The upcoming “Gifts from the HeART” fair in Reston will let community members shop for handmade crafts and unique items during the holiday season.
The 21st annual fair will take place at the Reston Community Center at Lake Anne (1609 N. Washington Plaza) from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday (Dec. 7). It is free for all to attend.
Items vary in price, according to the event.
“Beautiful original artwork, remarkable ceramics, stunning jewelry and many other one-of-a-kind items will be sold by the artists themselves,” according to the event website.
People may email Gloria Morrow with any questions.
Photo via RCC/Facebook
As winter approaches, Cornerstones in Reston asks the community to come forward and donate cold-weather gear for those in need.
The annual Winter Coat Closet Charity Drive, which started on Thursday (Nov. 14), collects new or lightly used jackets, hats, scarves and gloves for men, women and children.
People who want to donate or are in need of winter clothing can stop by the Hunter Mill District Supervisor’s Office (1801 Cameron Glen Drive) and ask for the community room on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 to 7 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The location will be collecting jackets until Jan. 16, but those in need can come collect gear through March 14.
Kids’ coats, as well as men’s XXL sizes, are in high demand, according to the drive’s website.
Anyone wanting to volunteer their time can contact Morgan Grant, Community Resource Coordinator, at 571-323-3674.
Photo via Unsplash
Users of the bicycle and pedestrian lane on Route 7 between Reston Avenue and Reston Parkway will have to find another route.
The section of the sidewalk will be closed for repairs, which are expected to begin today (Monday, Nov. 18).
The repairs are expected to last until April 2020 and will maintain utility lines and “earthworks,” according to the Virginia Department of Transporation (VDOT).
VDOT asks that people temporarily avoid the path and follow directions from roadwork signs.
The construction will only affect the “right of way” land owned by Fairfax County and not residents unless permission is granted from property owners.
Image via VDOT
A new DIY candle making experience is coming to Reston — just in time for the holidays.
Paddywax Candle Bar is coming to Reston Town Center (1816 Library Street) with a grand opening next Saturday (Nov. 23) and will allow customers to design their own candles.
Participants can choose their own container and scent combinations before an instructor assists them with the rest of the process. There are more than 2,000 possible combinations, according to a press release.
The candle making classes cost $40 which includes a take-home candle, which is available for pick-up three hours later.
Premade candles at the shop cost around $12-25.
Paddywax Candle Bar first opened its doors in Nashville, and the Reston shop will mark the company’s 8th location in the U.S.
Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase during candle making classes for guests over the age of 21.
Participants are also eligible for 20% off their purchase of candles, greeting cards, hair accessories, personal care items and textiles after their class.
Photo via Paddywax Candle/Facebook
The restoration of Snakeden Branch Stream, which flows into Lake Audubon, is underway after crews broke ground on the project in early October.
The project spans 750 feet down the stream and will improve water quality, protect the ecosystem, improve wildlife habitat and remove invasive species around the area, according to the Fairfax County website.
Construction was originally slated to begin this summer but was delayed.
Surveys were done to ensure local endangered bat and foliage populations were not affected by the work.
The project should be completed by October 2020 and will cost around a million dollars, according to Fairfax County, which added the project will be funded by the Stormwater Service District.
Image via Fairfax County
Seven art organizations across Fairfax County, including the Greater Reston Arts Center, were recently awarded part of a $105,296 grant from ARTSFAIRFAX.
The Greater Reston Arts Center plans to use the funds to display works from Moira Dryer, who currently has a larger selection of works displayed in D.C.
Dryer’s work “Yours for the Taking” is expected to be available for viewing from January to April, and the Reston Greater Arts Center is set to host a reception and curator talk on Jan. 18 from 4-7 p.m.
Each organization will receive a sum of money between $1,000 to $30,000 to assist with a specific project. ARTSFAIRFAX declined to share the specific grant amounts for recipients with Reston Now.
The seven art centers demonstrated factors including enrichment, economic growth for the area, accessibility to art and the ability to foster individual creativity, according to a press release.
