Reston's Plague Year: Week Two (Updated 4/3)

Another day, more gang code in Reston's underpasses. Courtesy of Confidential Restonian Operative "Joel," who wanted to make it clear these photos were taken "while walking our dog (allowed per Virginia Executive Order 55, paragraph 1b, taking care of animals, and 1e, engaging in outdoor activity)":

The last one's a bit hard to read, but says "At-home quarantinis: lime+tequila+PJs / champagne+grapefruit juice+jammies."

From a now-deleted tweet of a Reston grocery store delivery:

We would not have written “hoard seltzer water” on our Pandemic Bingo Card, but of course we have no paper products to write on anyway.

Consecutive signs seen on Baron Cameron:
STAY
HOME
SAVE
LIVES

Sorry, no Burma Shave at the end.

Nice:

Our Reston District Station recently received not one, but two generous donations from Nando’s and a nearby Starbucks. Thank you for donating, we are lucky to serve such a great community! 💙 #FCPD pic.twitter.com/9T6yQm1iZL

— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) April 1, 2020

The Walker Nature Center's pandemic Twitter game remains strong:

It’s Fox Friday! Do you know any kids who are behaving like this while stuck at home? #nature #Reston #fox #wildlife #walkernaturecenter #quarantinelife pic.twitter.com/F7RSQbGqFD

— Walker Nature Center (@restonnature) April 3, 2020

A bittersweet throwback from South Lakes HS:

For today's musical moment, we're throwing it all the way back to last fall and one of our first ever performances of the closer. This is The South Lakes "Spirit of Reston" Marching Band with their 2019 production - Vikings: Fate of the Warrior. #TBT pic.twitter.com/ehoGzH1Sga

— South Lakes HS Band (@southlakesband) April 2, 2020

A message of hope or secret gang code in Reston's pedestrian tunnels? You make the call.

The Reston tennis community isn't thrilled with the RA's decision to padlock its outdoor tennis courts. Beau Lendman writes:

With so few exercise options available that comply with COVID-19 safety restrictions, there is vital significance to maintaining access to RA’s tennis facilities for use by member tennis players.

I understand that recent misuse of RA tennis facilities, possibly by non-members or others, is the main basis for the closure decision. However, this simplistic solution of total closure is not the only option. Other measures could be introduced that would involve the significant Reston tennis community to control and monitor court access and use. Many of us have the free time available and interest to provide such support if it would facilitate the reopening of our tennis facilities. Let’s take this opportunity to be creative, engage with local stakeholders and come up with other solutions that will address all legitimate concerns without facility closures.

We are being called on to make meaningful sacrifices in nearly every aspect of our lives. If there’s an opportunity to preserve a safe recreational activity such as tennis, we should be making every effort to do so.

Reston-based Nova Labs is 3-D printing face shields for medical staff:

@kingWTOP check us out! We are a group of volunteers from Reston, VA who have made and distributed over 550 reusable faceshields to medical professionals across the DMV. pic.twitter.com/zlLl9u9krJ

— Nova Labs (@nova_labs) April 2, 2020

RA reschedules its annual meeting to April 30, when it will be held online. We'll have to wait on the results of the RA election until then.

The Hunters Woods at Trails Edge retirement community in South Reston came up with a novel approach for a socially distant happy hours.

@johnkrasinski #SomeGoodNews #SocialDistancing doesn't mean we can't have happy hour! Our teams just have to get creative, like this happy-hour-on-wheels option that the team at Hunters Woods at Trails Edge in Reston came up with. #CareNotCOVID @ahcancal pic.twitter.com/7AZxW05IGl

— IntegraCare (@IntegraCare) April 2, 2020

So much for tennis and tot lots:

Due to state mandates and public health guidelines related to the COVID-19, RA has closed all tennis courts, tot lots, basketball courts and pavilions. Parklands and ballfields are open, but social distancing protocols are encouraged in order to prevent the spread of the virus. pic.twitter.com/bjMQs99YVe

— Reston Association (@RestonOnline) March 31, 2020

Apparently folks at the Midtown condos in Reston Town Center are doing the nightly applause for first responders.

