March 27, 2024

Neighbors,

Once again, it’s time for the Tour de Hunter Mill! Registration for this community bike ride will open

on April 1.

I hope you can join me. Along with your family, friends and neighbors, we’ll explore the scenic Hunter Mill District on two wheels on Sunday, May 5, from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

Tour de Hunter Mill features new routes each year to offer riders a fresh view, as well as highlight various bike-friendly areas of Hunter Mill District.

Our two routes this year will begin and end at the North County Governmental Center, 1801 Cameron Glen Drive, Reston (across the street from the Reston Regional Library). The short route will be about 15 miles and the long route is about 26 miles.

The tour will take place rain or shine and registration is $30 per adult rider and includes a pair of the 2024 tour-branded bike socks! (Note you can still join the ride if you’re unable to afford the registration fee; details will be posted on the registration webpage.)

Stay tuned for more information soon. I look forward to seeing you there!

Regards,

Walter

Meeting Youth Leaders

I recently enjoyed meeting with Lukas Lambrinides from Herndon High School, Maxwell Roberson from Madison High School and Akshara Sagar from Westfield High School.

They are participating in the Youth Leadership Program, an internship program with the Fairfax County Public Schools to teach students about local government.

Photo (left to right): Lukas Lambrinides, Walter Alcorn, Maxwell Roberson, Akshara Sagar

Freeman Store Bridge Ceremony

If you haven’t walked across it yet, take a stroll on the reopened pedestrian bridge that connects the W&OD Trail to the historic Freeman Store in Vienna. I was delighted to join Vienna Mayor Linda Colbert, Historic Vienna and others at the ribbon cutting ceremony this past weekend.

If you’re thinking about getting an electric vehicle, there’s some good news. Building and electrical permits for home and commercial electric vehicle charging (EVC) equipment will continue to be free until Nov. 1, 2025 as a result of the action I and the Board of Supervisors took on March 19.

This is just one of the ways that the county is helping homeowners install EV chargers. Thanks to requests in 2021 by Reston residents, the county is implementing the Charge Up Fairfax program that helps homeowners and condominium associations across the county with financial and technical assistance to install EVC equipment.

Six Reston associations are participating in the pilot program now, and new applications will be accepted this spring.

Two new Fairfax Connector bus routes for Reston were approved by the Board of Supervisors.

The existing Connector Route 558 (PDF) will be split into two routes. Route 558 will continue to provide service between Center Harbor and the Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station, and the newly created Route 559 will run between the Wiehle station and Reston Town Center, providing more direct service to passengers.

Connector will also add a new express route: Route 598 (PDF). It will run between the Reston South Park-and-Ride Lot, the Pentagon and Crystal City.

These changes will be coming this summer, so stay tuned.

Reston District Police Station Community Engagement Meeting Tonight March 27

The Reston District Station’s Community Advisory Committee meeting is tonight, March 27, 7 p.m. at the Cathy Hudgins Community Center, 12125 Pinecrest Road, Reston. The meeting includes the election of a committee chair and co-chair and an update on public safety issues. These meetings are open to anyone who's interested. For more information, email jenette.post@fairfaxcounty.gov.

In celebration of Women's History Month, I want to spotlight the talented women in the office that serve our community.

Shyamali Hauth works on transportation and public safety issues, as well as serves as a liaison for the Town of Vienna. Outside the office, she worked on the statewide effort to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment in Virginia and she also plays the Celtic harp.

Amanda Lowe covers environmental and wildlife issues, parks, trails and athletic fields, and she’s also keeps my schedule. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring the county’s parks and trails, including her favorite Difficult Run Stream Valley Trail (PDF).

Lisa Connors, who recently retired, was my communications director for the past four years. She’s a big Nats fan and bike rider.

Jillian Smith focuses on public arts and plans community programs and special events like the upcoming Tour de Hunter Mill. She’s volunteered for the past nine years as a driver coordinator with Food for Neighbors which provides local middle and high school students with individual meals and snacks during times when they might otherwise go hungry.

Gwenn Minton is the office’s expert on human services, including housing, health, teen and senior centers and libraries. When she’s not in the office, she enjoys walking the many trails in Reston.

I thank them for their ongoing hard work and invaluable contributions!

Photo (left to right): Shyamali Hauth, Amanda Lowe, Lisa Connors, Jillian Smith, Gwenn Minton

Help remove invasive plants and plant natives instead at Wildwood Park on Sunday, March 31 at 10 a.m. Gloves, hand tools and shovels will be provided.

Meet at the park’s Follin Lane, SE, entrance. Sign up to volunteer.

Reston Founder’s Day on April 6

It’s the 20th anniversary for Founder’s Day which is sponsored by the Reston Museum and Reston Community Center with support by Public Art Reston. Join me at Lake Anne Plaza on Saturday, April 6 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The celebration, which is hosted by the Plaza, includes community performances, a book fair, food, exhibits and family friendly activities.

Walker Center Native Plant Sale. Order by April 5.

The Walker Nature Center’s native plant sale continues until Friday, April 5 at 5 p.m. Place your order by then. While supplies last, there’s a wide variety of native plants to add beauty and wildlife to your yard, including beebalm, butterfly weed, foamflower and more. For questions or assistance, contact naturecenter@reston.org or 703-476-9689, extension 3. Order online.

Smart Choices: Don’t Get Scammed

Learn about the latest trends in scams, including unlicensed contractor schemes, romance scams and grandparent scams. Get valuable tips to protect yourself. This free presentation is Thursday, March 28 from 11 a.m. to noon at the Reston Regional Library, Meeting Rooms 1 and 2, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston.