The community’s best were honored Thursday evening during the 26th annual Best of Reston Awards Gala, a partnership between Cornerstones and the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce.

Twenty-two finalists for the awards were announced earlier this year, and honorees at the gala included:

• Small Business Leader Award: The CST Group
• Civic/Community Organization Awards: Women Giving Back, Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts
• Large Business Service Award: Odin, Feldman and Pittleman, P.C.
• Individual Community Leader Award: Bill Keefe
• Family Service Award: Vincent and Gillian Sescoe

In addition, the Vade Bolton-Ann Rodriguez Legacy Award, presented for only the third time since its inception, went to Herb Williams-Baffoe. According to Cornerstones, the award “honors acts of volunteerism and leadership that motivate and inspire a new generation of leaders and create a legacy of service. Herb was recognized because he inspires us all, and shows the power of believing in our youth and what that does for their self-belief.”

The Robert E. Simon Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Vicky Wingert “for her lifetime commitment to Reston values, for cementing the legacy of Bob Simon and for capturing the history and future of Reston,” according to Cornerstones.

A check for more than $515,000, representing funds raised through this year’s Best of Reston, was presented to Cornerstones to support the organization’s strategies of starting individuals on a pathway to sustainable living-wage employment, and to identify and address other barriers to move from surviving to living prosperous, healthy lives.

“Cornerstones counts on your support of its work to stabilize those who are struggling, empower those who may not have a voice, and bring hope to our community,” said Charlene Wheeless, Bechtel principal vice president and a 2016 Best of Reston honoree who co-chaired the event along with Doug Bushee. “Now more than ever we need organizations who work to ensure everyone has access to food, shelter and opportunities for a stronger future.”

Kerrie Wilson, Cornerstones CEO, said community support has helped the organization made great strides toward curtailing homelessness.

“We believe that our job is to end homelessness — not just manage it — by developing housing that is affordable for people over their lifetime,” Wilson said. “We are so grateful for the incredible support that helps Cornerstones and its partners to reduce homelessness in our community by 47 percent in the past eight years.”

For more photos from Thursday evening’s gala, visit photographer Chip McCrea’s website.

Photos courtesy Chip McCrea Photography

Children ages 6 to 14 are invited to participate in the annual Reston Kids Triathlon. Registration starts next week.

The triathlon is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 6 at Ridge Heights Pool (11400 Ridge Heights Road). Participants will be broken into three age groups to tackle the course:

• Ages 6-8: swim 50 meters, bike 1.1 miles, run 7/10th of a mile
• Ages 9-11: swim 100 meters, bike 2 miles, run 1 mile
• Ages 12-14: swim 150 meters, bike 4 miles, run 1.4 miles

At least one free training clinic will be offered to registrants in June or July to help them understand what to expect on the day of the event.

Volunteers are also sought for the event. In addition, individuals or businesses are invited to make donations to sponsor children in the race. The event itself is co-sponsored by Reston Association and the YMCA Fairfax County-Reston.

The 2016 race had more than 200 participants.

Registration for the seventh annual event begins Wednesday, April 12, at 7 p.m. at the event’s website.

Image via Kristina Alcorn/Reston Association on Facebook

UPDATE: This alert has been canceled by the National Weather Service as of 1:50 p.m.

—

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning for an area including Reston, to be in effect until 2 p.m.

According to the alert, radar has indicated rotation within an incoming storm:

IMPACT…For those in the direct path of a tornado touchdown,
flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Damage to roofs, siding, and windows may occur.
Mobile homes may be damaged or destroyed. Tree damage is
likely.

* This dangerous storm will be near…
Linton Hall around 135 PM EDT.
South Riding around 145 PM EDT.
Centreville, Brambleton, Dulles International Airport, Chantilly
and Arcola around 150 PM EDT.
Broadlands around 155 PM EDT.
Reston, Herndon, Lansdowne, Lowes Island, Ashburn, Sterling, Great
Falls and Countryside around 200 PM EDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Catharpin, Garrett Park, Derwood, Clarksburg, Woolsey, Washington
Grove, Belmont, Belleview, Bradley Farms and Kensington.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

Nastiest part of squall line, poss tornado, around Dulles-Sterling headed NE. Seek shelter! pic.twitter.com/xBMAvalOjZ

— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) April 6, 2017

A severe thunderstorm warning until 2 p.m. had previously been issued, as well as a severe thunderstorm watch until 5 p.m.

Reston Community Players will put a wrap on their 50th season next month by staging the Noël Coward comedy “Private Lives.”

Coward’s 1930 play features a divorced couple who meet by chance while honeymooning with their new spouses. According to a press release from RCP:

“[The characters] reignite the old spark and impulsively elope. After days of being reunited, they again find their fiery romance alternating between passions of love and anger. Their aggrieved spouses appear, and a circle dance of affiliations ensues as the women first stick together, then break ranks, and new partnerships are formed.”

