The annual Taste of Reston festival is coming up June 16-17, and organizers are still looking for more volunteers to help make it happen.

There are “a few” volunteer spots remaining each evening for the event, according to the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce. Volunteers receive an event T-shirt and 12 tickets to use on the food and drink available during the festival.

The Taste of Reston has been voted Northern Virginia’s Best Food Festival by Virginia Living magazine six straight years. It features two days of restaurants and community food vendors, along with live entertainment on three stages. There are also kids’ activities and a “wine ‘n’ dine” area. Food and drink tickets are available for advance purchase.

The festival is scheduled for 3-11 p.m. Friday, June 16, and noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, June 17. Parking will be free for the duration of the event.

To learn more about volunteering at the Taste of Reston, visit its website.

File photo courtesy Reston Town Center

Independent retailers at Reston Town Center are joining forces in the effort to entice patrons to shop local and support small businesses.

Fourteen businesses are participating in the “Small Business Support Sundays” promotion, which will begin this Sunday at the Town Center. Each will be offering specials, freebies and other treats between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. through Aug. 27.

Leslie Combemale, co-owner of ArtInsights Gallery of Film and Contemporary Art (11921 Freedom Drive) is leading the effort.

“Some would be surprised at the number of independent, small businesses that make their living at Reston Town Center,” she said. “We hope the public will make the effort to visit us, at least every Sunday, to enjoy the specials and free offerings.”

The initiative’s goals, she said, are for recognition of the quantity and quality of small businesses operating at Reston Town Center. She also said some larger chain shops are throwing their support behind the initiative, as many of the managers are local residents.

Family-owned business Pitango Gelato (11942 Democracy Drive) is also participating. Its manager, Alisa Dan, said the initiative is “an opportunity for Pitango to give back and support our awesome neighbors.”

“We are lucky to be rooted in communities that stand by our delicious offerings,” Dan said.

Other businesses participating in the initiative include:

• American Tap Room (1811 Library St.)
• Athleta (11923 Market St.)
• Davelle Clothiers (11921 Freedom Drive)
• Edibles Incredible (11917 Freedom Drive)
• Eyewear Gallery (11900 Market St.)
• Mon Ami Gabi (11950 Democracy Drive)
• Il Fornaio (11990 Market St.)
• PassionFish (11960 Democracy Drive)
• Scrawl Books (11862 Market St.)
• The Tasting Room (1816 Library St.)

In addition, Pottery Barn (11937 Market St.) will host local and national pop-up shops each Sunday. There will also be Art in the Park each Sunday evening through Aug. 13, from 7-8 p.m., with a variety of free performances by the Shenandoah Conservancy.

All parking is free at Reston Town Center on Sundays. For more information, including specifics about offerings, visit the initiative’s website or find it on Facebook.

A Reston woman who sprung to action to save another’s life has been honored by Fairfax County Fire and Rescue.

Jodi Rakoff was recently recognized with a Citizen Lifesaving Award for her actions. She was honored by County Fire Station 25 (Reston), C-Shift, EMS 401, and Battalion Chiefs 401 and 407.

According to information provided by Fairfax County Fire and Rescue, Rakoff jumped in and performed CPR when a woman who was walking in front of her house collapsed.

“Jodi’s quick actions, along with advanced life support care by the personnel from 25-C, resulted in the resuscitation of the patient.”

Rakoff was joined at the ceremony by her husband, Simon, and her mother.

Photos courtesy Fairfax County Fire and Rescue

Fairfax County Police say three separate armed robberies took place in Reston early Tuesday morning, in each instance involving two men approaching the victims with a weapon displayed.

The first incident took place at about 12:23 a.m. in the 1900 block of Democracy Drive, in Reston Town Center. According to a report:

“A man and woman were sitting in a car when they were approached by two men. One suspect displayed a gun and demanded money. The victims handed over their cellphones and other personal belongings and the suspects fled.”

Only about 12 minutes later in the 2200 block of Colts Neck Road, another victim was robbed.

“A man was talking on his cellphone when he was approached by two men. One suspect assaulted him; the other displayed a knife. The suspects took the victim’s wallet and cellphone. The victim did not require medical attention.”

The crime spree continued at about 1:50 a.m. in the area of Glade Drive and Pinecrest Road.

“A man was sitting in his car on Glade Drive when he was approached by two men. One displayed a gun and demanded money. The victim handed over his wallet and cellphone and the suspects ran. The victim did not require medical attention.”

