New Webpage for Reston Association Updates — RA has created a new landing page specific to updates related to COVID-19. Member services will open to RA members on June 1. Appointments should be made over the phone or via email. Visitors to RA headquarters must wear masks. [Reston Association]
Outdoor Space for Restaurants, Exercise Approved — “The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved emergency rules today that will allow restaurants and exercise facilities to reopen outside under the state’s Phase I guidelines. The ordinance takes effect immediately now that Gov. Northam has announced the county will enter Phase One.” [Fairfax County Government]
Summer Concerts and Independence Day Celebrations Canceled — “The Fairfax County Park Authority’s Summer Entertainment Series will be canceled through July due to public safety concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Fourth of July events have been canceled, too. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and health-related guidelines continue to recommend against large gatherings.” [Fairfax County Government]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Reston Association is planning to open some tennis and pickleball courts if Northern Virginia begins phase one of its reopening plan on May 29.
At a board meeting last night (Thursday), RA CEO Hank Lynch said that the responsibility of enforcing rules will fall on the tennis community.
“We are looking at how to open up our tennis facilities in a way that would keep social distancing in mind,” Lynch said. Only 14 tennis courts and two pickleball courts — the names of which have not been released yet — will reopen during phase one. Courts will remain open from dawn to 9 p.m.
The following procedures, among others, will be followed:
- Social distancing and maximum gathering requirements (groups of less than 10)
- Minimizing high-touch areas in high traffic areas like entry gates, benches, and equipment
- Some nets will be lowered on courts to ensure there are large spaces between courts.
Staff said they will continue to consult local jurisdictions on how they plan to handle opening tennis courts, as well as guidelines issued by the United States Tennis Association and the American Pickleball Association.
Photo via Reston Association
Fairfax County Needs Contact Tracers — “The Virginia Department of Health said Thursday it’s searching for bilingual candidates as it hires 1,300 contact tracers. It says it will deploy tracking software and enforceable quarantine orders alongside these tracers to more aggressively counter the spread of the virus.”
Design Review Board Meeting Set for Next Week — Reston Association’s Design Review Board will meet on May 27 at 6 p.m. The board is responsible for reviewing additions and changes to different types of Reston properties. [RA]
Weekly Wages Rise in Fairfax County — “The average weekly wage for those working in Fairfax (wherever they may live) stood at $1,735 in the fourth quarter of 2019, according to data reported May 20 by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s an increase of 2.1 percent from the same period a year before, below the national growth rate of 3.5 percent (to $1,185).” [Inside NoVa]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Reston Association has opted to cancel its traditional summer camps program due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Refunds will be offered to those who have already paid for summer camp registration, the association announced in a release on Monday.
Reston Camps administrators and RA management made the call as other agencies in Northern Virginia also cancel summer youth programs. Camps would have begun on June 15. Here’s more from RA:
Based on information and guidance from Gov. Ralph Northam, the Centers for Disease Control, recreation experts and local agencies, RA concluded that Reston Camps could not operate in a safe and fun manner this summer. Issues involving the potential for community spread of the virus, along with various state and local restrictions and safety guidelines, were taken into consideration by RA staff, as were opinions expressed in a survey of area parents.
RA is exploring the possibility of youth environment programs in the summer or early fall. The Board of Directors will meet on Thursday, May 21, to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on other services and programs.
Photo via Reston Association
Reston Association is taking another look at its finances and budget projections due to the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.
At a meeting on Thursday, May 21, RA’s Board of Directors will discuss the impact of the pandemic on the budget, revenues, camps, pools, and other items. CEO Hank Lynch is also expected to offer an update on the status of strategic goals recently outlined by the association.
RA expected to see a decline in revenues from The Lake House. The amended 2020 budget also shows expected decreases in allocations for the Walker Nature Center, environmental education, and camp, according to a draft agenda of Thursday’s meeting.
So far, RA has canceled its 2020 summer camps program entirely.
“Based on all uncertainties associated with COVID-19 and feedback we have been receiving from parents of campers, as well as steps taken by other summer camp providers in the Northern Virginia area — Reston Association is canceling its 2020 summer camps program.”
RA pools could see a dramatic decline of 70 percent or more, according to projections in the draft agenda.
“Total pool use will be down significantly… based o near of infection even when use of pools is authorized,” the agenda states.
A $150,000 shortfall is also projected from sponsorship revenues this year.
The association will determine how many pools will open depending on the number of staff that can complete a water rescue test, which cannot be completed online. RA hopes to have enough qualified and certified staff by July 1 to ensure that a minimum of four pools are fully staffed and operational.
