Patrons of Lake Anne Plaza can enjoy a “Small Crawl” on Saturday, Nov. 30.

During the event, participants can join a group crawl — or walk — around the plaza to enjoy samples from several businesses.

The walk begins at the bronze sculpture of Reston’s founder Bob Simon and takes participants to the following businesses, which will offer special selections from the products they offer:

• Teapot & Cake – Snowflake cupcake $1
• Reston Historic Trust & Museum – Reston Sticker – FREE!
• Chesapeake Chocolates – Free wine tasting and Virginia treats 12 – 3pm and $1 Chocolate all day long. Write a letter to Santa at the North Pole Mailing station
• Reston Used Books Store– 50 perfect short stories
• Lake Anne Brew House – 1/2 price off of your first “Small Pour” (5oz size taster)
• Lake Anne Coffee House & Wine Bar – Small cookie for sale

The event takes place all day on Saturday in honor of Small Business Saturday.

File photo

Lane and Ramp Closures This Week — Several ramp and lane closures are planned this week due to ongoing work on the extension of the Silver Line. Changes are planned along the Dulles Toll Road, Sunrise Valley Drive, Sunset Hills Road and Moran Road. [Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project]

County Plans to Repurpose Unused Parking Spaces at Malls — “A proposed Fairfax County amendment aims to lessen the parking requirements for large retail centers, allowing unused parking lots to be repurposed. It’s an issue the county has been talking about for the past year and a county report said there’s been a decline in shopping malls since the 1990’s.” [WUSA 9]

Reston Witches Rules the Water on Hallow’s Eve — A playful coven of Halloween witches on stand up paddle boards skim the waters of Lake Anne to kick-off an evening play and spooky brews. [The Connection]

Photo via vantagehill/Flickr

The South Lakes High School PTSA is sponsoring a 0.5k run to help support the school’s food pantry this Sunday. From 3-5 p.m.

Proceeds from the event will go directly toward the pantry, which provides students in the SLHS pyramid food and toiletries.

The run is titled, “The Best 650 Steps You’ll Ever Take.”  The run begins and ends at the Lake Anne Brew House, with a stop in between for donuts and water.

To prepare for Halloween, organizers will be offering medals for the biggest team, best costume, most exuberant, best-dressed team and any other categories the judges “deem worthy,” according to organizers.

Registration is open online. Individuals can register as a student, adults, teams or families.

Raffle prizes include a diamond necklace with a value of $1,500 that was donated. Aspen Jewelry Designs. Other prices include a gift basket from Custom Ink, peanut putter basket, gift cards and a massage by Meg Donnelly.

The race is sponsored by Lake Anne Brew House, Reston Community Center, Restoration Church, Century 21 Redwood, CustomInk, Aspen Jewelry Designs, Dev Technology, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Del. Ken Plum, OmMade Peanut Butter, AKG Designs, and Friends of Lake Anne.

Photo via Roberta Gosling

A gourmet dive bar that originally planned to open over the summer will likely open at Lake Anne Plaza next month.

Owner Dylan Clark told Reston now that Local VA, plans to open by late November. The bar will be located at 1633 Washington Plaza-N.

Other details about the business have been under wraps. The business replaces Sing Thai, which closed in March.

Photos by Jay Westcott

The annual Reston Multicultural Festival is set to celebrate the community’s rich diversity tomorrow (Saturday) from 11 a.m. to6 p.m. at Lake Anne Plaza.

The festival offers a mix of song, food, dance and art at the plaza. It is hosted by Lake Anne Plaza and co-sponsored by Reston Association.

Attendees are encouraged to dress in their multicultural attire at the free festival. This year’s event includes a naturalization ceremony, three performance stages, family arts and crafts, a global cafe, and a global market.

More information about the event is available online.

