that emerged as the most popular among the group and community suggestions.

“It’s important for parents and all of our stakeholders to understand that the Task Force has made a recommendation and no decisions have been made,” Garza said. “It is still up to me and the School Board to determine how to develop a budget for next school year that will support all of our operational needs. However, reductions will be unavoidable unless we receive sufficient revenue to meet our expenditure requirements. As is clear in the Task Force report, it is difficult to reach a clear community consensus on these difficult and unpleasant reductions. As I’ve said all along, we cannot cut our way to excellence.”

The Budget Task Force said it prioritized its recommendations by considering the percentage of agreement among Task Force members on individual suggestions. It also note the percentage agreement among members of the community, as reflected through the budget proposal tool and comments submitted at community outreach meetings, and online via an interactive budget tool.

There will be many more school board work sessions and community meetings on the budget as the process continues. Garza will present her budget in January, and after more discussion, the final budget will be adopted in May.

Garza asked the Budget Task Force to keep in mind six criteria when evaluating potential cuts:
1. Number of students impacted
2. Effect on employees and students
3. Disruption to the system
4. Permanent cuts instead of “one time” cuts
5. Magnitude of the cut
6. Student outcomes especially on the core instruction

The school system will not reduce the the seven-period day or full-day kindergarten or the contract length for teachers. The task force hopes to protect the employee’s step- and cost-of-living increase in order to remain competitive with nearby districts, FCPS said. Read More

Beer For Vets — Virginia Veterans (VAVETS) is hosting a Veterans Day fundraiser Wednesday 5 to 9 p.m. at Reston’s World of Beer (1888 Explorer St. at Reston Town Center). Proceeds benefit VAVETS, which helps support health, wellness and employment of veterans.

Parks For Vets — The National Park Service is offering free admission to all national parks on Veterans Day, Wednesday Nov. 11. Area parks include Great Falls National Park, Manassas National Battlefield and Shenandoah National Park, among many others. [National Park Service]

Playoffs For South Lakes Football — The South Lakes Seahawks defeated Fairfax 46-7 on Friday to finish the regular season 8-2. The Seahawks will host Oakton (5-5) Friday at 7:30 in the first round of the Virginia 6A North Region Playoffs.

Thousands of miles away from the turmoil in Syria, Fairfax County is hoping to make a difference.

The county is participating in an effort coordinated by the Northern Virginia Regional Commission to collect clean, gently used blankets and coats for the refugee families of Syria and Iraq impacted by the violence of civil war and ISIL.

In 2014, nearly 18,000 blankets were collected by Fairfax, Loudoun, Arlington and other area counties and municipalities and shipped to assist these families. This year’s regional collection, which began Saturday and will run until Dec. 5, has been expanded to include coats of all sizes (infants through adults).

“Last year’s collection drive was incredible with literally thousands of blankets being dropped off at Fairfax County locations,” Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Sharon Bulova said in a statement. “We were honored to work with our community partners and local faith organizations to help those in need of warm blankets. I know our community will be there once again to join this great effort.”

See below for donation collection locations, dates and times, and help us make a difference for these families in need. For more information on the regional effort, go to www.helpsyrianrefugees.us. Monetary donations can also be made online.

There are drop-off locations at all county supervisors offices, including the North County Governmental Center at 1801 Cameron Glen Dr. in Reston, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.

Donations can also be delivered to the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 530, Fairfax.

Local houses of worship will also hold a one-day collection event on Dec. 5. To see a full list of participating centers, visit the Fairfax County website.

Photo: Fairfax County Supervisor Sharon Bulova (right) collects donations for refugees/Credit: HelpSyrianRefugees.us

For 55 years, the nonprofit Fellowship Square has been helping the elderly and disabled in Reston by providing affordable housing and other services.

All this week, Fellowship Square will be marking its anniversary with celebrations for residents and guests at its four locations. There will be a ceremony Monday at 5 p.m. at Hunters Woods Fellowship House and Tuesday 5 p.m. at the Lake Anne Fellowship House. Additional receptions will be held later in the week at Fellowship Square facilities in Largo and Lake Ridge.

“We’re celebrating the work we have done in the community and rejoicing that our work has done so well and lasted for so long,” said Faye Codding, community outreach coordinator.

Lake Anne Fellowship House was the first Fellowship Square building to be constructed. It’s first phase opened in 1970, and the second Lake Anne building opened in 1976. Hunters Woods Fellowship House was completed in 1979.

A plan to tear down and rebuild the Lake Anne facility with modern amenities fell apart in 2014, but Fellowship Square officials hope to eventually get that plan in motion again.

Codding also said another goal is to help seniors in the community who are not necessarily residents of Fellowship House.

“We see ourselves expanding to reaching out more into the community to help all those in need, not just residential,” she said. “We are always exploring what possible ways we can serve and we are looking for partner with others in the community.”

Fairfax County Public Schools students traditionally go to school on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

While it is a federal holiday, for years FCPS has been packaging November days off as a semester break/Election Day/teachers-conference two-day event the first few days of November.

The tradeoff is school on the national holiday.

While many schools have Veterans Day activities on Nov. 11 — for many years, Reston’s Sunrise Valley Elementary, for example, has invited Veterans to speak at a morning assembly. But not all do, and the day is just business as usual.

Should there be school on Veterans Day? Or should it be a chance to reflect and honor on what veterans have done for the United States?

Take our poll and tell us in the comments.

Frustrated with Metro’s performance? Have some suggestions for improvement?

Metro is seeking volunteers to join its citizen riders group to give feedback and help impact on the transit system. Today’s the last day to apply.

The Metro’s Riders’ Advisory Council needs Fairfax County riders to fill available positions on the volunteer council. Other reps are from the District of Columbia, Arlington County, Fairfax County and Prince George’s County.

The 21-member council is made up of six individuals each from Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia, two at-large members and the Chairman of Metro’s Accessibility Advisory Committee.

The Council advises the agency’s Board of Directors on issues affecting Metrobus, Metrorail and MetroAccess service. It was created in December 2005 to improve interaction with riders and seeks input on operational and budgetary issues.

Members of the Riders’ Advisory Council serve three-year terms and are required to regularly attend and participate in scheduled meetings.

Anyone interested in applying should complete an online form. Applications are also available at Metro sales offices at Metro Center Station, Anacostia Station, Pentagon Transit Center and Metro Headquarters (600 Fifth St NW).

Applications must be received by 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9.

Friday’s decision by a Fairfax County Circuit Court judge to vacate last spring’s Board of Zoning Appeals decision means a setback for potential developers — and a small victory for open space proponents.

That does not mean the 166-acre public golf course will automatically remain open space forever. However, the decision does make it more difficult for developers to come in with a new plan.

Plus, Friday’s development may wind up in higher court eventually.

Judge Michael Devine on Friday granted the motion for summary judgment filed by lawyers for Rescue Reston, Reston Association and other parties concerned about Reston’s open space. He also vacated the Board of Zoning Appeals decision from earlier in 2015.

This means that golf course owners RN Golf Management would have to file a formal plan with Fairfax County in order to pursue redevelopment of the course.

The motion was filed last spring after the Fairfax County Board of Zoning Appeals ruled, after a complicated and lengthy BZA hearing and the ruling that RN Golf would not need a comprehensive plan amendment to plan residential development on acreage.

Devine said RN Golf had based its case on a letter from the county zoning administrator, which the court in effect found was merely an advisory opinion and was not appealable.

The issue dates back to 2012, when RN Golf asked Fairfax County if the course at Sunrise Valley and Colts Neck Road could be considered residential. Fairfax County Planning and Zoning said no, it’s open and recreational space. After several postponements, RN Golf filed an appeal to the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA).

John McBride, RA’s land counsel, said the ruling is significant because any redevelopment of the course must now be preceded by the filing of specific plans with the county, which will then be compared with the “Development  Plans” approved in 1971. The 1971 plans were the main focus of the five-hour BZA hearing in January.