It’s also unclear when tennis courts will be open. Depending on when social distancing requirements are relaxed in Northern Virginia, some tennis courts would be open in June. Projected tennis revenue is expected to decrease by 57 percent.
The meeting begins online at 6:30 p.m.
Local Police Investigate Attempting Robbery — A man attempted to take cash from a truck driver while he was sitting in his vehicle on May 13 at around 3:50 p.m. The incident happened on the 1500 block of Cameron Crescent Drive. The suspect ran away and no injuries were reported. [Fairfax County Police Department]
Reston Woman Creates “Dating While Gray” Podcast — “On Thursday, Laura Stassi of Reston posted the latest episode of “Dating While Gray,” a biweekly podcast focusing on love and relationships in the 50-and-over crowd. The new episode marks the end of the podcast’s first 10-episode season. The 59-year-old writer and editor, who has authored several nonfiction children’s books, never imagined she would get the chance to host her own podcast. It’s not what she had planned.” [Reston Patch]
Reston Association Board Elects Officers — At a meeting earlier this week, the Board of Directors elected four of its officers for the coming year. Julie Bitzer is president, Caren Anton is vice president, John Mooney is secretary and Robert Petrine is treasurer. [Reston Association]
Face Coverings Required on Fairfax Connector — Passengers on Fairfax Connector buses must wear face coverings starting on Monday, May 18. But passengers have a weeklong grace period through Monday, May 24. The county’s transportation department previously only encouraged wearing face coverings. [Fairfax County Government]
Cause of Great Falls House Fire Under Investigation — Authorities are investigating why a house on the 800 block of Walker Road caught fire on Tuesday, May 12. One resident was displaced as a result of the incident. [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Since emergency orders in Virginia went into effect several weeks ago, most local and county bodies have opted for online meetings.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors dove into its budget for the coming year and courted public comments virtually. Reston Association also transitioned its annual members’ meeting to an online platform, with members given the chance to provide live comments almost seamlessly. After sorting through kinks and technical issues, other bodies and organizations will continue online meetings in the coming weeks.
Do you think the county and other local entities should continue virtual meetings, even after COVID-19 pandemic concerns subside? Some contend that online meetings are easier to attend and result in more streamlined decision-making. Still, online meetings represent an equity barrier for those without access to certain technology and do not allow residents and groups to fully participate in the public engagement process.
Let us know what you think in the poll below.
Reston Company Emerges from Bankruptcy — Reston-based IT infrastructure company Internal Corp. has emerged from bankruptcy protection with a new CEO and $300 million in liquidity. The company restructured its finances and appointed its former president and chief financial officer, Michael Sicoli, to CEO. [Virginia Business]
Recap of Reston Farmers Market Opening — The Reston Farmers Market opened for the 2020 season over the weekend. Market managers spread out tents to facilitate social distancing and special rules were also in effect. [Reston Connection]
A Drive-by Celebration of Mother’s Day — The Herndon Harbor Adult Day Health Care Center organized a drive-by parade to distribute personalized Mother’s Day gifts and arts supplies. [Fairfax County Government]
Reston Association Board to Meet Today — The board will select new positions, including those for newly elected members. Forms for the organization’s new conflict of interest policy will also be distributed at the meeting. [Reston Association]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Reston Association’s Board of Directors will select new its new officers at an online meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) at 6:30 p.m.
Newly elected members Robert Petrine, Sarah Selvaraj-Dsouza and Mike Collins recently won seats on the board, as well as incumbent Caren Anton.
The board will select a president, vice president, secretary and treasurer for the coming year.
Here’s more from Reston Association on the process:
The selection process involves board members submitting nominations and then nominees making brief statements about their qualifications to serve as an officer. Then the board will vote. A simple majority of the nine-member board is required for a director to be chosen for an officer’s position.
The board will also select committee assignments for entities like the fiscal committee and the environmental advisory committee.
A virtual meeting is also planned on May 21 at 6:30. p.m. RA’s Design Review Board will hold a virtual meeting on May 27 at 6 p.m.
Details on how to log-in are available online.
Photo via RA/Facebook
At an annual meeting held online yesterday (Thursday), Reston Association announced the results of its board election.
Robert Petrine won the at-large seat for a three-year term while Sarah Selvaraj-Dsouza won the at-large seat for a one-year term. Current board member Caren Anton retained her three-year position for the Hunters Woods/Dogwood District seat and Mike Collins won the seat for apartment owners, which also has a three-year term.
Ed Abbott, chair of the elections committee, said that a 10 percent quorum to make the results official was met in the election this year. Overall, turnout was around 16 percent for all races.
Despite technical challenges on the first few days of voting, Abbott said he was confident about the integrity of the election results. Some RA members received ballots with names of other members.
