The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch from 2 p.m. today through Friday evening.

Localized areas of flooding in small streams and urban areas are possible today and tonight.

Heavy rain is expected through continue from this afternoon. Forecasters expect an overall rainfall total of three to five inches.

Fairfax County government officials issued the following warning earlier today:

Flooding is one of the leading causes of weather related fatalities in the U.S. On average, flooding claims nearly 90 lives each year. More than half of these deaths occur in motor vehicles when people attempt to drive through flooded roadways. This happens because people underestimate the force and power of water, especially when it is moving.

• Just 6 inches of fast-moving water can knock over and carry off an adult.
• 12 inches of water can float a small car. If that water is moving, it can carry that car away.
• 18 to 24 inches of flowing water can carry away most vehicles, including large SUVs.

It is impossible to tell the exact depth of water covering a roadway or the condition of the road below the water. This is especially true at night when your vision is more limited.  It is never safe to drive or walk through flood waters.

Any time you come to a flooded road, walkway, or path, follow this simple rule: Turn Around Don’t Drown.

File photo

It’s not just Amazon — Apple is considering Northern Virginia for 20,000 jobs, in what could be the company third major U.S. hub. The governor pitched three sites: Tysons Corner, Loudoun and Crystal City. [The Washington Post]

What’s coming to your neighborhood — Zoning changes are afoot, including plans to expand areas where community gardens are allowed and how Airbnb and other short-term lodging options are regulated. Informational sessions are planned in the coming weeks. [Fairfax County Government]

Member Services closed for part of the day — Reston Association’s member services department will be closed today from 1 to 2:30 p.m. to allow staff to attend a session by local police about workplace violence. [Reston Association]

Flickr pool photo by vantagehill

Watch the butts — Recent fires in Fairfax County have highlighted the danger of improperly discarded cigarette butts and smoking materials. [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department]

Mark your calendars — The Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival will take place this weekend at Reston Town Center. Remember, this year’s event includes three days of back-to-back festivities, musical performances and wine tastings. [Connect Northern Virginia]

A peek into Reston Community Center — In this interview with RCC’s artistic director, Paul Michnewicz, we learn more how programs and events are selected, attendance, race and diversity. [Fairfax County Times]

Submitted photo by Linda Stanley

This is a sponsored post from Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate. For a more complete picture of home sales in your neighborhood, contact her on Reston Real Estate.

It was a really cold Spring. After last night’s crazy storm, it might not feel fully safe to venture out, but the good weather is upon us. It’s time to get outside.

I’m super excited about the outdoor season this year. On March 1 I had total hip replacement and am feeling stronger than I have in the past two years — so I’m excited to talk about the walking trails of Reston.

Reston Association maintains 55 miles of foot paths that cover every neighborhood in Reston, and they are a wonderful community asset. Even in Winter RA does a fantastic job of plowing the paths so you can still use them.

Fairfax County has a wonderful interactive map of all the paths so that you can plan your route before you head out. Wandering the RA paths is one of the best ways to get to know both North and South Reston. I thought I’d share a few of my favorite walks about town — but don’t stop with these.

Town Center to Lake Anne, North Reston

This walk is just shy of 1.5 miles and winds through a few of North Reston’s original neighborhoods — Coleson Cluster and Hickory Woods (I have a great house for sale in Coleson — check it out here).

It’s fun to have brunch at Town Center than wander down to Lake Anne to shop at the farmer’s market (starting in early May through November).

Lake Thoreau Loop, South Reston

This loop is just over 2 miles and circles around charming Lake Thoreau (where I guarantee you’ll decide you want to live) and past the Reston Regional Golf Course. Begin and end your loop at South Lakes Village with a coffee or delicious lunch.

Walker Nature Education Center and Glade, South Reston

There are many options for a walk from here. From the Center, follow the trailhead and see where it takes you! There is a short loop (probably a half mile), or you can venture off on the RA path that follows Glade. Whatever you choose, you will feel like you are miles from civilization. It’s a wonderful place to recharge. Read More

(Updated May, 16 at 12:37 p.m. with a new photo) A former teacher in Reston who won educator of the year was charged with indecent acts with a child.

Timothy Threlkeld taught technology and engineering at Langston Hughes Middle School, according to the Washington Post, which broke the story this afternoon.

Search warrants obtained by The Post indicate that authorities began investigating Threlkeld in 2014. That same year, he was honored by the Virginia Technology and Engineering Education Association as its middle school teacher of the year. According to the association, he worked at the middle school for eight years.

One of his students told police that he gave her kisses and hugs. Additional interviews with the victim revealed that “put his hand down her pants and touched her private parts… [and] forced her to touch his penis,” according to The Post.

