Three From Reston Company Killed in Small Plane Crash — Three consultants from Reston-based Capital Edge Consultants were among the three killed in a small plane crash in Pennsylvania on Saturday. [Washington Business Journal]
Office Building Near Wiehle-Reston East Sells — The owners of 1811 Campus Commons Dr., said the building has sold for more than $65 million after being on the market for nearly a year. The office building, which is 91 percent occupied, is less than a half mile from the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station. [Globest.com]
Record-Breaking Temps — It was 73 degrees at Dulles International Airport on Sunday. That broke a record. The previous record for Dec. 13 was 71 degrees in 1984. New records were also set at Reagan National and BWI. [Washington Post]
Kudos, Herndon High Physics Students — A pair of students from Herndon High were named winners of the 2015 Association of Space Explorers (ASE) AstroSat Challenge. Ian Boll and Cyril Antoney created a team named Herndon Space Voyagers, which explored the relationship between pollution, sunlight, and global temperatures.
Mural Musings From Restonian — Reston Artist Dana Scheurer’s mural at Reston Town Center was the subject of a “Second Glance” feature in The Washington Post magazine this week. Restonian points out what you did not see in either photo. [Restonian]
New Voting Districts For North Reston — The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved new voting districts for North Reston. A new precinct at Armstrong Elementary was created by dividing Aldrin and North Point precincts; The northern portion of North Point precinct combined with the northern portion of Aldrin will retain the name “North Point,” with polling place at St. Thomas a Becket Catholic Church, 1421 Wiehle Avenue, Reston; the southern portion of Aldrin retains the name “Aldrin” and polling place at Aldrin Elementary School. [Fairfax County]
Hit and Run in Herndon — Herndon Police are asking for help to find a driver who hit a man on Elden Street last Friday. [Herndon Patch]
Thanking First Responders — The Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce hosted its 8th Annual First Responders Holiday Celebration on Tuesday. Many area restaurants contributed to the celebration, which honors police, fire and rescue and EMT personnel for their service.
High Rents — Reston is in the midst of a construction boom for (expensive) apartments.Why new multifamily housing in the Washington area is geared to the wealthy and how that affects younger renters. [Washington Post]
Photo by May Goren via Instagram/Reston Town Center Facebook
Preventing Christmas Tree Fires — Fairfax County Fire and Rescue was on NBC’s Today show Tuesday with a demonstration on how quickly a dry Christmas tree can ignite. [Today.com]
No Reston On ‘Best Restaurants’ List — Reston may be home to dozens of popular restaurants, but none of them made Northern Virginia magazine’s “50 Best Restaurants’ list. [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Dulles To Get More Funds? — Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe wants to give Dulles International Airport an additional $50 million to help it remain competitive and keep United Airlines as a hub. [Washington Post]
Sheriff Brings Christmas Gifts to Embry Rucker Kids — A Fairfax County Target store gave the county sheriff’s office a $5,500 grant, which Sheriff Stacey Kincaid used to bring new hats, gloves and boots to the young residents of Reston’s Embry Rucker Community Shelter. [Fairfax County]
New Owner For Reston Office Building — The Meridian Group has purchased an office building at 11111 Sunset Hills Rd. from Beacon Capital Partners. The 216,000 Class-A office building is walking distance to the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station. Meridian Group president and co-founder David Cheek says the property also has future development potential. [Bisnow]
Kudos for Reston Community Center Director — Leadership Fairfax, Inc. (LFI) honored Leila Gordon, Executive Director of Reston Community Center, as the recipient of the 2015 Northern Virginia Regional Leadership Award. The award was presented Thursday at LFI’s annual Northern Virginia Leadership Awards lunch. Gordon, who has led RCC since 2008, was recognized for her dedication and leadership in the Northern Virginia community.
Breakfast With Santa — Common Ground Child Care Center is hosting Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 12. There will be food, games and crafts, and digital pictures with Santa can be purchased for a small fee. Cost: $5 per person plus a new or gently used children’s book for the center’s library. [Reston Now]
Runners Marathon Returns in April — Registration for the April 10 Runners Marathon of Reston is now open. [Runners Marathon]
Star Player For Herndon High — Meet Herndon Girls Basketball player Indeya Sanders, a junior point guard who is drawing attention from NCAA Division I programs. [Washington Post]
Kwame Alexander’s Literary Recommendations — Giving kids books as holiday gifts? Here are five of the favorites of Reston resident Kwame Alexander, a recent Newberry Award winner for his novel The Crossover. [Washington Post]
Photo: Herndon High’s “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe”/Courtesy Karen Harrison
Pet Photos With Santa — Lake Anne Plaza’s PetMAC is offering pet photos with Santa Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. Cats are welcome (for their own safety) the last half hour of the event. Cost $15, which goes to a pet rescue group. Reservations: 571-325-2099.
