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

Reston-based security firm accused of smuggling, human trafficking in Iraq — A scathing Associated Press story that came out Wednesday accuses a Reston-based contractor of allowing some risky operations to take place while being paid hundreds of millions of dollars to provide security to an F-16 air base in Iraq, and then firing independent investigators that uncovered it. The investigators told the AP that U.S. security personnel “turned a blind eye” though they were fully aware of prostitutes and alcohol being smuggled into Baghdad and onto the base, as well as not interfering when they witnessed power generators being stolen off the base by local militia and driven away on huge flatbed trucks. [MSN.com/Associated Press]

Reston Chamber Seeks Nominations for Annual Business Awards – The Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for its annual ACE awards (Awards for Chamber Excellence). The awards recognize outstanding member businesses that demonstrate “excellence, innovation and community involvement” while supporting the Chamber’s mission. Categories include Small/Medium/Large Business of the Year, Volunteer of the Year and more. Nominations can be submitted online through May 12. Winners will be announced at the ACE Awards in June. [Greater Reston Chamber]

County to review policies after some rack up more than $100,000 in overtime pay — County supervisors are reviewing departmental staffing and pay policies after a review of the books revealed that more than 1,700 county employees earned more than $100,000 last year, in large part due to overtime pay. Several employees are said to have made more than $100,000 just in overtime pay alone, and some even doubled or tripled their salary. Supervisor Pat Herrity said especially with first responders, so much overtime presents safety concerns. A review is now being conducted to determine if hiring additional staff will reduce the need for so much overtime. [WTOP]

Teen arrested for shooting BB gun at occupied car in Herndon — A 19-year-old man was arrested after firing multiple shots from a BB gun at an occupied car in Herndon. The teen is being held in Fairfax County jail without bond. [Herndon Patch]

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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

There may be a sense of frustration and concern regarding ongoing construction of Metro’s Silver Line, area elected officials said Thursday, but its great potential must be remembered.

Fairfax County Supervisor Cathy Hudgins and state delegates Ken Plum (D-Fairfax) and Jennifer Boysko (D-Fairfax/Loudoun) talked about Metro and the surrounding future development during a legislative panel discussion sponsored by the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce and hosted by Dominion Virginia Power in Herndon. Plum, the former state chair of the Dulles Corridor Rail Association, said it is important to put the status of Metro’s Silver Line in perspective.

“We really ought to stop for a moment and celebrate where we are,” Plum said. “For 25 years of my life I worked on that project, and it was announced to be dead half a dozen times, at least. … Now, by 2020, we’re going to have it all the way out into Loudoun County. And we have an incredible opportunity with that.”

A large amount of development has happened or is in the works in the area of the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station, the current western terminus of the Silver Line. Other projects are also springing up near the line’s future stations in Fairfax and Loudoun counties.

The Metro Washington Airport Authority’s Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project, which is overseeing construction, announced recently that Phase 2 work to extend Metro through Reston into Dulles Airport and onward to Ashburn is more than 56 percent complete. However, deficiencies in Metro’s budget and decreasing ridership have raised a number of questions in recent months about the future viability of the transit system.

Boysko, whose district includes Herndon, praised the state’s creation of the Metrorail Safety Commission to examine how Metro is being organized and managed. She said as Phase 2 of the project continues, it is imperative that safety issues as well as financial and operational performance are properly monitored and addressed.

“People say this is the least functional transit system in the country,” she said. “We have such a great opportunity as we are expanding into Phase 2, [but] it has to be a success. We have really focused our economic development around Phase 2 being successful.”

Hudgins, who is also a member of Metro’s Board of Directors, said this is a conversation she “live[s] every day.” She said Metro is unique in many ways, most notably in its partnership between multiple jurisdictions as well as in its infrastructure itself.

“I think people need to understand, it is a different kind of railroad,” she said. “That system is one of the most difficult systems [to maintain] of all those in the country.”

Plum said Metro needs to be revitalized, and in order for that to happen, it needs to continue to receive the support of the surrounding community.

“Please, don’t wash your hands of Metro,” Plum said. “It’s vital to the economic development of our region and I think we all recognize [that].”

The legislative recap event sponsored by the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce is a chance for local businesspeople to keep abreast of important issues in the community, said Mark Ingrao, GRCC president and CEO.

“We’re a catalyst for business growth and entrepreneurship in this area of Fairfax County,” he said. “We think that we have the type of programming our members are looking for to connect them with other businesses [and] to educate them on legislative things like this.”

