This is a sponsored post from Becky’s Pet Care, a professional pet care service in Northern Virginia.

This week’s Reston Pet of the Week is Cheese, the newly adopted sister of a memorable Pet of the Week from earlier this year, Kevin.

Here is what Cheese’s owner, Mark, had to say about her:

When we first found Cheese, I wanted to name her “Oriole.” I wanted to give something positive — anything positive — to my other cat, Kevin, an Orioles fan, after the dumpster fire of a season they had this year. I figured giving her a sister whose coat matched the flames of the Orioles’ season might somehow give Kevin some solace.

But then my fiancée vetoed that idea (she prefers the Nats), and after Googling “orange things,” I found a picture of Old Bay Cheese Puffs. Close enough. And so, Cheese inherited her name.

Cheese is more like a dog; she plays all the time, she cuddles excessively, and she loves to lick your skin. My fiancée, a “dog person” at heart, has developed a special bond with Cheese, and the two can often be found napping about the house together. After a few days of posturing and bouts of hissing, Kevin warmed up too, and the two are often heard scampering around the house together.

It feels like home with those two kitties. It feels happy. It feels complete for now. We are very lucky to have added Cheese to the family. To many more laps around the house, Cheese!

Email [email protected] with a 2-3 paragraph bio and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos of your pet. Each week’s winner receives a sample of dog or cat treats from our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, along with $100 in Becky’s Bucks.

Becky’s Pet Care, the winner of three Angie’s List Super Service Awards and the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters’ 2013 Business of the Year, provides professional dog walking and pet sitting services in Reston and Northern Virginia.

Herndon Police say a pocket watch was stolen from a business last week.

According to HPD, “an unknown number of suspects” entered the business in the 1000 block of Sterling Road on Oct. 3, “possibly through an unlocked window.” The missing watch is valued at approximately $250. The case remains under investigation, HPD says.

HPD recently launched an Instagram account where it shares information about police activity and initiatives.

LARCENIES

11800 block of Breton Court, packages from residence

1800 block of Fountain Drive, headphones from business

9800 block of Georgetown Pike, purse from business

700 block of Leigh Mill Road, driver license and credit cards from vehicle

13100 block of Parcher Avenue, wallet from business

12100 block of Sunset Hills Road, merchandise from business

1800 block of Wiehle Avenue, headphones from business

STOLEN VEHICLES

None reported

Anyone with information about any of the crimes reported by FCPD should call 703-691-2131 or 1-866-411-TIPS(8477), or text “TIP187” plus the message to CRIMES(274637).

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s “Light the Night” Walk will take place Friday night at Reston Town Center. Event festivities will start at 5 p.m., with the 1.5-mile walk to go off at 7.

Light the Night walks are organized to raise funds in support of the mission of the LLS, which is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

According to the LLS:

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night Walk funds treatments that are saving the lives of patients today. LLS is making cures happen by providing patient support services, advocating for lifesaving treatments and pioneering the most promising cancer research anywhere. And it’s all happening now. Not someday, but today. Each year friends, families and coworkers form teams to raise money in support of our mission.

Residents interested in participating in the event can do so by registering to walk, donate to a team or individual, sponsoring, volunteering or just coming out to show their support.

Friday’s event in Reston is one of three scheduled for the National Capital region. Others will be Saturday in Rockville and Saturday, Oct. 21 on the National Mall in DC. It is one of about 150 events scheduled across the United States and Canada.

This is an op/ed submitted by Terry Maynard, co-chair of the Reston 20/20 committee. It does not reflect the opinions of Reston Now.

Restonians turned out in droves two weeks ago for a County-organized community meeting on its proposed Reston PRC zoning ordinance amendment. The essence of the proposed language change is to increase the cap on Reston’s population from 13 to 16 people per acre, but that ignores several other factors including station area development, affordable housing and “bonus” market rate housing for developers. The crowd was so large that Supervisor Hudgins was forced to cancel the meeting. Those hundreds of people were there because, contrary to what the County keeps telling the community, the proposed zoning change opens the door for an overall tripling of Reston’s population.

But that is only part of the story.

An important element of the zoning amendment proposal is the residential development it would not only allow, but is already planned, in our Village Centers. The Village Centers–North Point, Lake Anne, South Lakes, and Hunters Woods–are currently our neighborhood shopping centers and intended to be “neighborhood gathering places” in Bob Simon’s vision. They are where we buy our groceries, purchase our prescriptions, dine out in locally-owned restaurants, and meet many of our other family needs.

