Robert Simon founded Reston in 1964. For the last 54 years, the community has celebrated Founder’s Day in the spring, around the date of Simon’s birthday.
The Reston Historic Trust and Museum is hosting the 55th annual anniversary on Saturday (April 6) with festivities around Lake Anne Plaza.
Founder’s Day this year will include a moon bounce, children’s activities, face painting, a public art tour and exhibits at the Reston Historic Trust and Museum and RCC Lake Anne’s Jo Ann Rose Gallery.
Attendees can also share their Reston stories with recorded oral histories from 1-3 p.m. at RCC Lake Anne. Meanwhile, exhibit enthusiasts can find several around the area including “Fine Lines” at the Jo Ann Rose Gallery, which features artists’ interpretations of lines.
Tomorrow (April 6)
- Run or walk (8 a.m.) — The Reston Runners will go for a 3-mile walk or 5-mile run starting at South Lakes High School.
- “You Gouda Brie Kidding!” (11 a.m.-2 p.m.) — Frying Pan Farm Park will celebrate National Grilled Cheese month with cooks frying up sandwiches and a variety of cheeses to sample. Attendees can also learn how to make fresh cheese at home and about cultural takes on different melted cheese treats. Tickets are $3.
- Kwame Alexander and Randy Preston (4-5:30 p.m.) — Newbery award-winning author Kwame Alexander and musician Randy Preston will team up for a performance at the Reston Regional Library. The free show will celebrate the paperback release of Alexander’s “Booked” and “The Crossover” in addition to the release of Alexander’s newest picture book called “The Undefeated.”
Sunday (April 7)
- Bird walk at Bright Pond (7:30-10:30 a.m.) — Bird enthusiasts can search for birds at a variety of sites around Reston.
- History of World War II (2-4 p.m.) — Harry Butowsky from George Mason University will present the fourth part of his six-part lecture series at the Reston Regional Library.
- “Liner Notes” (3 p.m.) — A show combining live music, poetry and a multimedia design will perform at CenterStage at RCC Hunters Woods. Tickets are $15 for Restonians and $20 for non-Restonians.
Photo via Reston Historic Trust and Museum
Police are investigating the death of a man who was reportedly suffering from “upper body trauma” near downtown Herndon, according to the Herndon Police Department.
Around 1 a.m. today (April 5), police responded to the 600 block of Clearwater Court for a report of an unresponsive man with trauma to his upper body, according to the report. The 45-year-old man was pronounced dead around 2 a.m. at the Reston Hospital Center, police say.
Police say there is no known threat to public safety and are asking for anyone with information regarding the incident at contact Detective Miranda at 703-435-6843.
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A new preschool on North Village Road is bringing 35 jobs to the Reston area.
Primrose Schools, a private preschool franchise, recently expanded its reach by opening at 1309 N. Village Road in January.
In addition to the nearly three dozen jobs, Rina Patel and Urvi and Beau Athia, the franchise owners, have invested more than $5.5 million in the local economy through building renovation costs, according to a press release.
“We’re thrilled to bring new life to this space in the Reston community and provide a much-needed service for parents in the area,” Athia said in the press release.
With 10 classrooms and a playground, the 10,000-square-foot offers early education and care to more than 150 children and their families, the press release says. The new facility — the 16th for Virginia — is part of a franchise that has more than 400 schools in 29 states and is accredited through AdvancED.
The school will celebrate its grand opening on Saturday (April 6) from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Photo via Primrose Schools
(Updated at 10:45 a.m.) A new business is gearing up to take its formerLake Anne Plaza spot of Singh Thai, which closed five days ago.
Lake Anne Plaza posted on Facebook that a business called “Local VA” has a “coming soon” sign up on the door at 1633 N. Washington Plaza.
“Oooh! Looks like we’re getting a new neighbor!” the post says. “Welcome to the neighborhood!”
Local VA describes itself on Instagram as “the next go-to spot for local food, drinks and positive vibes.”
After nine years at Lake Anne Plaza, the locally owned Thai restaurant closed on Sunday (March 31).
