Spring Farm Day – It’s Spring Farm Day at Frying Pan Farm Park this Saturday, May 12. Bring the family out from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to see all the farm’s new animal babies, and watch as we shear some of our sheep to cool them off for the warm weather. Try milking a cow or goat, and experience antique equipment demos, games and more. Families can also bring canned goods, dried beans and personal care items to help stock the emergency pantry of Cornerstones Shelter. This event is a fundraiser for Friends of Frying Pan Farm Park. Admission is $7 in advance or $8 at the gate. Ages 2 and up are welcome. Parking is free. (Frying Pan Farm Park)
Special Event to Celebrate Bike Month – Join the Fairfax Alliance For Better Biking (FABB) for a special celebration of Bike Month on Friday, May 25. Meet other cyclists at the Lake Anne Village Center (1609 Washington Plaza West) by the entrance adjacent to the parking lot at 5 p.m. for a celebration ride and tour of all the new bike facilities and lanes installed in Reston over the past couple of years. After the ride, join members of FABB for a gathering at Lake Anne Brew House (11424 Washington Plaza West). One dollar from every purchase during the event will be donated back to FABB. Helmets required for the ride. This event is free but attendees are asked to register online. (Eventbrite)
Tennis Courts Opening for the Season – The North Hills clay tennis courts (1325 North Village Road) open for the season today, though they will be temporarily closed Thursday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for routine maintenance. Passes for Reston Association-owned and -operated swimming pools and tennis courts are now available online through WebTrac. (Reston Association/Twitter)
Park Authority Seeks Public Input on Strategic Plan – The Fairfax County Park Authority has released its proposed Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2019-2023, and is seeking public input. The full document is available online. Comments can be sent to [email protected] or citizens can call the department at 703-324-8702 during normal business hours, Monday to Friday, 8 to 4:30 p.m. All comments must be received by close of business on May 25. (Fairfax County Park Authority/Twitter)
File Photo: Flowers in Reston
Reston Beats The National Average For Parks – The Trust For Public Land recently released a study of how many Americans live within 10 walking minutes of a park, and Reston blew the national average out of the water. Reston is home to 73 parks with a total of 1,278 acres of park land–the equivalent of 975 football fields–and according to the study, 92 percent of all Reston residents live within 10 minutes’ walking distance of a park, compared to only 55 percent of Americans nationwide. The study suggests that usage of a park increases by 400 percent when a family lives inside that 10-minute distance. (ParkServe)
Lake Anne Elementary Wins Outdoor Learning Grant – Lake Anne Elementary in Reston has been awarded more than $4,000 in grants to fund student-driven projects to restore, expand and protect the outdoor learning garden on its campus. The grant money is being provided by Eco-Rise. The school district said priorities for the grant money will be restoring raised beds, providing soil for vegetable beds, creating a garden path, and purchasing garden tools. The Lake Anne students won a competition for the grant money by filming videos explaining what they would like to do with the money if they won. (Fairfax County Public Schools)
Reston Runner Describes Conquering Boston Marathon in Freezing Cold, Wind and Rain – Kim Isler, an employee at Reston’s Potomac River Running store, recently wrote about her experience taking on the Boston Marathon in 20- to 30-degree temperatures, with fierce winds and driving rain–the coldest on record for the race in nearly 30 years. While she admits she was at first happy to hear temps would be so low, so she wouldn’t overheat while running, she said the biting cold winds and icy rain in her face proved to be a bigger obstacle than she had counted on. Nevertheless, as runner after runner dropped out of the race due to the harsh conditions, Isler describes how she persevered and finished the race. (Potomac River Running Blog)
File Photo: Falcon Ridge Run
South Lakes’ ‘Phantom’ Earns Rave Reviews – South Lakes High School’s production of the musical “Phantom” earned the school favorable reviews, particularly from peers in the “Cappies” program, which allows students to play the role of theater critic and take in high school shows across Northern Virginia. Kathleen McNerney of Bishop Ireton High School called South Lakes’ version of the musical an “eerily lovely” production with “emotionally strong performances” that kept audiences drawn in until the end. (Reston Patch)