The show’s director, Adam Konowe, said the play is not as “flippant [or] even superficial” as it might appear at first glance.

“Look closer and appreciate how Coward skillfully embedded critiques in rapier-like dialogue,” he said.

The show’s cast includes Richard Isaacs as Elyot Chase, Rachel Hubbard as Amanda Prynne, Andy Gable as Victor Prynne, Caity Brown as Sibyl Chase, and Lisa Young as Louise. The creative team, headed by Konowe, also includes Suzanne Johnson, Laura Baughman, Mary Ann Hall, Eileen Mullee, Tel Monks, Michael O’Connor, William Chrapcynski, Maggie Modig, Doug Rolston, Scott Birkhead, Sara Birkhead, Bea Morse, Jerry Morse, Julie Cherundolo, Lilya Eberle and Mary Jo Ford.

Opening night for the production will be Friday, May 5 at 8 p.m. at CenterStage (2310 Colts Neck Road) at Reston Community Center. Evening performances will follow each Friday and Saturday through May 20; in addition, there will be a matinee show Sunday, May 14, at 2 p.m.

The Community Players’ 2016-17 season opened with “Gypsy,” which won five Washington Area Community Theatre Honors awards. RCP has also presented “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” and “Rock of Ages” this season.

RCP has announced its first two shows of the 2017-18 season will be “Aida” (Oct. 20-Nov. 11) and “Peter and the Star Catcher” (Jan. 19-Feb. 3).

For more information about “Private Lives” or to buy tickets, call 703-476-4500, ext. 3, or visit restonplayers.org.

Image courtesy Reston Community Players

Ground was recently broken on the second stage of Herndon’s Junction Square neighborhood, which will feature an upscale wine and piano bar among its offerings.

Risky Ricky’s is planning to open around September at 700 Elden St. in Junction Square. The restaurant’s planned menu shows options including Australian lamb chops, grilled Alaskan Salmon fillet, braised short ribs and more. According to its website, its bar will feature private-reserve wine imported from Argentina.

Located at Elden and Monroe streets in the center of Herndon, Junction Square is a 55,000-square foot mixed-use development that will feature 20 luxury townhomes in addition to its storefronts. Work on the project, being done by Tradition Homes, began last February.

Image courtesy Town of Herndon

Inspired by springtime, the works of local artist Dorothy Donahey are currently on display at Reston Art Gallery and Studios (11400 Washington Plaza W.) on Lake Anne.

“First Blooms” showcases acrylic and oil paintings from the artist, an expert in commercial color printing who has traveled the nation lecturing on colorimetry for Reston’s HunterLab.

Donahey’s paintings are in the realms of representational abstraction and realism. She is known for her “Awareness Donkey,” which was featured on Pennsylvania Avenue in D.C. and is now part of the permanent collection at American University.

According to a press release about the exhibit:

The self-explanatory title of Donahey’s new show is inspired by the spring landscape, and a goal to “give people a little sunshine,” born out of the news, the cold and the loss of cherry blossoms at the tidal basin. The season can be enjoyed throughout the year through the paintings in this show.

The “First Blooms” exhibit will be on display at Reston Art Gallery throughout the month of April, including during Founder’s Day festivities at Lake Anne Plaza on Saturday. The official opening reception for the show is Sunday from 2-4 p.m.

Image: “Pastoral” — courtesy Dorothy Donahey/Reston Art Gallery and Studios

A pair of homes in the Reston area have been burglarized in recent days, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.

One of the reported incidents took place at 2000 block of Kedge Drive, off Lawyers Road in Vienna, at about 3 p.m. Friday. The second happened in 11500 block of Hemingway Drive, in North Reston, around 6 a.m. Saturday.

In another notable report from the Reston District Station, a gun was reported stolen from a vehicle in the 1400 block of Beauford Court in Herndon.

Other reported incidents from FCPD’s Reston District Station in the past week include:

LARCENIES:

2300 block of Archdale Road, cellphone from residence

700 block of Bennett Street, cellphone from school

11600 block of Bennington Woods Road, license plates and credit cards from vehicle

2300 block of Colts Neck Road, purse from business

11800 block of Coopers Court, license plates from vehicle

1400 block of Flynn Court, laptop computer from vehicle

1600 block of Fremont Lane, tools from vehicle

11400 block of Great Meadow Drive, wallet from business

1400 block of Hemingway Court, air compressor from vehicle

12200 block of Laurel Glade Court, catalytic converter from vehicle

10800 block of Parkridge Boulevard, tire from vehicle

6700 block of Ruskin Street, property from residence

12200 block of Sunset Hills Road, wallet from vehicle

11900 block of Winterthur Lane, watch and jewelry from residence

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).