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Artsplay at the library — A Wolf Trap teaching artist and library staff will share music, drama and movement to encourage self-expression and imaginative play in a series of five classes at the Herndon Fortnightly Library. Today’s class runs from 1:30-2:15 p.m. [Fairfax County]
Arbor Day — Restonians can plant native trees and shrubs in various locations around Reston, which is a certified Tree City USA. A presentation and flag-raising ceremony will take place at 11:45 a.m. at the Walker Nature Center, followed by a free pizza lunch for volunteers. The event last from 9:30 a.m.-noon [Reston Association]
Open mic poetry — Author Sid Gold and poet Sally Zakariya will share their work at an open mic from 7-9 p.m. at ArtSpace Herndon. [ArtSpace Herndon]
Newbery award-winning author Kwame Alexander and musician Randy Preston will team up on Saturday (April 6) for a performance at the Reston Regional Library.
The free show at from 2-4 p.m. 11925 Bowman Towne Drive will celebrate the paperback release of Alexander’s “Booked” and “The Crossover” in addition to the release of Alexander’s newest picture book called “The Undefeated.”
Books will be available for purchase, and a limited number of free copies will be given to Fairfax County Public School educators at the event, which is hosted in partnership with the Reston Regional Library and Scrawl Books.
Photo via Reston Regional Library
(Updated at 9:30 on April 8) After 38 years at Lake Anne Plaza, Small Change Consignment is set to close its doors on June 29 at 5 p.m.
Shop Owner Susann Gerstein told Reston Now that she opened the shop at the age of 32 with her two friends Kathy Paolini and Margaret Johnson. (Paolini retired in 1989, followed by Johnson in 2002.)
As young moms, the three women wanted to provide families with affordable toys and clothes at Lake Anne Plaza — what Gerstein calls “the heart and soul of Reston.”
“From the beginning, we were hoping to create a community space for families to shop and play and chat and that has been my biggest satisfaction, because it really has turned out that way,” Gerstein said. “It is a true community space.”
The shop originally opened in the space that Dogma Bakery now occupies before moving to its current and larger spot at 1629 N. Washington Plaza.
Even with twice the space, Small Change is nearly bursting with rows of kids’ and maternity clothing and toys, including a large selection of ones from Melissa and Doug. Right next to the front door is the Best of Reston award that the shop won in 1992.
Fast forward nearly 40 years, a “skyrocketed” rent is the reason for the closure in June, which Gerstein announced at the end of a panel on International Women’s Day (March 8).
When asked about the upcoming closure by a customer in the shop today (April 4), Gerstein described it as part of the life cycle of businesses at the plaza.
She is hopeful, though, that the store can survive at a different location under new owners.
“There are so many people who want us to stay open,” Gerstein said, adding that people should keep an eye on the Facebook page for the next few months after the shop closes for any announcements about a re-opening elsewhere.
People can drop off clothes to sell through the third week of April.
The shop also has a range of discounts, which will increase as the closing date nears, Gerstein said. Toys are nearly 40 percent off and winter clothes are 80 percent off. Spring and summer attire will have pop-up sales on different days that will get announced on Facebook
“It’s been such a great adventure,” Gerstein said.
Work on a new townhome community is on schedule to add to the growing residential options along Sunrise Valley Drive.
Construction crews are currently framing the 54 open-concept townhomes Toll Brothers’ Valley and Park development, a Toll Brother spokeswoman told Reston Now.
The spokeswoman said that the project is “currently on schedule” with anticipated completion in 2021.
When asked about the sign on the site that says the development is “opening early 2019,” the spokeswoman responded that Toll Brothers expects a late spring or early summer opening.
Work started on the project in 2017 when trucks tore down a six-story office building that was on the site at 11720 Sunrise Valley Drive, which is close to both the Wiehle-Reston East and the future Reston Town Center Metro stations.
The four different townhome plans all feature three bedrooms, two full bathrooms and three half bathrooms and are priced in the upper-$700,000s, according to Toll Brothers.
The Reston Association recently unveiled the winners of the Volunteer Reston Service Awards, which recognize people, groups and community businesses who helped serve the community through various volunteer projects each year.
Doug Britt, who has helped collect environmental data, and Cindy Metcalf, who coordinates and leads classes on how to start a garden, both nabbed the top honor as “Volunteers of the Year.”
Here are the rest of the winners for the different categories:
- 55+ Volunteer: Don Coram
- Group Volunteer Service: Southgate Community Center Advisory Council
- Community Partner of the Year: Public Affairs Support Services, Inc.
- Committee and/or Work Group Volunteer of the Year: Pony Barn Working Group
A reception on April 18 at The Lake House (11450 Baron Cameron Avenue) will celebrate the volunteers.