“These plans are in the county zoning files and clearly limit use of the land to a golf course, open space and driving range,” RA says. “Any change to these approved plans will require amendment approval by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. The golf course owner had sought to avoid this requirement for a plan amendment by seeking by-right use status for a number of residential and other uses.”

So that means that RN Golf, which has never shown plans for what it would like to develop at the course, will now have more hoops to jump through should it want to build a residential neighborhood.

“The association is pleased with the circuit court’s ruling,” said RA CEO Cate Fulkerson. “Now, if pursued by the owner of the golf course, any proposed redevelopment of the golf course property or any portion thereof will have to go through the proper county and community review process.”

Rescue Reston President Connie Hartke says her group, formed in response to the original filing in 2012, will continue to be vigilant against development.

“While we have won this round, the fight is not over and RN Golf still has other options available to it including appealing today’s ruling or attempting to amend the Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan,” Hartke said on Friday. “We must remain prepared to continue the fight so long as RN Golf remains committed to its attempts to destroy our community’s valuable open space.

Business Booming in Reston, Herndon — Eleven firms from Reston and Herndon are in the Washington Business Journal’s list of the 50 Fastest-Growing Companies in the Washington Region. The Business Journal bases its rankings on revenue growth, with companies required to have posted revenue gains between 2012 and 2014. [Fairfax County Economic Development Authority]

Anniversary for Cafesano — Cafeosano at South Lakes Village Center is celebrating its 10th anniversary with 10 percent off for guests on Tuesday, Nov. 10. Present this coupon. [Cafesano]

Combining Magic and Medicine — Meet Anthony Felice, a Reston oncologist who is using card tricks to deflect tension for his patients. [Washington Post]

School Board Shift — After last week’s elections, two newcomers to the Fairfax County School board will give the panel a decidedly more conservative look. [Washington Post]

Update, Saturday 8 p.m. – Nelly Bonillas de Cordon, a suspect in a parental abduction, was located in the Reston area after being notified by Child Protective Services.

Cordon was charged with one count of abduction. Child Protective Services is working on arrangements for the care of the child and he appeared to be unharmed.

Original story, Friday – Fairfax County County Police are seeking the public’s help in locating a Reston woman who may have fled with her baby in a suspected parental abduction.

Police said Nely Bonillas de Cordon, 38, of Stone Wheel Drive in Reston is believed to have left the area on Thursday, Nov. 5 at around 4:30 p.m. with her son, Arturo, age 6 months.

She was reported missing by her husband and may be headed to El Salvador. She had expressed her desire to take her son to be with extended family there, police said.

Detectives are seeking information on her whereabouts and there is a felony warrant for parental abduction on file.

The suspect is on medication and does not have it with her.

Police said Bonillas de Cordon left in the family car, a 2002 green Saturn SL2  sedan with Virginia tags WMX-1031.  Her vehicle tags were last identified by a license plate reader in the 1600 block of Columbia Road NW in Washington D.C. at around 6:30 p.m. on Thursday.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Crime Solvers electronically by visitingwww.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.

**Text STOP to 274637 to cancel. Text HELP to 274637 for help. Msg & data rates may apply. Go to crimesolvers.net for Terms & Conditions.

Reston has plans. Lots of plans.

Projects already under construction: Bozutto/Veatch’s residential building, JBG’s Reston Heights Phase II, and Comstock’s BLVD, all within short distance to Wiehle-Reston East.

But there are a host of new applications that have been filed in recent months that will bring a major influx of housing to the Metro station vicinity.

Reston Now has already reported on the projects, most of which are still in the rezoning or preliminary application stages. Among them: 37 townhomes on the site of the former American Press Institute building; a development on Commerce Park on the south side of the Dulles Toll Road  (500 residential units, a hotel, office and retail); and 504 residential units and other development at 1831 Wiehle Ave., currently an office building.

However, Reston law firm Odin Pittleman Feldman has a YouTube presentation where it outlines the project with a drones-eye graphic, really enabling viewers to see the future shape and skyline near Wiehle-Reston East.

See the video above to get a visual idea of what’s in the pipeline.