Tomorrow (Saturday)

• Beer Run (9:45 a.m.) — Join the Lake Anne Brew House for a weekly Saturday morning beer run around Lake Anne. The lake loop is 1.5 miles and all ages and paces are welcome.
• Reston Friends Semi-Annual Book Sale (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) — The book sale continues today and tomorrow (Sunday) at Reston Regional Library. Thousands of gently-used books will be available for purchase.
• PSV Race to Make It All Better (8:30-11:30 a.m.) — Pediatric Specialists of Virginia will host their fifth annual fundraiser and 5k in Reston Town Center to support patients and families in need. The race and health fair also includes booth with giveaways, health tips, activities and prizes.

Sunday (Sept. 29)

• Walk to End Alzheimer’s (1;30-4:30 p.m..) — The Alzheimer’s Foundation hosts its annual walk, to raise funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. The event is open for all and there is no fee to register. Participants are encouraged to fundraise to take part in the walk.
• Shear Madness (2-5:45 p.m.) — Enjoy a trip to see Shear Madness at the Kennedy Center. The trip begins with bus pick-up at Reston Association’s headquarters. Tickets are $51 for RA members and $56 for all others.

Photo via RCC

After more than a year of restoration and fundraising, the Reston Historic Trust & Museum has installed new historic icons to honor Lakeside Pharmacy, one of the first businesses to open at Lake Anne Plaza.

The pharmacy, which operated in the plaza for nearly 50 years, closed after owner and pharmacist Larry Cohn retired in 2014. The icons, which were previously used to advertise for the pharmacy, were removed last year to make way for new businesses.

The new icons were installed a few steps away from their original location, despite a cease and desist request from the owner of Kiln and Co., a pottery business that also serves up frozen yogurt and is located next to the exhibit.

Sarah Selvaraj, the owner, said the installation of the icons on the wall — which is showing signs of disrepair — could cause further damage to area businesses. The museum did not formally respond to a Sept. 12 letter from Selvaraj’s attorney and a declined to offer public comment on the issue.

Hirad Najafbagy offered a significant donation in honor of his parents, Hooshang and Farah Najafbagy, who operated Calvert Gourmet Shop at the plaza for many years after immigrating to the United States. The exhibit was installed earlier this week with the help of Krohn Design and Capitol Museum Services.

A ribbon-cutting to celebrate the museum’s 22nd anniversary and the dedication for the new exhibit was held yesterday (Wednesday). More than 80 donors helped make the new exhibit possible.

Photos by Charlotte Geary Photography

The owner of a business at Lake Anne Plaza has filed a cease-and-desist order urging the Reston Historic Trust & Museum and the Lake Anne Condominium Association to temporarily halt the installation of the historic Lakeside Pharmacy icons on a damaged wall at the plaza.

Sarah Selvaraj, the owner of Kiln and Co., says that installing the icons — which where removed last year from their original location at the plaza — could cause further damage to the wall near her business. She says the board has not adequately maintained the wall or addressed her concerns about the damage, which she says has stalled her ability to install a much-needed air conditioning unit in her business for almost two years.

“The internal structure of the wall is already deteriorating and the addition of any signage or other load-bearing material to the wall is going to further add pressure and cause significantly more damage to the wall… the ramifications of this would be significant and detrimental to all property with exposure to or supported by the Wall and their property owners,” wrote Maria Simon, managing partner of The Geller Law Group.

A spokesperson for the Reston Historic Trust & Museum said the museum is expected to provide a statement on the issue sometime today. The board did not respond to a request for comment from Reston Now. The icons — which served as advertisements for the former Lakeside Pharmacy — were expected to be installed over the weekend, according to an email received by Reston Now.

The letter also asserts that the board has “ignored repeated requests to make any repairs.”

“When such harm occurs, the LARCA Board and the Reston Museum will be facing significant liability to all parties who have been harmed as a result.”

Selvaraj says she is concerned about a pattern of issues related to maintenance and repairs at the plaza and its businesses.

Her business — a shop that combines the worlds of pottery and custard — is currently closed due to structural damage. A pipe burst last Wednesday caused major damage to the shop. It’s unclear when the business will reopen.

She says operating the Reston location of her business is especially challenging. Kiln and Co. has other locations in Vienna and Falls Church.