“Project awardees presented innovative and creative means to engage the community and bring people together to experience arts in fresh and unusual ways,” the press release said.
Other grant recipients include the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts and the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra.
Image via Greater Reston Arts Center/Facebook
The Reston Association is set to hold a final public hearing for the Reston 2020-2021 budget next week.
The meeting will take place at RA Head Quarters (12001 Sunrise Valley Drive) beginning at 6:30 p.m. next Thursday (Nov. 21) and will be a chance for community members to share their concerns and grievances with the RA Board of Directors before they vote on the budget.
In 2020, Reston is expected to roughly raise $19 million in revenue with the operating budget, and operating costs are only expected to add up to $16 million, leaving a $3 million surplus, according to RA documents.
“Through these meetings, the board identifies revenues and expenses that should be added or eliminated based on the association’s strategic goals,” according to the RA website.
Photo via Reston Association
The Reston Association is seeking several candidates for seats on its Board of Directors for the upcoming election in March.
There are currently four open positions on the board for 2020 and include two at-large positions, an apartment owners’ seat and the Hunters Woods/Dogwood District seat.
One of the at-large positions is for a one-year term while the other is for a three-year term.
Candidates must be a Reston Association member to qualify for a position and announce their candidacy by Jan. 24. People can email RA if they have questions.
There will be a meeting on Jan. 9 at 7 p.m. in the Reston Association Headquarters (12001 Sunrise Valley Drive) for anyone interested in candidacy.
Photo via YouTube/Reston Association
Later this month, people in Reston have the chance to celebrate the holidays with a day of festivities.
The Reston Holiday Parade is set to take place on Friday (Nov. 29) in the Reston Town Center (11900 Market Street) and includes family-friendly events that are scheduled to take place throughout the day.
Festivities will kick-off with a half-mile parade beginning at 11 a.m., which will last an hour and feature “Macy’s-style balloons, musicians, dancers, antique cars, characters, community groups, dignitaries, special guest emcees,” according to the event website.
Children will be given bells along the parade route.
The route will run along Market Street and finish up with Mr. and Mrs. Clause, which kids will have the opportunity to interact with later.
People can enjoy mini train rides, street entertainment and take photos with Mr. and Mrs. Clause from noon until 4:30 p.m, following the parade.
At 6 p.m. there will be a Fountain Square tree lighting and sing-along, followed by horse-drawn carriage rides from 6:30 until 10 p.m.
All proceeds from the paid activities will benefit local charities.
Photo via Reston Town Center
The new owners of Normandy Farm in Great Falls want to expand the current equestrian center on the property — with permission from Fairfax County.
The Youngkin family bought parts of the Normandy Farms property (681 Rossmore Court) in 2015 and 2019 before applying for the roughly 31 acres of land to be reclassified as an agricultural and forest district.
The family claims the land has no historical significance for the area but they hope to preserve the nine acres of forest on the property and enhance equestrian infrastructure on the property.
The land includes barns, indoor and outdoor riding arenas, boarding and training facilities, horse pastures, meadows and a pond, which is home to Canadian geese, a blue heron and turtles, according to county documents. The documents also noted that the family plans to maintain the natural importance of the land.
“The proposed application is in conformance with plan goals of preserving the rural character of this environmentally sensitive area,” the application said.
The Youngkin family requested a public hearing with the Fairfax County Agricultural and Forestal District Advisory Board and the Fairfax County Planning Commission to review their application, according to the documents, which likely won’t happen before spring 2020.
The Planning Commission is tentatively scheduled to consider the application in February.
Image via Google Maps
Monday is Veterans Day — a chance to celebrate the servicemen and women who currently or previously served in the United States Armed Forces.
Across Herndon and Reston, certain businesses or offices are altering hours in remembrance or even offering perks for veterans.
The Town of Herndon will host a remembrance ceremony on the Town Green at 11 a.m. in coordination with the American Legion Post 184.
