Peak foliage usually means “shows well” in Reston’s woodsy neighborhoods. Take a peek at what’s open this weekend by looking at this list. For more open houses and complete real estate information, visit Reston Now’s real estate section.

11716 Putting Green Court
3 BR, 3.5 BA TH
$479,900
Open Sunday 1 to 4 p.m.

1323 Vintage Place
2 BR, 3.5 BA TH
$449,000
Open Sunday 1 to 3 p.m.

2416 Alsop Court
3 BR, 2.5 BA TH
$369,999
Open Saturday 12 to 3 p.m.

12197 Chancery Station
3 BR, 3 BA TH
$740,000
Open Sunday 12 to 2 p.m.

1686 Waterhaven Drive
3 BR, 2 FB, 2 HB TH
$649,500
Open Sunday 1 to 4 p.m.

1580 Moorings Drive
2 BR, 1.5 BA Condo
$259,900
Open Sunday 1 to 4 p.m.

12024 Taliesin Place
2 BR, 1.5 BA Condo
$299,000
Open Sunday 1 to 4 p.m.

12024 Hearthstone Court
3 BR, 2 FB, 2 HB TH
$459,900
Open Sunday 2 to 4 p.m.

The Washington West Film Festival wrapped up its final day in Reston on Sunday with a red carpet event at Bow Tie Cinemas at Reston Town Center.

In addition to about 50 short films, documentaries and international films in keeping with the theme “story can change the world,” this year’s festival — the fifth annual — highlighted the 30th anniversary of Back to the Future.

Sunday’s event featured a bunch of DeLoreans, the sportscar that served as the time machine in the movie trilogy, arriving at town center. On hand Sunday were actor Christopher Lloyd, who played Doc Brown in the movies; Back to the Future co-writer Bob Gale; actress Claudia Wells; and special friend of the festival Ed Asner, among other VIPS.

A huge crowd filled Market Street to welcome the DeLoreans and the special guests.

Proceeds from the event benefitted the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

Photos courtesy of Vita Images

Oak Hill consultant Mark Wilkinson is one of two candidates running for the Fairfax County Public Schools Hunter Mill school board seat. Reston Now is running Q-and-As with both candidates. Incumbent Pat Hynes’ responses were published earlier this week.

The two candidates will participate in a forum in Reston on Oct. 24. The election is Nov. 3.

Reston Now: Why do you want to serve on the school board?

MW: First and foremost, I’m a dad of a recent graduate of FCPS, and concerned, as all of us are, that our Fairfax County school system risks losing its status as a world-class system. And in my over 20 years residing in Fairfax County, I’ve seen some very disturbing trends in large class sizes, mismanagement of the FCPS budget, and a “we know best” attitude from the School Board.

My desire to serve on the FCPS School Board stems from my desire to give something back to the Fairfax County community, put our children first, and use my 35 years budget experience to turn around the FCPS budget. I want to re-establish the community’s trust in the School Board as advocates for our children.

RN: What makes you uniquely qualified to serve the school board?

MW: I’m not a politician, yet it doesn’t take a politician to see that this school board needs financial expertise and strong leadership to fix its $75-100M budget deficit. Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is the 10th largest school system in the United States, and it requires strong leadership and people who know how to manage government programs, and who understand policy, budgets, strategy, and contracts. These are the key activities of a school board member.

I have 35 years as a public servant doing just that – managing budgets five times the size of FCPS’s budget, establishing policy, setting strategic direction that crossed multiple federal agencies. I will demand accountability and transparency, and ask the hard questions that are necessary to ensure that FCPS does not lose its status as a world-class school system.

RN: What are the three biggest concerns you have about FCPS?

MW: My plan is simple — reduce class size, fix the budget, increase teacher compensation, and close the achievement gap — which will improve the lives of ALL FCPS children. And as an independent and non-partisan advocate for our children, teachers, and the taxpayers of Fairfax County, I will do what is right for all children of Fairfax County — to improve their education, their quality of life, their future.

We need to improve student/teacher ratios because part of being responsive to the needs of children is a lower student-to-teacher ratio in overcrowded classrooms. The more interaction a teacher has with each student, the better the student will comprehend and retain what is taught. Unfortunately, over 50 percent of our Hunter Mill District elementary schools have had the largest class sizes in the county for the past several years.