The teacher was arrested in November 2017, according to the report. No online notices of his arrest appear online. 

He will stand trial in August, according to the Post.

Photo via FCPD

A number of roads remain closed after Monday night’s thunderstorm swept through the area.

According to the Fairfax County Police Department, the following roads are impacted:

• 9200 block Weant Drive – Tree down
• Maria Avenue/River Bend Road – Tree and wires down
• Minburn Street/Golden Arrow Street – Wire in the roadway
• Robindale Drive/Mill Valley Court – Tree down
• 680 River Bend Road – Trees and wires down

A flash flood watch remains in effect for Fairfax County from 3 p.m. today through Wednesday at 1 a.m.

A couple of rounds of thunderstorms are expected through push through northern Virginia and parts of northern Maryland in the evening.

Here’s more from the weather alert:

A  front will sag across the region this afternoon into this
evening. A couple rounds of thunderstorms are expected to
accompany the front and should move across the Mason-Dixon
region late afternoon. These thunderstorms should push farther
south and east into eastern West Virginia, northern Virginia
and portions of northern Maryland during the evening. Heavy
rainfall and lightning will be the main threats with the
potential of encountering damaging winds and hail in the
strongest thunderstorms. Rainfall amounts could average 1 to 3
inches later this afternoon and this evening. Flash flooding
is possible, especially in slow-moving thunderstorms.

This story will be updated.

Photo by Douglas Errett

A Fairfax County firefighter was assaulted in the emergency room of Reston Hospital Center (1850 Town Center Parkway) on Saturday at 9:40 p.m.

Thomas Feeley, 25, of Reston, was charged with assault on a firefighter. Emergency personnel brought Feeley to the hospital because he was bleeding and stumbling around Reston Town Center.

Once he arrived at the hospital, police said he began fighting hospital staff and emergency personnel. He was charged after being released from the hospital, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.

FCPD also reported the following incidents:

LARCENIES:

1800 block of Cameron Glen Drive, cash and electronic devices from vehicle

1800 block of Cameron Glen Drive, bicycle from residence

12900 block of Centre Park Circle, tires from vehicle

12900 block of Highland Crossing Drive, laptop computer from vehicle

13100 block of Parcher Avenue, keys from vehicle

11600 block of Stoneview Square, jewelry from residence

1800 block of Town Center Parkway, cell phone from residence

STOLEN VEHICLES:

None reported

A 23-year-old Reston resident was caught sleeping in a stranger’s front yard on the 800 block of North Sterling Boulevard on Saturday around 1:14 a.m. Loudoun County sheriff’s deputies arrested and charged Julio Cabrera-Mercado with public intoxication.

On Friday, a 21-year-old Herndon resident was also arrested and charged with public intoxication. Police believe the man, Erick Portillo-Guevara, refused to leave a restaurant on the 2000 block of Minot Drive in Ashburn.

File photo via FCPD

What to do with 47 acres — The development team behind Reston Town Center North will present their plans for the 47-acre project to Reston Association’s Design Review Board tonight. Plans affect the local library and homeless shelter. [Reston Association]

Did someone say chocolate? — On Saturday, the Reston Farm Market will feature a milk and chocolate milk sampling from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the market. [Reston Farm Market]

Leidos named “best for vets” — “Military Times named the company one of the “Best for Vets Employers for 2018.” The annual list recognizes the top 100 U.S. companies across 30 industries committed to supporting military veterans and their families through culture, recruitment, and company policies. ” [PR Newswire]

Yesterday’s storm damages Reston home — A home in Reston was damaged yesterday night. No one was home at the time. [FOX 5]

Morning newsletter resumes — After a brief hiatus, we’re bringing our a.m. newsletter, a handwritten selecgion of news to start your day, back. Expect an update between 6:15 and 6:25 a.m. every weekday.

Flickr pool photo by vantagehill

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch through 9 p.m. today.

Wind gusts of up to 75 miles per hour are possible, as well as torrential rain, lightning, and hail, according to the Capital Weather Gang.

Scattered thunderstorms are expected throughout the weekend, with a break expected on Tuesday when cloudy conditions are possible.