While some of us stay home, others take social distancing to new heights:

@granthpaulsen tower crane operator in reston va is my essential job apparently! pic.twitter.com/A2w8KDeUF9

— Silk Drips on you (@pizzpoppin) March 31, 2020

Kalypso's is the latest in closed restaurants to launch a GoFundMe for its employees. (See other Reston fundraisers for idled staff near the bottom of this earlier post.)

Add the Herndon Festival to the long list of canceled events. On the bright side, if you had jury duty through April 17, it's probably canceled.

Good news and bad news for those looking for toilet paper:

@HarrisTeeter in Reston, VA just charged my daughter $25 for 16 rolls of toilet paper - our first purchase in 4 weeks, we’re not Hoarding or over buying and we’re returning it!! Shame on @HarrisTeeter and bye-bye @harristeeter. #harristeeterpricegouging #harristeetersteals

— Kate Dolby (@HappyRealtorGrl) April 1, 2020

A message from Fairfax County, echoing the governor's stay-at-home order:

👇
Do.

Your.

Part.#thankyou pic.twitter.com/x0RUpyR4qd

— Fairfax County Government (@fairfaxcounty) March 31, 2020

Meanwhile, the cranes in Reston keep moving. Some people ask if that’s okay.

@GovernorVA @Comstockcos @MillerandLong You need to halt construction of your HOTEL at Wiehle-Reston metro now!! This is NOT an essential building. No social distancing. No masks. You are putting workers at serious risk. #Reston #RestonVA #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/ovLUOEk9C4

— Laura Avakian ✨ (@lauravakian) March 30, 2020

This week is the Virginia is for lovers takeout restaurant week. Lots of good options out there.

A message from RCC Center Stage: "Even though we have canceled all performances in April and May, we know artists will return. Art will again be made here. Audiences will return." Videos from canceled performers at the link.

Beware coronavirus scams.

A message of solidarity from the W&OD trail, via (shudder) Nextdoor:

Gov. Ralph Northam will discuss a major announcement about Virginia's COVID-19 response at 2pm Monday.

The Reston Association extends its assessment payment deadline to April 30. It's still the last week to vote in the RA board elections.

Say goodbye to the purple glass recycling bin at the Reston South Park and Ride, among other county locations and changes to trash and recycling pickup. You can take your glass bottles to the I-66 transfer station, or just put them in the trash.

Yikes.

@RestonNow Line to get into @HomeDepot in #Reston
Just not worth the risk!#SocialDistancing pic.twitter.com/zUbxUy4oKN

— Eddie (@WFOcom) March 28, 2020

VDOT is taking advantage of the light traffic that, you know, a pandemic causes:

Beginning at 8AM Mon 3/30, Rt 7 between Reston Ave and Jarrett Valley Dr will have extended lane closure hours for the Route 7 Corridor Improvements Project due to lighter traffic volumes. More info: https://t.co/IweEENNqmI pic.twitter.com/lbDQkuKHY7

— VDOT Northern VA (@VaDOTNOVA) March 29, 2020

Reston and COVID-19: Links and the Latest (Updated 3/27)

• Another sign of the impact that's already being felt:

BLVD | Reston Station is offering short-term housing with no lease terms during this time. Units are immediately available.
To learn more, call: 703-230-1110 or visit: https://t.co/Bp15UsZGut pic.twitter.com/pVmqCLTbIW

— Reston Station (@Reston_Station) March 27, 2020

• Oops:

Despite strong recommendations from federal, state and county officials to cancel large gatherings due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Reston Association allowed social gatherings with more than 20 people to take place at The Lake House.

