Bike to Work Day
Despite a steady downpour, 150 bicyclists donned their rain gear and converged at Reston Town Center for Bike to Work Day on May 20. The rain did little to dampen the spirits of the riders, who started wheeling in before 6:30 a.m. from locations as far away as Leesburg. For the fourth time, U.S. Geological Survey won the employer challenge for the most participants in the event.
Crane Sent to Jail
Former Langston Hughes Middle School band teacher Richard E. Crane Jr., 43, entered an Alford plea on six counts against him, including possession of child pornography, production of child pornography and aggravated sexual battery. A defendant who enters an Alford plea admits that the prosecution has enough evidence to convict, without admitting guilt. The court may then impose a sentence as if the defendant had been convicted of the crime.
At the end of Crane's arraignment hearing in Fairfax County Circuit Court on Tuesday, May 24, Judge Randy I. Bellows revoked Crane's bond, and Crane was handcuffed and led to the Fairfax County Detention Center. He is scheduled to be sentenced in the fall. Sentencing guidelines on two of the six counts against him range from one to 20 years in prison.
"He apologizes for the deep hurt caused to the community," said his defense attorney Steven David Stone, following the arraignment hearing in Fairfax County Circuit Court.
Crane, 43, formerly of Burke, was arrested in September 2004 after secretly videotaping boys changing clothes in the men's locker room of the Oak Marr Recreational Center in Oakton, according to Michael Ben'Ary, the prosecuting attorney.
Stone said Crane moved from Fairfax County to his parent's home in Winchester and sold his Burke house. After his arrest, Crane left his job as band teacher and music director of Langston Hughes Middle School.
First Meeting for Southgate Community Center’s Advisory Council
The Southgate Community Center’s Advisory Council held its first meeting May 17 at the Reston Community Center. The Council began outlining its roles and responsibilities, and developing a work plan. The target completion date for the center is February 2006.
Strawberry Festival Next Week
To celebrate spring and one of America’s favorite fruit, Clyde’s Strawberry Festival will be kicking off next week, June 4, from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Held at Reston Town Center, the day’s festivities will include live music, Clyde’s strawberry shortcakes and sundaes, hot dogs and hamburgers from the Hyatt Grill, cotton candy, hands-on craft and nature activities from the Walker Nature Education Center, live animals and lots of fun for all ages. The event supports Reston’s Nature House.
Festival acts will include puppets, live animal shows and music. Walker Nature Education Center mascots Earl the Squirrel and Myrtle the Turtle will be working the crowd, providing amusement and entertainment with an educational twist.
Barbecue Bash
Reston Association staff plans to serve the volunteering community fresh barbecue for the evening to thank and recognize Reston’s volunteers for all their hard work throughout the year. New volunteers are welcome to join. The event will be held on June 2 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Brown’s Chapel off of Baron Cameron Avenue.
Correction
Last week, it was incorrectly stated that tolls at Herndon’s Dulles Toll Road exits would not be raised. Although Herndon, because it is a town, has had greater control over its jurisdiction in the discussions of bringing the Metrorail to the Dulles Airport, it did not maintain 25 cent tolls, as a story last week indicated.
Calendar
June 2, 7 p.m., Reston Association Board of Directors Working Session on draft governing documents at Isaac Newton Square.
June 6, 7 p.m., Reston Association Board of Directors Working Session on draft governing documents at Isaac Newton Square.