Photo via @NWS_BaltWash

Good news for Caps fans — “On the Silver Line, the last train will leave Metro Center at 12:27 a.m. heading to Largo Town Center and at 12:21 a.m. heading to Wiehle-Reston East… Game 3 starts at 8 p.m. and Metro’s regular closing time is 11:30 p.m., but Metro’s CEO Paul Wiedefeld announced that Metrorail will remain open for an additional hour thanks to Exelon and Pepco.” [WTOP]

Police investigate double homicide near Town of Herndon —  “The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a double homicide at a café in Sterling near the Loudoun County and the Town of Herndon line. Around 1:45 a.m. Monday Loudoun County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the Pharaoh Café located in the 46000 block of Old Ox Road for a report of a shooting. Two victims lost their lives at the scene. A person of interest attempting to leave the area was detained by deputies responding to the scene.” [Loudoun County Sherriff’s Office]

Absorbing Amazon headquarters in an area with gridlock and high housing costs —  “Northern Virginia, the District and Montgomery County are among the 20 finalists. Amazon may narrow the list further in coming months and is expected to decide by the end of the year… But many residents fear that winning the prize would actually exacerbate all the things they hate about living in the region: horrendous traffic, expensive housing, crowded schools and gentrification.” [The Washington Post]

Flickr pool photo by vantagehill

Friday Night Live! (FNL!), Herndon’s free outdoor concert series, returns on Fridays now through August 24. Held on the town green next to the Herndon Municipal Center, the concert series features local bands from across the East Coast.

FNL! is produced by the Herndon Chamber of Commerce and presented by the lead sponsor, Volkswagen Group of America, along with other sponsors like United Bank and Budlight.

Domino’s Pizza and TurCuisine offer food at the event and Jimmy’s Old Town Tavern and Egg Karne provide food on rotating schedules. A featured beer is selected each month.

The schedule for the event, which runs from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m., is below. FNL! will not take place on June 1 due to the Herndon Festival.

• May 11: Gonzo’s Nose (band reunion)
• May 18: LauraLea & Tripp Fabulous
• May 25: Here’s to the Night
• June 8: Love Seed Mama Jump
• June 15: GoodMan Fiske
• June 22: keeton
• June 29: Drop Dead Sexy
• July 6: Shane Gamble Band + Scott Kurt & Memphis 59
• July 13: Kristen and the Noise
• July 20: Herr Metal + Dr. FU
• July 27: JunkFood
• August 3: The Reflex
• August 10: Almost Journey + South Bay
• August 17: Screaming Monkeys
• August 24: Social Call

File photo by Laura B. Poindexter

Fairfax County police are investigating what caused a crash between a cyclist and a van near the W&OD Trail at Sunrise Valley Road Tuesday evening around 6:30 p.m.

Police said it is not yet clear whether the cyclist or the driver of the van was at fault in the accident, which caused damage to the van and sent the cyclist to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Anyone who may have seen the collision is asked to call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131 or 1-866-411-TIPS (8477), or text “TIP187” plus the message to CRIMES (274637).

The Reston Association is gearing up for its first ever Bio Blitz on June 2, and staff are hoping many residents will sign up to join in on the fun.

But first–what’s a Bio Blitz, anyway?

Well, “blitz” means to do as much as you can in a short amount of time. “Bio” is short for “biological.” Put them together, and you have an event in which a large group of volunteers spreads out across a specific area and tries to identify as many different biological species as they can in that time period.

For this event, the specified area is Reston, and that time period is midnight to 11:59 p.m. on June 2.

“Naturalists and volunteers will work together during a 24-hour period to identify as many plants, animals and other organisms that live in Reston as possible,” say event organizers.

Volunteers of all types are encouraged to join in during the 2018 Reston Bio Blitz. A signup has been created, breaking up the 24-period into shorter, four- or five-hour periods, as well as separating people into groups who will search for different types of animals and plants.

Organizers say they are searching for people who are “subject matter experts” to lead teams that are hunting for specific species.

However, beginners are welcome too, they say, and will be paired up with more experienced people and an expert leader.

Requirements for volunteers are as follows:

• Familiar with Reston’s natural areas and trails

• Familiarity with the app “iNaturalist” (download it and learn how to use it ahead of time)

• A digital camera to capture photos of different species

Those who know someone who is considered a subject matter expert in a certain biological area of study can form their own team, or volunteers can join an existing team listed on the signup. Additional teams may be added as more subject matter experts are recruited.

The “BioBlitz” hub for this event will be the Walker Nature Center in Reston.

If all of this sounds intriguing but you’re not free on June 2, representatives say you can play your own game of Bio Blitz by taking photos of various plant and animal species you find when you’re out in Reston nature on your own, and upload them to the Reston Biodiversity Project.

Photo: Patricia Greenburg, Reston Association Environmental Resource Supervisor / Credit: Reston Association/YouTube

Travel back in time next Thursday evening, May 17 as professional impersonator Elaine Flynn transforms into one of history’s most famous presidential offspring for “Tea With Alice Roosevelt Longworth” at the Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods.