Police say detectives are “looking into the possibility” that all three robberies were committed by the same two suspects.

The only descriptive information provided came from the incident on Democracy Drive. The suspects in that robbery were both described as black men with their faces covered, wearing gloves. One suspect was wearing a red hooded sweatshirt and the other was wearing a gray sweatshirt.

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

The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office has released surveillance video of a man wanted for an armed robbery at a Sterling 7-Eleven, and say the suspect may have committed similar crimes on Route 7 near Reston later the same evening.

LCSO says the 7-Eleven in Town Center at Sterling, just off Route 7 near the Fairfax County line, was robbed just before 12:30 a.m. Thursday. The suspect entered the store and brandished a firearm at an employee while demanding cash. He was wearing a black mask, black jacket, jeans and black shoes. He fled in a white vehicle.

Police say the incident was similar to two others that took place in Fairfax County just minutes later. The Fairfax County Police Department says those robberies took place in the 11500 and 11700 blocks of Leesburg Pike (Route 7), near Baron Cameron Avenue, between 12:30 and 1 a.m. Thursday. A weapon was “implied,” police said, and cash and merchandise were taken.

No one was injured in any of the robberies, police say.

In other crimes reported by FCPD in recent days:

LARCENIES:

1600 block of Bachan Court, license plate and credit cards from business

1900 block of Upper Lake Drive, kayak from residence

12000 block of Walnut Branch Road, speaker from vehicle

STOLEN VEHICLES:

None reported

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

Elsewhere in the area, a 49-year-old Reston woman was charged with assault and battery last week in the City of Fairfax after an incident at the Goodwill Store (9906 Main St.). According to police, the incident took place at about 2:35 p.m. May 23. A 45-year-old woman from Burke told police that she was assaulted inside the store. A warrant was obtained for Agnes B. Simb of Greywing Square, and it was served Sunday. Simb was released on her own recognizance.

Also last week, 32-year-old Herndon man was arrested in Fauquier County. Police say Steven Espinoza was arrested at about 10 p.m. Thursday on an outstanding warrant for possession of a controlled substance.

In addition, a Herndon teen was arrested over the weekend after he was found walking in a roadway in Loudoun County. Eashan S. Ahluwalia, 18, was charged with public intoxication after police found him in the area of Northlake Boulevard and Rim Rock Circle in Leesburg just after midnight Saturday night. He was released on a personal recognizance bond.

The Reston Masters Swim Team hosted the 30th Annual Jim McDonnell Lake Swim on Sunday at Lake Audubon.

According to the team’s website, the swim — which has been held every Memorial Day weekend since 1988 — was renamed in honor of McDonnell in 1999. McDonnell, a founding member of the team who was on the committee that first organized the swim, died of non-Hodgkins Lymphoma the previous year.

More than 700 swimmers participate each year, according to the team, which makes the event the largest open-water swim in the region. Proceeds from this year’s event were donated to the Lymphoma Research Foundation and to Herndon-Reston FISH Inc.

Results from the event can be viewed here.

Photos courtesy Ryan Dawson

Traffic to Be Impacted Near Reston Parkway Overpass This Weekend — Metro crews will be working to remove a tower crane from the median of the Dulles International Airport Access Highway between the Fairfax County Parkway overpass and the Reston Parkway overpass this weekend from Friday, June 2 through Monday, June 5. Various lanes will be closed and traffic will be diverted during the hours of 9 p.m. to 5 p.m. each day during the time period. Full details are available online. [Blue Ridge Leader/Loudoun Today]

Calling All Swim Instructors! — Reston Association is hiring for skilled, seasonal swim instructors to join the Aquatics team. All orientation and training is provided. [RA/Twitter]

South Lakes Student Artists Recognized by FCPS — Two South Lakes High students were among those recognized by Arts Herndon earlier this month for works of art under the theme “Technology+Art=NOW,” and awarded thousands in college scholarship dollars: senior Safa Piracha and junior Lily Vogel. Their winning works, along with the winning works of the other students from throughout the Fairfax County Public School district, will be on display at ArtSpace Herndon (750 Center St., Herndon) through May 31. [FCPS]

Reston Workers Give Back — The week of May 15-20 marked “Baird Gives Back Week” for the employees of the Reston-based Robert W. Baird and Company. The employees–helped out by some of their children–assembled more than 200 bag lunches for residents of Cornerstones and the local Embry Rucker Shelter. The lunches included handmade sandwiches, fruit juice, snacks and bottled water. The employees hand-delivered the meals to the shelter. [Reston Connection]

Save

Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial kickoff of summer, and what better way to enjoy it than with a picnic?

