Block III Yard Sale

A few Block III will be having a yard sale on 

Saturday, November 10th 2012, 8am-12pm

If other blocks would like to participate, please let me know & put up signs.

Happy Halloween 2012

3rd Place Pumpkin Carving Contest winner by the Parker/Ikhide family.                              
 Photo by Kelvin Ikhide

The Halloween Pumpkin Carving Contest a Smashing Success

Before we get to the prize winners we should express words of appreciations to Lani Young and Lucy Fay for doing a great job judging this year.  Actually, Lani has served as a judge for many years and has also for many years done an outstanding job, as many of you already know, working with the local police to keep our community a safe and happy place to live in.  Thank you Lani and thank you Lucy!

The winners were the many hands T,C,B,& D at 11583 MR.  Second place goes to the folks at 11544 HC.  And third place was awarded to Kelvin and his family at 11583 MR.  Honorable mention goes to the following:  1155 MR, 11531 HC, 11500 HC and 11534 HC.  Congratulations  to all and thank you for participating.
-Bob Anderson

If you have Halloween night photos of your carved pumpkins or trick-or-treaters please send them to the blog for posting! -Sara

LOST AND FOUND

Someone dropped a ring (silver, with a colored oval-shaped stone) in Block II by 11565 Maple Ridge Road last night while trick-or-treating. If you think it's yours, please reply to this post or send an email to fswartzendruber@gmail.com.

New Documentary on Reston's Public Art

Fun, Beauty, Fantasy: Reston's Public Art from Rebekah Wingert-Jabi on Vimeo.
A short documentary about Reston, Virginia's public art produced by the Initiative for Public Art - Reston (IPAR) and directed by Rebekah Wingert-Jabi.

Hurricane Sandy Emergency Information

Thanks to Lani for forwarding this important emergency information document as Hurricane Sandy approaches.

Preparing for Hurricane Sandy

Latest forcast as of 4pm Sunday 10/28.

The National Hurricane Center Forecasts Hurricane Sandy to track to the northeast to a position well off the North Carolina coast Sunday night, before shifting to the northwest and moving toward the Southern New Jersey and Delaware coasts Monday into Tuesday. The track of Sandy is expected to bring high winds to the region Monday through Tuesday evening.

High Wind Warning remains in effect from 8 am Monday to 8 pm EDT Tuesday.

• Timing: Wind gusts over 45 mph are expected by 8 am Monday and wind gusts of 60 to 65 mph are expected Monday afternoon into Tuesday.
• Impacts: a prolonged and significant 24-to-36 Hour high wind event will take place across the warning area. Coupled with Heavy rains from Sandy, the high winds will lead to significant tree damage. Residents, visitors. And businesses across the region should plan for widespread power and communication outages.

Be safe!

Reston Reader 9-29-12

Here's a collection of topics and links that may be of interest...

Register to vote before the October 15 deadline.

GRACE Art exhibit Campaign Re/Form through October 27th

From Reston Association:

Upcoming District Meetings 

Reston Topics Video: Home Expo

Nature Program: Deer Me! Walker Nature Center Children's Program

Home Energy Efficiency

Home Expo for Residents and Vendors

Rascal Raccoons Walker Nature Center Children's Program

Navigating the Local Transit System

Autumn Campfire Walker Nature Center

6th Annual Jazz Festival at Lake Anne, 11/6/12 1-8:30PM

Website

Block III EIFS Painting & Railing Repairs

Update:  Work will likely begin on Friday, 9/21 with the EIFS and painting.
Reston Painting and Contracting will begin work on the 'plaza' area of Block III the week of September 17, 2012 for approximately two weeks. They will be repairing & painting the stoop railings and painting the EIFS & railings 'Asteroid'.  They will also be painting the wall-mounted handrails throughout HC.


For the railing work, the contractor will need two weeks of access to the Block III plaza railings.  Please move any planters and furniture on or against the railings so they can be painted.
The railings will be painted with oil-based paint.  Reston Painting will be posting "Wet Paint" caution signs.  Note: Oil-based paint does not come off clothing!

Thank you.

Reston Reader, 9-19-12

Here's a collection of topics and links that may be of interest...

