by Katy Keffer, staff writer GMU undergraduate student Lakshmi Katrapati presents at The Kensington Reston. Photo by The Kensington Reston The use of AI-generated deepfakes in scams is increasing, particularly those targeting older adults who may not recognize fraudulent activity. Lakshmi M. Katrapati, a student pursuing a computer science degree at George Mason University, is working to change that. As technology advances rapidly, she reaches out to senior living communities and centers to give back to the community. Since March 2026, she has given nearly 50 specialized presentations on deepfakes in Fairfax and Loudoun counties and Washington, D.C. At an Oct. 2 event at The Kensington Reston, she explained the topic to an engaged group that asked probing questions and left better prepared to spot deepfake videos. Katrapati’s presentation, “AI For You: Staying Safe and Creative,” introduced broad AI concepts through interactive ChatGPT prompts based on audience questions. She also highlighted recent case studies in which deepfakes were used to manipulate people for financial gain. She shared multiple examples of how to distinguish authentic videos from fake ones, including videos of former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recommending a book and American businessman Bill Gates discussing technology. Photo by The Kensington Reston But how can we recognize whether something is fake or real? That is the focus of Katrapati’s extracurricular presentations. She educates audiences about what to do if they are contacted by a stranger or believe an inquiry may not be legitimate. If on the phone, in a Zoom meeting or on a FaceTime call, “look and listen for pauses in responses,” she recommends. These could indicate that AI is taking a moment to generate a response. During a video call, “you can have the person wave their hand in front of their face to verify authenticity.” She notes that visual inconsistencies can be a sign of a deepfake, although sophisticated deepfakes can be difficult to detect. For potential voice scams, such as those targeting grandparents with a supposed grandchild’s voice, Katrapati suggests asking something personal but not sensitive that only the other person would know. Deepfakes can be created using actual video, images or audio, including material that may be available on a family member’s social media feeds. Recordings also can be created to mimic loved ones’ voices. “Deepfakes are essentially another form of misinformation,” Katrapati said, “which has been around for some time.” As with other misinformation, “it’s always important to fact-check the information with reputable sources.” Government websites, nonprofit organizations and media outlets such as The Washington Post and The New York Times are among the sources to consider. Audience members at The Kensington Reston also asked how AI can be used in daily life and how it could help in medicine and health care. “Its ability to summarize lots of material for the most relevant insight is beneficial,” Katrapati said. She also offered other tips for staying safe. “Create a family safe code or password as one form of verification,” she advised. She cautioned people not to share private or intimate information that could be recorded and later used for fraudulent purposes. She also recommended letting a call go to voicemail if the caller’s identity is uncertain. If someone is concerned about a suspicious call, she advised hanging up and independently calling the person back using a known phone number rather than relying on the number provided by the caller. The group asked how to stay ahead of AI’s advances, and Katrapati acknowledged that AI and deepfake technology are changing rapidly. As a junior at George Mason University, she hopes to work in the industry after completing her degree. Two options are top of mind: “I’d like to help make the AI models safer or even pursue the legislative side.”

Contributed by WWFF LOOK Cinemas at Reston Town Center is one of several locations that host the Washington West Film Festival. Photo contributed by WWFF The Washington West Film Festival will host the East Coast premiere of “JIMMY,” a biographical drama about actor Jimmy Stewart on Saturday, Oct. 10 at LOOK Cinemas in Reston Town Center. The festival runs Oct. 8-12. KJ Apa (“Riverdale”) stars as Stewart in the film, which follows the actor from his Academy Award-winning performance in “The Philadelphia Story” through his service as a combat pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. Stewart flew 20 combat missions over Europe and rose to the rank of colonel before returning to Hollywood and taking the role of George Bailey in “It’s a Wonderful Life.” The film is directed by Aaron Burns and written by Justin Strawhand. Stewart’s daughter, Kelly Stewart Harcourt, is an executive producer. The festival also will present a Lifetime Achievement Award to Karolyn Grimes, who played Zuzu Bailey in “It’s a Wonderful Life,” in recognition of the film’s 80th anniversary. Grimes was 6 when she appeared in the 1946 film. Grimes is best known for the film’s closing line: “Teacher says, every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.” Founded in 2011, the Washington West Film Festival is based in Reston and presents independent films at venues in the Washington, D.C., area. Its events also raise money for charitable causes.