Here is what the Reston Master Plan has to say about the role of our Village Centers:

The general vision for Reston’s Village Centers addresses the fundamental elements necessary for any Village Center to achieve the desired goal of becoming a vibrant community gathering space. The Village Center general vision is an elaboration of the Reston Vision and Planning Principles. Recognizing that each Village Center faces unique circumstances, redevelopment proposals should take advantage of this to creatively interpret the general vision to provide a unique, vibrant community gathering space:

• Enhance Village Centers as vibrant neighborhood gathering places.
• Advance excellence in site design and architecture.
• Strengthen connectivity and mobility.
• Protect and respect the surrounding residential neighborhoods. . . .

(The) Central Public Plaza should (h)ighlight the Village Centers as neighborhood scale gathering places, in contrast to the regional scale gathering places in the Town Center or the community scale gathering places in the other TSAs.

In short, our Village Centers are meant to be our hyper-local “gathering places” to live, work, and play with our families, friends, and neighbors. Nothing in the whole section of the Comprehensive Plan on Reston’s Village Centers suggests they should be anything other than neighborhood serving and, indeed, the plan suggests the opposite.

But that is not what the proposed Reston PRC zoning ordinance would allow and, indeed, what is already being planned according to the County’s data. The county’s table of proposed redevelopment sites, which provides the county’s justification for raising the population cap, projects huge increases in dwelling units and population that are totally out of character and will overwhelm North and South Reston.

Approval of the PRC zoning amendment to raise the population cap to accommodate such growth will allow developers to add nearly 13,000 residents to our Village Centers, including new affordable and bonus market rate housing that could be added under the county’s rules but is not included in the county’s table. In the worst case example, North Point Village Center, the PRC re-zoning proposal shows a potential twelve-fold increase in dwelling units (DUs), an increase of nearly 1,700 DUs and 3,600 residents. At the low end of the spectrum is Lake Anne Village Center whose redevelopment plan has already been approved with a near tripling of the number of residents to more than 2,600. Across Reston’s four Village Centers, population would be allowed to nearly quintuple.

Read More

Before we head off into the weekend, let’s take a look back at the biggest stories on Reston Now in recent days.

The following articles were the five most-clicked links on Reston Now this past week.

1. Report: Wegmans Close to Agreement for Store Near Future Town Center Metro Station
2. Reston Men, 21 and 19, Charged with Stealing from Vehicles in Ashburn
3. Former Burger King Razed at North Point; Chick-fil-A Hopes for March Opening
4. Reston Association Board Moves Forward with Ending Afterschool Programming at Lake House
5. Crime: A Look at the September Incident Reports from FCPD’s Restion District Station

Also this week, the fourth community meeting on Fairfax County’s proposed zoning ordinance amendment for Reston’s Planned Residential Community (PRC) District was rescheduled for Oct. 23 in the cafeteria at South Lakes High School. An aspect of the story that’s on many people’s mind: the occupancy limit for the cafeteria is 668, but can be increased to 1,280 if its dozens of tables are rolled out.

Feel free to discuss these topics, your weekend plans or anything else that’s happening locally. Have a great weekend!

File image courtesy John Menick

The South Lakes High School homecoming parade is scheduled for Friday, and students are taking advantage of the opportunity to support a good cause.

SLHS Leadership has teamed up with the Texas Association of Student Councils to collect funds for Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu, Texas, where students and their families are still trying to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Harvey.

The SLHS homecoming parade will begin at 5 p.m. Friday at Hunters Woods Village Center. It will proceed down Colts Neck Road to South Lakes Drive to the high school, where is is expected to arrive between 6 and 6:30 p.m., and it will be followed by the South Lakes Seahawks’ homecoming game against Langley.

According to information provided by the school:

There will be people in the parade walking with a float collecting donations. Additionally, there will be a collection area at the football game. We wanted to do something for a particular place, rather than just collecting for general purposes. Student leaders have been in touch with the student council adviser at [Barbers Hill High School], who will distribute whatever is collected to families who have been most affected by the devastation.

Donations can be made in the form of cash, gift cards, or checks made out to South Lakes HS, with “Barbers Hill HS” written in the subject line. In addition to during the parade and game, donations can be dropped off at the main office of the school (11400 South Lakes Drive). Lyn Fiscus, SLHS Leadership teacher, is in charge of the donations.

