“The Diary of Anne Frank” is playing at the Reston Community Center this weekend.
The production by the Reston Community Players walks the audience through the life of a 13-year old girl who hid from the Nazis during the Holocaust, according to the event description.
“This powerful new adaptation captures the claustrophobic realities of their daily existence while Anne’s transcendent spirit is revealed as she voices her belief, ‘in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart,'” the event page said.
Showtimes take place on 8 p.m. March 6-7 at CenterStage (2310 Colts Neck Road), the website said. The sold-out Sunday matinee will begin at 2 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased online.
Tomorrow (March 7)
- Veronneau in the Wine Room (6:30-9:30 p.m.) — Lynn Veronneau and Ken Avis will be performing multi-cultural jazz at Lake Anne Coffee House & Wine Bar (1612 Washington Plaza). Reservations can be made by calling 703-481-9766.
- Babysitting Class (11 a.m. until noon) — This event will help teenagers learn how to take care of kids while babysitting. Ages 12-14 are welcome to attend the free event at PM Pediatrics (905 Herndon Parkway).
- ZUMBA Spring Fling (9-10:30 a.m.) — Herndon Community Center (814 Ferndale Ave) is hosting a Zumba fundraiser to benefit Parks & Recreation Scholarship Fund, which helps subsidize summer camps. People over the age of 16 are welcome, and tickets are $10. The class will be taught by instructors and there will be refreshments and door prizes, according to the event page.
Sunday (March 8)
- Reston 10 Miler (8-10 a.m.) — Runners in the area can gather at South Lakes High School (11400 South Lakes Drive) for a competitive race. Awards will be given out for the first few people to complete the course. Online registration starts are $50.
- Why Native Plants (4-5 p.m.) — Certified Virginia Master Gardener Elisa Meara will be at the Green Fare Organic Cafe (408 Elden Street) to host a workshop about native plants that locals can integrate into their own gardens this summer. Tickets are free and those interested can register online.
Photo via Reston Community Players/Facebook
Homeowners in the Herndon area looking to install new hardwood floors will have another retail option with the grand opening of District Floor Depot.
The showroom (1051 Elden Street) is expected to open in April, according to a customer representative.
The shop will offer customers six different hardwood floor styles including traditional, distressed, luxury resilience, renewable, reclaimed and exotic, according to the website.
The varieties vary in cost, and prices can be found online.
Other District Floor Depot locations include two in D.C. at 1600 Rhode Island Ave NE and 1306 Good Hope Road SE, the website said.
Photo via District Floor Depot/Facebook
New stores and businesses are preparing to open at Herndon’s latest retail development.
The Elden Corner Center development (902 Alabama Drive) includes space for eight commercial relators, a spokesperson for Capital Realty Advisors said, adding that all of the storefronts — except for one — are already rented out.
According to the spokesperson, tenants will include:
- Bodega El Paisa, a grocery and market
- Paraiso Latino Restaurant and Bakery
- an apparel store
- Serenity Spa, a body massage business
- Boost Mobile
- Madina Pollo Rico
Boost Mobile will be the first business to open in the shopping center, the spokesperson said, adding that it is expected to open by the end of the month.
The last spot available for lease “has been built out for [a] hair salon use,” according to the representative, but can also be used for other retail use.
“Some of the stores are almost ready to open up, while others are just beginning to do their custom build-outs, but everything should be open by the end of this year,” landlord and owner Sanjay Bajaj said in a press release.
Photo courtesy Elden Corner Center
For the first time ever, Fairfax County has a strategic plan and it aims to address existing issues and plan ahead for the future.
The idea for the plan originated in January 2019 and took roughly a year to complete, according to county documents, which added that the final version of the plan was introduced to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 27.
In the proposal, nine main priorities are outlined as a point of focus for the next 10 to 20 years, according to the Fairfax County website.
Priorities include:
- Cultural and Recreational Opportunities
- Economic Opportunity
- Effective and Efficient Government
- Empowerment and Support for Residents Facing Vulnerability
- Health and Environment
- Housing and Neighborhood Livability
- Lifelong Education and Learning
- Mobility and Transportation
- Safety and Security
Each of the plan aspects includes a roughly five-page summary in the plan, encompassing how the county plans to measure growth using metrics, questions that lead to the decision to include the topic, strategies for improvement and a summary of the issue.