By Sophia Shelley, South Lakes High School student writer Emma Harris is a student teacher in the SLHS Theatre department. Photo contributed by Emma Harris What makes a good teacher? Is it someone who has a genuine passion for the subject they teach or a driving desire to connect with their students? How about a hard worker who strives to make their classroom a place where students have everything they need to succeed? For George Mason University senior Emma Harris, the answer might be all three. A 2022 Herndon High School graduate, Harris recently returned to Fairfax County Public Schools to finish her degree in theater education. This year, she traveled across Baron Cameron Avenue to South Lakes High School, where she will spend the school year as a student teacher under theater program director Mike Viola. Harris always knew she wanted to be a teacher. Coming from a family of teachers and drawing on her experience as an older sister, entering education was a natural choice. The subject she would teach, however, remained a mystery. Theater came later. When Harris was 9, her mother signed her up for a summer program at NextStop Theatre, a nonprofit professional theater company in Herndon. Harris was somewhat apprehensive about whether she would like it but came away completely changed. “The switch was flipped so instantly for me,” she recalled. “I was like, oh, this is where I’m meant to be.” At South Lakes, Harris hopes to recreate the positive and encouraging environment in which she was first introduced to theater. “It is so important, as an educator, to go out and first create an equitable, safe and community-based environment in which students can feel supported and encouraged by each other,” Harris said. She knows exactly who she wants to be in her future classroom: a role model, a relatable figure and someone students can turn to for help. Despite the wide range of programs in Fairfax — “The DMV area actually has one of the highest per capita number of theater companies!” — Harris acknowledges that not everyone has the same access, and that’s something she wants to change. “What really breaks my heart is people being like, ‘I want to be in the show, but I can’t afford the cast fee.’ ‘I want to be in the show, but my mom can’t drive me to rehearsals.’ I don’t want any of that in my future classroom. I just want it to be, ‘I want to do this. Here’s what I need.’ And I want to say, cool, here’s how we’re gonna show up for you.” Harris will get her first opportunity to create that positive environment in December, when she directs South Lakes’ production of “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Performances are scheduled for Dec. 11 and 12. She also will serve as assistant director for the school’s fall musical, “Come From Away,” with performances scheduled for Nov. 18-21. “A Charlie Brown Christmas” is a show that is close to home for Harris. It was the second show she performed in and her family’s annual holiday movie, so she knows the story well and is excited to direct the play. Although she has been at the school only a short time, Harris’ infectious optimism and passion for theater are already evident throughout the program. “She’s very enthusiastic about theater, very enthusiastic about education, and a great asset to the program,” said Mike Viola, who met Harris over the summer at a staff event. “I think she’s going to make a great teacher.”

