Reston Middle School Students Starts Nonprofit — “Twelve-year-old Reston resident Joseph (J.P.) Mackey, a 7th grader at Langston Hughes Middle School, launched BumbleBracelets, a “buzz-ness” he created to help save the bees, which have were recently named the most invaluable species on the planet at the EarthWatch debate due to the fact they pollinate plants that are responsible for one-third of the food we eat.” [Reston Patch]
Now Hiring: Reston Association for Multiple Positions — The company has several open positions, largely for seasonal work, with the exception of a full-time social media specialist and arborist. [Reston Association]
Photo by Marjorie Copson
Floris Conservatory Delayed in Herndon — “When preparing to build a $40 Million, 48,000-square-foot arts and music conservatory in a sustainable design utilizing energy and green building techniques, with a minimum of 231 parking spaces to serve three shifts of 365 students a day and introduce traffic calming measures while retaining a historic place of worship and converting three historic homes to non-residential use in ultimate condition, an applicant may need a little more time than the initial approved special exemption allowed to establish the use.” [Fairfax County Times]
M&T Bank Marks Grand Opening — “M&T Bank marked the grand opening of its newest branch in Reston with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting. More than 50 individuals attended the Jan. 22 event, including members of the bank’s regional senior leadership and Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, Supervisor Walter Alcorn (D-Hunter Mill) and other guests.” [Fairfax County Times]
Staff photo by Jay Westcott
Moving Day for Fire Station 25 — “Station 25, Reston, A-Shift had a busy day moving to their new temporary station, located at 1840 Cameron Glen Drive. FCFRD personnel will be operating out of the temporary station while the new Station 25 is built. Crews will maintain continuous emergency response to the Reston community during construction. The existing station on Wiehle Avenue will be demolished in the next several weeks.”
Three Suspects Rob Bicyclist on Washington & Old Dominion Trail — A man was riding his bicycle along the trail near the 1000 block of Crestview Drive when three victims showed him a weapon and took his belongings. The incident happened on Jan. 24. [Herndon Police Department]
Reston Association Board Voting Begins in March — Voting for the month-long election for the Board of Directors begin on March 2. Ballots will be mailed to members and voting can be done online or by mail. [Reston Association]
Playing Games at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods — Residents can gather at the center today (Wednesday) at 5 p.m. to play board games and other tabletop games. Patrons are encouraged to bring their own game collections. [Reston Community Center]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Blackboard Inc. Opens New Global Headquarters — The leading education technology company officially opened the doors of its new global headquarters in Plaza America on Monday. The company considered “best value, convenience to public transportation, commuter routes, airports, and life-style amenities” when making the decision to choose Reston. [PR Newswire]
Big Activity at Reston Station — Chris Clemente, Comstock’s CEO, talks about “big activity” at Reston Station. [Commercial Observer]
Sunoco Gas Station in Herndon Robbed — The gas station on 12370 Coppermine Road was robbed on Friday, Jan. 25. Police believe a man threatened a store clerk with a knife and took off with cash and merchandise. The suspect is described as black and in his 20s. [Fairfax County Police Department]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
For the Foodies: ‘Luxe Burger’ Spot Opens Today — A new hamburger restaurant — sister to the Capital Grille steakhouse chain — opens today in Reston Town Center. Items on the menu include lobster bisque, blue cheese, and truffle burger, and prime ribeye steak bites. [The Capital Burger]
Nearby: A Heads Up About the Coronavirus Outbreak –State officials are monitoring the outbreak of the virus, which was first detected in Wuhan, China and caused by a new coronavirus. The situation is described as “rapidly evolving.” [Virginia Department of Health]
Recap: Resetting Reston’s Vision — Angela Woolsey of the Fairfax County Times recaps a recent media meeting with Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn, who says that his top priority is managing growth. [Fairfax County Times