“When you look at the empty storefronts at the plaza, you walk around and wonder why. Then, when you own a business here, you no longer wonder.”

Photos via Sarah Selvaraj

The first-ever Lake Anne Stand Up Paddle Board Triathlon is set to take place on Sunday (September 15) at Lake Anne Plaza from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

New Trail Cycling Studio, Lake Anne Brew House, Surf Reston, and CORE Foundation are teaming together to bring the multi-sport event to the plaza. The event features a one-mile paddleboard, a seven-mile ride on a New Trail Cycling stationary bike, and a 5k lap around Lake Anne on Reston pathways. Proceeds benefit the CORE Foundation.

The event is completely sold out, but volunteers are needed and attendees are welcome to watch the festivities.

Tomorrow

• ChalkFest at Reston Town Center (9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) — Amateur and professional artists will bring Reston Town Center’s walkways to life with chalk drawings. Prizes will be awarded for different categories. The program is presented by Reston Community Center and Public Art Reston.
• Book Launch Party (11 a.m.) — Authors Tracey Kayle and Marcie Atkins launch their books at Scrawl Books. The party includes games, cookies and giveaways.
• Geocaching (11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.) — Representatives from the Northern Virginia Geocaching Organizations give an overview of an outdoor hunting game that requires GPS-enabled devices and apps at Reston Regional Library. Participants will then get a chance to find their first geocaches.

Sunday (September 15)

• Bird Walk (7:30-10:30 a.m.) — Beginning and expert participants can search for birds during this guided walk at Stratton Woods Park. The walk is co-sponsored by Audubon Society of Northern Virginia and The Bird Feeder store.
• Apple Picking at Stribling Orchard (Noon to 4 p.m.) — Spend the afternoon picking apples in Markham. Tickets are $8 for Reston Association members and $12 for all others.
• Chess Club for Kids (2-3 p.m.) — Players will get a chance to play against players who are at their level at Reston Regional Library.
• The New Negro (7 p.m.) — Author Jeffrey Stewart sits down with Dr. Jane Censer, a George Mason University professor, to discuss his Pulitzer-Price winning book, “The New Negro: The Life of Alain Locke.”

Photo via vantagehill/Flickr

Performers and activities at this year’s annual Reston Multicultural Festival, which is set for September 28 at Lake Anne Plaza, are centered around the theme, “Discover the World in Reston.”

Reston Community Center, which organizes the yearly event, hopes the festival will honor the community’s diversity and exemplify Reston founder Bob Simon’s vision for inclusivity in Northern Virginia.

“At the Reston Multicultural Festival each year, people enjoy the fruits of that inclusive and celebratory approach to building community,” said RCC executive director Leila Gordon.

The festival kicks off at 11 a.m. with a naturalization ceremony and a performance by New Line Brass Band at 12:15. p.m. A series of performances will following the show by the band, including dance and music from countries like India, Bolivia, Japan and Ireland.

This year’s festival also features two fellows from the National Endowment for the Arts: Cajun musician Michael Doucet and African American storyteller Linda Gross. Doucet performs on the world stage from 12:45 p.m.. to 1:30 p.m. and Goss performs at the gallery stage from 1:45 to 2 p.m.

Crafts like textiles, clothing, jewelry and housewares will be available for purchase from the Global Market. Food will be available for purchase from the Global Cafe:

• A Southern Fish Fry (Food Trailer): Fried Fish, Fried Shrimp, French Fries, North Carolina Barbecue Ribs  
  
• Colonial Kettle Corn (Food Trailer): Kettle Corn, Water
• Danibelle’s Lebanese Cuisine LLC (Food Truck): Chicken Shawarma, Falafel, Kafta Sandwich, Hummus, Tabouleh Salad, Fries, Soft Drinks
• Del Sur Baked Goods: Peruvian: Peruvian Empanadas
• E-San Food and Drinks: Asian: Pad Thai, Fried Rice, Egg Rolls, Lo-Mein, Chicken Teriyaki, Lemonades, Thai Ice Tea, Sugarcane Juice
• Lake Anne Plaza Market & Deli: Tacos, Burritos, Quesadillas
• Lets Get Twisted Potato: Fried Twisted Potato on a Stick
• Nitro Creamery: Homemade Ice Cream and Gelato
• Reston Association: Hot Dogs, Cotton Candy, Popcorn, Chips
• Taste of the World Restaurant: Fried Rice, Teriyaki Chicken, Panang Curry Chicken, Fried Tofu, Curry Puff, Beverages

Free parking is available at the upper and lower lots at Lake Anne Plaza, on North Shore Drive, and off-site at Brown’s Chapel.