“If the headlines of today’s political scandals make you shake your head in disbelief, wait until you witness impersonator Elaine Flynn dish the dirt on scandals of yesteryear,” describe event organizers.

Roosevelt Longworth was the eldest child of former President Theodore Roosevelt, and his only child with his first wife, Alice Hathaway Lee. As a controversial writer and prominent socialite, Roosevelt Longworth is widely considered by many to be history’s first true “celebrity,” in every sense of the word.

As such, it’s no surprise that Roosevelt Longworth would have some very good gossip indeed, about the lives of the rich and famous around New York City and Washington, D.C. In fact, it’s rumored she first coined the phrase, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, come sit by me.”

Therefore, the theme of this event is “Scandals in the City.”

“Alice starts with her own scandals,” describe event organizers. “She then continues relating the scandals that led to the death of a Congressman; President Harding and his mistresses; the love affairs involving Franklin D. Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt; the person (other than Mamie) who REALLY liked Ike; the women linked to JFK; the Capitol Hill employee who couldn’t file, type or even answer the phone; and the story of the Congressman, Fannie Foxe and the Tidal Basin, and more.”

Registration for this special event in honor of Older Americans Month is $15 for Reston residents and $23 for non-residents. Tickets include afternoon tea and the performance.

The event is co-sponsored by Reston Community Center and the Reston Association and takes place from 1-4 p.m. on Thursday, May 17 at RCC-Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road. Register online.

Photo: Alice Roosevelt Longworth (1884-1980), C0urtesy of the National Archives / Public Domain

Mother’s Day weekend is coming up in just a few days. Have you made plans to show Mom how special she is yet?

Besides brunch or dinner out, there are a wealth of activities to choose from, for a special way to spend some quality time with Mom — from a tea party, to a stroll in nature, to creating works of art or even dancing. Here’s a list of events we found – and let us know if we missed anything!

Mother’s Day Art Workshop – Kids can show their appreciation for Mom by creating a one-of-a-kind work of art for her at this workshop. Bring a family photo along to make it even more special. Cost is $5 for Reston residents, $10 for non-residents. Saturday, May 12, 9:30-11 a.m. at Greater Reston Arts Center, Reston Town Center, 12001 Market St., Suite 103. (GRACE)

Mother’s Day Tea – In honor of Mother’s Day, bring Mom to a tea party at Walker Nature Center. Sip tea or juice and sample a variety of pastries and fruits. Make a bouquet of paper flowers for Mom and take a stroll through the gardens to look for spring-blooming wildflowers. Cost is $7 for Reston residents, $9 for non-residents. Saturday, May 12, 10:30-11:30 a.m. at Walker Nature Center, 11450 Glade Drive, Reston. (Reston Association)

Sunday Afternoon Dance – For older kids (18 and over), why not take Mom for a sing around the dance floor? Dancers of all skill levels convene the second Sunday of the month to foxtrot, swing, cha-cha, and waltz during these fun afternoon dances. Music selection ranges from golden oldies to today’s more modern dance selections. Three mini-lessons, door prizes and light refreshments add to the fun. While this isn’t an official Mother’s Day event, it could be one that Mom enjoys. Cost is $5 for Reston residents, $10 for non-residents. Sunday, May 13, 2:30-4:30 p.m. at Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road. (RCC)

Mother’s Day 4-Miler and 1-Mile Fun Run – Invite Mom to come cheer you on, or to run with you! This event is said to be a great way to ease yourself into running season before the real hot weather begins. The 4-Miler starts on Baron Cameron Avenue and will finish at Browns Chapel Park.  A one mile fun run/walk is also available. All pre-registered runners will receive a Mother’s Day 4-Miler short-sleeve, gender-specific commemorative race shirt. Hosted by Potomac River Running store. The race will benefit Devotion To Children, a nonprofit organization “dedicated to fulfilling the needs of children from birth to age six, so that they may become mentally, physically and emotionally healthy members of society.” Registration is $35 through May 11 or $40 the day of the race. (PRR Races)

Paint and Sip For a Good Cause – Bring Mom to an afternoon of wine and painting for a good cause. Pinot’s Palette in nearby Herndon is hosting a Paint It Forward event. A portion of your class fee is donated to BRAWS, which collects new undergarments and menstrual supplies to women in shelters. Bring a donation of new supplies, and get $10 off a future painting event. Cost is $50. “Bouquet of Elegance” class is 2-4:30 p.m. Sunday, May 13 at Pinot’s Palette, 12976 Highland Crossing, Suite D in Herndon. (Pinot’s Palette)

Did we miss anything? Share any other Mother’s Day events in or around Reston in the comments!

File Photo: Buck at Walker Nature Center in Reston