Smoking in Bed Causes Reston Townhouse Fire — A townhouse fire on Wednesday night was caused by “smoking while in bed,” according to fire investigators. The fire happened on the 2300 block of Antiqua Court. [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department]
Robert Simon Jr. Children’s Center Marks 30 Years — “This month, The Robert E. Simon Jr. Children’s Center marks thirty years serving area families with high-quality childcare. Named for Reston’s founder, the nonprofit Simon Center provides families throughout Northern Virginia with a warm, responsive and caring environment for children to learn and grow.” [Reston Patch]
Census Begins on April 1 — A Census invitation is heading to your mailbox next month. [U.S. Census Bureau]
Local Students Earn Scholastic Art Awards — “The 2020 Regional Scholastic Art Awards program has recognized 372 Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) students in grades 7-12 with 571 awards including Gold Key, Silver Key, Honorable Mention awards, and American Visions Nominations.” [Fairfax County Public Schools]
Staff photo by Jay Westcott
Reston Association Board to Meet Tonight — RA’s Board of Directors will meet tonight at 6:30 p.m. to discuss several matters, including revisions to lake use and access and comprehensive evaluation of the organization’s activities. [Reston Association]
Around Town: Substitute Teacher Charged with Indecent Liberties Against Children — “A 60-year-old substitute teacher is facing two felony charges of indecent liberties by a custodian and one misdemeanor charge of simple assault for inappropriate contact with three students at Glasgow Middle School. Detectives from the Major Crimes Bureau Child Abuse Squad arrested Albert Keys, of Lorton, on Jan. 17.” [Fairfax County Times]
County Schools to Hold Job Fair — “Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), the largest school system in Virginia, is searching for educators with a strong academic background and a passion to make a difference in the lives of students during the 2020-21 school year. Principals and program managers will interview candidates at the FCPS Instructional Job Fair on Saturday, February 1.” [Fairfax County Public Schools]
Still No Word on Cafesano’s Cafe Reopening — A company representative tells us they have no idea when the cafe at South Lakes Village Center will reopen. Although catering and takeout services are still being offered, the cafe has been closed since early December due to a fire in the kitchen.
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
‘The Game’s Afoot’ Gets Thumbs Up — The Maryland Theatre Guide gave Ken Ludwig’s production by Reston Community Players high praises, noting that the director’s “affection for his subject matter is palpable in this nearly farcical murder mystery.” [Maryland Theatre Guide]
Juice Bar Coming Soon to Junction Square — Vb Juice Bar plans to open up soon in Herndon’s Junction Square neighborhood. The business has been posting frequent updates on Facebook, including a recent video of a store tour. Still, there’s no official word on the opening date. [Vb Juice Bar/Facebook]
Stateside: Senate Moves to Scrap Lee-Jackson Holiday — “The Virginia Senate has advanced legislation to scrap the state’s Lee-Jackson holiday celebrating two Confederate generals. The Democratic-led Senate voted largely along party lines Tuesday to pass legislation that would make Election Day a state holiday instead of Lee-Jackson Day.” [NBC4]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Early Reston Resident, Lawyer Dies — Calvin Larson, a lawyer who practiced bankruptcy law in Fairfax County, died last month. He was a civic activist and one of the early residents of the new town of Reston. Larson — who delivered copies of The Washington Post early in the morning until he was 85 — was also a founder of the Reston Community Association and the Reston Music Center. [The Washington Post]
Reston Community Players Receive Honors — The group was nominated for the 20th annual Washington Area Theatre Community Honors for several productions, including “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” and “Time Stands Still.” [Maryland Theatre Guide]
Staff photo by Jay Westcott
Fairfax County Park Authority Seeks Comment on Fee Increases — “The Fairfax County Park Authority will hold its annual public comment meeting on the agency’s proposed fee adjustments. The public is invited to share their perspectives on the proposals with the Park Authority Board either at the meeting, via correspondence or by email.” [Fairfax County Government]
New Trail Cycling Teen Ride Kicks Off with Free Class — “New Trail Cycling Studio, located at Lake Anne in Reston, is launching its teen program on January 22. Classes will be offered every Wednesday at 4pm for teens ages 12-17. ” [Patch]