14-Story Apartment Bldg Construction at PARC Reston

Reston National Golf Course Re-Zoning Issue

Silver Line: Reston Station website

• 2300 Commuter Parking Spaces
• Bus Transit Center
• Kiss & Ride Parking Facility
• Bicycle Storage Facility

Reston Association News 9/14/12 Email Sign-Up

Indoor Tennis for Children

Path Near Metro Station to be Covered

North Point District Meeting

Environmental Film: Energy Quest USA

Fur, Feathers, Fins

Multicultural Festival

Gone Batty

Jigsaw Puzzle Event for Seniors

Home Expo: Vendor Registration

More Amazing Wildlife: The Merrill's Musical Raccoons

This is so great!
Thanks to Raymond in Block III

Community Mtg: Lake Anne & Cresent Apts 10/1 @ RCC-LA, 7pm

Update: Background from the Patch for Oct 1 Mtg
From the Reston Patch:

Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins will host a community meeting Oct. 1 about proposals Fairfax County has received for future development at Crescent Apartments.

The county in February released a Request for Proposal (RFP) to solicit a developer to redevelop the Crescent property.  This meeting will present a review of the proposals and feature public participation. Meeting time is 7 p.m. at Reston Community Center Lake Anne.

Deer Family in HC

Photo: Darryl Kramer

Photo: Darryl Kramer

Reston Development

Five Things to Know This Week (September 10, 2012)
Busy week for decisions that impact Reston development.
By Karen Goff at the Reston Patch

Storm with High Winds Hits Reston Hard

Another Storm rolled through Northern Virginia and hit Reston hard on Saturday.  Several of our neighbors on South Shore Drive sustained property damage with many large trees lost. There were conflicting reports as to whether the damage was caused by a tornado touching down in the neighborhood. Luckily, there were no reports of injuries.

View more videos at: http://nbcwashington.com.

Remember the confirmed tornado by Tall Oaks & Wiehle on April 27th, 2011?

Lake Newport Water to Flow to Lake Anne

In an effort to keep RELAC running by raising the low Lake Anne water level, RA has authorized Lake Anne access to Lake Newport water.  Read more on the Reston Patch & an RA Press Release

Reston Multicultural Festival 9/22/12, 11am-6pm

The Reston Multicultural Festival is a celebration of the diversity and community spirit that is found in Reston. This annual event brings together the people of Reston to celebrate our rich medley of cultures. Come and share with family, friends, and neighbors the music, entertainment, dress, food, and cultural treasures from all over the world that are all right here. This signature Reston event honors the diversity that is one of our greatest assets. Everyone is encouraged to dress in attire from their own cultural roots and share the stories that we gather on the pathways of our lives.

(Note: No Lake Anne Farmers Market on 9/22, back on 9/29!) 

Car Break In

A car was broken into in Block II overnight between Monday and Tuesday 8/27-28. This has happened on occasion to unlocked cars in Bock III and cars parked along North Shore Drive. Please remember to lock your car and remove any valuables.

As always... If you witness suspicious or criminal activity, please report it to the police.

Thank you.

Fairfax County OEM Derecho Survey

The Fairfax County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is asking for feedback from county residents and businesses to help assess the county’s response to the June 29 derecho storm that affected the county and the National Capital Region. To find out about the county’s strengths as well as opportunity areas for improvement, we are asking you to fill out an online emergency information survey. It should only take a few minutes and will be open until August 31.
This survey is part of the official review of the storm response and input from residents and businesses will be invaluable. It will be used for OEM’s after-action report on the derecho event and how Fairfax County Government responded.
Emergency communications are critical before, during and after incidents that affect our community. A variety of entities and people are part of that process such as Fairfax County Government, utility companies, the commonwealth of Virginia, the private sector and others. This survey focuses on Fairfax County Government.
“We’re asking for every resident to provide input, as well as business owners,” said David McKernan, coordinator for the Office of Emergency Management. “It’s important for us as emergency planners to learn how this storm affected our residents, businesses and infrastructure so that we can implement corrective measures and plans for a better response for future storms.”
To take the survey, visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/fairfaxemergencyinfo.

Glorious Rain

Two+ days of rain providing some relief to Hickory Cluster and Lake Anne water levels.

There are lots of great photographers in HC. Please forward your HC pics to the website for sharing.