Silver Line Phase 2 About 10 Percent Done — The second part of the Silver Line construction — from Reston to Ashburn — is on track, officials said. It still won’t open for a few years. [WTOP]
Kudos To Reston Gymnast — Caitlyn Crawford, an eighth grader at Langston Hughes Middle School, had a 14th-place showing in the 13-14 age group at the 2015 Trampoline and Tumbling World Championships in Odense, Denmark, last week. The Reston teen competes in power tumbling, which is somewhat different than the floor exercise routines popular in Olympic gymnastics. Power tumblers, using a special elevated rod-floor runway, do just the tumbling passes. The additional power from the floor springs enables them to do flips and other moves about 10 feet in the air.
Suicide Increase Means Need For Prevention Services — Social service officials gave an update to the Fairfax County Board of Services on teen suicide prevention. [WTOP]
Hyatt Helps Out — The Hyatt Regency Reston has given a $15,000 grant to Cornerstones as part of its Hyatt Community Grants philanthropic program. The Hyatt Community Grants program, which is now in its eighth year, encourages hotels around the world to identify and nominate local nonprofits for funding consideration.
Photo: Fun at the Gingerbread Man Mile at Reston Town Center/Courtesy PR Races via Flickr
Scam Alert — The Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents that telephone scammers, identifying themselves as sheriff’s deputies, are calling area residents claiming that they failed to appear for jury duty and will be arrested unless they pay the caller a large amount of money, usually on a money card. Sheriff’s deputies will NOT call you asking for money or threatening you with arrest. Do not give out personal information such as your Social Security number, bank account or credit card numbers, passwords or any other identifying information about yourself or your family members.
Ugly Sweater Ladies Night Dec. 8 — The Melting Pot Reston is inviting women to wear their ugliest Christmas sweaters to this special event next Tuesday. The Melting Pot will be offering its four-course Ladies Night menu with drink specials available all night. The winner of the most festive holiday sweater will be awarded a $75 gift card. Reservations recommended. [The Melting Pot]
Gifts Needed For Southgate Holiday Event — Remember that perfume gift set that you received that is still sitting unopened because it is not quite your thing? Or that tie that you received that you have never worn? Southgate Community Center is seeking them for the Elf Store. Those gifts can have a new life as children and teens at Southgate can “shop” for those gifts at an event on Saturday. Drop off items at the center, 12125 Pinecrest Rd., Thursday and Friday this week.
Warm December — Meteorological winter began Tuesday, but the Capital Weather Gang says December in the DC area could be warm, even snowless. [Capital Weather Gang]
New Bill May Up Penalty For Passing Bus — Fairfax County Del. Kaye Kory will introduce a bill at the upcoming Virginia General Assembly Session that mail citations for passing a school bus, making the law more effective. [WTOP]
NORAD In the Sky — See and hear aircraft above Reston/Northern Virginia/DC late last night? That was several government agencies conducting training exercises. [WTOP]
Herndon High Fall Play This Weekend — Herndon High’s production of C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe runs Dec. 3- 6 at the school. You can reserve tickets online [Herndon High School]
Metro Riders’ Approval Slipping — New survey of Metro users shows big fall in satisfaction so far this year [Washington Post]
Boy Scouts Christmas Tree Sale — Boy Scout Troop 124 is selling Christmas trees at St. John Neumann Church, 11900 Lawyers Rd. The troop has purchased Fraser Firs in various sizes from Sutherland’s Christmas Tree Farm. Sale continues Dec. 5 and 6 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. There is also holiday music and free cider and cocoa.
Big Contract For Reston’s Serco — Reston-based Serco has been awarded a $95 million patent classification services contract with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Serco will provide initial patent classification and reclassification services to support USPTO’s core mission of examining, granting, and disseminating patents and trademarks.