The current FCPS School Board’s failure, to date, to remedy our children’s class size disparity — despite an overwhelming need to do so — is an issue I intend to address. Many current school board members distort the facts by talking about decreasing the classes across the entire FCPS when only 20 percent of the schools need reduction. Hunter Mill schools happen to be in that situation. Read More

Pat Hynes, first elected to the Fairfax County School Board in 2011, is running for re-election to the Hunter Mill seat on the board.

Reston Now sent questionnaires to Hynes and her opponent, Mark Wilkinson. Wilkinson’s has not yet been returned. The two candidates will participate in a forum in Reston on Oct. 24. The election is Nov. 3.

RN: Why do you want to serve on the school board?

PH: I am very grateful for the opportunity I’ve had to represent the Hunter Mill District on the school board for the past four years. My experience as the mother of two FCPS graduates, an FCPS teacher, a lawyer, and a community leader have served me well on the board and, I hope, have served the community well.

The current board has accomplished a good deal, including: later high school start times; full-day elementary Mondays; elementary class size caps; student-centered discipline reform; improvements in literacy and special education instruction; a comprehensive independent efficiency audit; and the hiring of the first-ever auditor general who reports directly to the school board.

Under this board’s direction, FCPS has taken a leadership role in the state and national conversation about better assessments, moving away from the high-stakes test score chase that has for too long dominated classroom instruction.

We have continuing challenges, however, including persistent achievement gaps, class sizes that are still too high in some schools, growing needs for space, and teacher pay that is not keeping pace in the region. Thanks to the efforts of the current board and Superintendent Karen Garza, I see progress on those and other challenges, and I hope the people of Hunter Mill will give me the opportunity to continue this important work.

RN:  What makes you uniquely qualified to serve the school board?

PH: As the only member of the current 12-member school board who has worked as a teacher in FCPS, I am uniquely suited to understand the interests of our employees. My colleagues on the board are very supportive of teachers, which I appreciate, but my time in the classroom gives me the experience to anticipate concerns and ask relevant questions. Having taught in both Vienna and Reston, I also have a network of local teachers and school-based administrators who know that I value their opinions and understand their needs.

Read More

This is an op-ed from Sen. Janet Howell on the death of Reston founder Robert E. Simon. It does not reflect the opinion of Reston Now.

[On Monday], we all lost a great visionary, Reston lost its founder, and I lost a dear friend. Robert E. Simon died peacefully at his home in Reston at age 101.

Bob changed the way we view community in America when he created the Reston community over 50 years ago. Risking his fortune, he purchased land in then rural countryside of Virginia. He then proceeded to develop a community unlike any other in our country.

Reston was to be open and welcoming to all, regardless of race or economic status. In an era of Jim Crow and still segregated schools, that was unheard of. His community was to be “planned” and mix housing, businesses, and vast acres of untouched land around village centers where people could mingle and support small local shops. Respect for nature was central to his plan.

It was to be anti-suburbia, suburbia.

Not surprisingly, Reston and Robert E. Simon were way ahead of their time. The venture hit bad economic times and he was forced out. For almost two decades he left his community. But we continued to grow.

I met Bob at Reston’s 20th Anniversary. I was president of the Reston Community Association and we threw a big celebration with a parade, festival on Lake Anne and cultural events. Bob and I really hit it off and he was so happy to be back for a short while. I clearly remember riding in a convertible with him in the parade and dancing the Charleston with him on Lake Anne.

Soon after he asked me if I thought it would be alright for him to move back to Reston. He wasn’t sure it would be appropriate! I told him we needed him and we as a community were beginning to drift, losing sight of his goals.

Soon he was back here helping us all define what Reston needed. Bob was full of ideas. His biggest concern was providing for children and having Reston guide them to bright futures. He became deeply involved in planning Town Center, preserving Lake Anne, and guiding Reston Association.

He was constantly involved, constantly pursuing his goals, and constantly nagging us in a kind but persistent way to do better.