By Sarah Golden, staff writer The Reston Letter staff writer and former South Lakes teacher Chuck Cascio and his wife and former teacher Faye Cascio, were inducted into the SLHS Sports Hall of Fame. Photo by Joseph Ankomah Fall, to many within the South Lakes High School community, means football games, band practice, homecoming and, of course, new classes and a slew of homework. It also means a new group of inductees to the South Lakes High School Sports Hall of Fame. South Lakes celebrated the accomplishments of 10 new administrators, coaches, contributors, competitors and a state championship team on Sept. 25. The ceremony provided an opportunity for friends, family members, colleagues and coaches to introduce the inductees and speak about how their accomplishments have contributed to South Lakes' sports legacy. Inductee Zachary Parker (right) and his father Although long lists of accolades were shared and achievements highlighted, many speakers chose to focus on the inductees' impact both on and off the field. Honoree Jai Cole's younger sister talked about how inspiring it was to watch her sister play basketball and how that experience helped prepare her to succeed on the same South Lakes team years later. A nephew of inductee Carielle Doe spoke about how he wasn't surprised to hear about Doe's illustrious sports career, given that she went on to become a successful journalist, traveling the world to report on significant news stories. Others talked about how the Hall of Fame ceremony provided an opportunity to look back and reflect on their time at South Lakes. Former coach Dave Cverko spoke about how thrilled he was to reconnect with inductee Ray Quintavell, whom he hadn't seen in more than 30 years. The stories shared throughout the night made it clear that South Lakes' sports program is not just concerned with winning trophies and securing titles. Coaches, teachers, administrators and athletes alike care about leaving a positive mark on their community. Judging by the reception at the 2026 awards ceremony, they have done just that. Inductees: Kim Brophy Retzer – Administrator (2012-2024) Scott Brown – Coach (1994-2005) Jai Cole – Competitor (Varsity Basketball 1991-1993, Varsity Field Hockey 1990-1992) Carielle Doe – Competitor (Indoor & Outdoor Track and Field 1996-1998) Jessica McGarry – Competitor (Varsity Field Hockey 1993-1995, Varsity Basketball 1993-1996, Varsity Soccer 1993-1996) Zachary Parker – Competitor (Football 2013) Ray Quintavell – Competitor (Gymnastics 1983-1984) Chuck & Fay Cascio – Contributors (1978-1996) 1997 Virginia High School League Boys Gymnastics State Champions Team members: Eric Camp David Dillard Andrew Esposito Yusuf Freeman Aaron Logan Elijah Miernik Nathaniel Miernik Niel Monroe Son Nguyen Bryan Parresol Jonathan Scott John Shellem Landon Smith Lee Smith Stephen Thomson Coach: Dave Cverko Managers: Mara Miernik Deborah Noe Inductee Jai Cole (Left) and her sister

Submitted by Armstrong Elementary A paper tree outside Armstrong Elementary’s main office is filled with leaves bearing students’ reflections after learning about Sept. 11, 2001. Photo contributed by AES Twenty-five years after September 11, 2001, Armstrong Elementary School students took time to remember and reflect on the events and their lasting impact on the country and local communities. As part of the school’s remembrance activities, every class read "This Very Tree" by Sean Rubin. The book was adapted for kindergarten students to make the story and discussion age-appropriate. Following the reading, students were invited to reflect on the story and what they had learned. Each student was asked to write a word or a few words describing how the book made them feel or how they felt learning about the tragedy. Those reflections became part of a special display in the school lobby. Students wrote their words on leaves and placed them on a tree, creating a growing collection of thoughts and feelings shared by the Armstrong Elementary community. The words reflected the students’ thoughtful responses to a difficult moment in history. Throughout the activity, students were respectful and attentive as they listened, reflected and considered the importance of remembering. The remembrance tree now stands in the school lobby as a visual reminder not only of the events of 2001, but also of the compassion, empathy and thoughtfulness Armstrong students showed as they learned about history and reflected together.