The theme of the homecoming parade is “Channel Your Seahawk Spirit.” There will be floats created by each class, high school teams, honor societies, administration, the band, JROTC, the dance team, feeder elementary schools and more. Food trucks will be set up in the school’s stadium-side parking lot after the parade, to allow participants and spectators the opportunity to grab something to eat before the football game.

Image courtesy Lyn Fiscus, SLHS Leadership teacher

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue has released additional information about a Monday fire on Hearthstone Court in South Reston.

According to a news release from Fire and Rescue:

On Monday, October 2, at approximately 10:57 a.m., units from Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department and the Washington Metropolitan Airport Authority Fire and Rescue Department responded to a reported townhouse fire in the 11500 block of Hearthstone Court in the Reston section of Fairfax County.

Units arrived on scene and reported smoke showing from a two-story, middle unit townhouse. Crews quickly located and extinguished a fire in the basement of the townhouse. Firefighters rescued two cats from the home and reunited them with their owners.

Two adult occupants were home at the time of the fire. The fire was discovered when the occupants investigated an explosive sounding noise in the home and found the house filling with smoke. The occupants safely evacuated and called 9-1-1. A smoke alarm in the basement did activate.

Fire investigators determined the accidental fire started in the basement of the townhouse. It was caused by an incandescent lamp that was too close to combustible materials, they say.

No one was injured in the fire. Two adults and three teenage children who were displaced by the blaze are being assisted by Red Cross.

The fire is estimated to have caused about $90,000 in damages.

The Reston Community Players’ 2017-18 season will open later this month with a performance of Elton John and Tim Rice’s musical “Aida.”

The show, winner of four Tony Awards, will be performed Oct. 20 to Nov. 11 at Reston Community Center’s CenterStage (2310 Colts Neck Road).

According to information provided by Reston Community Players about the show:

This musical is popular and special because its story combines a tragedy of love and intriguing politics. Although set in Egypt centuries ago, theatergoers will experience the tension created by the forbidden love between a Nubian princess and an Egyptian soldier betrothed to the Pharaoh’s daughter. Sir Elton John, one of the most successful music artists in the modern era, composed Aida’s stirring music and the amazing Sir Tim Rice, who made his reputation writing hits like Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita, wrote the lyrics. To the delight of audiences, they combined their talents to create Aida, Disney Theatrical Productions’ first Broadway musical for grown-ups.

The show will be performed Friday and Saturday nights at 8 p.m., with 2 p.m. matinees on Sundays. No show is scheduled Sunday, Oct. 22. Tickets are available from the Reston Community Players website.

For more information, call 703-476-4500, ext. 3.

In its 51st season, Reston Community Players is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has been producing high quality theatrical productions since 1966. RCP is partially funded by grants from Fairfax County, in cooperation with the Arts Council of Fairfax County.

Before we head off into the weekend, let’s take a look back at the biggest stories on Reston Now in recent days.

The following articles were the five most-clicked links on Reston Now this past week.

1. Too Many People in Small Space Results in Postponement of Meeting on Increasing Density Cap
2. Herndon Big Lots To Close Its Doors Oct. 15; Lotte Plaza Market To Take Its Place
3. Bike Lane Leaving Reston Town Center; Muse Paintbar Ready To Fill the Space
4. Town of Herndon, Developer Comstock Agree on Proposed Downtown Redevelopment Project
5. Leesburg Man Charged in 2001 Killing of Reston Man

The postponed meeting (which received some attention on Reddit forum r/NotTheOnion) was followed up by the Reston Association Board’s discussion of the proposal at their Thursday meeting. A rescheduled meeting — in a larger space — will be announced a later date, Hunter Mill District Supervisor Cathy Hudgins says.

Feel free to discuss these topics, your weekend plans or anything else that’s happening locally. Have a great weekend!

Lake Anne Plaza is going to get colorful this weekend, and you can be a part of it.

Reston Art Gallery & Studios is hosting “Painting on the Plaza” from 4-6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. According to an event information on Lake Anne Plaza’s website:

“Experience the beauty and vibrancy of the Lake Anne Community as the Plaza comes alive with artists painting en plein air. Join in the fun by painting or watching the artists as they work. Purchase an original artwork to take home. And while you’re at Lake Anne, don’t forget to vote for your favorite painting and enter the drawings for door prizes. Winners will be announced on Sunday at 5:30. The event will be held rain or shine.”

