Reston

Blood Drive in McLean Today — “The McLean Community Center is helping the American Red Cross with diverse blood donations. A donation drive will be held on Monday, June 3 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the center,” which is urging “donors of all ethnicities to support patients in need.” [Gazette Leader]

GMU Delays Diversity-Focused Course Requirement — “George Mason University announced it would postpone a ‘Just Societies‘ diversity-themed course requirement for incoming students that was initially set to take effect in the fall…Kenneth D. Walsh, George Mason’s interim executive vice president and provost, said the school would delay implementation of the courses to the 2025-26 academic year.” [CNN]

New Trial Sought in FCPS Sexual Assault Lawsuit — “The Fairfax County School Board is asking a judge to order a sexual abuse survivor to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in court fees…In April, a jury found the school board not liable. However, the former Fairfax County Public School student is asking a federal court to grant a new trial.” [WJLA]

Springfield Bicycle Store Burglarized Twice — “Detectives from our Criminal Investigations Division are investigating two bike store burglaries in North Springfield believed to be connected.” The Bicycle Pro Shop first had over $9,000 of merchandise taken around 4 a.m. on May 21, and it was hit again just after 5 a.m. on May 26, when nearly $2,000 was stolen. [FCPD]

Vienna Police Launch Stop Sign Enforcement Campaign — “The Vienna Police Department is launching its annual traffic safety campaign, focusing on enforcing all traffic laws, particularly those related to stop signs. Officers will be vigilant in issuing tickets and reminding drivers of the importance of coming to a complete stop when encountering a solid or flashing red light or a stop sign.” [Vienna Police]

Funds Approved to Upgrade Lincolnia Ballfield — “The Fairfax County Park Authority Board has awarded the Mason District Little League a grant for renovating the diamond infield at Parklawn Park in Lincolnia. The $12,945 Mastenbrook Volunteer Matching Fund Grant requires the MDLL to contribute matching funds to complete the $25,891 project.” [Annandale Today]

Pride Month Events at County Library — “Throughout the month, Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) is celebrating the contributions of members of the LGBTQIA+ community all month long with workshops, book discussions, trivia, crafts and more. Check out a small sample of what we have planned at a library near you.” [FCPL]

NFL Coach’s McLean Mansion for Sale — “The estate at 1060 Vista Dr. in McLean, Va., is a tale of twos: two primary bedroom suites, two lots and the juxtaposition of two approaches to residential design in Northern Virginia. The 9,300-square-foot French-Mediterranean villa…went on the market for $5.2 million after its owner, former NFL linebacker NaVorro Bowman, was hired in February as linebackers coach for the Los Angeles Chargers.” [Washington Post]

It’s Monday — It will be mostly sunny with a high near 84 and light wind. Monday night will also see a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, followed by partly cloudy skies and a low around 66. [NWS]

Driver Injured in Reston Crash — Fairfax County police officers responded to a single-vehicle crash in the 2300 block of Gallant Fox Court shortly before 5 p.m. “The adult male driver was taken to the hospital w/ life-threatening injuries.” Community members were advised to avoid the area while detectives investigated. [FCPD/Twitter]

Mount Vernon Buildings Set for Demolition — Demolitions are expected to begin soon for the former Su Pollo at 8741 Richmond Highway and M&B Automotive Services at 8130 Richmond Highway in preparation for the planned Richmond Highway widening. Su Pollo, a Peruvian chicken restaurant, recently moved to a new spot at Engleside Plaza. [On the MoVe]

Architect Remembered for Great Falls Work — Memorial services were held on May 17 in Wolf Trap for Robert Mobley, an architect who “helped shape Great Falls into the attractive community it is today,” a former Great Falls Citizens Association president says. “Mobley, 85, died of a stroke March 29 after being involved in a minor traffic accident the previous week, his family said.” [Gazette Leader]

Herndon School Evacuated for Smoke — “The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department said crews responded to Floris Elementary School, located in the 2700 block of Centerville Road, just before 3 p.m. after receiving reports of smoke inside the school.” Responders determined that the smoke came from an “electrical event” related to the HVAC system. No injuries were reported. [DC News Now]

