Last regular-season game for South Lakes Football — The Seahawks head into the last regular-season game with a 5-4 record and a good shot at the playoffs. They host Fairfax High (6-3) at 7:30 p.m. Herndon hosts Oakton at 7:30 p.m. for the Hornets’ final game of the year.
Raises for teachers? — New Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Karen Garza says despite the $140 shortfall in the school budget, getting raises for teachers is a top priority. [Washington Post]
Big Show — Over at Herndon High they are getting ready for Seussical the Musical, which opens next week. [Herndon Patch]
More Bikes — How to make the Tysons Corner area better for cyclists was top topic at last week’s Fairfax Advocates for Better Biking 2013 Summit. [Reston Connection]
A lot of candy and a lot of cash — Orthodontist Stephan Tisseront’s 8th Annual Halloween Candy Buy-Back Event benefiting Children’s National Medical Center and overseas troops tallied 1,575 lbs. of candy donated from area children. Dr. Tisseront’s office paid $2 per each pound donated – $1 to the person donating and $1 to Children’s National Medical Center in D.C. This year’s haul raised more than $3,700 for the hospital. The candy itself will be sent to servicemen and women for a little Halloween from home.
What to name the baby? — The Smithsonian is asking for your help in naming the baby panda cub born at the National Zoo in August. To see the choices and cast your vote visit the zoo’s website. [National Zoo]
Silver Line sooner? — Metro’s Silver Line is getting closer to an opening date, though none has been set yet. The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority is scheduled to turn the new rail line, which will run from Tysons Corner to Reston’s Wiehle Avenue, over to Metro Nov. 19. Metro says it needs 90 days of testing, which means the line may see its first passengers by mid-February. Some Metro-watchers have been predicting as late as March. [WTOP]
Virginia Attorney General Still Too Close to Call — The race between Mark Herring (D) and Mark Obenshain (R) is still as close as can be and will likely go to a recount. With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Obenshain has a 281-vote lead. The Virginia State Board of Elections is scheduled to certify the entire count Nov. 25. After that, the trailing candidate ask for a recount. [Washington Post]
Photo Courtesy of Astrid Tisseront
Empty Stores — Why can’t Tall Oaks hold an anchor tenant? Restonian ponders. [Restonian]
The Daily Show Examines VA Governor’s Race — and says neither candidate is fit to lead. [The Daily Show]
Close to the Top — The Washington Post checks in with Great Falls’ Evvie Helibrunn, who has Parkinson’s Disease and has beaten back breast cancer twice. Helibrunn was seeking to climb Mount Everest. How did she do? [Washington Post]
Silver Line Ride – A few media members rode the Silver Line the other day. Still no opening date set. [Washington Post]
Obama and guests in NoVa Sunday — President Barack Obama, along with Rep. Gerry Connolly, Rep. Jim Moran, Sen. Mark Warner and actress Kerry Washington, were in Arlington to stump for Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe. Obama spoke passionately for about 20 minutes, lambasting Congressional Republicans for the government shutdown and praising McAuliffe’s stances on transportation and education. [ARLnow.com]
Election Day is Tuesday — Polls are open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Not sure where you vote? Some polling places have changed so double check with the Virginia Board of Elections. Reston Now will have more election previews later today. [VA Board of Elections]
Not part of your order? – Silver Diner, which has five Fairfax County locations, including one in Reston, was reportedly flagged for 40 county health violations since last August. [Fairfax Times]
News you need to know for Monday, Oct. 28:
1. We’re live! Welcome to Reston Now. Check back often, the site will be updated throughout the day. The morning rundown brings you news briefs of interest each morning.
2. FCPS Superintendent Karen Garza continues her countywide listening tour today in Reston. Parents, students, employees and community members are all invited to share their thoughts about the school system at 7 p.m. at Sunrise Valley Elementary School, 10824 Cross School Road, Reston.
Hunter Mill School Board member Pat Hynes will also be on hand. More information is available online. Citizens interested in attending are asked to register online and indicate if an interpreter is needed.
The FCPS school board this week began looking at budget cuts for FY2015. Garza has said that there is a $140 million deficit and that major cuts may have to be made.
3. Check out how your friends and neighbors did in Sunday’s Marine Corps Marathon.
4. As Election Day nears, surely you have all the details about candidates for governor Republican Ken Cuccinelli and Democrat Terry McAuliffe. But there is a third candidate, Robert Sarvis. Sarvis, a Libertarian, has not been permitted to participate in any of the debates, yet he is polling about 10 percent. [Washington Post].
5. Gabriella Miller, the 10-year-old Leesburg girl who founded “Make A Wish With Gabriella,” has died. Gabriella, who suffered from brain cancer, used a Facebook campaign to rally area supporters and help Macy’s raise more than $1 million for the Make A Wish Foundation last year. Earlier this month, Gabriella received a degree from Shenandoah University, fulfilling one of her own wishes. [Leesburg Patch]