Update: RA reports Lake Anne water level rose 4" as a result the recent rains!

RA Statement on RELAC

A Statement to Reston Association Members who rely upon the RELAC cooling system

Reston Association is currently actively working on a way to bring immediate relief to our residents who are customers on the RELAC system. It relies on the waters of LakeAnne to air condition about 600 homes along the lake.

We are in an unusual situation, one brought on by extremely high temperatures and drought.

Reston’s first priority is the health  and comfort of our residents. We are keenly sympathetic to those are affected by this situation

We are closely working with Aqua Virginia and Aqua America, the utility company that owns and manages the RELAC system. We are also working with the neighborhood associations most affected by the lower than usual lake levels and high temperatures. The goal is to find an immediate solution, such as adding a temporary second pump, which Aqua Virginia is prepared to do.

A complicating factor is that the private golf course won litigation several years ago, giving the course unfettered access to Lake Anne’s waters for irrigation. This is per the deed of the developer. Reston Association has not been successful in our attempts to work with the golf course management.

Reston Association is working with the affected homeowners to find a way to meet the immediate need. As we focus our attention on the short-term, immediate needs of the community, know that we are organizing a task force of residents and Reston Association staff/leadership to determine the next steps to meet the long terms need. Again, our primary concern is the well-being of our residents.

Thank you,
Ken Knueven, President
Reston Association Board of Directors

Lake Anne Water Level Low, Impacting RELAC Performance

Article by the Reston Patch's Karen Goff sums up the RELAC situation to date.

Low Lake Anne Levels Concern RELAC Users

With Lake Anne way below typical water level, can water-run cooling system keep up?

Ukulele Festival Today 7/14/12

Come on over to Lake Anne Plaza! Great ukulele talents and terrific refreshments until 5:30!

Aloha  Boys

Paul Hemmings Uketet

Victoria Vox

Reston's Derecho Storm Came with 79mph Winds

Many trees had limbs twisted and snapped off, these between Block III & II were uprooted. 

The damaged Goodman swing by the Lake Anne Elementary path.

Update: Blocks I & II power returned Tuesday night.  At last!

Hickory Cluster sustained 79mph winds during the June 29th Derecho storm. Block I and II without power from 11pm Friday night (still out as of Tuesday afternoon.)  A few homes sustained damage but thankfully no reports of anyone getting hurt!

Resources and closings notice from Supervisor Hudgins.
What is Derecho?  From NOAA Site

Thanks to board members Greg Gallardo and Michael Poss for their quick action in contacting Blade Runners on Saturday morning.  Cluster thanks also to Michael Poss for going around the cluster with Blade Runners to identify problem areas.

Blade Runners started working removing trees, branches and large debris beginning on July 1st.  They'll be back to clean up the smaller leaves and twigs on their regularly scheduled mowing date.

Please call TWC with reports or concerns about cluster trees still in need of attention.
703-437-5800
(Urgent? Press 4 and leave a call back number.)

And the Winner Is....

The votes are in and 'Asteroid' wins as the HC pallette option for repainting the EIFS (pre-fabricated stucco material) in the Block III 'garage' area.  Check back here for information about when the work will start... we are probably looking at August-September.

2012 Summer Activities @ Lake Anne

Lake Anne Summer Activities

JUNE

June 14, 11am - 11:45am
Kids Program Begins

June 28  7pm - 9pm
Thursday Night Take A Break Summer Concerts Begin.
 See lineup here

JULY 

July 14, 11am - 5pm
3rd Annual Ukulele Festival w/ Craft Beer & Ukuleles

July 21
Lake Anne Regatta
Radio Controlled Yacht Races

SEPTEMBER

Sept 22, 11am - 6pm
Reston Community Center - Multicultural Festival

Lake Anne Saturday Farmers & Open Air Market runs May-October @ 8am (farmers until 12pm) 

Lake Anne Elementary A/C Noise

If you've been hearing a new whirring noise coming through the woods from the direction of Lake Anne Elementary School, Raymond Merrill in Block III has identified it.  He's even captured a recording of it!

Thank you to Raymond!