And, when he came back, he met Cheryl whom he loved and married over ten years ago. Cheryl Terio-Simon made it possible for him to continue to pursue his dreams.

I am so glad he lived to see Reston’s 50th Birthday. He was so proud. He also delighted in the children who would come to meet him. He never turned down a child’s request.

For the past two decades I have been part of a small social club that meets monthly for dinner and serious discussions. Bob was part of that group. He rarely missed a meeting and asked thought provoking questions.

On my deck in mid-August, he was himself — totally engaged and thinking of the future, especially the future of Reston. The only hint that he was not totally well was that he had only one martini, not his customary two.

Robert E. Simon taught us how to live, to achieve, and to dream.

Candlelight Vigil for Robert Simon- A candlelight vigil in memory of Reston founder Bob Simon will be held at Lake Anne Plaza on Friday at 6:45 p.m. The first 300 people to attend will receive a vigil candle. Members of the Reston community have also created a website to share pictures and memories of Simon. [Reston Now, Will Marlow]

A Prayer for the Metro- A change.org petition is circulating around the D.C. Metro area asking Pope Francis to bless the Metro. The transit system has been struggling with issues all year, including a derailment earlier this summer. [Change.org]

More Delays for Metro?- Speed restrictions on the Blue, Orange and Silver Lines may cause delays for Reston commuters. These delays will coincide with the Pope’s arrival in D.C., which may cause Metro backups due to the amount of people entering the District to see the head of the Catholic Church. [Twitter]

Fairfax Leaders Voice Concerns Over I-66 Tolls- The Board of Supervisors plans to send a letter to Virginia Secretary of Transportation Aubrey Layne with their concerns about tolls on I-66 during rush hour. One of the questions is how the tolls will affect traffic by Dulles Airport and on local roads. [WTOP]

Reston Says Goodbye to Bob Simon- Reston founder Robert E. Simon passed away at his home on Monday. He was 101. People have already started to lay flowers at his statue in Lake Anne Plaza, despite evening rain. Rep. Gerry Connolly and Sen. Tim Kaine issued statements offering their condolences. [RestonNow, Facebook, Twitter]

Plane Pull Rakes in Donations- Over 80 teams participated in the 23rd annual plane pull at Dulles Airport, raising $290,000 for Special Olympic Virginia. The winning team pulled a 12-ton FedEx cargo plane 12 feet in under five seconds. [InsideNova]

Absentee Voting Started This Week- Fairfax residents can turn in an absentee ballots at the Fairfax government center (12000 Government Center Parkway) until Oct. 31. Mailed absentees ballots must be received by the Office of Elections by Oct. 27 at 5 p.m. [Fairfax County]

Reston and Sequestration – If the federal government has to undergo automative budget cuts, there will be large effects on Fairfax County said Board of Supervisors Chair Sharon Bulova. [Washington Business Journal]

FCPS Sets Free and Reduced Meal Policy- Fairfax County Public Schools announced its free and reduced meal policy last Friday, Sept. 18. Families can apply for free and reduced meals through applications sent home with students. FCPS will determine eligibility based on household income and size. [FCPS]

Virginia Unemployment Rate Decreases- The Virginia unemployment rate decreased for the second month in a row. The rate in August was 4.5 percent, 0.3 percent lower than in July. [Office of the Governor]

Searching for a new home? Start with these open houses this weekend. For more open houses and complete real estate information, visit Reston Now’s Real Estate Section.

12013 Taliesin Place
2 BR, 2 BA Condo
$329,000
Open Sunday 1 to 4 p.m.

11518 Links Drive
4 BR, 3.5 BA TH
$550,000
Open Sunday 1 to 4 p.m.

2349 Emerald Heights Court
3 BR, 3 BA TH
$324,999
Open Sunday 3 to 5 p.m.

1550 Northgate Square
3 BR, 2 BA Condo
$285,000
Open Sunday 2 to 4 p.m.

11621 Newbridge Court
3 BR, 2.5 BA TH
$450,000
Open Saturday 1 to 4 p.m.

2072 Headlands Circle
3 BR, 2.5 BA TH
$429,000
Open Sunday 1 to 4 p.m.

2303 Millenium Lane
3 BR, 3.5 BA TH
$425,000
Open Sunday 1 to 4 p.m.

2081 Whisperwood Glen Lane
3 BR, 2.5 BA TH
$349,000
Open Sunday 1 to 4 p.m.

11302 Stones Throw Drive
6 BR, 4.5 BA SFH
$1,299,000
Open Sunday 1 to 4 p.m.

This is an op-ed by Reston 2020’s Terry Maynard. It does not represent the opinion of Reston Now.

