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September 2, 2026

Yesterday morning, a student was hit by a car exiting the South Lakes High School drop-off.

While this is not the intersection where a school crossing guard was previously posted, this incident highlights why our school safety programs should not be the target of discretionary cuts.

I am cautiously optimistic that the Board of Supervisors will restore funding for crossing guards at critical high school locations like the other South Lakes Drive entrance. And I want to thank senior county leadership for keeping the crossing guards going until the Board can discuss it on September 15 as part of our carryover budget. 

While we need a crossing guard down the street from this week’s accident, we also need to look at all the relevant safety issues around SLHS and our other schools — including doubling down on efforts to slow down vehicles and looking to infrastructure and technology improvement to help get all students to and from school safely. 

Last year, a speed camera was installed on South Lakes Drive at my request to address safety issues near the school.

Pedestrian safety has and continues to be a top priority for me across the range of local services. Let’s keep working together across County and FCPS to make sure all our kids have safe ways to get to school.

Regards,

Walter

• Apply for Free Trees to Plant
• Measles Exposure in Reston
• Celebrate John Carter's Retirement Sept. 8
• Invasve Watch: Kudzu
• What's News in Vienna
• Events and Activities

What’s happening: The Virginia Department of Health is warning residents about a person with measles who traveled through Northern Virginia on Sunday, August 16, while infectious.

This out-of-state traveler visited several locations in Reston that day. To protect this patient’s privacy, state health officials will not disclose their identity, but they are working to identify and notify people who may have been exposed.

Reston locations: This individual visited these locations in Reston, and the state health department is asking residents to make a report online if they were at these sites since they may be potentially exposed:

• Sheraton Reston Hotel, located at 11810 Sunrise Valley Drive in Reston, Sunday, August 16.
• MOTW Coffee and Pastries, located at 11830 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 200 in Reston, Sunday, August 16.
• 7-Eleven, located at 11854 Sunrise Valley Drive in Reston, Sunday, August 16.
• Barber & Men’s Spa, located at 11830 Sunrise Valley Dr, Unit 900 in Reston, between 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday, August 16.

Vaccinations effective: Most people in Virginia have immunity to measles through vaccination, so the risk to the general public is low, according to the Virginia Department of Health. Two doses of the measles vaccine are given to provide lifetime protection. 

Invasives Watch: Kudzu

What's happening: Known as “the vine that ate the south,” kudzu is a perennial vine that can grow up to a foot a day once it’s established with vines that can be as long as 100 feet.

It smothers everything in its path from native grasses to tall trees, and by depriving them of sunlight, this “mile-a-minute” vine starves them to death. It spreads underground through rhizomes, and its root system is strong enough to damage walls and roads too.

When the vine’s nodes touch the ground, it can grow new roots, creating a new plant. Kudzu remains alive even after its crowns are cut.

Removing it: Learn how you can remove this plant, as well as about other invasive plants from the Fairfax Invasive Removal Alliance.

Mayor and Chief at Your Service Sept. 8

Want to learn more about composting, recycling, and making your home more energy efficient? Come to "Mayor and Chief at Your Service" on Tuesday, Sept. 8, at 7 p.m. at the Vienna Police Station. Mayor Colbert and Police Chief Janickey will host a discussion on the town's recycling and composting services, what happens to materials after collection, and ways to save money on home energy costs. 

Participate in the Halloween Parade

Planning for the town's 80th annual Halloween Parade on Oct. 28 is underway and you can join in on the fun. This year’s theme is "Haunted History: 250 Years of America," so you know it'll be a parade for the history books. If you or someone you know is interested in participating as a float, walking group, antique vehicle, or more, apply online now through Sept. 18. 

🐶 Bring your pups to the Reston Town Center Pavillion tonight.

♨️ Eat at the Middle Eastern Food Festival on Sept. 3 at Holy Transfiguration Church in McLean.

💬 Listen to nine storytellers during Huzzah! on Sept. 3 at Jammin Java in Vienna.

📖 Join a book talk about World War II spy Peter J. Oritz on Sept. 3 at Bards Alley in Vienna.

🎸 Relive the Glory Days as Springsteen-tribute band Bruce in the USA plays Sept. 4 at Reston Station.

🎭 Watch the Theater Alliance’s performance of “Woody Guthrie’s American Song” on Sept. 4-6 at Reston Town Square Park.

🖼️View Rosemarie Forsythe’s exhibit “Natural Wonders” starting Sept. 5 at Reston Art Gallery.

🐶Bring your dog for a dip on Sept. 5 at Autumnwood Pool.

🛍️ Shop at the Main St. Market on Sept. 6 in historic Old Town Fairfax.

🚣🏻Take intro to kayaking on Sept. 6 at Lake Fairfax Park.

🌳Join a free guided walk around Meadowlark Botanical Gardens on Sept. 8.

💸 Attend a talk on “Planned Giving - Save Taxes and Give More” on Sept. 9 at Wesley Church in Vienna.

📖 Find your next read at the Tysons Library Friends Book & Media Sale on Sept 10-13.

💬 Attend a Sept. 10 orientation for English as a Second Language volunteers at St. Mark in Vienna.

☕ Join AARP’s Free Coffee Friday on Sept. 11 at Panera in Vienna.

🦇Learn about the Bats of Reston on Sept. 11 at Walker Nature Center.

💃 Join the Silent Dance Party on September 11 at Reston Station.

🎤 Listen to jazz vocalist Darden Purcell on Sept. 11 at Reston Town Square Park.

🛍️ Find a bargain at the McLean Community Center Fall Parking Lot Sale on Sept. 12.

💃🏻🕺🏽 Gin Dance Company presents “Lightning” on Sept. 12 at Capital One Hall.

🎈 Take a Floating Silk Sound Bath on Sept. 12 at Mindshift Gym.

🎸Reggae on the Lake returns on Sept. 12 to Lake Anne Plaza.

⛳️Have a (golf) ball with HBCU alumni during SWAC Fall Swing on Sept. 12 at City Swing.

🍺 Enjoy beer in the garden, plus live music and flower bouquet making, on Sept. 12 at The Farm at Halley Rise.

✊🏾Participate in the "The Black Agenda Summit" on Sept. 12 at First Baptist in Vienna.

🐦Take a Bird Walk on Sept. 13 at Buttermilk Creek Nature Trail.

🥪 Help pack meals for the hungry on Sept. 13 at Emmanuel Lutheran in Vienna. 

🌍 Join a Facebook Live Q&A about Reston’s environment on Sept. 14.

🎞️ Watch “Maudie” on Sept. 14 at Reston Community Center.

🌴Volunteer at the Hunters Woods' Luau Celebration on Sept. 18.

🎸 Fleetwood Mac tribute band Night of Nicks plays Sept. 18 at Reston Station.

🍃Enjoy autumn equinox nature therapy and sound experience on Sept. 19 at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens.

💃🏻Attend the 25^th Reston Multicultural Festival on Sept. 19 at Reston Town Center.

📖 Author Bill Schweigart talks about his crime novel “Dirty 20” on Sept. 19 at Bards Alley in Vienna.

Find all events for these local organizations: Reston Community Center, Town of Vienna Parks and Recreation Programs, Tephra ICA and Arts Fairfax. Find other community events in the Reston Letter.