• Not all work has slowed to a halt this week:

End of an era. Demolition of old Station 25, Reston, was completed yesterday. New Station 25 will be built on this site. #FCFRD #FairfaxCounty pic.twitter.com/ielGN6xpP1

— Fairfax Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) March 26, 2020

• Looking for something to do this weekend? The Reston Museum has a Founding Principles scavenger hunt. One item on the list looks like... something we don't want to find at the moment:

• Better than Tinder a soap opera during this time of social distancing:

In this second clip you will notice the male feeding the female which is common during courtship and nesting. Follow this link for a nest craft using natural materials: https://t.co/kz9vMWsP8D pic.twitter.com/FdxCxDEuZC

— Walker Nature Center (@restonnature) March 24, 2020

• Add Kalypso’s at Lake Anne to the growing list of closing restaurants.

• County deliberation on the Reston Master Plan has been postponed.

• RA extends cancelations of basically everything through the end of April, but assessments are still due March 31. They’re extending phone hours to help people figure out how to pay using (shudder) WebTrac.

• The new normal:

Heres the deserted, usually bustling Hunters Woods Plaza in Reston right now. No flyers in the advertising windows. Most establishments in VA are now closed or restricted per governor's orders. Good! But still feels very weird. pic.twitter.com/iApPUcXK1Y

— Addison Del Mastro (@ad_mastro) March 24, 2020

• Reston YMCA to distribute produce. Also offering virtual activities.

• Roer's Zoofari (formerly Reston Zoo) seeks support feeding and caring for animals after closing its doors to the public and field trips.

• Metro closes 19 stations, but Wiehle-Reston East remains open.

• Fairfax County closing all government facilities and buildings at 5pm Friday. County parks already closed, though trails remain open for use.

• See them while you can!

You don’t have to go into DC to see beautiful cherry blossoms. Lake Anne has some wonderful weeping cherry trees, taken at dawn from the Van Gogh bridge. #Reston @capitalweather @amelia_draper #CherryBlossoms pic.twitter.com/jx5jkPvYN0

— Kim Michael (@kstansbu) March 25, 2020

• Fairfax Connector suspends fare collection, asks passengers to enter and exit through rear doors.

• All Virginia schools closed through the end of the school year, sports and extracurriculars canceled. This note from Herndon HS:

• A list of grocery store special hours for seniors and at-risk shoppers.

• Fairfax County closes all park authority playgrounds, skate parks, and restrooms.

• An (unverified) sign of what's to come -- both in terms of the economic toll and the growing anger:

• From Hunter Mill Supt. Walter Alcorn, a list of ways to help/volunteer. A new need: ponchos and rain gear for the Embry Rucker shelter:

• Cabin fever sets in:

No toilet paper was harmed in the making of this video!! 19U is already working on their hands for next season with the #tpchallenge 🧻🏒 pic.twitter.com/YnC68u43XN

— Reston Raiders Girls Hockey (@RaidersGirlsHky) March 23, 2020

• Just weeks after the Lake Anne eatery opened:

View this post on Instagram

📣 Update from Local VA Team 📣

A post shared by Local VA (@local_va) on Mar 22, 2020 at 2:27pm PDT

Lake Anne's Cafe Montmartre also has closed indefinitely.

• Reston Hospital Center is "prepared" for a surge in COVID cases.

• GoFundMe for the bartenders of Cooper's Hawk in Reston.

• Relief for Uncle Julio's of Reston employees.

• Red's Table employee relief fund.

• Relief for Crafthouse employees.

• Relief for Team Passionfish.

• Social distancing:

View this post on Instagram

We're ready for you. Doors open 4-7 today. #supportlocalbusiness #supportlocalcraftbeer #safesocialdistancing

A post shared by Lake Anne Brew House (@lakeannebrewhouse) on Mar 19, 2020 at 11:01am PDT

• Tired: Twitter snaps of empty grocery shelves:

Wired: Twitter snaps teasing the possibility of snagging a single sad four-pack of single-ply:

• And lest we forget, our own link to a viral outbreak continues to be used to justify calling COVID-19 the "Wuhan virus" or "Chinese virus:"

Not-So-Hot Zone: Reston Has First Potential Brush With Coronavirus, And Of Course It Involves Golf

We here in Reston know our infectious diseases, including the one so nice they named it after our plastic fantastic planned community. Now, as the coronavirus continues its (legitimately frightening) progression around the globe, it's hardly surprising there's a potential Reston connection. But unlike Ebola, this one doesn't evolve monkeys, but (shudder) a Marylander. And, of course, golf.