Staff photo by Jay Westcott
Metro Ridership Increases — “Metrorail’s ridership growth trend can now be expressed in years, with the system posting a four-percent increase in passenger trips for the 2019 calendar year, ending a downward trend that lasted most of the prior decade. Total rail ridership was 182 million trips, compared to 175 million in 2018, a net increase of seven million trips, reflecting increasing customer confidence in Metro’s reliability and on-time performance.” [Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority]
Reston Indivisibles Join Protest at U.S. Senate — “Eleven members of Herndon-Reston Indivisible join other resisters in peaceful protest at the U.S. Senate to press for trial and removal of President Trump.” [The Connection]
Reston Association Pool and Tennis Passes For Sale — Passes for unlimited access to pools and tennis courts during the 2020 season are available for purchase online. [Reston Association]
Staff photo by Jay Westcott
Metro Releases Operating Budget for Silver Line Extension — “Metro will need $24 million from the District, Maryland and Virginia to begin hiring employees and preparing for service on the Silver Line extension, according to an operating budget proposal for the project released Monday. The transit authority plans to devote $60 million — including the local contribution — in this fiscal year to staff the long-awaited nearly-11-mile rail extension, which will connect Dulles International Airport to Loudoun County.” [The Washington Post]
Washingtonian Features Reston Company — “Today Parabon has become the hottest thing in cold cases, with law-enforcement agencies lining up for help in solving old crimes. Using an innovative method that can analyze DNA from incredibly small samples, Parabon’s Snapshot creates a genetic-genealogy report that’s used to find possible familial links via public DNA databases. Parabon contributed to breaks in several hundred crimes over the last year alone.” [Washingtonian]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
New Express Route to Pentagon, Changes Come to Fairfax Connector — A new express route to the Pentagon will be available later this month after the Fairfax County Board of Supervisor’s approved changes to the bus system. Minor time adjustments will also go into effect on Route 950 –from Herndon-Reston. [Fairfax County Government]
Former comScore CEO and Board Member Steps Down — “ComScore has had a number of CEOs and board members come and go. Its latest executive to depart points to “clear skies and smooth waters” ahead for the embattled Reston company.” [Washington Business Journal]
Reston Woman Dropped off by Redskins’ Player Died of Accidental Overdose — “A woman who was dropped off “unconscious and unresponsive” at a Loudoun County medical center by Washington Redskins safety Montae Nicholson and a friend in November died of an accidental overdose of fentanyl, authorities said a Virginia medical examiner has ruled. The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office said Monday that the investigation into the death of Julia Crabbe, 21, of Reston, remains ongoing and that detectives are still trying to determine the source of the drug that killed her. No charges have been filed.” [The Washington Post]
Staff photo by Jay Westcott
Fairfax County Public Schools’ Superintendent Pitches Budget — The $3.2 billion budget for fiscal year 2021 was presented to the county’s school board earlier this month. It represents a 5.8 percent increase over the previous budget. [Fairfax County Public Schools]
Reston-based Company Names Chief Product Officer — “Reston-based higher education software company Ellucian has named Stephen Laster as its chief product officer… Ellucian provides products for higher education such as student information systems, data analytics tools and graduation-tracking platforms for more than 2,700 customers.” [Virginia Business]
Staff photo by Jay Westcott
Reston Association Seeks Design Review Board Members — RA is seeking members for two volunteer design professional positions. Applications are due by Jan. 31. [Reston Association]
County Seeks Election Officers — The county is seeking 2,100 election officers for the March 3 Democratic presidential primary election. Officers must be registered to vote in Virginia. The application is available online. [Fairfax County Government]
Registration for World Language Immersion Lottery to Open Later This Month — The Fairfax County Public Schools’ online registration for the county-wide lottery opens on Jan. 27. Parent information meetings kick off on Jan. 13. [Fairfax County Public Schools]
Staff photo by Jay Westcott