‘Terrific’ Week of Weather Ahead For Reston – The Capital Weather Gang is actually using the word “terrific” to describe the weather that’s in store for Reston and the wider area this week. Highs will mostly be in the 70s with clear skies–and if you’re missing the heat, don’t worry, because it’s expected to return around Thursday, when temperatures will creep back up into the 80s. (Capital Weather Gang)
Registration Open For Summer Sports Camps – South Lakes High School offers summer camps for students interested in sports like boys’ and girls’ basketball, football, girls’ lacrosse, girls’ volleyball, and field hockey. Registration is now open and can be completed online. (South Lakes Athletics)
File Photo: Ducks
Reston Company Under Investigation – Just days after making Forbes Magazine’s list of the country’s best employers, news reports have come out that Reston-based Leidos Holdings is under investigation by the Pentagon for allegedly retaliating against a whistleblower in 2016. A woman sued the company after she claims she was excluded from working on an important contract after filing a report against colleagues she said had been making unwanted sexual and racist comments to her for some time. The Pentagon’s inspector general has reportedly backed her claims, and disciplinary action against the company is reportedly being considered. (StarsAndStripes.com)
Metro Ridership Continues to Decline Everywhere But Reston – Though system-ride Metro ridership has continued to decline throughout the D.C. Metro area as a whole, rides taken on the Silver Line in Tysons Corner and Reston increased 2.6 percent in January, according to reports. Earlier this year, Metro started charging a $2 fee for parking in its garages on Saturdays at all stations except Reston’s Wiehle-Reston station–though that could change, as Metro officials have discussed making the temporary weekend fees permanent as a way to make up lost revenue from declining ridership system-wide, particularly since a recent study showed that parking numbers did not decline after the $2 charge was implemented. (WTOP)
CenterStage to Welcome ‘Boys in Trouble’ – For one night only, Reston will host a performance of the production of “Boys in Trouble,” produced by transgender choreographer Sean Dorsey. The show has been earning rave reviews across the country; The San Francisco Bay Times recently declared Dorsey a “visionary.” The show is described as “an urgent and timely examination of American masculinity’s deep roots” through “stark honesty, powerful storytelling and breathtaking dancing.” Tickets are now available for the May 16 performance at 8 p.m. at CenterStage, Reston Community Center, 2310 Colts Neck Road. Tickets are $15 for Reston residents and $20 for non-residents, and can be purchased online. (Reston Community Center)
Photo: File Photo
Bear Season Is Upon Us — Fairfax County police warn local residents, this is actually black bear country. This is the time of year that bear reports of bear sightings start to increase, as the creatures wake up from their winter slumber between March and May. Locally, bears may wander into residential areas, drawn in by the smell of food inside homes. They are also attracted to the scents of bird feeders, garbage, outdoor pet food, compost piles, fruit trees, beehives, and berry shrubs. Police recommend bird feeders be taken down for the next several weeks, that garbage cans not be left outside for too long, and to bring outdoor pet food inside. (Fairfax County Police)
Reston Companies Make List of Forbes’ Best — Two Reston-based companies earned themselves a spot of Forbes Magazine’s list of the best employers. While major companies like Michelin Tires, Trader Joe’s grocery stores and Google topped the list of America’s best-rated companies to work for, Reston-based Leidos came in at number 327, and NVR–comprised of Ryan Homes, NVR Homes and FoxRidge Homes and Heartland Homes–came in at number 368. (Patch.com)
SLHS Student Council Earns Statewide, Nationwide Recognition — The South Lakes High Student Council has been recognized as a 2018 Gold Council of Excellence by the National Association of Student Councils “for its exemplary record of leadership, service, and activities that serve to improve the school and community.” In addition, the Virginia Student Councils Association awarded the group’s Terraset Leadership Workshop with a 2018 Outstanding Student Council Project award. The project encourages Terraset Elementary students “to develop their leadership and teamwork skills through a variety of activities.” (Fairfax County Public Schools)