I've been hearing odd construction noise at night off and on and when it's on the sound is in flux.  Sounds a bit like a saw or grinding equipment of some sort…even thought it was a welder at first.  Just couldn't put my finger on it, but seemed to be coming from the school.  I didn't give it much thought because I assumed they might be working round the clock to wrap up before the end of summer.  Then today as I walked past the building taking Adrian to school I heard it from the black-top: it's the new A/C unit on the roof at the school.

I've been in touch with Dr. Menuey the principle and he's having the contractors look into it, but preliminarily at least they seem to be dismissive and at least wanting to verify with other neighbors.  So I thought I'd send you this to post on the blog spot in case anyone else is hearing this now or has been wondering what on earth it was! -Raymond Merrill, Block III 

Raymond's AC Sound Clip

Block III EIFS Painting and Repair

The area of Block III where the old garage & plaza deck were removed has walls that are surfaced by a synthetic stucco material called EIFS.  Over the years the material has discolored and has developed areas in need of repair.  Many residents (most? all?) have expressed their dislike of the current EIFS color. 

RA would like HC to do the much needed painting and repairing of the EIFS.  The HC board is getting ready to move forward with the project which will include the painting and repair of the railings of the 'new' stoops created after the garage removal. 

Please note: All the stoop railings are to be painted white with balusters (spindles) painted 'Asteroid'.

To change the EIFS color and get the approval of RA's Design Review Board, the board chose two existing colors in the Hickory Cluster palette of colors; Duron colors 'Asteroid' and 'Train Smoke'.

There are large swatch samples painted right on the EIFS in Block III and this is the most reliable way to view the colors as computer screens can differ in how they display color. 

Also for reference, the newly painted 'mushroom' lamp posts throughout the cluster are painted 'Train Smoke'.  And 'Asteroid' is the color designated for most of the metal work on our homes.
Below are color swatches and simulated photos of the EIFS with the two colors.

Please let us know what you think by giving your color preference as a comment of this post.
Thank you!

ASTEROID Duron 5414D

TRAIN SMOKE Duron 5415A

Asteroid

Train Smoke

Train Smoke

Asteroid

  

Another RELAC Rate Hike?

Below is a report by Waterview Cluster's Dick Kennedy on the proposed RELAC rate Hike. See his comments to the State Corporation Commission here.

Greetings Neighbors,
As you may know a rating hearing occurred on RELAC on June 5, 2012 in Richmond VA before the State Corporation Commission [SCC]which regulates utilities in Virginia. I drove down and testified as a user upset with the unreasonably high cost of the system and its effectiveness. I have attached my comments outline from which I spoke. The hearing lasted from about 1000 AM until 330 PM. It was tedious but I am glad I went to get a sense of the communication between AQUA and the Judge for the SCC.

The bottom line is that the SCC Staff and AQUA agreed by stipulation to a rate increase reduced from AQUA's request of $ 108,775 to $ 78,000 or close to a 15% increase that will be in effect as an interim rate for the rest of 2012. The county staff questioned AQUA at length and in detail on performance output by AQUA's records and AQUA's records on customer complaints. There were clear deficiencies. On the matter of using Cooling Towers which I asked about, AQUA responded that they have not decided yet to in stall them. They said it would cost $ 250,000 to $ 400,000 installed. It may be that AQUA America owns them and they would sell them to AQUA RELAC.

Who knows what lies ahead with RELAC??

The case, PUE-2011-00130 can be tracked on line at http://www.scc.virginia.gov/case

Dick Kennedy

UCP Lights Update

Here's a letter sent to the UCP by HC Board member Ralph Youngren on 5/23 proposing a meeting to discuss the lights issue... thank you Ralph!

Please comment on this post with any issues on the lights at UCP, especially if they effect your house.

New Board Members 2012

With the biggest turn out at a Hickory Cluster Annual Meeting since I moved here 14 year ago, two new board members were elected and one motion was voted on.
Note: Board president Fred Swartzendruber did not run for re-election.

Welcome to the board: Blake Travis & John Rowley

A motion was made to limit the number of proxy votes each member could present.  A lively discussion of the current Hickory Cluster voting rules followed.

Final Motion:
"After this meeting, no member may vote more than two proxies."
The motion was voted on (including proxy votes) and passed.