A 29-year-old Reston man also made the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office report after deputies reportedly saw him “relieving himself” in a bush at One Loudoun at about 2:20 a.m. Saturday. The man was arrested, charged with public intoxication and later released from the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center on a personal recognizance bond.

After a successful pop-up venture at Lake Anne Plaza, a shop combining the worlds of pottery and custard will open a permanent location there.

Kiln & Co. set up at the former home of Lakeside Pharmacy last summer. According to a press release, it “immediately became a community favorite.” It plans to open for good Saturday, in conjunction with Founder’s Day festivities at the plaza, at 1631 Washington Plaza N., next to Small Change Consignment.

The new location of Kiln & Co. is the former home of children’s store Baby Blossom, which closed last year. Company owner Sarah Selvaraj has purchased the space.

The Vienna-based business offers paint-your-own pottery, sculpture, wheel and handbuilding work through a variety of classes, workshops and summer camps. And in addition to its “Kustard & Co.” custard, it sells cakes, shakes and other treats.

To celebrate, the first 50 people in line at 10 a.m. Saturday will receive a free “Krazy Kustard Shake” and a chance to win free shakes for a year. All kids 12 and under will receive an ice cream scoop bowl they can paint on site, which they will be able to later bring back for $2 refills. And any kids who are painting pottery Saturday will receive a free kid’s scoop.

For more information, visit Kiln & Co.’s Facebook page.

The 14th annual Nature House 5K run/walk is slated for Saturday at the Walker Nature Center (11450 Glade Drive).

The event, open to all ages, benefits the Friends of Reston. The course mostly consists of paved walkways in neighborhoods as well as pathways at the Nature Center and through Glade Stream Valley Park.

The course is very similar to that of the Reston Sprint Triathlon, according to RA Parks & Recreation Director Larry Butler, making this a “great warmup race.”

T-shirts will be given to all pre-registered participants, and to walk-in registrants as supplies last. Post-race festivities will include an awards ceremony and a prize drawing, in addition to the presentation of overall and age group medals and prizes.

Registration is $30 for ages 13 and up, $20 for those 12 and under. Walk-in registration will begin Saturday at 7 a.m., with the race to start at 8.

The Friends of Reston is a nonprofit organization that works to support Reston Association in performing charitable, educational and scientific purposes. The Nature House, gifted to RA in 2009, is its flagship project.

Photos via Active.com registration page

Major League Baseball arrives for 2017 on Monday, with the hometown Washington Nationals hosting the Miami Marlins for a season-opening matinee.

Those who take the Metro down to Nationals Park for the game will be in for an added treat, as Reston Station at Wiehle-Reston East will be hosting a baseball celebration from 10 a.m. to noon. The fun will include live music, a cornhole competition, hot dogs and more. In addition, the first 50 riders who show their ticket stubs will get free parking passes for the station’s ParkX.

The Nationals will continue the series against the Marlins with a game Wednesday night. The festivities at Reston Station that evening will take place from 4:30-6:30 p.m.

For more information about upcoming events at Reston Station, visit its website.

April is here and the springtime festivities are right around the corner.

There is always a lot to do in Reston and the surrounding area, and this weekend is no exception. Kids and adults alike have plenty of options for fun as we welcome the calendar’s fourth month.

Here are just some ideas for what to do in the Reston area this weekend:

• Reston Community Center’s annual “Eggnormous” Easter egg hunt is Saturday from 10-11:30 a.m. at Lake Fairfax Park (1400 Lake Fairfax Way). The free event is sure to be a big hit for all the kids. For more information, visit the Reston Community Center website.
• Also at Lake Fairfax Park on Saturday, volunteers are sought to help clean up the watershed. The event, one of nine at parks around the county, is set for 9-11:30 a.m.
• Dogs will be the guests of honor Saturday during the “Wag Fest” celebration in Reston. The event, set for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., will be at the North County Governmental Center (1801 Cameron Glen Drive).
• The last two performances of Reston Community Players’ “Rock of Ages” will be tonight and Saturday at 8 p.m. at CenterStage (2310 Colts Neck Road). Tickets for each performance of the show are $25.
• Reston Town Center will be host to an MS Walk on Sunday beginning at 9 a.m., with registration starting at 8.
• The annual April Fool’s Day prank at Reston Town Center will be taking place all-day Saturday at Fountain Square.
• Other events at Reston Town Center this weekend include the Rings for Spring bridal event, Easter egg decorating at Williams-Sonoma, kids’ cooking class at Il Fornaio and more.
• The A Bridal Show will also be taking place in Reston this weekend, Sunday at the Bechtel Conference Center (1801 Alexander Bell Drive).
• The Tidewater Guitar Quartet will play Sunday at 4 p.m. at ArtSpace Herndon (750 Center St.). Tickets are $20.
• The children’s book sale at Reston Regional Library (11925 Bowman Towne Drive) will be from 1-4 p.m. Sunday.
• The Friends of Reston’s Environmental Film Series will show “Hometown Habitat” tonight from 7-9 p.m. at Walker Nature Center (11450 Glade Drive).
• Kalypso’s (1617 Washington Plaza N.) will have live music tonight, 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., from Innertwined. DJ Kram will play Top 40 hits Saturday night.