Photo via Facebook
Herndon student makes honors choir — A student from Herndon Middle School, along with 79 other students from Fairfax County public schools, has been selected by the Virginia Choral Directors Association to perform at the All-Virginia Middle School Honors Choir event scheduled for April 4-6. [FCPS]
Millennials book club — Today, adults in their early 20s and 30s can discuss “Carry On, Jeeves” by PG Wodehouse at the Reston Regional Library from 7-8:30 p.m. [Fairfax County]
What’s up with the Silver Line? — A series of stories by Bisnow is looking at how little of the Silver Line expansion is built as it nears its debut and the developments slated to pop up around the Metro area. [Bisnow]
Restonian bringing laughs to Herndon — Dark Horse Theatre Company will present the regional premiere of the dark comedy, “The Value of Moscow,” by Amy Dellagiarino, who grew up in Reston and is a South Lakes High School alumna, on April 12-27 at ArtSpace Herndon. [Connection Newspapers]
Photo courtesy Layna Cook
Looking to grab a bite to eat and listen to live music in Herndon?
Reston Now rounded up some spots where DJs and local bands regularly take to the stage.
Breakers Sky Lounge (2445 Centreville Road)
What’s on the menu: All of the bar food favorites (wings, nachos, pot stickers), all-day breakfast, pizza, pasta, burgers and sandwiches.
Live music: Customers can listen to a live band from 8 p.m.-10:30 p.m. followed by a DJ on Saturdays There’s also karaoke Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Acoustic Mutiny, a four-person modern and classic rock band in Northern Virginia, perform on Thursdays from 6:30-8:30 p.m. with an open mic.
Sully’s Pour House (754 Elden Steet, Suite 102)
What’s on the menu: Classic American bar food plus Irish fare, including corned beef and cabbage, chicken pot pie and fish and chips.
Live music: A live band plays every Friday night. Huntley, a pop and blues singer, is set to perform on Friday (April 5), according to Sully’s Facebook page.
Amphora Restaurant and Diner (1151 Elden Street)
What’s on the menu: A wide range of American diner food.
Live music: The Folk Club of Reston/Herndon frequents the diner every Tuesday night at 7:15 p.m. with live music and an open mic. Their performances have a suggested $10 donation for members and $11 for nonmembers.
Ned’s Irish Sports Pub (2465 Centerville Road)
What’s on the menu: American and Irish dishes.
Live music: The pub has karaoke on Tuesdays, country line dancing on Thursdays and DJ HyRyze on Saturdays. Events and live music fill up its Friday nights. Washington DC-based rock band JunkFood is set to perform on Friday (April 5) starting at 10 p.m.
Jimmy’s Old Town Tavern (697 Spring Street)
What’s on the menu: Mostly sandwiches, seafood and steaks.
Live music: Open mic night is Wednesdays, which features local live bands and musicians. Diners can enjoy a DJ and dancing on Fridays and Saturdays. Live bands and DJs also perform on Thursdays. Rock cover band Rescue Squad is set to perform at 8:30 p.m. next Thursday (April 11) as part of a Feline Foundation of Greater Washington fundraiser.
Photo via Facebook
The Herndon Town Council appears to be getting closer to finalizing revisions of the code of ethics — a move that some councilmembers say will ensure ethical behavior of future councils and erase a perception that the council skirts rules.
The councilmembers discussed the ordinance that would revamp their current code of ethics at last night’s Town Council work session. “I like the changes that you made,” Councilmember Signe Friedrichs told the town attorney. “They made it more easy to understand where things are.”
The ordinance would add this preamble:
WHEREAS, the proper operation of local government requires that public officials be independent, impartial and accountable to the citizens, that governmental decisions and policy be made through proper processes, that public office not be used for personal gain, and that the public have confidence in the integrity of its government and public officials; and
WHEREAS, as public officials we are charged with upholding the trust of the citizens and with obeying the law and respecting established policies and procedures; and
WHEREAS, as public officials we have taken the oath of office and have pledged that we will support and maintain the Constitution and laws of the United States, and the Constitution and laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia and further that we will faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of our office.
NOW THEREFORE, in recognition of our obligations as citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia and as public officials and citizens of the Town of Herndon, we do hereby adopt the following Code of Ethics to guide the Town’s council and council appointed board and commission members.
The rest of the ordinance also adds four more adjectives to describe how members of the town council and council appointed board and commission members should act, including: “faithfully and impartially perform their duties,” “demonstrate… independence” and “treat the public, town staff and each other in a respectful… manner.”