Thank you to Darryl Kramer for his dedication to Hickory Cluster and service on the board these past three years and an enormous debt of gratitude to Fred Swartzendruber for serving the last six years as HC Board president... for his leadership & guidance through the years on such HC projects as the garage reconstruction, replacement of the concrete stairs and railings & the WSSI Stream Restoration proposal process to name a few!

Sara Bradley
Hickory Cluster Secretary

Church Lights

Board member Ralph Youngren is going to meet with our contact at the UCP about Hickory Cluster residents issues about night-time church lighting.  If you have an issue, please comment here or email Ralph by Monday, 5/25/12.  See previous post and comments here.

Hickory Cluster Annual Meeting: May 19th, 9-11am

Hickory Cluster Annual Meeting
May 19th, 9-11am @ RCC-Lake Anne 

On the agenda (subject to change) for the meeting will be...

• Stream restoration update
• Block III EIFS and railing maintenance & painting
• Announcement of the HC Landscape Committee formed over the last year
• more...

TWO Hickory Cluster board seats are up for election at the May 19th meeting.

• Darryl Kramer, Block II, Board Member (Darryl is not running for re-election)

• Robert Laird, Block I, retired architect and former board member... more.
• Fred Swartzendruber, Block II & current HC board president
• Blake Travis, Block II, new resident and businessman... more info here 

If any other HC resident is interested in running and would like to have their information posted on the website here, please send your information to me.

PLEASE NOTE
If you can not attend the meeting in person and would like to vote, please fill out the proxy vote that you received in the mail at the end of April and either mail or drop off at TWC (address below) in time for the meeting on the 19th OR give it to a neighbor who's attending & can submit for you OR you can put it in my mail slot at 11517HC. Blank proxy & ballot forms.

TWC
Attn: Hickory Cluster Ballot
397 Herndon Parkway, Suite 100
Herndon, VA 20170

Cluster gratitude to Darry Kramer for his dedicated service on the board!

North Shore Pool to Open May 12, 2012

RA 2012 Pool Schedule

Season 1 (May 12-25)

North Shore Pool Hours

Weekdays 1pm-7pm (Adult Swim Hours T-F, 7-9pm)

Weekends 11am-7pm

Docs Added to Hickory Docs

Two documents on the history of the Hickory Cluster garage & infrastructure failure have been added to Hickory Docs.

UCP Concert Invitation Extended to Hickory Cluster Residents

Mosaic Harmony

May 12^th, 7–9pm

United Christian Parish

11508 North Shore Drive

Light refreshments to follow concert.

This concert is to celebrating completion of construction of our new sanctuary, a project almost 10 years in the making!

Mosaic Harmony is a multi-cultural, multi-faith choir that has been performing in the Washington metropolitan area since 1993. 

To hear clips from their CDs, click here.

Common Area Power Washing Scheduled to Begin 4/30/12

Beginning Monday April 30 Spray Services will power wash common area walks, stairs, walls and landings throughout the community.

The entire process may take a few weeks and will include the use of highly-diluted chlorine bleach to inhibit mold and mildew growth.

It is important that residents remove all personal property from common areas & stoops before work begins.

Current work schedule (subject to change)

UPDATED

Block II: April 30-May 4

Block I: TBA May 16-17 (confirmed)

Block III: May 9-10 (To include concrete stoops)

Hickory Cluster is not responsible for personal items left in common areas.

Thank you for your cooperation during the project.

Hickory Cluster Board of Directors

Spring Cluster Clean-Up: April 14 & 15

Cluster clean-up has been scheduled for the weekend of April 14-15.  

Save the date & details to come. 

Landscape Committee Update

Winter was warm.  Spring was early.  Everything is growing sooner and faster than planned.

Our Blade Runners rep advised us March 12 that "The spring clean-ups are being scheduled now and I will make sure to get Hickory Cluster on a route ASAP!"

In addition, yesterday we scheduled a Spring Cluster Clean Up for Saturday and Sunday, April 14-15.

Please plan ahead, and stay tuned for more information ... 

-- Michael L. Poss

Hickory Cluster Board, Landscape Committee

UCP Church: Lights & Landscaping

HC board member Ralph Youngren met with UCP representatives on behalf of the board with concerns about the church lights and car headlights on facing HC Block III residents.  See his notes below.