State FBLA Conference is April 7-8 in Reston — Numerous local students are among the 120 from Fairfax County who have qualified for the state FBLA-PBL leadership conference. Among them are Cyril Antoney, Adam Asif, Amanzeb Aurangzeb, Rochelle Barasona, Rahbar Chowdhury and Ryan Terrell of Herndon High School; and Spencer Alston, Jennifer Alvarez, Kian Attari, Jon Burbach, Juhi Chandrabhatha, Ayah Elnafe, Conor Gill, Noah Goldstein, Ajit Gupta, Ian Hughes, Jarius Johnson, Rachel Kessler, Bardia Kimiavi, Eric Kiss, Jesse Lynch, Davi Meran, Rabia Mohamednur and Ahmed Rabani of South Lakes High School. [Fairfax County Public Schools]

Bechtel Exec Gets Black Women in Business Award — Charlene Wheeless, Bechtel’s principal vice president for global corporate affairs, has been named one of the 25 Influential Black Women in Business by the Network Journal. Wheeless also serves on the boards of the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce and Reston Hospital Center. [Press Release]

‘Sacred Profane’ Coming to CenterStage — Featuring an all-women cast of diverse ages, cultures and ethnicities, the show features music compositions, pop songs and classical music to create a “loose, provocative canvas with bodies in motion.” It is set for Reston Community Center’s CenterStage (2310 Colts Neck Road) on April 5. [Reston Connection]

Still Waiting for Willard’s — We reported in January that Willard’s BBQ would soon open at 11790 Baron Cameron Ave., in the Home Depot Shopping Center. On its Facebook page, the restaurant later said it was aiming for a March 14 opening. In a response to a follower’s question Tuesday, though, it now says it hopes to open by the “end of this month.” [Willard’s BBQ]

Red’s Table Chef Talks About Life of Cooking — Adam Stein, the executive chef at Red’s Table (11500 South Lakes Drive), talked with a culinary website about what fuels his passion for food. [The Daily Meal]

Young Professionals Event Slated for Brewery — The Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce will host an event Thursday from 5:30-7:30 p.m. to celebrate the ribbon cutting of Crooked Run Brewing (22455 Davis Drive, Sterling). The event will be the kickoff of the Young Professionals Cocktail Connection Networking for the year. [Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce]

Reston-Based Company Sold — ObjectVideo, which develops video analytics software for automated security surveillance systems, is headquartered at 11600 Sunrise Valley Drive. The 19-year-old company, whose work has been widely used by the U.S. defense and intelligence communities, has been acquired by Tysons-based Alarm.com. [Washington Business Journal]

‘Rock of Ages’ Gets Good Review — Reston Community Players’ performance of “Rock of Ages” opened last weekend at CenterStage (2310 Colts Neck Road) and will play through April 1. A review says Chris Dore’s “sexy, fun” choreography does an excellent job “showcas[ing] very talented dancing in the ensemble.” Carole Steele’s costumes are said to be “transformative and appropriately gaudy” for the ’80s theme. [DC Metro Theater Arts]

In a break from previous tradition, 22 finalists for the 2017 Best of Reston Awards were announced Thursday night. In past years, only the winners have been honored.

According to Cornerstones, which puts on the awards along with the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, the new process serves to recognize the importance of the “many fine people, businesses and organizations involved in giving back in greater Reston/Dulles corridor.”

“At a time of uncertainty and change in our nation, the Best of Reston Community Service Awards serve as a powerful reminder that there is so much that unites us,” said Kerrie Wilson, CEO of Cornerstones. “This new approach to the awards was recommended as a way to lift up those who are bringing our community together, and affirms principles of service that are core to the work of Cornerstones and the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce.”

Nominees for the awards are as follows:

INDIVIDUAL OR FAMILY SERVICE

• Robert Goudie
• Vernon and Kathy Joyner
• Bill Keefe
• Shreya Papneja
• Maggie Parker
• Bob Schnapp
• Vincent and Gillian Sescoe
• Herb Williams-Baffoe

CIVIC AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, VOLUNTEERISM THROUGH NONPROFIT SERVICE

• Herndon Community Leo Club Youth
• Omicron Kappa Kappa
• The Reston Chorale
• Touching Heart
• Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts
• Women Giving Back

LARGE BUSINESS

• JK Moving Services
• Navient
• Odin, Feldman and Pittleman, P.C.
• SOSi

EMPLOYEE-OWNED AND SMALL BUSINESS

• SpeedPro Imaging Northern Virginia
• Storycatcher Productions
• Synergy Design & Construction
• The CST Group

Up to two awardees will be selected from each category and will be honored April 6. Proceeds from the celebration benefit the programs and people served by Cornerstones.

Mark Ingrao, president and CEO of the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, said the candidates are all vital parts of the community.