For example, under the economic opportunity section, ways to measure success include the number of jobs created by Fairfax County as a result of county contracts and the number of businesses that relocate to the area– bring jobs with them, the plan said.
When it came to the creation of the plan, consideration included community input from roughly 17,355 survey responses and 1,674 in-person meetings, according to the plan.
Anyone around Reston interested in commenting on this final draft of the plan can attend a meeting on April 1 at the Reston Community Center, Lake Anne (1609 Washington Plaza).
Photo via Fairfax County
Work is now underway on the $12 million renovation for the Hunters Woods Fellowship House in Reston.
The groundbreaking took place on Thursday (Feb. 27) for construction on the building (2231 Colts Neck Road), which serves as low-income housing for more than 300 seniors, according to a press release. All of the residents have a yearly income of roughly $12,000.
Fellowship Square Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides affordable housing and other services in the area, have several planned changes to update the 225-unit facility.
The project will include new flooring, finishes and lighting; an update to a game room; a new lobby; updated landscaping and exterior; improvement of energy efficiency; and other features to help battle resident loneliness, the press release said.
“Here in Northern Virginia, we have nowhere near the level of housing for low-income seniors that we need, and this trend will only grow worse with the aging of baby-boomers and expanding redevelopment projects that drive prices up,” Christy Zeitz, the CEO of Fellowship Square said.
Renovations are expected to be completed in 2022 and will take 18 months, according to the press release, which added that this is Fellowship Square’s second “major” project since it was built in 1979.
Photo via Fellowship Square/Facebook
Before Esther Hanes died from cancer last year, she handed down the Cinnamon Tree to a new owner, who is now moving the shop to a larger spot in Herndon.
The dance supply shop is moving down the street to a vacant spot at 305 Spring Street after 42 years at 1108 Herndon Parkway, according to Caitlin Kenney, the shop’s new owner.
People are invited to celebrate a grand opening on Saturday (March 7) from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. after a soft opening on Friday (March 6).
The grand opening party will include music, a swag bag for the first 25 customers, specialized fittings and other promotions, according to Kenney, who is in the midst of party planning.
The new location will include over 2,000 square feet of space, Kenney said, adding that the shop will now also include costume consignments.
The shop carries dance clothing for men, women and kids, and everything sold at the Cinnamon Tree will be professional brands, according to Kenney, who said she prides herself about the items’ quality.
“I don’t want my name on something that will fall apart,” she said.
As a little girl, Kenney said she was a regular and often visited with her own mother.
Kenney began working at the shop when she was 14 and said Hanes, the shop’s founder, was eager to keep her on board. She often spent time at the shop and worked various shifts when Hanes was feeling ill later in her life.
When Hanes retired, almost giving up her business after she had been diagnosed with cancer, Kenney stepped in to defend the shop and offered to take ownership.
Hanes almost closed the shop because of a drop in sales from online shopping, Kenney said. “I wasn’t willing to let the business go,” she said.
Today, people still stop by the shop to check-in on Hanes, Kenney said, adding that the elderly woman had a huge impact on the community around her and always knew how to make a welcoming impression on customers.
With the upcoming grand opening, Kenney said she is excited for the overdue move, saying that “the landlord just did a huge facelift on the exterior of the building and it’s stunning.”
The shop’s hours of operation will be Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. until 4 p.m., according to the shop’s newsletter.
Photo courtesy Caitlin Kenney
A celebration to celebrate Reston’s upcoming Founder’s Day will take place on April 18 from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. While most of the activities are familiar for frequent visitors and Restonians — including a parade at Lake Anne Plaza — this year’s event features a float parade.
For this year’s celebration, the Reston Historic Trust & Museum is asking community members to build mini mobile floats encompassing the theme “Reston: Past, Present and Future,” according to the event page.
Everyone is welcome to create a float but they must be three-feet wide and five-feet long, or smaller, the page said, adding that they can not be motorized and should be based on something like a wagon or skateboard.
Participation in the parade is free, but people must register beforehand and read the community guidelines.
Image via Reston Historic Trust & Museum/ Artwork by Eric MacDicken
After people may have lost sight of their New Year’s regulations, enVISION 2020 invites people to rebuild or create a new vision board.
A vision board is a guide to help people realize their goals and imagine what they want their life to look like, according to the HuffPost, which added it usually collages magazine clippings, photos and paper accents.
This session will take place on Saturday (Feb. 29) and feature music, food and guidance from two mental health professionals, according to the event page.