What Tops Transportation List? — Northern Virginia residents say reducing trip times and making the local transportation system affordable are their top priorities for the future of transit in the region, says a survey released by the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA). [Fairfax Times]
Black Nativity Wednesday in Reston — Theater Alliance will present Black Nativity by Langston Hughes Wednesday, 8 p.m. at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods. This is a concert version retelling of the Christmas story from an Afrocentric perspective, featuring gospel, blues, funk, jazz, and dance from an ensemble cast. Tickets: $25 residents/$35 non residents. [Reston Now]
Handel’s Messiah in Reston — Save the date for The Reston Chorale’s annual Messiah Sing Along on Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m. at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 11900 Lawyers Rd. Join the chorus for this holiday classic. Tickets are $15, but if you bring a new or gently used coat (or new hat, gloves, socks or scarf) fir Cornerstones, you can receive $5 off the price of admission. [Event Brite]
Shopping at Lake Anne — Here is where to find some locally owned gems if you are starting your holiday shopping soon. [Reston Connection]
Early Release For FCPS Today — Schools let out two hours early to start the Thanksgiving holiday. [FCPS]
Traffic Jams — New study shows three of the nation’s worst traffic bottlenecks are in Northern Virginia, including one in Fairfax County. [WTOP]
Virginia State Police On Patrol –Virginia State Police said its is beefing up patrols beginning Wednesday in order to cut down on holiday weekend accidents. [WTOP]
Reston Now Holiday Break — Reston Now will not publish Thursday or Friday. Enjoy your Thanksgiving.
Photo: Washington Capitals Mascot Slapshot visits Terraset Elementary School for anti-bullying assembly/Credit: Terraset ES
Thank-You Concert Tonight At SLHS — The South Lakes High School Band is performing its annual Tag Day concert on Tuesday, Nov. 24 at 7 p.m. in the SLHS Little Theater. The concert is the band’s way of saying thank you to for all of the support that comes from the Reston community. The performance is free and open to the public.
Thanksgiving Tail Run/Walk — Reston Runners is sponsoring a Thanksgiving Day Trail Run/Walk at Lake Fairfax Park. This event is non competitive and involves no registration. Just show up at the picnic pavilion at 9 a.m. [Reston Runners]
Chanukah Fun At Home Depot — As soon as Thanksgiving ends, it is nearly time for Jews to celebrate Chanukah (which begins Dec. 6). Chabad Reston-Herndon is sponsoring a Chanukah Fun event at Reston’s Home Depot at 1651 Reston Parkway. The free event is from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. and will feature a menorah building workshop, as well as latkes, donuts and chocolate gelt. [Facebook]
Photo: Sunset over Reston, Nov. 22, 2015/Credit: Chase Suddith
Supervisors Make New Donation Box Regulations — The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted some new rules on charity drop-off boxes. [Fairfax County]
Herndon Homicide Connects to MS-13 — A man found dead in Folly Lick Park in Herndon earlier this year is connected to the MS-13 gang, which officials say has stepped up its recruiting. [Washington Post]
County Syrian Blanket Drive Continues — The last day for donations of blankets and coats for Syrian refugees is Dec. 4. Your donations of clean, gently used blankets and coats can be dropped off at any of the Board of Supervisors’ offices including the Hunter Mill Office at 1801 Cameron Glen Drive in Reston. Collection boxes are in the lobby and accessible 24/7.
South Lakes Falls in Football Playoffs — South Lakes High School’s football season ended Friday in a 24-13 loss at Westfield in a second-round Virginia 6A North Region Playoff game. South Lakes finished the season 9-3 and returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2010.
New Name For County Chamber — Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce is rebranding to gain a greater regional identity. [Washington Business Journal]
Reston Hospital Center Earns Industry Kudos — HCA Virginia’s Reston Hospital Center has been recognized as a 2014 Top Performers on Key Quality Measures by The Joint Commission – the leading accreditor of healthcare organizations in the United States. This is the fourth consecutive year that the hospital has earned this recognition and is among 106 HCA Hospitals in the country to earn the status.
Football Playoffs Tonight — South Lakes travels to Westfield at 7:30 p.m. for its second-round game in the Virginia 6A North Region Football Playoffs. Admission is $7. [Reston Now]
Niche Ranks Virginia High Schools — Education site Niche.com has ranked Virginia’s top 100 public high schools. South Lakes comes in at No. 37; Herndon is No. 51. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology tops the list. [Niche]
Photo: Buck at Walker Nature Edcuation Center/Credit: Walker Nature Center via Facebook