By Lincoln Patience, staff writer Capturing Joy Photography seeks to capture special connections in photo shoots. Photo contributed by Joy Granados Joy Granados is a Herndon photographer, former social worker and adoptive mother. After 15 years in social work, she turned her love of photographing babies into a photography business that gives her more flexibility to spend time with her family. She wants to recreate for other families the loving environment she experienced growing up. “Our living room growing up was wall-to-wall photos,” Granados said. “I didn’t just have my parents telling me they loved me. I saw it.” Granados became interested in social work while volunteering with a juvenile detention ministry in college, where she encountered children in foster care who had experienced trauma and emotional isolation. Granados spent a decade of her social work career in Fairfax County Public Schools. “I wanted to be a vessel of love and healing to people.” She initially planned to return to social work after adopting her son Lucas but needed an income that offered more flexibility. “I got into photography with Lucas because I wanted those really cute newborn photos.” When she and her husband sold their townhouse, she used some of the proceeds to buy a camera and take a photography course. As she developed her business, she decided to take a different approach from the quick sessions many photographers offer. Many photographers offer “mini sessions” that last 10 to 15 minutes. Granados understands the appeal, especially when young children have difficulty sitting still and posing, but the format reminded her of an overly brief social work session. “It feels like drive-thru photography.” Instead, she meets with families two or three times, including a visit before the shoot to help children become comfortable with her and to learn what kinds of photographs the family wants. She plays games such as tickle monster and Telephone with the children and occasionally lets them take a turn behind the camera. After the shoot, families visit her Herndon studio to watch a video montage of the photographs. “Usually it’s the moment right after you give the prompt that’s the most genuine, and those moments are gold.” For Granados, the importance of preserving those moments comes from personal experience. Granados and her husband had spent years trying to have a child. The first service they used was Angel Adoption, an adoption marketing firm that offered a two-year contract to market their family to expectant mothers. Granados said the company advertised a 98% placement rate on its website. She went through eight failed matches in two years. In July 2020, Granados became pregnant with her son Mateo, who she lost to trisomy 18, a rare chromosomal abnormality, about a month after he was born. She feared the pain that forming an attachment would bring but knew she needed to attach anyway. “This is the child I’ve prayed for for decades,” she told a doctor who questioned her decision to continue the pregnancy. Mateo lived for 259 days after doctors first detected his heartbeat. The family continues to celebrate his birthday. Granados credits Mateo with helping bring Lucas into her life. She said Lucas' birth parents chose her and her husband after hearing Mateo's story. The families were matched in July 2021, and Lucas was placed with them in August. Lucas' adoption was a domestic infant adoption and is an open adoption, Granados said. Catholic Charities handled the placement, and Lucas was placed with the couple when he was 2 days old. The adoption was finalized when Lucas was about 5 months old. She remains on good terms with Lucas' birth family, she said. They sometimes travel from Florida to visit Lucas, whose name means “bringer of light.” “He brought light into a very dark moment of our lives when we didn’t know we would be parents again.” Granados is offering Reston Letter subscribers free photography sessions to the first 10 who visit her upcoming show. Details are on the subscribers’ insert.

by Restonian Ever get the feeling you're being watched? The Restonian On Your Side I-Team "hit the pavement" (logged onto AOL to Bing Ask Jeeves dot com) and found 18 Flock cameras positioned around our earth-toned community, presumably tracking our daily comings and goings. So yes, you most certainly are. The usual hand-wringers will wring their hands about privacy. Fairfax County has paused adding new Flock cameras, and the county school board just passed an outright ban. But we're Restonians, by gum, and we're used to people with clipboards peering at our homes' siding through binoculars! We've got nothing to hide, except maybe that sconce that replaced an original 1960s outdoor light fixture, presumably made out of reclaimed Korean War munitions and asbestos, next to our front door. But we digress. Let's put (tastefully earth-toned) Flock cameras on every square inch of Reston, and use their powers for good! Consider: Parking areas. It'll be the last time those jerks two doors down let their guests park in the clearly marked RESERVED SPACE #4. An added bonus if we spring for the attachment that crushes noncompliant cars into suitcase-sized cubes. Lakes. If these cameras can track every license plate, surely they can catch that one goose that keeps befouling the yard. Pickleball courts. Mabel will think twice before heading over with her Silver Sneakers pals without a reservation! Town center. With their microscopic eye for detail, maybe they can find the non-chain retailers and restaurants. The golf courses. This one's a public safety issue. Without constant observation, we might wake up one morning to find one of the greens missing, replaced by a gaggle of "double stacked" townhouses, whatever those are, the end.