The session will take place at Best Life Therapeutic Services, LLC (11250 Roger Bacon Drive). Tickets are $40, and the event will run from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Tomorrow (Feb. 29)
- Get to Know Your Muslim Neighbor (11 .m. until 3 p.m.) — The Reston Regional Library (11925 Bowman Towne Drive) is hosting an event where people from all cultures can come mingle and learn about history while enjoying activities such as henna and calligraphy. Coffee will be provided at this free event.
- Ramen ‘Round the World Cooking Class (11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.) — Attendees will learn how to make umami-rich soup at 100 Bowls of Soup (279 Sunset Park Drive). The tickets are $75.
Sunday (March 1)
- “City of Peace” Book Talk (1 to 2 p.m.) — Trinity Presbyterian Church (651 Dranesville Road) is hosting a book event with author Henry Brinton. People will have the chance to ask questions and buy a copy for $17.
- Herndon Depot Museum Reopening (noon to 4 p.m.) — This weekend, people can attend a train show and silent auction featuring antiques at 717 Lynn Street to celebrate the reopening of the Herndon Depot Museum. People will also have the chance to learn about telegraphs, according to the Facebook page.
Photo by Andy Art on Unsplash
For the 4oth year, the people around town can enjoy themselves at the upcoming Herndon Festival.
The celebration will take place from May 28- 31 at Northwest Federal Credit Union (200 Spring Street). Events will take place throughout the weekend and many of them will be free according to the event’s website.
For the second year, the festival will be at a new location due to the planned redevelopment in downtown Hernon. Developer Comstock Companies, which is working with town on the project has not broken ground on the project, which was expected to begin in late 2019.
This festival is organized by the Town of Herndon’s Parks and Recreation Department along with local businesses and vendors, the website said.
Activities this year will include entertainment on three stages, a carnival, children’s hands-on art area, arts & crafts show, business expo, 10K and 5K races, a fitness expo and a variety of food vendors, a press release said.
A map of activities and festival layout can already be found online.
Event planners are beginning to release the concert lineups. For example, the alternative-rock band “Broke Royals” will be performing on the Parkway Stage from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 28.
For those who bike to the festival, organizers are offering a free bike valet until 10 p.m., according to the event page.
Image via Herndon Festival Facebook
An addiction treatment center for drugs and alcohol recently announced its plans to expand into the Reston area.
Sandstone Care specializes in addiction treatment and care for young adults and teens. The center plans to open its doors for patients this spring at 11415 S. Isaac Newton Square, according to its Facebook page.
“We’re excited to announce the opening of our Reston, VA office in early Spring 2020!” the post said. “Stay tuned for more information, including details of our upcoming Open House!”
Currently, Sandstone Care has locations in Colorado and D.C. for patients ages 13-30, according to its website. Outpatient care options include detox, teen residential treatment, extended care, sober living programs and more, according to the website.
Reston Now reached out to Sandstone about the upcoming location and is awaiting more details.
Photo via Sandstone Care/Facebook
Three local businesses decided to partner on a brand new monthly book and tea pairing for people looking for book lovers and stay-cationers.
The program, which makes its debut on Wednesday (Feb. 26), allows people to pick up a predetermined book and tea pairing at Elden Street Tea Shop (714 Pine Street) for $34.95, according to Bridget Blakely, a spokesperson from Mascot Books.
“Three weeks after the pairing’s launch, readers are invited to participate in the novel-tea book club and discussion at the tea shop, ” Rachel Eisenfeld, the owner of Elden Street Tea Shop, said in a Q&A.
Each month, the tea for the pairings will be chosen by Elden Street Tea Shop while books will be chosen by Mascot Books and then supplied by Scrawl Books (11911 Freedom Drive), according to Blakely.
For the first month, program participants will be able to read “Anna Incognito” while sipping a cup of Crème Earl Grey, Blakely said.
“We tried to do a good mix of fiction and non-fiction and caffeinated teas versus herbal teas,” Blakely said.
Going forward, a new pairing will be available at the end of each month, according to a press release.
Photo courtesy Bridget Blakely
Sweetgreen has requested permission from Fairfax County to renovate property down the block from its current location 11935 Democracy Drive in Reston, according to county documents.
The chain salad restaurant submitted documents with Fairfax County to redesign the interior of a spot at 1824 Library Street in Reston Town Center.
A Sweetgreen representative said that a new location will be opening in the area, but did not specify what will happen to the current location.