The Lake Anne Plaza Memorial Day Picnic is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Bring your picnic blanket and patriot pride and enjoy live music on the plaza. There will be food available for purchase from local vendors and plaza restaurants, as well as boat rentals and family games.

“We are positioning this event similar to a ‘National Day Out’ setup where folks come bring a picnic, or a bite, listen to music, do some plaza games like cornhole, etc.,” said Maurisa Potts, Lake Anne Plaza spokesperson. “[We’re] just building a sense of community and a platform to get to know their neighbors.”

There are dozens of other activities going on around the Reston area this holiday weekend, from music to celebrations. Here are some of the highlights.

• All of Reston’s pools open for the season Saturday, as does The Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole (1400 Lake Fairfax Drive).
• Live music at Reston Town Center this weekend will include a performance from 6-10 p.m. tonight at Tavern64 (1800 Presidents St.) and both tonight and Saturday from 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. at Crafthouse (1888 Explorer St.).
• The premiere of the weekly Mr. Knick Knack! concerts happens this Monday at Reston Town Center. Starting at 11:15 a.m., the children’s music concert is free to the public.
• Tonight at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. the Ravel Dance Company will put on a ballet version of “Cinderella” on the CenterStage in the Reston Community Center (2310 Colts Neck Road). Tickets are $20 at the door.
• The Reston Farmers Market will take place from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at Lake Anne Village Center.
• Lake Anne is also hosting Sunday Yoga on the Plaza each week, at 9:30 a.m.
• Walker Nature Center (11450 Glade Drive) will screen award-winning film “Can You Dig This?” tonight at 7 p.m.; Sunday, from 1:30-3 p.m., the nature center is hosting a salamander search.
• Jimmy’s Old Town Tavern (697 Spring St., Herndon) will host its 20th Annual Birthday Bash and Bike Run on both Sunday and Monday. Starting Sunday, live music will be performed indoors and outdoors throughout the day from various local bands. Monday morning, motorcyclists from around the area are invited to join a communal ride through George Washington Parkway, Crystal City and Alexandria.
• The Reston Choir will honor veterans with a Star-Spangled Salute at Reston Town Center tonight from 7-11 p.m. The performance will include family activities and an opportunity to honor the troops. The event is free with a recommended donation that will go toward providing care packages to troops overseas.
• Exercise with Athleta this Sunday at 11 a.m. in the Reston Town Center pavilion. The POUND class, hosted by Kathy from StudioPinkFit, is free to the public.
• Oakton Library (10304 Lynnhaven Place, Oakton) will host a Chinese Dance exhibition on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. that features tradition Chinese and Taiwanese dances. The event is free and hosted by the Fairfax Chinese Dance Troupe.
• “Radcliffe Bailey: The Great Dismal Swamp” remains on display at Greater Reston Arts Center (12001 Market St.) through August.
• Hosted by the Reston Masters Swim team, this Sunday will be the 30th Annual Jim McDonnell Lake Swim. Swimmers will have the option of a one- or two-mile swim around Lake Audubon.
• Kalypso’s (1617 Washington Plaza N.) will have live music tonight, 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., from Throwing Plates. DJ Kram will play Top 40 hits Saturday night.
• Vinafera Wine Bar and Bistro (11750 Sunrise Valley Drive) has live music from 7-10 p.m. every Friday and Saturday night.

The stage is being set for next week’s 37th annual Herndon Festival.

The annual outdoor festival, on Lynn Street in the town, is set for June 1-4. The free event averages attendance of 80,000 annually, according to its website.

“Every year we throw ourselves a big town party,” said Herndon Mayor Lisa Merkel. “Thursday night is a local favorite, where tons of neighbors walk downtown to kick off the festival. The rest of the weekend we welcome people from across the D.C. region. Three stages of entertainment, great crafts and, of course, funnel cake! What’s not to love?”

This year, in addition to the 5K and 10K races, carnival atmosphere and musical entertainment, there will be an event called Country on the Green on the new Herndon Municipal Center stage. The event goes from 11:30 a.m to 6 p.m on Sunday, June 4. The daylong celebration will consist of music, line dancing, barbecue and drinks.