By Scott Pafumi, Herndon Theatre Director HHS Theatre cast of "Our Town" rehearses. Photo contributed by HHS Theatre It has been my great pleasure to call Herndon my home for the last 15 years, and I continue to be enamored of the people, places, history and community that make this such a special place to work and live. In celebrating Thornton Wilder’s classic drama “Our Town” as the kickoff to our Season of Carpe Diem at Herndon High School, I want us all to take pride in the theater family and community that we have lovingly built together. “Our Town” has been celebrated on the American stage as a classic drama for the last 90 years. It is still required reading in many high school and college English curricula. This is my fourth time producing and directing the show during my 30-year career in educational theater in Fairfax County: at a middle school in 1999, at a high school in 2005, at Herndon Middle School in 2015 and now. Each time, it has been a special journey for me and the ensemble of players and technicians. Please note that the playwright intended this show to be high-concept and low-tech, meaning he did not want to clutter the stage with many props or set pieces. Wilder requests in the preface of the play that the emphasis should be on the story and the relationships, not on material objects. To that end, you will notice quite a bit of pantomiming of things like cooking, opening doors, delivering the newspaper and milk, throwing a baseball and even an imaginary horse named Bessie! The playwright asks us to suspend our disbelief and use our mind’s eye to see and hear the life of the town of Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire. In the three acts of this play, you will take a journey with the characters, led by the Stage Manager and Narrators, and particularly through the life lens of the Gibbs and Webb families. The stage will be raked with planked wood and mostly sparse in setting pieces, save for some tables, chairs and the quintessential wooden ladders. Each performer will research their character and family unit, finding chairs that best fit their person. Sound effects such as chickens, train whistles, school bells, the clanking of bottles and the crow of a rooster will be made by the cast at the appropriate moments. Costuming will be period-specific to early 1900s New England. Lighting will be soft and gentle, with almost a sepia tone to create the illusion of memory. Props will be limited to what is called for in the script, while pantomiming skills will be rehearsed and perfected. It is my hope that you find yourself in the story of this play through the myriad of characters presented. This is Herndon Theatre. This is “Our Town,” whether it is the fictional Grover’s Corners or the real-life Herndon. Thank you for trusting the process as we work together to create this magical play. And here’s hoping that you realize how beautiful life truly is, every, every minute.

By Chuck Cascio, author and former South Lakes Teacher It is no accident that the South Lakes High School Theatre Arts Department has become the first school in the D.C. metropolitan area to win Critics and Awards Program (Cappies) honors for Best Musical, Best Critic Team and Best Play in a four-year period. The theatre program has established itself in recent years under the leadership of faculty member Michael Viola, who is proud to have students take on multiple shows again this year, including the award-winning musical "Come From Away," the true story of 7,000 airline passengers who found themselves stranded in the small town of Gander, Newfoundland, because of the tragic events of September 11, 2001. How did such a unique show become part of the high school's production schedule? "After I saw a high school pilot production of ‘Come From Away’ in January 2026 at the Virginia Thespian Festival, I became hooked on the story and score," Viola explained. "When the rights became available a month later, I saw it as a sign. I felt confident that my students would excel both in their performances on stage and in their technical work behind the scenes." The fact that the storyline is an important piece of recent history was also a major consideration for Viola. He felt it was meaningful to contextualize the significance of 9/11 for his theatre students so they could appreciate the story's uniqueness. "I've spent the first month of school emphasizing the gravity of 9/11 to the show's cast and crew," Viola said. "It's amazing to see how these kids rise to the occasion." To help raise awareness of the impact of 9/11, Viola has brought in guest speakers, assigned research projects, shown documentaries and had his students read other works about the tragic events. "We are also looking into the real people that ‘Come From Away’ is based upon," he said. "All of this is in an effort to tell the story authentically." The show will be performed at South Lakes High School Nov. 18-21, and Viola is understandably excited not only because of the musical's deep emotional elements, but also from a performance standpoint. "For the students involved in ‘Come From Away,’ this is their first time working with documentary/verbatim-style theatre," he said. "They are portraying real people, saying dialogue that was actually spoken. There's a responsibility that comes with this, and I know the students will benefit by bringing those words to life and by being the first school in our immediate area to do so." Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 18-21, with a Saturday, Nov. 21, matinee at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 for students and $15 for adults and can be purchased online at www.slakestheatre.com/ or at the door. On opening night, first responders who attend the show will be admitted free of charge. "Whether or not some audience members are familiar with the "Come From Away" story," Viola said, "they will be emotionally impacted. The script is poignantly relevant, especially with this year being the 25th anniversary of 9/11, and the score is deeply moving. It's hard to hear anything like it in musical theatre. So many cultures, religions and identities are represented. ‘Come From Away’ is really a story for everyone."

