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August 13, 2025
Neighbors,
It’s back to school on Monday for Fairfax County Public School students. This means more pedestrians, bikers and drivers will be on the roads, so please pack your patience as we readjust to the change.
While many people are in a rush in the mornings, here are a few reminders on the rules of the road to keep our children safe as they head to class.
First, never pass a stopped school bus when its red lights are flashing. Whether it’s a public or private school bus, the rules are the same.
Drivers in both directions must stop for a school bus when its red lights are flashing — unless separated from the bus by a raised median or barrier. Not everyone seems to understand the “raised median or barrier” threshold for not stopping, so feel free to tell your friends and neighbors.
To help discourage drivers from illegally passing school buses, the county and public schools installed cameras on 50 buses earlier this year.
Attached to the “stop arm” signals, the cameras automatically catch drivers who illegally pass a school bus loading and unloading children. Violators face a $250 fine. (Watch this video to learn how the system works.)
Secondly, please don’t speed through school zones which have a 25-mph speed limit. These zones are marked with flashing signs. The signs start flashing 30 minutes before school starts, and they reactivate for 30 minutes after school ends.
Speed cameras also have been installed in 20 school zones across the county, including two in Hunter Mill District. You may have noticed the signs announcing the new camera on South Lakes Drive next to South Lakes High School (learn more below in the newsletter).
While drivers who speed through this school zone will receive a warning during a 30-day period starting Monday, the police will begin issuing citations on Sept. 17.
To help protect students who attend Terraset Elementary and Langston Hughes Middle School, there’s also a speed camera located on Soapstone Drive.
Let’s start off the school year safely, and we can all play a role in protecting our children.
P.S. This newsletter will take a short summer break next week, so check your inbox for the next issue on Aug. 27.
Regards,
Walter
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- In the Community
- Restaurant Week Returns Aug. 18
- New Speed Camera on South Lakes Drive
- Brain Health Webinar
- Housing Fairfax 2025: Tysons and Beyond
- Public Art Reston Scavenger Hunt
- Call for Vendors at Tysons Mixed Market
- Upcoming Land Use Meetings
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What's News in Vienna
- Events and Activities
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I had a blast at the annual Cardboard Boat Regatta – one of Reston's best summer traditions on Lake Anne!
It's always amazing to see the creativity on display, including the boat from Specially Adapted Resource Centers. I joined SPARC Executive Director Debi Alexander (picture above in the center holding a dog), Delegate Karen Keys-Gamarra (right), Reston Station Police Officer Post and many others.
Congrats to the Reston Museum and all the volunteers for making this relatively new tradition (starting in 2017) such a community success.
| | Restaurant Week Returns Aug. 18 | | |
Summer Restaurant Week returns to the D.C. region from Monday, August 18 through Sunday, August 24. Presented by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington, the celebration of the region’s culinary delights offers three-course menus for brunch, lunch and dinner, plus cocktail and wine pairings at some locations.
Whether you want to feast at a burger joint or a fine-dining restaurant, there’s something for everyone. Find participating restaurants online — but here are some of eateries in Reston, Vienna and Tysons:
Reston
Vienna
Tysons
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New Speed Camera on South Lakes Drive.
30-Day Warning Period Begins Aug. 18
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What’s happening: As the first day of school begins on Monday, Aug. 18, be aware of a new school zone speed camera on South Lakes Drive near South Lakes High School. For cars caught speeding in this school zone, there’s a 30-day warning period that begins next Monday — but citations will be issued starting September 17.
The camera is only active when a school zone’s yellow lights are flashing, and fines are issued for going 10 miles or above the speed limit.
While the speed limit is normally 40 mph on South Lakes Drive near the high school, the limit drops to 25 mph when the school zone lights are flashing (between 7 to 8:25 a.m. and 2 to 3:25 p.m.)
Why it matters: The cameras, which began as a pilot program two years ago, aim to increase safety for both pedestrians and drivers. Studies indicate that speed camera enforcement reduces traffic related injuries and accidents and ultimately saves lives.
The pilot began with 10 cameras at school zones across the county, and they’ve proven effective. Average speeds were reduced by up to 19% (depending on location), according to the county’s pilot study results.
Citations: There are no points or insurance impacts resulting from a citation. Fines escalate up to a maximum of $100, depending on a car’s speed over the legal limit:
- $50 for 10-14 mph over limit
- $75 for 15-19 mph over limit
- $100 for 20 mph or more over limit
More cameras to come: There are currently 20 school-zone speed cameras installed countywide with more to come. Another 50 cameras will be put in place this fiscal year — with an anticipated 10 cameras installed per month starting in September. In FY 27, another 30 cameras are planned.
| | Brain Health: What Caregivers Need to Know | | |
What's happening: Learn about the powerful habits for brain health to combat the risk factors for dementia — such as exercising, getting restorative sleep, reducing stress and maintaining social connections.