The music stages at the festival are the Cafe Stage, the Depot Stage and the Kids Alley. Concerts range from bluegrass to rock and children’s music. Check out the full entertainment lineup here.

Ticket prices for the carnival will be $1.25 for a single ticket, with bundle deals and an all-day pass available. A minimum of $5 worth of tickets must be purchased for those who want carnival access.

Carnival hours will be:

• Thursday, 6-10 p.m.
• Friday, 5-11 p.m.
• Saturday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

There is also fun on the docket just for kids. Little ones can enjoy themselves with hands-on art exhibits and projects, children’s entertainers, a model train display, fireworks shows and more.

The festival’s Arts and Craft Show starts Friday, June 2 and continues throughout the weekend, featuring booths selling items such as jewelry, furniture and folk art. In addition to arts vendors, there will be several food vendors selling items throughout the festival, including the Big Cheese food truck, Jason’s Mini Donuts and Robeks Fruit Smoothies.

For more information about the festival, visit its website or call 703-787-7300.

This letter was submitted by Reston resident Bruce Ramo. It does not reflect the opinions of Reston Now. We publish article and opinion contributions of specific interest to the Reston community. Contributions may be edited for length or content.

Too much, too soon.

This is the crux of the community’s concern with the proposed zoning amendments, which were the subject of a community meeting with Fairfax County Supervisor Cathy Hudgins on May 24.

• Too much emphasis on promoting economic growth, without firm commitments for the infrastructure to support it.
• Too much willingness to give legal priority to the quantitative possibilities of increased density presented by the Master Plan, without addressing the qualitative conditions of the Plan’s Vision Statement and Planning Principles.
• Too much form over substance in engaging the public in three quick presentations rather than collaborating to develop a balanced approach for the future growth of Reston.
• Too much hubris in assuming that the County’s evaluation and analyses of the impact of increased density, without a willingness to consider other thoughtful analyses of the impact to roads, safety, schools and recreational facilities.
• Too much commitment to the County’s internal work plan for modifying the zoning ordinances.
• Too much emphasis on getting it done now instead of getting it done right.

Each day, many of us pass a dangerous portion of Wiehle Avenue near Sunset Hills Road where a pedestrian bridge is slated to be built someday. The area is the gateway between the Planned Residential Community of Reston (PRC) and the Metro station area with its thousands of new apartments and townhouses.

The missing pedestrian bridge is a symbol of all that is wrong with the County’s zoning amendment and the manner in which it would facilitate growth without the infrastructure to support it.

The proposed amendment would allow even more development throughout the PRC and elsewhere, but where is the pedestrian bridge? Where are the other new or improved parks, roads, schools and paths to service the higher density? Why is the County pressing to facilitate more growth in Reston, but not balancing the growth with near-term action to make that growth safe, convenient and sustainable? Why is Supervisor Hudgins content to tell Restonians that infrastructure is not her job, as she did [Wednesday] night?

This is the essence of the community’s challenge to the proposed zoning amendment. The County’s approach simply enables far too much development too soon. Please urge the County Planning Staff and Supervisor Hudgins to step back, table the proposed zoning amendment, and work with the community on a more sensible zoning plan to support the future growth of Reston.

The “Take A Break” summer concert series at Lake Anne Plaza will feature shows every Thursday night from June 15 to Sept. 14.

The free concerts are presented by Reston Community Center in cooperation with MSE Productions. In addition to the music, four of the nights on the schedule (June 15, July 13, Aug. 3 and Aug. 10) are designated as “Dance Nights” that will include dance demonstrations and instruction to accompany the tunes.

The full schedule of concerts includes:

• June 15: Radio King Orchestra (big band) with swing dance instruction
• June 22:  Sweater Set (contemporary folk)
• June 29: Origem (Brazilian jazz with a twist)
• July 6: Mystic Warriors (world music)
• July 13: Cedar Creek (country) with line dancing instruction
• July 20: Cheick Hamala Diabate (traditional West African music of Mali mixed with modern grooves)
• July 27: Four Star Combo (rockabilly)
• Aug. 3: Fresh Air (party dance hits) with no dance instructors
• Aug. 10: Mambo Combo (Latin) with dance instruction
• Aug. 17: Iona (Celtic)
• Aug. 24: Anthony Swamp Dog (funk blues)
• Aug. 31: Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet (jazz)
• Sept. 7: The Barretones (bluegrass)
• Sept. 14: Texas Chainsaw Horns (R&B)

Each concert is scheduled for 7-9 p.m.