By Phantom Foodie Contributions by Ms. Foodie Café Anne is one of the options for food at Lake Anne. Photo by TRL Did you know Lake Anne Plaza is on the National Register of Historic Places? If the crisp fall air has you craving an outdoor food adventure, consider these locally owned foodie options. Cafe Anne Cafe Anne serves French-Algerian-inspired baguette sandwiches and platters made with locally sourced meat, along with unique sides such as Okinawan sweet potato and coconut rice. Vegetarians will enjoy the marinated tofu and chickpea sandwiches. Catering is available. Cafe Montmarte If your palate leans toward French and Vietnamese fusion, head to this plaza bistro for shrimp summer rolls, pho, salmon or quiche. It has some of the best outdoor umbrella seating on the lake. With friendly service, it's a relaxed spot for brunch, lunch or dinner. Photo by TRL CHIBOO Bakery Have a sweet tooth or need a unique hostess gift? CHIBOO Bakery operates a 100% gluten-free kitchen and also takes custom orders for other allergens. Its macarons are made with almond flour, and seasonal flavors range from classic pistachio to brown sugar cinnamon, along with tea, fruit and floral options. Les macarons sont très bien! Elden St Tea Shop This loose-leaf tea shop is the go-to spot for a warm cup of tea, bridal showers or birthday parties. With dozens of hand-curated loose-leaf teas in stock, you can pick up a gift or a favorite blend to take home. Mark your calendar for Nov. 7 and 8 for the annual Northern Virginia Tea Festival at the lake. Kalypso’s Sports Tavern A cornerstone of Lake Anne, Kalypso’s offers an extensive menu and even more lakeside seating. Go for the atmosphere and lively entertainment while enjoying traditional tzatziki, gyros or fresh-baked pizzas. It’s a popular spot, so pack your patience, as service is consistently hit or miss. Lake Anne Coffee House & Wine Bar From delicious breakfast options to upscale seasonal dinners, Lake Anne Coffee House & Wine Bar is a favorite with local foodies. Both the patio and upstairs dining room have a fireplace, making it an intimate place to sip wine or catch live music. The happy hour specials are excellent, too. Lake Anne Brew House This award-winning taproom pours small-batch, Reston-inspired craft beers, including favorites such as Lake Anne Lager. The venue hosts trivia night and Theology on Tap, and the outdoor seating area is ideal for spectating at one of the plaza's many community events. A future expansion is in the works. Kinship Wine & Wares In the mood to choose a new favorite bottle of wine? Stop by for an educational tasting with owner and sommelier Jen. Shop the vintage homewares while you sip and support this new small business. La Migueleña 2 Market & Carniceria Latina Don’t overlook this hidden Latin gem tucked along the perimeter of the plaza lot. I go for the pupusas and fresh cuts from the butcher counter for my own carne asada creations. It's part market, part casual eatery, with breakfast burritos and tamales also offered. Photo by TRL Nordic Knot This Reston bakery makes soft pretzels, pretzel dogs and pretzel croissants, baking its doughy deliciousness out of a commercial kitchen. As the weather turns cold and the holidays approach, reserve a holiday charcuterie order early before they sell out. If you’ve been to the annual Cardboard Boat Regatta, consider a return to Lake Anne for the wickedly fun SUP Witches Halloween Coven Paddle on Nov. 1, or visit your friends at the Reston Letter at the Farmers Market before it closes on Nov. 21. Disclaimer: The Reston Letter and its staff do not receive solicitation, compensation or special endorsement from any restaurant or culinary establishment. Our reviewer dines unannounced to make the experience genuine. Our mission is to provide our readers with an accurate representation of our reviewer’s experience so they may make their own informed decisions. Taste, service and culinary preferences vary.