“We believe that service is a cornerstone of any thriving community, and this event… says it all,” he said. “Through their volunteerism and philanthropy, the past Best of Reston honorees and the candidates for the 2017 Awards work throughout the greater Reston and Dulles corridor region to make it a stronger community.”

Leidos, which hosted Thursday night’s reception, has partnered with cornerstones as the Annual Champion Partner. The company presented Cornerstones with a $100,000 check during the event.

“It is our hope that this support will be a beacon and spread the light of the good work Cornerstones does on behalf of Reston and beyond,” said Melissa Koskovich, Leidos senior vice president and marketing director. “Partnering with Cornerstones, who empowers people in our community to become self-sufficient, allows us to have a lasting impact in Reston and the greater Dulles Corridor.”

For more information about the awards, visit Cornerstones online.

Photos courtesy Chip McCrea Photography

RCC Board Seeks Community Input — The Reston Community Center Board of Governors will hold a community relations and program policy meeting Monday from 6:30-8 p.m. at RCC Hunters Woods (2310 Colts Neck Road). Discussion topics will include new programming approaches and content for inclusion in RCC’s FY19 budget; capital project planning for the Terry L. Smith Aquatics Center; and the board’s progress in meeting new Strategic Plan goals and objectives. [Reston Community Center]

How Can LinkedIn Work for You? — The Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce (1886 Metro Center Drive) will host a workshop Wednesday morning on how the social networking service can help attendees improve business development and polish their personal brand, or with a career transition. [Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce]

Reston-Based Company May Lose Listing — Audience-measuring firm comScore, headquartered on Democracy Drive, saw its stocks plummet Monday. This happened after an announcement that it would miss a February deadline for filing financial statements, which may result in its stock being delisted by Nasdaq. [WTOP]

In Defense of Political Theater Over the Silver Line — Metro board members Jack Evans and Corbett Price have threatened to veto the opening of the Silver Line to Dulles and Loudoun County if Virginia doesn’t help fund Metro more. In response, Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) called those suggestions “parochial theater,” and labeled some board members’ comments “cheap and reckless.” Are they really? GGW’s David Alpert says maybe not. “Their argument about the Silver Line isn’t totally crazy,” he argues. “Still, it’s dangerous for one jurisdiction to block new service in another.” [Greater Greater Washington]

Beware of Package Thieves — The Fairfax County Police Department had at least 15 reports of packages being stolen from doorsteps across the county this past weekend, it said. The arrival of the holiday season generally means an uptick in package and mail theft. Whenever possible, police advise citizens to require a signature for package deliveries, ask that packages be delivered to neighbors if you will not be home, or have packages delivered to their offices. [Patch]

Reston Singing Groups to Open Registration — Two local singing groups for people over the age of 65 are opening to new members: Encore Reston Chorale, which performs classical choral music, and Encore Rocks Reston, which performs more contemporary and rock-and-roll music. Members do not need prior singing experience or know how to read music. Singers may also be seated during rehearsals and performances, if needed. Weekly rehearsals in Reston are scheduled to begin next month. [Encore Creativity]

Network, Celebrate, and Check Out New Reston Homes — The Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce will host its annual holiday celebration, “Tinsle ‘n Tinis,” tomorrow from 6 to 9 p.m. in the rooftop bar at Reston Station’s BLVD apartment complex (1908 Reston Metro Plaza). Attendees can network with other local business professionals, celebrate the holiday season and enjoy festive martinis and hors d’oeuvres during the event. Proceeds from the event are slated to go toward a local education nonprofit. [Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce]

Fairfax County Police Respond to Annandale Shooting — Two women were shot and wounded after a fight outside of a home in Annandale last night. Fairfax County Police rushed to the scene of the crime around 6:30 p.m. yesterday. [NBC Washington]

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Bechtel, Hidden Creek Country Club and Around Reston magazine are some of the Reston businesses that have earned honors in this year’s Great Reston Chamber of Commerce Awards for Chamber Excellence (ACE).

Winners were announced at a lunch last week. The honorees are companies and individuals who demonstrated excellence as Chamber and community members throughout the year.

ACE Award Winners

• Committee of the Year: GovCon Committee
• Small Business of the Year: Around Reston Magazine
• Medium Business of the Year: Hidden Creek Country Club
  Large Business of the Year: Bechtel
• Member of the Year: Iris Britt, Iris Britt Consulting
• New Member of the Year: Intelice Solutions
• Volunteer of the Year: Roman Blazauskas, SpeedPro Imaging
• President’s Award: Charles Kapur, Access National Bank
• Pinnacle Award: Cynthia Hyland

The Chamber also announced its new officers. Outgoing Chairman Michael Bradshaw (Google) passed the gavel to Incoming Chairman Charles Kapur (Access National Bank).