Nothing says summer like a trip to the water park.

Reston’s own water park, The Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole (1400 Lake Fairfax Drive), will open for the season Saturday. Splashing, tubing, sliding and more will be available from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. all three days of Memorial Day Weekend.

Admission each day this weekend will be $15.95 for adults and kids over 4 feet tall; kids under 4 feet tall are admitted for $12.25; and children 2 and under get in free with a paying adult. Season passes are also available for purchase.

The park will be open only on Saturdays and Sundays until daily hours begin Monday, June 26. Weekend-only hours will return once school begins, and the last day of season will be Sunday, Sept. 10.

If you plan to go this weekend, the park recommends arriving before 10 a.m., as “the line begins filling as early as 30-45 minutes prior to opening. If you are arriving at other times, you may experience a wait of up to 45 minutes.”

A security alarm at a Herndon elementary school alerted a responder to teens inside.

According to Fairfax County Police, the alarm at Fox Mill Elementary School (2601 Viking Drive) went off between 5:30 and 6:15 p.m. Sunday. A school security officer who came to the scene found a 16-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl inside the school. He took the teens into custody until police officers arrived, at which time they were released into the custody of their parents.

Police say they are investigating the case to determine whether charges will be filed against the juveniles.

Other crimes reported by FCPD’s Reston District Station in the past week include:

LARCENIES:

1800 block of Cameron Glen Drive, property from vehicle

2200 block of Centreville Road, cash from vehicle

11600 block of Gas Light Court, passport from vehicle

11000 block of Granby Court, computer and money from vehicle

10900 block of Harpers Square Court, property from vehicles

2200 block of Hunters Woods Plaza, beer from business

13300 block of Jefferson Commons Court, cellphone from vehicle

2500 block of John Milton Drive, merchandise from business

900 block of Locust Street, cellphone from school

11700 block of Plaza America Drive, wallet and gun from vehicle

1800 block of Post Oak Trail, garage opener from vehicle

11100 block of South Lakes Drive, gift cards from business

11400 block of South Lakes Drive, bicycle from residence

400 block of Walker Road, jewelry from residence

11900 block of Winterthur Lane, license plate from vehicle

STOLEN VEHICLES:

1900 block of Upper Lake Drive, 2014 Volkswagen Bug

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

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.

Reston’s population is a key factor in the County’s high-speed drive to raise the density limits in our Planned Residential Community (PRC) zoning ordinance from 13 to 16 persons per acre across Reston to accommodate growth laid out in the new Reston Master Plan. It argues that Reston is at 12 persons per acre right now, including existing and approved development and we need to create more headroom for growth. Specifically, its “calculated estimate” of Reston PRC population, including approved plans but excluding affordable dwelling units, is 74,192 people.

Not even close on Reston’s current population — including the non-PRC areas of Reston.

The Past

The County was even badly wrong back in 2006 when it adjusted the zoning ordinance household factors — the average number of people living in each type of housing (single-family, townhomes, multi-family — garden and elevator). At that time it put Reston’s “calculated” PRC population at 64,227, roughly 10,000 fewer people than it calculates today.

Then reality set in.

In 2010, the US Census put Reston’s population at 58,404 in 25,304 occupied dwelling units, including such non-PRC areas as Deepwood and much of the Reston station area corridor. That’s a population density of 9.4 persons per acre of Reston PRC, nearly 40 percent below the current density limit of 13 persons per acre –hardly a driver for raising the overall population density ceiling.

The Present

The American Community Survey, the US Census’ official mid-decade estimate of population and other data, then put Reston’s population at 60,112 in 2015. Other unofficial sources tend to have even lower estimates of Reston’s population.

So why is the County claiming the much larger “population calculation” of 74,192 people in the PRC, which is most, but not all, of Reston?

The key reason is that the County includes the population of  developments that have been approved, but not yet built. In fact, many approved proposals have been on the books for a decade or more, including Colts Neck independent living (former Hunters Woods United Christian Parish now under construction), Reston Excelsior Oracle and Boston Properties Property #16 (under construction).

Spectrum Center is a major example. The Board gave final approval to this redevelopment in January 2013, but the developer — Lerner Enterprises — said then that redevelopment may not take place for many years, even decades. Indeed, the strip mall from Staples to Not Your Average Joe’s is still operating at capacity. Among other features, the redeveloped Spectrum Center is approved to include more than 1,400 dwelling units (almost 3,000 people).

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