The county’s Animal Protection Police is reminding residents as springtime is upon us that no matter how cute and cuddly they appear, baby wild animals are not pets.

In a statement to the community, the Fairfax County Police Department agency says residents often find baby animals they believe to be orphaned and they take them in — a bad idea, APP says.

While these actions are well-intended, it is important to realize that they may be unnecessary and can actually be detrimental to the wildlife concerned. Most wild animals are dedicated parents and do not abandon their offspring. Many wildlife species hide their young for safety nestled in grass or bushes and leave them alone for extended periods of time to look for food. Most of the time, the mother is nearby and will return to her offspring.

When humans intervene to “rescue” them, their survival rates decline. Many rehabilitated animals do not survive their first year upon release back into the wild. A wild animal’s best chance of survival is to stay in the wild.

The Animal Protection Police says there are situations where an animal may need help, including when it:

• shows signs of flies, worms or maggots, which look like grains of rice
• was caught by a cat or dog
• is bleeding or shows signs of trauma, such as swelling
• has parents that are known to be dead
• is very cold, thin or weak
• is on the ground unable to move
• is not fully furred or feathered

When an animal is found in these conditions, the APP suggests calling them at 703-691-2131, the Virginia Wildlife Conflict Helpline at 855-571-9003 or a local veterinarian. It does not suggest attempting to retrieve the animal and raise it yourself.

Attempting to capture wild animals can result in human injury when animals feel threatened or are in pain. Human handling may do more harm than good and may cause unnecessary stress on the animal or result in trauma.

The Animal Protection Police says it receives the most calls this time of year regarding animals including squirrels, red foxes, raccoons, rabbits, skunks, opossums and songbirds.

Photos via Fairfax County Police Department/Animal Protection Police

Two women, including one from Reston, were sentenced to prison Friday for their support of foreign terrorist organization al-Shabaab.

Muna Osman Jama, 36, was arrested in 2014 on charges including conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. She was found guilty in a 2016 trial.

According to a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice, Jama and 46-year-old Hinda Osman Dhirane of Washington state were sentenced Friday in Alexandria to 12 and 11 years, respectively.

According to court documents, Jama and Dhirane sent money to financiers of al-Shabaab in Somalia and Kenya, which they referred to respectively as the “Hargeisa side” and the “Nairobi side.” The defendants also organized what was called a “Group of Fifteen,” which included women from Somalia, Kenya, Egypt, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Canada, as well as Minneapolis, Minnesota. The “Group of Fifteen” met regularly in a private chatroom that Jama established to organize and track monthly payment of money to the “Hargeisa side,” which was used to finance al-Shabaab military operations in the Golis Mountains in northern Somalia, and the “Nairobi side,” which was used to fund two al-Shabaab safehouses. One of the safehouses was used by al-Shabaab to store weapons and to prepare for attacks. The other was used to treat al-Shabaab fighters who had been wounded in battle.

Phone calls and other communication between the “Group of Fifteen” that was monitored by the government made up a substantial part of the case against the women. The recordings, the press release states, “demonstrated that the women had close connections with al-Shabaab leadership and were privy to non-public, inside information concerning al-Shabaab activities.”

The women were also recorded as they laughed while the Westgate Mall attack in Nairobi was taking place, and about the Boston Marathon bombing before it was known who committed that attack, according to the Department of Justice.

Defense contractor Leidos is considering leaving its current headquarters in Reston Town Center (11951 Freedom Drive) for a new home, the Washington Business Journal reports.

Citing sources close to the company, the WBJ says the expansion in workforce brought about by the company’s merger with Lockheed Martin last year has it reevaluating its space needs. Leidos employees about 33,000 people worldwide, according to information it provides to investors.

According to the WBJ report, Comstock Properties’ 1900 Reston Metro Plaza is among the properties being considered as a potential new headquarters for Leidos. Still seeking an anchor tenant, the site was considered by Nestlé before that company chose Arlington for its U.S. headquarters. The Helmut Jahn-designed building, adjacent to the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station, is currently in its final stages of construction.

WBJ says Boston Properties, owner of Leidos’ current home, has proposed new headquarters space for the firm as well.