by Gene Powell, staff writer Credit: Gerville via iStock There’s no debate that the Reston of 2026 is not, and cannot return to, what it was when founded in the 1960s. But the path to what Reston will be is complicated by differing plans, high-stakes investment, contentious disputes, vocal community groups, and even angry, anonymous online threats. Will the trend-setting planned community born in the 1960s retain its high-quality mix of business, commercial, residential, and recreational opportunities? Or will it build itself through slow transformation, some say “slide,” into just another metropolitan suburb? Most recently, a quickening pace of new and repurposed development has focused on new apartments and townhomes, with multiple projects centered on the transportation corridor containing Metro’s Silver Line and the Dulles Toll Road that bisects the town. There are some 11,000 new “residential units” in the study or planning phase or under construction. “Reston North,” “Reston East,” “Reston Crossing,” “Halley Rise” and “West of Wiehle” are large studies, projects or proposals that involve commercial, professional, and public spaces; and residential uses. There are at number of smaller developments on the table, most with townhouse communities replacing existing commercial buildings. And then there is the highly contested proposal to replace at least one of Reston’s two original golf courses with townhomes, perhaps sharing the space with a park or a revised and improved golf course. County officials, developers, and opponents of various kinds of redevelopment all identify the long-standing controversy over the future of Reston National Golf Course as “the” example of issues involved in Reston’s future. The golf course’s owners over the past 14 years have suggested alternative uses for the 164-acre tract south of the Dulles Toll Road: building out entirely in favor of multi-design townhomes, dividing the property between housing and some version of a public “linear park. A plan moving forward now involves upgrading the existing course while using a 14-acre tract on one side of the course for housing. Community groups and others argue on multiple fronts. One is reserving Reston founder Robert E. Simon’s original vision of two golf courses as a mainstay of the town’s commitment to “open space” and recreation. Another is defending a long-term Comprehensive Plan–updated as recently as 2025–that was intended to balance Simon’s vision with the inevitable evolution of his dream city. Developers argue the present 18-hole public course and its amenities are not economically viable and want to make changes including a driving range upgrade and a second, mid-course restaurant. One of the recent voices on the course’s future is Michele Hudnall, a longtime Reston resident, president of the Whitney Park East Cluster Association, one of the town’s organized neighborhoods, and a Realtor. Earlier this year, she presented town and county authorities with a study she did of about 800 residences adjacent or close to the course. She reported that turning the course over to residential use would drop adjacent home values by 15% and nearby home values by 10%. Hudnall, who said she has received anonymous online threats since speaking out, said she is not opposed to any or all development but insists county officials require all projects to be rigorously reviewed through the lens of the Comprehensive Plan. “We need to honor the past but not be shackled by it,” an approach she calls “governed growth” when considering future land use across Reston. “What I am seeing is a pattern: ‘We have all these empty office spaces. But those are failed businesses, not failed buildings.” Connie Hartke, president of the grassroots Rescue Reston group, a Realtor and a board member of the Reston Citizens Association, is a frequent speaker against “any housing” on Reston National’s property. She noted that the Hunter Mill District, the area of Fairfax County that includes Reston and a part of Tysons Corner, “has more development, in construction, planned and in development” than any other district in the county. Hartke and Rescue Reston are focused on opposing development of both Reston National, south of the Dulles Toll Road, and the private Hidden Creek Country Club course north of the road. She said the pair are a focus of the town’s Comprehensive Plan for development. “If the toll road is the ‘spine’ of Reston, the golf courses are the ‘lungs’ of Reston. Why give up that open space when there are plenty of other places” to build, she asked. Hartke is not opposed to dense, even high-rise projects such as the 23.8-acre Reston Crossing along Edmund Halley Drive, south of the Town Center Metro station, which could include 40-story buildings and up to 1,400 new residential units. She said the area known as the Reston Transit Station