The councilmembers discussed how the new wording balances a need for more specific language with the concern that trying to list every single unethical behavior could end up missing some things.
The ordinance also would add numbered subheads and references to applicable sections of the Town of Herndon’s code and charter and the Code of Virginia. (The code of ethics is currently located in Article I of the second chapter under the Herndon Town Code.)
In addition to the code of ethics, Vice Mayor Sheila Olem said that she is looking forward to seeing social media guidelines.
“I think we have spent a ton of time on this, and we have a nice document here that should be — I feel like after all these discussions — pretty close, if not ready, for prime time,” Mayor Lisa Merkel said.
Image via Town of Herndon
(Updated at 10:45 a.m. on April 8) Scrawl Books, an independent bookstore in Reston, wants readers to pick up books written by local authors.
The book store first opened in 2015 at Wiehle Metro before moving to its current spot in Reston Town Center at 11911 Freedom Drive.
Along with its broad selection of titles for kids, teens and adult, Scrawl Books hosts weekly events to bring book lovers together for social hours, story time for kids and book clubs.
Reston Now asked Scrawl Books to share some favorite books about Reston or written by local authors. Here’s what the staff recommended, including two authors from Great Falls — L. M. Elliott and Angie Kim, and another book by Reston author Kwame Alexander.
“Hamilton and Peggy” by L. M. Elliott
Description: L. M. Elliott has researched and written several historical fiction novels for Young Adults, but they are fantastic reads for anyone who loves a great story, history and suspense.
Why we like her: Her book “Hamilton and Peggy” tells about a relatively unknown figure from the Hamilton narrative, Peggy Schuyler. Through Peggy, Elliott proves that girl power was always a thing — even during the Revolutionary War.
The book costs $17.99 at Scrawl Books.
“Miracle Creek” by Angie Kim
Description: This debut author’s first book, “Miracle Creek” hits the shelves in April, and it is an outstanding, character-driven drama. The story is told through a murder trial, but delves deep into the back story of each character and offers several different perspectives on a controversial medical treatment, cultural differences and our perceptions or misperceptions of people and circumstances.
Why we like her: Her characters are fascinating and the mystery holds up right to the end.
The book costs $17.99 at Scrawl Books.
“The Undefeated” by Kwame Alexander and illustrated by Kadir Nelson
Description: The Newbery winner composes novels in verse and poems for a younger audience (mostly middle grade and Young Adult), but his work is so compelling that readers of all ages find it difficult to resist and impossible to forget. His latest book, “The Undefeated” is based on a poem about black life that originally aired on ESPN and made an incredible impact. The book is even better!
Why we like him: His writing style is unique and his ability to tell a story is amazing. His support of the local community is immeasurable, and he goes out of his way to inspire kids (and adults) to read and write.
The book costs $17.99 at Scrawl Books.
Photos via Scrawl Books
Common Ground Childcare recently opened its second Reston location earlier this week.
The new location by the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station is the first expansion by Common Ground Childcare, which debuted in Reston in 1972, according to its website. It is geared toward kids ranging from infants up to the age of 2.
A ribbon-cutting on March 30 celebrated the opening of the new spot at 11480 Sunset Hills Road.
The original location at 1700 Wainwright Drive offers before-school, after-school and drop-in care for young kids.
Photo via Facebook
The National Weather Service has issued a warning indicating critical fire weather conditions for Fairfax County and the D.C.-area today (April 3).
The Red Flag Warning is in effect from noon-8 p.m.
More from NWS:
…RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR STRONG WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITIES FOR NORTHERN VIRGINIA… EASTERN WEST VIRGINIA AND NORTHERN AND CENTRAL MARYLAND…
The National Weather Service in Sterling Virginia has issued a Red Flag Warning for strong winds and low humidities, which is in effect from noon today to 8 PM EDT this evening.
* WINDS…West 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.
* IMPACTS…Gusty winds and very dry air will create conditions that may promote the rapid spread of wildfires. Prescribed burns may get out of control. Outdoor burning is not recommended.
* HUMIDITY…20 to 25 percent.
* FUEL MOISTURE… Less than 8 percent.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.
Reston is expected to hit a high of 65 degrees today with sunny weather and winds around 17 miles per hour, forecasters say.
A combination of strong winds (15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph), low relative humidity and warm temperatures may help fires spread rapidly, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue wrote in a post. The fire department is using the Red Flag Warning as an opportunity to remind residents that improperly discard cigarettes are a fire hazard.
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