(Updated, 12:30 p.m. Friday) Correction:  Maynard has reported the that area affected by the change in the size of the Transit Station areas, allowable square footage of development, and other related numbers late in his op-ed are actually about one-third of those reported. In particular, the expanded area and high densities would allow about 438 million square feet of total development, not 1.4 billion square feet as stated.  

A few days ago, I wrote an op-ed published here on the County’s efforts to increase the allowed population density in Reston and double the permitted zoning density in Transit Station Areas (from FAR 2.5 to FAR 5.0, plus a 0.5 FAR bonus for affordable housing), including Reston’s three stations.

Aside from allowing major density increases here, these proposed changes affect other types of County “districts”, such Community Business Districts, Commercial Revitalization Districts, and Commercial Revitalization Areas elsewhere in the County. These include Baileys Crossroads, Seven Corners, McLean, Merrifield, Lake Anne (yes!), Annandale, Springfield, and most of the Richmond Highway area. And, of course, all the areas surrounding the County’s Metrorail stations. And we already have reliable commentary that developers intend to maximize density in at least one of these “districts” once the zoning law is changed.

All these areas would now be incorporated into the zoning code as either Planned Development Commercial Districts (PDCs) or Planned Residential Mixed-Use Districts (PRMs), the difference being the predominance of commercial or residential uses. The density caps may be approved if the County “is implementing the density/intensity and other recommendations of the comprehensive plan or any other design guidelines endorsed by the Board.” “Any other guidelines;” that’s a hole as large as a skyscraper.

The adding of these “districts” to the PDC or PRM categorizations and upping the allowable density is all part of the Board of Supervisors’ strategy to allow massive urbanization of Fairfax County over the next several decades.   Not just the Reston you know, but the County you know would be completely different if market conditions permit.

In fact, early this year the Board approved a new County “Strategic Plan to Facilitate the Economic Success of Fairfax County” that calls for this urbanization of Fairfax County.   The plan was developed by the County’s Economic Advisory Commission and its panel represented just about every County “sector” except residents, the people who pay more than half of the County’s taxes and elect its Board. As you might expect, however, the strategic plan cynically states that the County’s vision is “To protect and enrich the quality of life for the people, neighborhoods and diverse communities of Fairfax County….” But who needs them in preparing the plan? What value could they possibly add? Read More

This is an op-ed by Terry Maynard of Reston 2020. It does not represent the opinion of Reston Now.

As you were enjoying your summer, probably including a family vacation, our County leaders were — and are — planning to increase the allowable density in Reston’s transit station areas (TSAs) again through amendments to the zoning ordinance.

The reason: Fairfax County is running out of ways to generate taxes to cover its expenses as job growth and development falter. At this point, so close to another local election, they are neither ready to increase our taxes nor cut well-liked programs (other than parks and libraries, of course).

They have to add more taxable property — residential and commercial — to drive up revenues. And Reston and Tysons are the places they intend to do it.

The County’s Zoning Staff is preparing to allow increased Reston density in two ways.

In Reston alone, the County staff is planning to increase (or eliminate) the maximum allowable population per acre in the Reston Planned Residential Community (PRC) — a zoning category.

According to the Fairfax County’s demographer’s count, Reston now has a population of less than 62,000, about 10 people per acre. Reston’s current limit is 13 persons per acre for a total population of about 81,000 according to a county briefing. Using absolutely absurd “household population factor” values (ostensibly the typical number of people in a household by type of household), the zoning staff has put Reston’s population at more than 73,000 people or 11.7 people per acre (10 percent available capacity).

We are, in fact, more than 30 percent short of that capacity. Yet, if the “cap” is increased or deleted, it creates more “flexibility” for developers, which as the next paragraph will show, is the goal. Read More