The event is being produced by the Lake Anne Merchants Association and the Friends of Lake Anne. It is sponsored by Pat and Steve Macintyre along with Reston Art Gallery & Studios. For a full schedule and information about how you can participate, check out the event details.

There is plenty else scheduled to take place this weekend in the area as well. Take a look at our list below.

(Editor’s Note: This is just a limited list of all the events taking place in the Reston area this weekend. If you have an event you would like to ensure is listed on the website, be sure to submit it to our Events Calendar.)

• Reston Association’s semi-annual yard sale (8:30 a.m. to noon) and the Reston Expo (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) are both scheduled for Saturday at 1900 Campus Commons Drive.
• The JamBrew series wraps up this weekend in Herndon. Tonight, live music will be offered from Right On Records, Tommy Gann and Todd Wight, and Black Masala. The free event is slated for 6-10 p.m. at the Herndon Town Green (777 Lynn St.). On Saturday, from noon to 10 p.m., the OktoBrewFest will rock the town green. Music will be provided by Bach 2 Rock, Darlingtonia, Unsullied, Dr. Robinson’s Fiasco and Throwing Plates. There will also be cold beverages from Aslin Beer Co., wine, nitro brew coffee from Weird Brothers Coffee, pizza from Brama Italian Cuisine, Nordic Knot Pretzels and much more.
• In celebration of 11 years of service to the community, the Southgate Community Center (12125 Pinecrest Road) will host its annual Family Festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. According to information provided by the center, the event will include giveaways, music, moon bounces, refreshments and games.
• Chicano rock band Quetzal will perform Sunday at 3 p.m. at CenterStage (2310 Colts Neck Road) as part of Reston Community Center’s Professional Touring Artist Series. Tickets are $20 for Reston residents and $30 for non-residents.
• Friends of the Reston Regional Library will be continuing their fall book sale through the weekend at the library (11925 Bowman Towne Drive). The fundraiser for the library will be open until 5 p.m. today; from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; and from noon to 3:30 p.m. Sunday.
• “Sue Wrbican: Well Past the Echo” will be on view at Greater Reston Arts Center (12001 Market St.) through Nov. 18.
• The Reston Farmers Market will take place from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at Lake Anne Village Center.
• The 16th annual TFcon, a convention for fans of the “Transformers” franchise, is taking place this weekend at the Hyatt Regency Reston (1800 Presidents St.). Check out its website for the full schedule and admission prices.
• Pulitzer Prize-winner display “Disgraced,” exploring Muslim assimilation and identity in America, will wrap up this weekend at NextStop Theatre Company (269 Sunset Park Drive, Herndon). Performances are tonight at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 8 p.m.; and at a 2 p.m. Saturday matinee. Tickets range in price from $17.50 to $55.
• The National Kidney Foundation’s Northern Virginia Kidney Walk is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. Sunday at Reston Town Center. Proceeds benefit awareness of kidney disease, a top 10 public health problem.
• Many restaurants and bars in Reston will have live music this weekend. These include Crafthouse (1888 Explorer St.) every Friday and Saturday night from 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.; and Tavern64 (1800 Presidents St.) every Friday from 6-10 p.m.
• Kalypso’s Sports Tavern (1617 Washington Plaza N.) will have live music from The Vandalays tonight from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.; and DJ Kram will play Top 40 hits during those hours Saturday night.

Companies looking for an outlet for team-building and bonding exercises have a new local option, thanks to the Fairfax County Park Authority.

Frying Pan Farm Park (2739 W. Ox Road, Herndon), known for its kids’ activities, is now offering a program led by Middleburg-based Empower Adventures that “can be customized to meet a company’s specific goals,” according to information provided by the Park Authority.

The Park Authority says it is offering “farm-themed activities” that tackle issues including individual accountability, increased efficiency, the importance of strategy, communication, prioritizing and problem-solving. The activities are designed for groups of 10-50 people.

The Park Authority says:

Program packages include two or four hours of team-building activities followed by an equal amount of meeting time. Free indoor Wi-Fi and use of the park’s picnic pavilion are included. To make the day away from the office even more productive and fun, companies can add options such as wagon rides and farm tours, a sound system and projector, and extended meeting space time and break-out space.

For more information, including prices, call 703-437-9101 or visit the park’s website.