zone is where such dense housing should be located. She calls Rescue Reston’s development view “right kind, right place.” Looking to the future, Hartke is concerned that Reston’s traditional mix of government, commercial and residential space will be skewed heavily toward residential, costing the town open space and “places where small business…and educational opportunities like trade schools” can find a home. “I live in Reston, not on the golf course, and I like being able to drive five minutes to a grocery, six minutes to downtown.” She also fears recreational businesses and areas in Reston will be threatened someday by the same economic pressures driving the proposal to redevelop Reston National. “If we didn’t have these recreational opportunities (nearby), working parents and grandparents might not have the time” to get their children to “far away” facilities, she said. Next: Big changes in big spaces coming to Reston

By Roxanne Watts Pumpkins brighten doorsteps all over town now, including at Julie and Ned's new Reston home. As the new owners revel in the beauty of their home and the season, they think back to the circumstances that brought them there. Their story illustrates recent changes in the Reston market, both in buyer behavior and seller expectations. Julie and Ned were not the first to fall for their lovely renovated home in South Reston. It went under contract within five days to an overseas buyer who had a change of heart and withdrew. Realtors throughout Reston are noting more buyers voiding contracts, and many are routinely seeking backup contracts. Soon after the home went back on the market, Julie and Ned toured it and loved it but did not act. They had a list of other homes to consider and wanted to investigate Reston Association's benefits and limitations. Two other couples were equally interested but were tracking other homes, comparing features and pricing, and taking their time. On day 32, all three submitted contracts, all at full price and all with home inspection contingencies. Julie and Ned's cash offer was selected for a quick two-week settlement date and no financing contingency, removing risk for the seller. Thirty-two days, then three offers: That seeming contradiction says a great deal about our market. Buyers are taking weeks to compare numerous properties before deciding. With rates increasing to the mid-7s, they are reassessing what they can comfortably afford, and watching the economy closely. Locally, average days on the market have increased from 26 to 42 days, and to 55 days nationally. Yet when condition, location, pricing and presentation come together, serious buyers will compete. Well-priced homes in excellent condition can still attract multiple offers. Not every segment of Reston is behaving the same. As of Sept. 20, detached home values were still appreciating, townhome prices had plateaued and condominium values had dropped 5%. Condominiums are facing substantially more competition from a 50% increase in inventory, and their fees can be a deterrent. The typical fee is $620 per month, but they vary enormously, from $379 to $2,500 depending on community, unit size and inclusions. Some large Midtown units, about 3,000 square feet, exceed $2,500 per month. Owners in some complexes also pay the Reston Association assessment of $890 annually. Comparatively, single-family homes are $74 per month and townhomes around $145 per month. The pricing data is from 1,027 Reston closings listed in Bright MLS for the 12 months preceding Sept. 20. Mortgage rates, hovering around 7.5%, are having a huge impact. To compensate, lenders are bringing back old programs, such as the 2-1 buydown, where the rate can be reduced for a couple of years for a fee. Some sellers are offering to cover that fee or provide a credit for buyers to use at their discretion. Condition matters more than ever. If you are a seller planning to list early next year, choose an agent now and walk through the property to identify which improvements are worth making and which are not. Line up painters and other contractors before their schedules fill. Have photos taken while there is attractive greenspace or fall color. Begin discussing pricing now, and know the first weeks on the market bring the greatest attention. With all these changes, Reston maintains its enormous appeal. The lakes and greenspace, amenities, restaurants, shopping and entertainment create a uniquely desirable place to live and attract the most successful businesses. The beautiful neighborhoods and their residents all contribute to a strong sense of community and an extraordinary place to call home. Speaking of community, don't miss our Annual Pumpkin Giveaway on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 9 a.m. to noon at Oakbrook Church, 1700 Reston Parkway. Coffee, donuts and plenty of goodwill will be on hand.