The event is hosted by Lake Anne Plaza and co-sponsored by Reston Association.

Photo via RCC

This Labor Day weekend, the 13th annual Lake Anne Jazz and Blues Festival returns to Lake Anne Plaza on Saturday (August 31).

The festival features an afternoon and evening of jazz on the lake. It takes place from 1-8 p.m.

The following performers are set to take part in the festival, among others:

• BIG Whitson
• Vaughn Ambrose,
• Shacara Roger
• Jamal A. Brown
• Feedel Band
• Michael Pavone

It is hosted by Lake Anne Plaza and sponsored by Friends of Lake Anne and the Lake Anne Plaza Merchants, with support from Reston Community Center.

Photo via Charlotte Geary Photography

The 13th annual Lake Anne Jazz and Blues Music Festival returns to Lake Anne Plaza on August 31.

The event, which takes from place 2-8 p.m., brings together several bands and artists. Beer will be provided by Ornery Beer Company and tacos will be provided by Lake Anne Deli.

The following groups and individuals are scheduled to perform:

• BIG Whitson
• Shacara Rogers
• The Vaughan
• Ambrose Octet
• Jamal A. Brown, Feedel Band
• Michael Pavone
• VMC!

The event is hosted by the Friends of Lake Anne and is sponsored by Lake Anne, Reston Community Center, Friends of Lake Anne and Foxes Music Company.

Photos via Charlotte Geary Photography

Several Teens Rob Juvenile — Police believe two to three teens assaulted a juvenile victim and stole his bike on the 1200 block of Herndon Parkway. The incident happened on August 8. [Herndon Police Department]

Texas Chainsaw Horns Concert Tonight — Enjoy rhythm and blues at the weekly summer concert series at Lake Anne Plaza from 7-9 p.m. The event is free and open for all ages. [Reston Community Center]

Leidos Secures Contract to Support Nuclear Detection Office — “The Operations Support and Studies II contract continues the Reston technology company’s work with the U.S. National Data Center, which detects and tracks nuclear-based events globally.” [The Washington Business Journal]

Photo via vantagehill/Flickr

More than 60 teams will converge at Lake Anne Plaza to take part in the third annual Lake Anne Cardboard Boat Regatta tomorrow (Saturday).

Boats will begin arriving at the plaza between 10:30 a.m. and noon. The first race begins at 1 p.m. Races continue between two teams at a time throughout the afternoon.

An awards ceremony will be held in the afternoon.

More information about the race is available online.

Tomorrow (Saturday)

• ACEing Autism One Day Clinic (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) — The clinic will take place at Lake Newport’s tennis courts (11452 Baron Cameron Avenue). A convenience fee of $2.95 will be waived at checkout.
• Summerbration Fun Brunch (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) — Enjoy a performance by a latin and salsa band at Reston Station Plaza. This week’s performance includes dance instruction. Parking is free on weekends in the Metro Parking garage.

Sunday (August 10)

• Summerbration Fun Brunch (11 a.m. to 1 p.m) — Enjoy a performance by Dixieland Band at Reston Station Plaza. The event is free and open for all.
• Sunday Afternoon Dance (2:30-4:30 p.m.) — Dancers of all skill levels convene at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods for an afternoon of dance. The cost if $5 for Restonians and $10 for all others.
• Sunday Art in the Park (7-8 p.m.) — Professor of Flute Jonathan Snowden performs with his Wife at Reston Town Square Park. The event is free and open for all.

Photo via Nova Labs/Facebook