If you’re a caregiver for someone with dementia, take this free virtual webinar on Wednesday, Aug. 20 presented by the Fairfax Area Agency on Aging.
George Worthington, Dementia Services Director for Virginia's Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, will present on brain health for caregivers and their loved ones. Lifestyle interventions can help prevent or slow cognitive decline, according to developments in brain health research.
Dementia increasing: Taking proactive steps to keep your brain healthy is important since dementia is predicted to be more prevalent as our population ages. For example, a recent study found that the number of Americans who will develop dementia will double to 1 million per year by 2060. In Virginia, there are more than 150,000 people over age 65 that have Alzheimer’s Disease with more than 354,000 family caregivers who are looking after them.
Brain health tips:
| | Housing Fairfax 2025: Tysons and Beyond. Affordable Housing Summit | | Attend this housing summit during the morning of Aug. 28. Come learn about the future of affordable housing in high-opportunity communities in Fairfax County. Join me and members of the Board of Supervisors, county housing leaders, the Tysons Community Alliance and partners for this free event. It’s an opportunity to build partnerships, share data and inspire investments in housing solutions, and the summit will feature information about funding opportunities, new housing demand research and housing partnership case studies. | |
Public Art Reston Scavenger Hunt.
You Could Win $500
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Time is running out to participate in the Public Art Reston Scavenger Hunt. The deadline to enter is Aug. 19 — and when you complete the challenge, you’ll be eligible to win one of two $500 Visa gift cards, plus other prizes!
It’s fun and easy to participate:
- Take a selfie in front of each of the ten public artworks in the scavenger hunt guide
- Post it to Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #PublicArtReston
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Snap a photo of your completed scavenger hunt card and email it to admin@publicartreston.org.
Scavenger Hunt Guide: Download the guide. Or get one at the Reston Community Centers (both Lake Anne Plaza and Hunter’s Woods), Reston Museum, Reston Art Gallery or Reston Library.
Public arts collection: Did you know there are about 100 permanent and temporary public art projects throughout Reston, both commissioned by Public Art Reston and by local organizations, including BXP and Tephra ICA? Explore and learn more about the collection.
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Vendors: Join the
Tysons Mixed Market at The Boro
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If you’re an artisan, small “maker” business, food vendor, vintage collector, or offer unique goods or creative services, don’t pass up this opportunity to showcase and sell your products.
The Tysons Community Alliance invites you to join their Mixed Market at The Boro — a curated marketplace and lively celebration of creativity, culture and community. The Market will take place on September 4, 11, 18, and 25 from 4 to 8 p.m.
| | Upcoming Land Use Meetings | | |
Reston Planning & Zoning Aug. 18
Join this virtual meeting on Monday, Aug. 18 at 7:30 p.m. Use this link to attend and participate. To participate by phone, call 571-429-5982 and use conference ID 693 626 456#
*Canceled* Hunter Mill Land Use Committee Aug. 19
The committee’s meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 19 has been canceled since there are no applications on the agenda.
Roland Clarke Place SSPA Meeting Aug. 27
Attend a virtual community meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 27 at 7 p.m. to learn more about the site-specific plan amendment for 1950 Roland Clarke Place. County planning staff and the SSPA nominator will discuss the proposal for predominantly residential use with public parks space on this 3.5-acre site.
Join the Zoom meeting with this link. Or call 301-715-8592 and use meeting ID 842 9048 6240 and passcode 206672.
For more information, contact county planner Heather Springs at 703-324-4549.
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Tapawingo Road Work Continues Through Friday
Paving and milling on Tapawingo Road SW continues through Friday, Aug. 15. This work is happening between Cottage Street SW to Hillcrest Drive SW. Crews are working from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. with detours around the construction. Commuters should use caution in the area and look for dump trucks entering and leaving the work zone.
Register Now for Fall Parks and Recreation Classes
Registration for Vienna Parks and Recreation's fall classes, programs and activities is now open to everyone! Flip through the online Fall Program Guide. From Oktoberfest and Halloween on the Green to Zumba and Jazzercise, there's sure to be something for everyone. Learn more and register.
Chillin' on Church on Friday
Another Chillin' on Church is this Friday! Head to Church Street from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. to enjoy live music from Ocho De Bastos, dancing, food, and drinks (must have valid ID for alcohol). Admission is free.
Apply to Join the Halloween Parade
While summer humidity is still thick in the air, Vienna is already planning its Halloween Parade. Apply to participate in this year’s parade which is themed “Broadway on Maple.” The deadline is Sept. 19. Find more information and an application online.
| | Stay Informed and In Touch | |
Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn
703-478-0283, TTY 711
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