You see, more than 500 members of Christ Church in Georgetown who were asked to self-quarantine after the rector and organist were diagnosed with COVID-19, have mostly complied--mostly. Give us some not-at-all-alarming blockquote, BFFs at the Washington Post:

Although most parishioners appear to be taking the self-quarantining guidelines seriously, [one Marylander] was struck by another piece of advice: Don’t panic.

On Monday, he went golfing in Reston, Va., keeping a club’s distance away from friends and riding his cart solo on the course. He planned to contact a doctor, but felt no symptoms, he said.

“This isn’t the black plague; we are not dropping like flies,” [he] said. “I guess I’ve just been around too long to think we all need to go in shelter mode.”

We're sure that's of great consolation to next lucky golfer who unwittingly rode in the same cart. "We in Reston have every right to be teed off, so to speak, at your behavior," our favorite correspondent, the Peasant From Less Sought After South Reston, says of our (redacted) golfing friend. Given other news of late, we can only hope that the golf course itself doesn't fall prey to the same fate as Reston's ebola monkeyhouse, the end.

Not-So-Super Tuesday: RA Board Elections Kick Off, Predictably, With A Software Glitch, But At Least Most Races Are Contested

If you were an Eager Election Beaver and tried to vote for your favorite candidates in this year's Reston Association Board of Directors election when the (electronic) polls opened on Monday, you'll have to try again. A wacky, sitcom-like error voided all votes cast electronically on March 2. Give us some face-saving blockquote, BFFs at the RA:

Due to a technical error by Intelliscan, all previously submitted votes that were cast on Monday, March 2 have been cleared. Intelliscan wants to ensure that the integrity of the Reston Association’s election process is kept in place and that RA members receive the correct ballot for their property location.

People give the RA a hard time about being technically inept, but we'd like to point out that this is a big improvement over last year, when a bunch of paper ballots got screwed up, forcing an equally embarrassing kerfuffle. So, progress!

Of course, we learned of this latest problem the same day we found out that another, unrelated technical glitch has forced the RA to extend its deadline for paying our annual assessments through the end of this month. If only we had known this before handing our dog-earred check to a uniformed federal agent last week, we could have shorted the stocks of RA's technology providers with that $700 over the next month and made a killing!

But we digress. The good news is that after last year's uncontested slate, two of the three seats up for grabs and accessible to us Common Restonians this year are actually contested. (Even the fourth race, open only to slumlords apartment owners, has two candidates). That's good, as there's been a bit of activity round these here parts of late, making the fact that people are willing to run for what is a thankless job all the more important.

The candidates are:

At- Large Seat (3-year term)
Kerri Bouie
Robert T. Petrine

At-Large Seat (1-year term)
Paul Berry
Sarah Selvaraj-Dsouza

Hunters Woods/Dogwood District Seat (3-year term)
Caren Anton (unopposed)

Apartment Owners' Seat (3-year term)
Jennifer Sunshine Jushchuk
Mike Collins

To learn more about the candidates that us mere mortals can vote for, click on the video above. You can also read the official statements of all the candidates here or watch the full video of the candidates forum held last week.

The geriatric day-glo rave community groups focused on Reston development are paying close attention. In endorsing Petrine and Selvaraj-Dsouza for their respective contested seats, the Coalition for a Planned Reston says:

The Reston Association Board of Directors election will bring new voices to the Board—voices that will have a significant say in the upcoming review of the Reston Master Plan that was recently announced by Fairfax County Supervisor Walter Alcorn. The future growth of Reston will be forever impacted by the review, particularly in the PRC, the established residential neighborhoods outside of the Transit Station Areas.

Rescue Reston has posted position statements from all candidates about protecting both of Reston's golf courses on its own website.

The RA elections run through April 3. We're always terrified that these elections won't meet the required quorum, increasing the odds of having to redo the election at increased expense (three guesses who winds up footing the bill for that), so do you duty to your plastic fantastic planned community and vote, the end.