Lorton Park Gets New Bathroom — “Laurel Hill Central Green in Lorton now features a brand new, 32-feet-by-52-feet restroom facility. The restroom facility was installed as part of a two-phase development project at the park. The ribbon-cutting will be held in conjunction with the Park Authority’s #NationalTrailsDay event THIS Saturday, June 1.” [FCPA/Facebook]

FCPS Hosts Summer Extravaganza — “FCPS invites all families to get a jump on summer learning by participating in engaging, educational, and enriching activities for Fairfax County students,” including storytime, food, live music and alpaca petting. The free event will be held at Woodson High School from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday). [FCPS]

New Exhibit Looks at Life in Lorton Prison — A new permanent installation called “Counting the Days” recently opened in the Workhouse Arts Center’s Q-block, which was “known as the Hole” when the site belonged to the Lorton Reformatory. The exhibit was curated by museum staff and filmmaker Karim Mowatt, who was incarcerated at the prison on drug charges for “a considerable hunk” the 1990s. [Washingtonian]

Falls Church HS Student Starts Glass Recycling Business — “For those who see the benefit of recycling but find it cumbersome to bring their glass bottles and jars to a county bin, Falls Church High School student Sam Ross has a solution. Ross launched a business, called Glass Goat, that does it for you.” [Annandale Today]

It’s Friday — Expect sunshine and a high around 75 degrees with a north wind of 8 to 13 mph. In the evening, clear skies will persist, and the temperature will drop to about 56 degrees, accompanied by a west wind of 3 to 5 mph. [NWS]

Giant Pandas Coming Back to D.C. — “Attention, DC panda lovers: we are so back. The Smithsonian’s National Zoo announced Wednesday that two giant pandas — Bao Li, a male, and Qing Bao, a female, both two years old — will be arriving in Washington by the end of the year.” [Washingtonian]

Parking Survey for Justice HS Launches — “A working group formed to consider parking solutions for Justice High School urges community members to take a survey on their preferences…The survey can be completed by both parents and guardians of Justice students and community members who live near Justice but have no connection with Fairfax County Public Schools.” [Annandale Today]

Penn Daw Housing Development Under Review — “The developer of the future Alexandria Crossing residential housing community in Penn Daw is working to address several comments on its latest site plan, so it can eventually move into the construction phase.” Approved in 2022, the project will have “385 multifamily apartments, 23 stacked townhomes (46 units) and 35 traditional townhomes, as well as a pool, fitness center and co-working space.” [On the MoVe]

Monks Walking for World Peace Stop in Vienna — Six Buddhist monks stopped at the Vienna Community Center on Tuesday (May 28) “to rest, and community members welcomed them with open arms, food, water, and gifts.” The group is walking nearly 1,500 miles from Key West, Florida, to Niagara Falls in New York “in the name of world peace.” [Town of Vienna/Facebook]

Performers Wanted for Reston Multicultural Festival — “Reston Community Center is inviting artists and performing groups of all ages and cultures to submit an application to perform at the 2024 Reston Multicultural Festival…This year’s festival takes place Saturday, Sept. 21, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., in Reston Town Center.” [Patch]

Shades Under Construction at Burke Dog Park — “The Fairfax County Park Authority will soon install two sun shades with seating at Monticello Dog Park. These shades, funded by Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw’s office, will offer residents and their furry companions reprieve from the summer sun as they enjoy the park.” [FCPA]

Chantilly Students Build Medical Bed — Chantilly Academy students “are putting the last touches on a medical bed that’s been two years in the making. With help from physical and occupational therapy students, the engineering group is creating the bed” to help Liam Bruen, an eighth-grader with muscular dystrophy, attend classes in-person at Chantilly High School in the fall. [WTOP]

It’s Thursday — Expect sunny skies and a high near 74 with a north wind around 10 mph. Thursday night will be mostly clear, with a low around 53 and a northwest wind at approximately 7 mph. [NWS]