Charlene Wheeless (Bechtel) was elected by the membership as the Chair-Elect. Dee Kakar (M&T Bank) was elected to serve as the Treasurer for 2016-2017. Matt Clary (Law Office of Matt Clary) was selected to serve as General Counsel for 2016-2017.

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Now that Metro has come to Reston, the biggest challenge is getting pedestrians, cyclists and drivers easily connected with public transportation.

That was the theme of a legislative forum sponsored by the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce at Reston Station on Wednesday.

Officials at the state, county and Reston level gave their thoughts on moving Reston forward as it becomes a transit-oriented community.

However, issues, even temporary ones such as a crash, affect the region overall, said Marty Nohe, chairman of the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority.

“There is no such thing as a Reston or Fairfax transportation problem,” he said. “At 5:15 p.m., a small fender bender in Prince William County can cause delays in Arlington. … Congestion relief is a top priority.”

Nohe said the NVTA has gotten nearly a half-billion dollars in new projects approved for Northern Virginia in the last three years.

At the county level, some of the most critical future projects include new crossings for the Dulles Toll Road; widening the Fairfax County Parkway; and implementing bus service to link this part of the county with the Springfield area, said Tom Biesiadny, director of the Fairfax County Department of Transportation.

Biesiadny also said the following are of high importance: bicycle and pedestrian improvements, walkways and sidewalks on such roads as Fox Mill, Glade, North Shore, Soapstone, Sunrise Valley and Sunset Hills; and a bike/pedestrian overpass at the W&OD Trail at Wiehle and Sunset Hills.

He said the latter is currently moving forward with a design plan. Meanwhile, there will be an update on the Soapstone crossing of the Dulles Toll Road at a community meeting Monday evening at South Lakes High School.

“The Reston Comprehensive Plan, approved in 2014, includes significant enhancements in transportation,” he said. “That includes four toll road crossing areas and mixed-use development [around the Metro stations] and a grid of streets around the stations.”

Reston Association CEO Cate Fulkerson says RA is placing a high priority on “what we need to do to address connectivity” for pedestrians and cyclists using RA paths and roads.

Comstock Partners spokeswoman Maggie Parker said developers need to work together with government and RA to reach those goals.

“We need to pay attention to development, enhance the urban grid and not put impediments into that process,” she said.

Fulkerson agrees teamwork is necessary as transportation develops.

“An impediment would be not having all the people at the table when talking elements that need to go in.”

What does the future hold for transit and traffic as Reston continues to grow?

That’s the subject of a legislative forum hosted by the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday.

State and local transportation officials will share updates on transportation improvements in Reston. Some of the topics addressed include:

• State priorities, flow of money to localities and 6-year plan
• Challenges facing the regional authority and impact on Fairfax/Reston projects
• Fairfax County’s six-year plan and collaboration with the Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance to prioritize regional projects

Panelists include Nancy Hiteshue Smith, Policy Director, Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance; Jim Dyke, Attorney, McGuireWoods LLP and Member of the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation Board; and Marty Nohe, Chairman, Northern Virginia Transportation Authority.

There will also be representatives from the Fairfax County Department of Transportation, Dulles Area Transportation Association, Comstock Partners and Reston Association.

The forum is 8 to 10 a.m. at Reston Station. Visit the chamber’s website for more information and registration.

Photo: Traffic on Wiehle Avenue / Credit Reston 2020

Do you know someone who is truly the Best of Reston?<

Then nominate them for the annual Best of Reston Awards.

Nominations for the Best of Reston are being accepted through Nov. 6 at 5 p.m.

This is the 25th year Cornerstones and the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce have teamed to organize individuals and businesses who have worked to make an impact in the community.

The awards will be announced in early 2016 and presented at a gala at the Hyatt Regency Reston on April 7. The awards are a major fundraiser for Cornerstones, raising more than $500,000 in each of the last two years.

Click to see criteria and nominate businesses and leaders in the categories below.

Individual/Family Community Leader(s)

Civic/Community Group(s)/Nonprofit Organization

Employee-Owned Company/Small Business Leader(2-100 employees)*

Corporate Business Leader (101+ employees)*

Vade Bolton-Ann Rodriquez Legacy Award-Entrusting Our Community’s Future (Special Award) 

Download a PDF of the nomination application, though online nominations are preferred.

The following are not eligible for a Best of Reston award:

• Elected officials holding federal, state, or county office
• Individual schools or congregations (individuals/groups working within institutions may be considered)
• Posthumous nominations
• Current employees of the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce or Cornerstones

Read about last year’s winners in this previous Reston Now article.

Photo: Best of Reston 2015/Credit: Chip McRea