A breakdown of voter turnout for each position is below:
- At-large (one-year): 18 percent
- At large (three-year): 18 percent
- Hunters Woods/Dogwood: 14.5 percent
- Apartment Owners Representative: 33 percent
The new board will select officers this month. The elections committee will evaluate the election and provide recommendations on how to improve the voting process to the board in the coming months.
The meeting was held virtually via Zoom and included live comments from RA members. Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn, who spoke at the meeting, said he was impressed by the set up of the event.
Photo via YouTube
Local Company Tapped for Contact Tracing — The Indiana State Health department has hired Maximus Inc., a Reston-based company, to begin contact tracing for its 92 counties. The company will begin the laborious process of reaching out to people who have tested positive and determining who they have been in contact with over the last two weeks. [Indiana Business Journal]
Herndon Cares Seeks More Support — The initiative has provided more than 1,000 community members with takeout dinners fro local restaurants. The four-week-old program is made possible with partnerships with local faith communities. [Reston Patch]
Local Restaurant Offers Food for Front Line Fighters — Pica Deli, a Reston-based restaurant, raised $2,600 to help fund costs to donate deli sandwiches to frontline hospital medical staff and first responders. [The Connection]
Reminder: County Small Business Loans — Small businesses based in Fairfax County are eligible for up to $20,000 at zero percent interest through the county’s recently established Small Business COVID-19 Recovery Fund. [Fairfax County Government]
Reston Association Annual Meeting is Today — The annual meeting is set for 7 pm. today and will be held via Zoom. The meeting will also be streamed online via YouTube. [Reston Association]
Photo by Marjorie Copson
Reston Association Annual Meeting is Tomorrow — The annual meeting for members will take place via Zoom tomorrow at 7 p.m. After members’ comments, the results of this year’s board election will be announced. [Reston Association]
Grove Street Reopens After Accident — The intersection of Elden Street and Grove Street has reopened after an accident caused a shutdown in the area last night. [Herndon Police Department]
Local Transportation Meeting Moved — The Hunter Mill Transportation Advisory meeting, which was originally scheduled for today, has been postponed to May 27 from 8 to 10 a.m. [Walter Alcorn]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
County Budget Hearings Begin Next Week — “The Board of Supervisors and county staff value public input on the revised FY 2021 Budget proposal. To keep everyone safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no in-person testimony during the rescheduled budget public hearings, Tuesday through Thursday, April 28 to 30, but there are many ways to share your input.” [Fairfax County Government]
Hunter Mill District Town Hall Today — Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn is hosting an online budget town hall today (Friday) from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Board member Melanie Meren will also attend the town hall. [Walter Alcorn]
How to Join Reston Association’s Annual Meeting — The association offers an update on how to take part in the annual meeting via zoom. The meeting takes place on Thursday, April 30 at 7 p.m. [Reston Association]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
People looking for group exercise without being in close proximity to fellow athletes can take part in an upcoming “virtual race.”
Organized by the Reston Association and Reston Camps, the event encourages people to stay fit on their own time. Anyone from around the area can participate — not just Restonians.
Participants are expected to pick a distance goal and complete their challenge either on a treadmill at home or around their neighborhood.
“The gyms are closed but the sidewalks and trails are open and there is no better way to get some exercise than by using your own in-home equipment or by walking, running, or jogging,” the event page said.
People can track their distance using a walk-run distance tracking log, which can be found online. Runners, walkers or joggers must submit their log for April 24-May 22, the Facebook page said.
The challenge is free and open to people of all ages and abilities, the event page said.
People who want to support the cause can post on social media accounts using the hashtag #FlattenTheCurve, while wearing their own printable race bib.
Photo via Reston Association/Facebook
FCPS Ditches Blackboard Learn 24-7 — The school system is moving away from Blackboard Learn 24-7 as a tool for face-to-face instruction due to ongoing issues with the system. Superintendent Scott Brabrand also created a technology advisory council to resolve ongoing distance learning challenges. An outside review of distance learning rollout will be conducted by law firm Hunton Andrew Kurth LLP. [Fairfax County Public Schools]
More County COVID-19 Deaths — According to the latest state data, 59 Fairfax County residents have died from the novel coronavirus. Yesterday, 150 new cases were reported, bringing the county’s total to 1,970 confirmed cases. [Fairfax County Government]
Lake Anne Dock Project Continues — Reston Today offers an update on progress at the Lake Anne project, which includes dreading and renovations to the wooden dock in the plaza. The dock and canal pathways are expected to open on May 1. [Reston Association]
Inside the County’s Call Center — Since the county’s COVID-10 call center opened in the beginning of March, the team has fielded calls from hundreds of local residents, health care providers, and businesses. [Fairfax County Government]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