"I met with Bob Bain and other representatives of the United Christian Parish of Reston on Tuesday Mar 13 at 2:00PM.

In our previous meetings I had a concern about parking lot lights and car headlights shining into Hickory Cluster at night. 

I found that the parking lot lights are focused away from HC, and there is a great deal of new plantings, evergreen varieties to shield the cars. The planting will begin in about two weeks. When everything is in place, the church will be open to suggestions from us to adjust any problem."

-Ralph Youngren
Hickory Cluster Board

Charles Goodman in the News & the 2012 Hollin Hills Home & Garden Tour

One of Hollin Hills’ iconic mid-century modern homes designed by architect Charles Goodman. (Karl Ericson)

Back on February 14th, Hickory Cluster (with a link to this site!) was mentioned in a Washington Post Real Estate Section article on Charles Goodman. Check it out here.

View a sampling of Goodman's Hollin Hills homes up close at the 2012 Hollin Hills House & Garden Tour scheduled for April 28th (12-6pm).

DRB Approves Fairway Redevelopment Plan

JBG Drawing of Possible Town Home Configuration for Fairway Redevelopment

At their meeting on February 21st, The RA's DRB okayed the JBG plan for a redesign, expansion and redevelopment of the Fairway Apartments complex.  Concerns remain about the impact on surrounding traffic flow.  See Reston Patch articles one and two.

Note: JBG used images of Goodman's HC carriage houses to show the continuity with their new Fairway townhouse designs.

Lake Anne: Freezin for a Reason Fundraiser

Back on February 4th, the annual Freezin for a Reason fundraising event was held at Lake Anne to benefit Camp Sunshine camperships for children with life-threatening diseases.

13 year old Hickory Cluster resident Cyrus Crevits braved the chill waters with open arms for a great cause.

Did any other Hickory Cluster residents partake and is there a photo? Please forward your photo to me with some basic info... I'd love to post them as well!

RA's Reston Today: January 2012

Highlights

• Reston's Master Plan
• Environmental Impact of Outdoor Cats
• Summer Camps 

DRB Approves Aqua, VA Cooling Tower Proposal

Drawing submitted by Aqua, VA of the proposed cooling tower installation as seen from  the tennis courts.

At last night's DRB meeting, the DRB voted to approve the addition of the cooling tower structure proposed by Aqua, VA to be added to the current RELAC facility. The cooling towers are intended to increase the efficiency of the operation and eliminate the need for the diesel generator at times of low lake water levels. The proposal includes sound proofing/noise reduction features designed to keep any additional plant noise levels down.

Aqua, VA will now have to decide whether to green light the project. If they do, they will start the permit process and then hope to start construction in the Spring with the goal of being operational before a diesel generator becomes necessary this coming season.

DOCUMENTS
Aqua Letter
Application
More Drawings

Tuesday 1/24/24: RELAC Cooling Towers to Be Proposed to DRB

AQUA, VA (RELAC's owner) has sent the Design Review Board (DRB) at RA a packet with a proposal to DRB for installing two water evaporators (cooling towers). Proposal to be presented at the DRB meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 24th.  Meeting starts at RA Headquarters @ 7PM (Aqua is Item #6 on the DRB agenda).

Hickory Cluster president, Fred Swartzendruber, spoke with the engineer at AQUA who prepared the proposal and he has agreed to send PDF copies of the documentation (including before and after renderings and acoustic data) due to the short notice timing, docs below.  

DOCUMENTS
Application
More Drawings

Hickory Cluster Resident in Art Show at the Reston Museum

Soft 'Raku' Bowl - crocheted & felted by Alice Abrash

Reston Museum Exhibit Opening & Show
The Museum's first 2012 exhibit featuring Reston artists will show the work of five fiber artists: Lois Salazar, Luann Sievers, Anna Hayoz, Cynthia Hull and Alice Abrash (HC's own!).

The show demonstrates the variety and creativity of the art form as well as the superb techniques of these artists. It includes weavings, wearables, pins and tapestries as well as silk paper collages, floating silk hangings and a brilliant silk window disk.

A reception for the artists and preview show for Museum members will be held in conjunction with the Reston Historic Trust's Annual Meeting on Thursday, January 12, 6 - 8 PM. 
The exhibit and sale runs through February 29.