Nov. 9, 2022

Neighbors, 

You are invited to celebrate the launch of the Silver Line extension next Tuesday, Nov. 15. It will certainly be a Silver Line Day with multiple events planned for the extension that begins at Reston Town Center, goes to Dulles International Airport and continues into Loudoun County to Ashburn. Here are the highlights:

2 p.m. The Fairfax County Department of Transportation will have a ribbon-cutting at the new Innovation Center Station. A community day is also scheduled at the station on Saturday, Nov. 19. Learn more

3:30 p.m. There is a Reston Community celebration overlooking the new Reston Town Center station. Your invitation is below, and I hope to see you there! If you have any questions about the Reston event, please email my office. For planning purposes, please RSVP if you plan to attend.

More to Know:

• linkRTC Shuttle begins service Wednesday, Nov. 16
• New Reston-Herndon Fairfax Connector routes begin Wednesday, Nov. 16

Regards,

Walter

As mentioned in media coverage, WMATA is hosting an invitation-only grand opening celebration, ribbon cutting and inaugural ride at the Washington Dulles International Airport Station earlier that day.  Learn more. Unfortunately, I cannot invite you all to that one (space is limited), but I look forward to seeing you at the Reston celebration on Tuesday!

The county has a new partnership with PetData to provide dog licensing services, including:

• Processing applications and payments
• Mailing renewal notices
• Answering questions
• Providing and mailing tags

The partnership will make it easier for owners to apply and pay for annual county licenses for their canine companions. For example, owners will now be able to apply online for a first-time license, unlike in the past when a paper application was required. As another benefit, you also will be able to license multiple dogs at once. Residents who have applied for a license in the past will receive their renewal notice directly from PetData this month. Licenses are due by Jan. 31. 

Learn More.

Hunter Mill Land Use Committee Virtual Meeting: Tuesday, Nov. 15, 7:30 p.m.

The Hunter Mill District Land Use Committee is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 7:30 PM. Use this link to attend. You may also call in and listen to the meeting, dial and 571-429-5982 and use conference call ID: 533 871 828#. For more information contact Shruti Nallappa. 

Reston Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Virtual Meeting, Monday, Nov. 21, 7:30 p.m.

The Reston P&Z meeting is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 21 at 7:30 p.m. Use this link to attend and participate. You may also call in and listen to the meeting, dial 571-429-5982 and use conference call ID: 367 883 872#. For more information contact Shruti Nallappa.

Reston Comprehensive Plan Timeline Update

Staff is currently reviewing community input on the Task Force’s proposed changes to the Draft Reston Comprehensive Plan Text and preparing recommendations for the Comprehensive Plan text. Here is the updated timeline (also shown below) from the Department of Planning and Development:

• The staff report, with responses to public comments, is expected for release after the first of the next year (2023).
• Staff will provide updates to the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisor committees, as requested, in December and January.
• Public hearings for the plan amendment are expected to be in the spring of 2023.

In addition, I will have one-on-one meetings with supervisors in the coming months to discuss the draft comprehensive plan. Residents should continue to provide written input or ask questions about the Reston Comprehensive Plan recommendations here. Your best reference for the comprehensive plan study is the county's Reston Comprehensive Plan Study webpage. You may also listen to an overview from my recent podcast with county staff.

Winter Class Registration

Winter class registration is now open for town residents and registration for non-town residents opens on Monday, Nov. 14. There is a long list of great activities for all ages in the Vienna Parks and Recreation program guide.

From the Fairfax County Police Department's Victim Services Division:

To date in 2022, the Victim Services Division has worked more than 350 cases involving child victims and witnesses of domestic and sexual violence, as well as children who lost a loved one to homicide. Many of these children will not get to celebrate holidays this year due to the financial burden that comes with being a victim of crime.

Now through Friday, Dec. 16, the Victim Services Division is requesting donations of gift cards for child victims (both young and teenagers) including Giant, Amazon, Safeway, Walmart, TJ Maxx, Target, Kohl’s, local restaurants, and clothing stores. Gift cards will allow parents/guardians to be active participants in purchasing gifts for each child and practical needed items that they would normally go without. Each child victim selected for the holiday gift card drive has been affected by crime and has been vetted by their assigned Victim Specialist.

You can mail or drop off gift cards to:

Saly Fayez, Director

Victim Services Division

12099 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA, 22035.

For more information email Saly Fayez

Veterans Day Free Admission for Service Members at Park Authority Rec Centers

The Fairfax County Park Authority will join in the national commemoration of Veterans Day this Friday, Nov. 11 by offering free admission to the Rec Centers to those who serve and have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Learn more

Cathy Hudgins Community Center at Southgate Requests Elf Store Donations

New or gently used donations of jewelry, socks, gift cards, picture frames, sports apparel, candles and more are requested by the County's Neighborhood and Community Services Division by Friday, Dec. 2. The donations will "stock" the annual Elf Store so that Reston youth can select, wrap and gift to adult family members for the holidays. Donations can be dropped off at the Cathy Hudgins Community Center at Southgate,12125 Pinecrest Rd., Reston.

Wolf Trap Annual Holiday Sing-Along Dec. 3

Join the Wolf Trap Annual Holiday Sing-Along on Saturday Dec. 3, at 4 p.m. This is a free community event in partnership with the President’s Own Marine Corps Band and Toys for Tots. Learn more.

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