Reston Company Helps to Solve Cold Cases — Reston-based Paragon Nanolabs is garnering quite a bit of buzz lately. The company has been using DNA evidence to create 3D images and profiles of previously unidentifiable victims and suspects in crimes. The process, which they call “Snapshot DNA Phenotyping,” uses a person’s DNA evidence to predict traits such as a person’s eye and hair color as well as more complex features such as skin tone, face shape, and even whether or not the person has freckles. One of the company’s biggest successes so far was when, in 2016, the company identified the man they believe is responsible for the 1997 rape of a California woman. (NewsChannel 5)
Try Reston’s Newest Restaurant For Free — Honeygrow has been named one of the healthiest fast-casual restaurants in America by Food Network – and now, Reston is home to one. For a limited time, Honeygrow’s owners are inviting locals to try a meal for free to get them acquainted with their ultra-fresh salads and stir-frys. Register online to enjoy a free lunch or dinner next week on May 10, as space is limited. The restaurant opens to the public on May 11. (Honeygrow)
Three Chances Left to See ‘Phantom’ — South Lakes High’s musical production of “Phantom” has three shows left this week – Thursday, Friday and Saturday. All shows start at 7 p.m, and the doors open at 6:45 p.m. Tickets are $10 for students and senior citizens and $12 for adults. Purchase tickets online, or at the door as space permits. (South Lakes Theatre)
Calling All Artists, Entertainers and Food Vendors! — The 2018 Reston Multicultural Festival is scheduled to take place on Sept. 22. Reston Community Center is currently accepting applications for performers and vendors. This family-friendly festival welcomes live entertainers, artists, food vendors, community organizations who want to have informational booths, and more. Details are available online, along with a schedule of application deadlines. The festival will take place at Lake Anne Plaza in Reston. (Reston Community Center)
Networking Before Nine — The Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce is reviving its bimonthly “Networking Before Nine” breakfast series, starting this week. Sponsored by Microsoft, this week’s event will take place on Thursday from 8-10 a.m. at the Microsoft Retail Store at Tysons Corner Center, 1961 Chain Bridge Road. Current and prospective members should bring plenty of business cards and be prepared to give a 30-second description of yourself and your business during introductions. A presentation on how M365 Business works will also be included. Register online. (Greater Reston Chamber)
You don’t want to use Metro, anyway — Sign up for the Bike To Work Day event closest to your place of business. [Reston Bike Club]
Some like it hot — According to the Farmer’s Almanac, this summer is going to be a scorcher. [Patch]
Bae (systems) wants to move — Aerospace company BAE Systems is reportedly looking to consolidate offices. They’ve currently got one office in Reston. [Washington Business Journal]
Spooked yet? — South Lakes High School will present a performance on “Phantom” today through May 5. Tickets are available online. [SLHS]
Flickr pool photo via vantagehill
Major issues found on Silver Line extension — “Significant concrete issues have been found in potentially thousands of locations along the second phase of the $2.7 billion Silver Line Metro extension in Northern Virginia, project officials say. The issues are raising serious questions about the durability of concrete and quality control in the largest transportation project in the region.” [NBC 4]
A new hire — Comstock has hired Timothy Steffan as executive vice president of development and asset management. [NASDAQ]
Reston federal contractor files for bankruptcy — “STG Group Inc., the publicly held and financially embattled government contractor whose holding company was recently acquired for $83 million by SOS International, has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation.” [Washington Business Journal]
The signature touch — A grand opening celebration for the new residential building in Reston Town Center is set for May 10. [The Signature]
An e-introduction — Check out a few of the farmers at the Fairfax County Farmers Market at Lake Anne Village Center. [The Connection]
Flickr pool photo by vantagehill
Homeowners, prepare for a hit — The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors have sent forward a budget that includes increases in the county’s real estate tax rate. Most homeowners will pay an additional $241 annually. [WTOP]
Report card for Boston Properties — The real estate investment trust reported results for its first quarter, with a net income of $176 million, up from 97 million this time last year. [Business Wire]
South Lakes High School summer camp — Registration is now open for summer camps at the school, which offers programs for girls basketball, field hockey, football and volleyball. [SLHS]
Flickr pool photo by vantagehill
Spot a helicopter? — Don’t be alarmed. Helicopters are flying low in the area as crews conduct maintenance on power lines and wires in the coming days. [Fairfax County Police Department]
Obsolete offices — Fairfax County’s oldest office buildings have some of the lowest vacancy rates — even though they’re considered obsolete. That’s despite the fact that trophy towers are going up in Tysons and Reston. [Washington Business Journal]
Ashburn Shooting Arrest — A Centreville man has been arrested in connected with the shooting of a Reston man on Sunday at an Ashburn home. [Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office]
A new age — Metro’s Silver Line brings in a new age for Reston. Some fear development will ruin the community’s character. Others say it will fulfill its vision. [The Washington Post]
Photo submitted by Wade Gilley
Shooting on Sunday in Ashburn — A Reston man was shot at early Sunday at a home on the 43500 block of Dunhill Court, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office. [Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office]
Population density debate fires up — The Coalition for a Planned Reston will meet tonight to discuss a proposal by the county to increase the community’s population density. [Coalition for a Planned Reston]
Bookmark this, book lovers — Friends of the Reston Regional Library will host its semi-annual book sale from Thursday through Sunday. [Friends of the Reston Regional Library]
Alcohol enforcement update — Officers from the Reston Neighborhood Patrol Unit conducted business compliance checks late last week at 11 businesses. 10 passed. [Fairfax County Police Department]
Photo by Sarah Mccue
The jobs forecast — Unemployment remains below three percent in Fairfax County. [Fairfax County Government]
Thoroughly Modern Millie — Dive into the height of the jazz age in New York City with “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” Reston Community Players’ next play. The performance, based on the 1967 award-winning film, will run from April 20 through May 12 at Reston Community Center’s CenterStage. [Reston Community Center]
Pet sitting galore — Pooch Pros officially celebrating its grand opening yesterday. The business offers pet sitting services in the local area, including in Reston. [Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce]
No kidding — Registration for the 8th annual Reston Kids Triathlon is now open. The event is set for August 5 at 8 a.m.. [Reston Kids Triathlon]
Photo by Gail Crockett
Cheers for volunteers — Reston Association will recognize volunteer individuals, groups and corporate partners at the 2018 service awards reception tonight. [RA]
Hairspray JR begins tonight — Students from Langston Hughes Middle School will kick off their production of Hairspray JR beginning today. The show, which captures the spirit of Baltimore in 1962 with laughter, dance, romance and songs, will run through Saturday, April 21. Tickets are available online. [Langston Hughes Middle School]
A walking art tour — Art historian Phoebe Avery will lead a tour of public art around Lake Anne tomorrow from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.. [RA]
Honey, I shrunk the... — Honeygrow, a fast-casual Philadelphia import restaurant, is getting ready for opening day at RTC West. Hiring has begun. [Honeygrow]
Look who’s in town — The Herndon Youth Advisory Council, which was created by the town council late last year, is off to strong start this year. [The Connection]
Photo by Jessica Wallach
Reston-based Appian to move headquarters — Software company Appian is moving from its current headquarters in Reston Town Center to Gannett’s former home at 7950 Jones Branch Drive in Tysons. [WTOP]
Diva Central — Three marketing students from South Lakes High School are featured in Reston magazine for their involvement in Diva Central, which offers free, gently used formalwear to students for prom. [Fairfax County Public Schools]
Active violence in the workplace — The local police department is offering a workshop on how to deal with active violence in the workplace on April 23 in Reston. [Fairfax County Government]
Flickr pool photo via Courtlyn McHale
The big boom — Big change is taking place in formerly quiet places. Reston is on the list of places where dramatic transformations — and price hikes — are coming. [Washingtonian]
A full plate — Reston Association’s Design Review Board will consider several major projects during today’s 7 p.m. meeting including an art spillway project by local students and upgrades to South Lakes Village Center. [RA]
Post-election analysis — RA’s elections committee is also set to meet this evening to discuss improvements to the elections process. [RA]
Balducci’s is coming soon — The food lover’s market is expected to open sometime in May in Reston Town Center. [Balducci’s]
Photo by Lauren Pinkston