The new location will include outdoor seating and a patio, according to the permits.
The eatery, with locations across the D.C. and Northern Virginia areas, serves a variety of seasonal salads and fresh eats, according to the website.
It is unclear when the new location will open.
Photo via Sweetgreen/Facebook
On Wednesday (Feb. 26), Reston residents can attend a candidates’ forum with candidates running in the upcoming Reston Association Board of Directors election.
The public is invited to the debate-style forum at the RA headquarters (12001 Sunrise Valley Drive) beginning at 6:30 p.m. All seven candidates will available for a meet and greet as well, according to the event listing.
In this election, candidates will be competing for four open seats and the RA encourages all members and residents to vote. A minimum of 10 percent voter turnout is needed to make the results official.
The election will take place from March 2 until April 3, according to the RA, which added results will be available online later in April.
Those who cannot attend the forum in person, can watch it online and are even able to submit questions through email until the end of today (Feb. 24).
Participating candidates are below:
At-Large (3-year term):
- Kerri Bouie
- Robert T. Petrine
At-Large (1-year term):
- Paul Berry
- Sarah Selvaraj-Dsouza
Hunters Woods/Dogwood (3-year):
- Caren Anton
Apartment Owner (3-year):
- Mike Collins
- Jennifer Sunshine Jushchuk
Beginning later today, Reston Now will begin publishing candidate statements written by those running.
Photo via RA/Facebook
Lovers of independent films can check out the Vidi Space Film Festival in Reston this weekend, which features films and panels from celebrities.
The festival which will take place on Saturday (Feb. 22) at Bow Tie Cinemas (11940 Market Street) was originally created to “encapsulate all haunted, unknown and supernatural things,” according to the event page.
Independent filmmakers were invited to submit their independent films through the end of 2019, the website said, and the films will be judged in various categories. They will receive awards for things like best actor and best experimental feature.
“As filmmakers ourselves, our mission is to promote independent filmmakers and provide a platform for a new audience to appreciate your work,” the event page said.
Tickets start at around $100 for a day pass and tickets for individual films start at $10.
Tomorrow (Feb. 22)
Stuff the Bus (9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) — At this charity event, people can go to Fox mill Giant (2551 John Milton Drive) in Herndon and donate food toward families in need through Helping Hungry Kids.
Dazzle Dance — Hit the Red Carpet (6 to 8 p.m. ) — Families in Reston can attend a gala at Life Time Athletic (1757 Business Center Drive) where they will be treated with appetizers, a DJ and a red carpet. Tickets are $20 and kids under four are free.
Jazz Pianist Quentin Walston (6:30 to 9:30 p.m.) — Lake Anne Coffee House & Wine Bar (1612 Washington Plaza) will host a concert for people featuring this upcoming artist. People are invited to come to try a selection of wine and enjoy the free music.
Sunday (Feb. 23)
Empower Hip Hop Dance Class for Dancers with Special Needs (4 to 9 p.m.) — Monsters Dance will host a hip-hop dance class for those with special needs at the Hyatt Regency Reston (1800 Presidents Street). “In keeping with Monsters’ mission to provide dancers with real opportunities, these unique eMpower classes allow dancers with special needs the chance to express themselves in a fun and safe environment,” the event listing said.
At tonight’s Reston Association Board Meeting, attendees can expect discussion on a variety of topic such as the 2019 budget, planning for future community events and forward looking plans for things like RA facility maintenance and bus routes.
The meeting is expected to begin at 6:30 p.m. and presentations from speakers are likely to begin around 7:25, according to the online agenda.
For the 37th Annual Reston Triathlon, which will take place in September, event organizers are requesting permission to use Lake Audubon and the Lake Audubon Pool Facilities for the swim portion of the event and swim to bike transition area, according to RA documentation.
Later in the meeting, the RA is expected to approve easements of a common area along Wiehle Avenue near the southern intersection with North Shore Drive for the installation of Fairfax County for a bus stop facility.
Resurfacing from 2017, another key topic of this meeting will be a review of StoneTurn’s recommendations for RA policies, which will help the organization to run more smoothly, according to RA.
Lastly, RA will discuss a plan to refurbish and maintain many of its amenities and facilities by conducting a facilities’ review and analysis.
RA community members are also welcome to share their thoughts with the board during the meeting. Individuals will be given three minutes to speak and those representing a group or homeowners association will have five minutes.
Image via RA