Founding Farmers (1904 Reston Metro Plaza) is offering a 50% discount on brunch, lunch and dinner for those who bring along a military ID or wear their uniform. The Department of Veterans Affairs compiled a list of other chain locations offering discounts or free things for servicewomen and men.
The Herndon Community Center will operate from 6 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. and also offer free admission for retired veterans and active military personnel with military ID. The Reston Community Center will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., according to its website.
The Fairfax County government offices and Fairfax County Public Libraries will be closed in remembrance, according to their website.
Fairfax County Public Schools will be open and teachers are encouraged to lead students in Veterans Day oriented activities.
Across the county, all neighborhood and community service centers will be closed.
Trash collection from the county will run on a normal schedule, although the offices will be closed, according to the website. Locals are advised to put their trash and recycling out by 6 a.m. for timely collection.
Fairfax County animal shelters are closed on Mondays, the website said.
Some Fairfax Connector routes will operate regular weekday service, while others won’t run at all.
An upcoming book about Herndon wants to teach kids about the town’s history and culture.
“A Day in Herndon” is a mixed-media book that walks the reader through a day of personified farm animals from Frying Pan Farm Park who take a field trip to Herndon.
The book will be available on Saturday (Nov. 9) at a book signing celebration at ArtSpace Herndon (750 Center Street) from 10 a.m. until noon and is also on sale online for $15.95.
Readers will notice photography and illustrations from co-authors and friends Jill Vinson and Watt Hamlett, who met each other when they were neighbors in Reston. Vinson said she has since moved and now lives in Herndon.
Each animal featured in the story is excited to see something different around town, according to Hamlett.
“We have a pig who wanted to check out the art around Herndon,” Hamlett said. “We wanted to take kids on our tour through the community.”
Hamlett and Vinson published their first book — “Reston A to Z” — three years ago.
When they were selling the book at the Lake Ann Farmers Market, people suggested that they write another book together about Herndon.
“There are so many people within the community who are really excited for this,” Vinson said.
In the future, the authors hope to sell the book around town and allow organizations to sell it for fundraising purposes. They already have a deal with Green Lizard Cycling, which plans to sell the book and donate some of the proceeds to an organization of their choice, Hamlett said.
Photo courtesy Watt Hamlett
As work gears up on the new fire station in Reston, construction crews will soon tear down the current one.
The demolition on the old facility (1820 Wiehle Avenue) is expected to begin early this December, William Delaney, a spokesperson for Fairfax County Fire and Rescue, said.
Construction is underway for a temporary station at 1800 Cameron Glen Drive to serve the community until the new facility is completed in 2021.
The existing location is too small and does not suit the needs of the community anymore, another spokesperson previously told Reston Now.
The new station will cost $14.8 million, double the size of the station and feature two stories with room for administrative offices, a dayroom, kitchen, storage and bunk rooms.
“I am sure there will be a grand re-opening ceremony when new station up and running,” Delaney said.
Image via Google Maps
Fairfax County voters are headed to the polls today.
In the Hunter Mill and Drainsville districts, there are several seats up for election including the Commonwealth’s Attorney, Fairfax County School Board positions and Board of Supervisors seats.
Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and voters can swing by anytime throughout the day.
There are several options for anyone wishing to monitor turnout and results. Fairfax County’s Twitter account will be posting updates at 9 a.m., noon and 3 p.m.
There are around 20 various polling locations, which will be open throughout the area. Voters can find their designated polling location using the My Neighborhood Map or through the Virginia Department of Elections website.
Below is a map of all the voting locations throughout Reston and Herndon.
The YMCA Fairfax County Reston is hosting a fundraising gala in celebration of its 20th anniversary.
This year’s annual gala will be held at the YMCA (12196 Sunset Hills Road) from 6-11 p.m. next Saturday (Nov. 16) and feature a dinner party, silent auction and after-party, according to the event page.
“Our mission ensures that no one is turned away from access to ‘Y’ programs and membership,” the page said.
Last year, the gala raised $280,000 for the center, according to the YMCA’s website.
Individual tickets start at $150 and sponsorships start at $1,000.
Image via YMCA Fairfax County Reston
