How to Celebrate Thanksgiving Safely in Reston — “While it may be tempting to enjoy traditions as usual, the safest thing you can do, the CDC says, is celebrate at home with people who are part of your immediate household.“ [Reston Patch]
Registration Opens for Winter Break Camp — The camp will begin on Dec. 21 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for children between ages five and 12. Enrollment is available on a daily basis. [RA]
FCPS Wins Three Communications Awards — “Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has won three awards in the 2020 CHESPRA (Chesapeake Chapter of the National School Public Relations Association) communications contest.” [Fairfax County Public Schools]
Photo by Marjorie Copson
FCPS Seeks Class Monitors, Substitute Teachers — “Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), the largest school system in Virginia, is seeking individuals to serve as classroom monitors and substitute teachers.” [FCPS]
County Hires Weekend Contact Interviewers — “The Fairfax Health District is expanding its pool of contact tracing staff and is actively seeking weekend contact interviewers. As COVID-19 cases increase in the Fairfax Health District, the additional staff will be needed in the efforts to effectively slow the spread of illness and ensure the health and safety of our community.” [Fairfax County Government]
New Chief Academic Officer Announced — “Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Superintendent Scott S. Brabrand has named Sloan Presidio, who currently serves as assistant superintendent for instructional services, as the district’s new Chief Academic Officer, effective November 17.” [FCPS]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Reston Ice Rink Offers New Safety Guidelines — “The ice rink at Reston Town Center has been a must stop during the holidays for the past 30 years. This year things will look the same, but with new safety guidelines in place because of COVID-19.” [WJLA]
PassionFish in Bethesda Closes — The popular seafood permanent closed its Bethesda location on Nov. 15, but the Reston Town Center location will remain open. [Montgomery County Media]
South Lakes Culinary Students Offer To-go Meals — “Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, culinary students along with their chief, Cynthia, came up with the idea to offer To-Go services to the school’s faculty and staff who are working remotely. Organizers said they have to sell the food the students make to raise money for the program.” [Local DVM]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Covenants Staff Aim to Improve Service — Reston Association’s covenants team is working to improve its covenants process. Staff is currently handling a spike in requests for exterior modifications and other applications due to stay-at-home orders. The team is working on improving communications. [RA]
Nearby: Police Investigate Shootings —Major crime detectives continue to investigate three sheetings that happened over the last 36 hours in Fairfax County, including a shooting at a Motel 6 in Springfield, a shooting involving a juvenile victim, and another shooting in Lorton that left two men with serious injuries. [FCPD]
County Offers Tips on Celebrating Diwali Safely — The county is encouraging residents to celebrate the five-day festival of lights safely due to COVID-19. This year’s festival starts tomorrow (Saturday). [Fairfax County Government]
Photo by Marjorie Copson
Reston Company Charges Up — “Reston, Virginia-based Electrify America said it has more than 500 electric vehicle charging stations now open across the U.S., with a total of more than 2,200 individual fast chargers. Electrify America began building its nationwide network of EV charging stations in 2018 to address the range anxiety many EV drivers experience when venturing too far from work or home.” [WTOP]
Northam Says Rising COVID-19 Cases Are ‘Concerning’ — “Northam said there were 1,435 new cases of the novel coronavirus detected Monday, continuing a daily trend upward that’s been going on for weeks. He added that the test positivity rate, which had been down below 5% a few weeks ago, was up to 6.2% — a key indicator of how reliable the other numbers are.” [WTOP]
Clearview ES Adds Winter Coat Drive to Giving Program — “Clearview Elementary and the Clearview PTA are teaming up once again to bring joy to the school’s community as part of its annual Joy of Giving Program. The school will distribute winter coats, hats, gloves, gift cards, and Thanksgiving food baskets to Clearview families in need.” [Reston Patch]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Reston Association Encourages Residents to Take Pledge — “Reston became a member of the Biophilic Cities Network in 2018 and continues its efforts to advocate for the natural environment that is the centerpiece of our community. Part of those efforts to raise awareness of our environment includes asking Reston Association members take the Biophilic Pledge.” [RA]
DMV Black Restaurant Week Includes NoVa Participants — “DMV Black Restaurant Week kicked off Sunday and will be held through Nov. 15, showcasing specials at Black-owned food and beverage establishments in the DMV, Emily Leahman of Patch writes. Reston’s Makers Union is taking part in the week. [Reston Patch]
Applications Accepted for Energy Assistance — The county is offering eligible households with low-income help to cover expenses associated with heating or cooling their homes. [Fairfax County Government]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Dense Fog Advisory In Effect — The National Weather Service has issued a dense fog advisory for the area until 10 am. today. If driving, slow down, use your headlights, and leave plenty of distance between you and other vehicles. [NWS]
Delivery Times for FCPS Meal Sites, Bus Stops Change — “Beginning Monday, 11/9, delivery times and some bus stops for grab and go meals distributed on bus routes will change. These changes are due to the need for more buses to transport students returning to school for in-person learning.” [Fairfax County Public Schools]
Update from Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department on COVID-19 — As of this Sunday, four people in the department have tested positive. So far, 64 personnel have fully recovered. [FCFRD]
Photo by Ray Copson
Service Outages Planned for Silver Line — This weekend and in early December, service outages are planned between Spring Hill and Wiehle-Reston East Metro Stations. Free buses will offer transportation between the stations during outages. [Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority]
Herndon Cruiser Rear-ended — A Town of Herndon police cruiser was rear-ended by an alleged drunk driver. The police department is reminding residents to move over when emergency vehicles are on the side of the road. No injuries were reported. [Herndon Police Department]
Reston Company to Provide IT Services to USDA — “The U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded Reston-based Fortune 500 defense contractor Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) a position on the department’s potential five-year, $620 million Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) multiple-award blanket purchase agreement (BPA), SAIC announced Wednesday.” [Virginia Business Monthly]
Reston Company Goes Public During ‘Tipping Point’ — “Reston’s SOC Telemed is the latest Greater Washington company to make its debut on the public markets, opening Monday at $10 per share on the Nasdaq stock exchange.” [Washington Business Journal]
How Fannie Mae Helped Boston Properties Land Volkswagen’s Headquarters — “Fannie Mae agreed to give back two floors in the town center’s next phase, previously known as Reston Gateway, to help Boston Properties (NYSE: BXP) seal the nearly 200,000-square-foot lease with Volkswagen Group of America.” [Washington Business Journal]
Return to School Information Available — The Fairfax County Public School system has published a number of guides to help students and parents navigate the return to school. [FCPS]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Northland Controls Expands into Reston — The company, which designs, installs and manages security systems around the world, has new offices in Reston on 12100 Sunset Hills Road. The new space allows the company to “hire additional talent and better accommodate our growing team,” according to CEO Pierre Trapanese. [Northland Controls]
Reston Bike Club Hands Out Bike Lights — The Reston Bike Club and the Dulles Area Transportation Association are making sure local essential workers have front and bike lights to get them through the winter safely. [Local DVM]
Winners Named in Carving Test — Reston Association has named three winners in its Great Pumpkin Carving Contest. Winners were named in the categories of classic, most creative and funniest looking. [RA]
Photo by Marjorie Copson
Frost Advisory In Effect — A frost advisory is in effect until 9 a.m. today (Friday). Frost can kill sensitive outdoor vegetation, if left uncovered. [National Weather Service]
Sterling Man Arrested in Connection with Rape — Saul Recinos Deunas, 43, was arrested in connection with the rape of a victim that he knew, according to the Herndon Police Department. The incident happened on Oct.3 at the 1200 block of Springtide Place. He was taken to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center where he was held without bond. [HPD]
Recreation Workgroup to Meet Next Week — Reston Association’s Recreation Facilities Working Group will meet on Nov. 5 at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. [RA]
Informal Survey on Reston Association Website Underway — “Reston Association is conducting an informal survey to determine what features its membership would find most important in a new RA website. As part of the preliminary research in choosing a vendor and a website platform that meets the current and future needs of the association, please click the link below to take the online survey.” [RA]
Native American Campfire Cookout Returns to Riverbend Park — Residents can learn how early Native Americans lived off the land by learning special recipes and cooking techniques. The event takes place on Nov. 14 and Nov. 21. [Fairfax County Government]
Flood Watch In Effect — A Flood Watch is in effect until 10 p.m. this evening. Remnants of former Hurricane Zeta may result in two to three inches of rain. [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department]
Photo by Elizabeth Copson
Reston Firms Offers Insights on Buying Online — “Reston, Virginia-based digital tracking and audience measurement company comScore Inc. has released a report on the state of online retail spending and it notes total digital commerce now accounts or nearly 1 in 4 discretionary dollars spent by consumers. During the early weeks of the coronavirus pandemic in the first quarter of 2020, comScore reports the highest share ever of digital spending.” [WTOP]
Double Meals Offered to FCPS Students Later This Week — “FCPS will be distributing double breakfast and lunch meals on November 2 to cover both November 2 and 3, which are student holidays.” [FCPS]
School Staff to Discuss Status of Athletics — The director of the school system’s office of student activities and athletic programs will offer information about what to expect for athletics as the phased return to school begins. [FCPS]
Photo via Marjorie Copson
South Korea’s Hyundai Group Sells Reston Office Campus — “An affiliate of Boyd Watterson Asset Management has paid $325 million for Patriots Park, a Reston office park leased to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, adding to a growing portfolio of properties it owns in the D.C. region.” [Washington Business Journal]
Range of Assessment Options Explored in Hearing — “The Reston Association Board of Directors will discuss different scenarios for setting the 2021 assessment rate between $708 and $728 at a public hearing on Nov. 4. The board requested that RA staff explore a range of assessment rates, and how the extra money would be spent, at its regular meeting on Oct. 22.” [RA]
Opinion: Politics Messed Up Silver Line Phase Two — “But perhaps the most remarkable thing about Phase 2 is not how badly the project has been bungled but how few people seem to be concerned about the mess that is being made. No elected officials are speaking out, and the stories detailing the excruciatingly long list of problems with the project are relegated to the back pages of newspapers.” [The Washington Post]
Photo via Marjorie Copson
Dense Fog Advisory In Effect — The National Weather Service has issued a dense fog advisory until 10 a.m. today. Drivers should slow use, use car headlights, and leave plenty of distance between vehicles. [NWS]
Solutions Proposed to Reduce Early Voting Wait Times — With less than two weeks until Election Day, Fairfax’s NAACP President Sean Perryman says that the county should improve wait times for early voting. He sent a letter to county officials calling on measures like extending voting hours. [WJLA]
Reston Contractor Wins $135M Task Order — “Reston-based AceInfo Solutions LLC announced Tuesday it had been awarded a potential five-year, $135 million task order from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).” [Virginia Business]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
