Bobby Cadabra magic show — Head to the Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon for the magic show, which starts at 11 a.m. Tickets cost $5. [Fairfax County]
Dollars and Sense — The free monthly group at Reston Regional Library focuses on business leaders and markets. Tonight’s 7 p.m. discussion will be about Ric Edelman’s book “The Truth About Your Future.” [Fairfax County]
Money pouring into liquor stores — The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority said in a new report that its total sales were $983.3 million this fiscal year. The agency attributes the sales increase in part to opening five new stores across the state. [U.S. News & World Report]
Photo via David Toms
Loudoun County police arrested and charged a Reston man with driving under the influence last Wednesday night near Paeonian Springs.
A sheriff’s deputy spotted the driver, Karl F. Wolf, a 75-year-old Reston resident, going over the posted speed limit at the intersection of Route 7 and Route 9 at 10:23 p.m. on Dec. 19, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office.
Wolf has been released from the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center on an unsecured bond.
The Fairfax County Police Department’s Reston District Station reported the following incidents in recent days:
LARCENIES:
11900 block of Market Street, merchandise from business
11900 block of Market Street, cell phone from location
13200 block of Parcher Avenue, cell phone from school
11100 block of South Lakes Drive, merchandise from business
11800 block of Sunrise Valley Drive, cash from business
21800 block of Town Center Plaza, merchandise from business
STOLEN VEHICLES:
None reported
Fairfax County police discovered that the AT&T store at 1810 Library Street was broken into after they responded to an alarm going off at the store at 1:45 a.m. last Wednesday (Dec. 19). Police determined that someone stole electronics, according to the report.
Last Thursday (Dec. 20) Herndon police arrested 34-year-old Carlos S. Portillo of Herndon on four counts of sexual assault against a victim who knew him, according to the Herndon Police Department.
The assaults happened at the 1000 block of Alabama Drive, according to the report.
Portillo is currently being held at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center without bond, according to the report.
File photo
Hen Penny will close its doors on Sunday in Reston Town Center roughly 20 months after it opened.
Hen Penny, a spinoff of Pheast Food Group’s Hen Quarter restaurants in Alexandria, Va. and Silver Spring, Md., opened at 1820 Discovery Street in April 2017.
An employee told Reston Now that Dec. 30 is the final day for the restaurant. The employee did not know what prompted the decision to close the location.
Hen Penny has another location in New York City.
Last Saturday (Dec. 22), another restaurant closed in RTC, citing paid parking as one of the main causes behind the closure.
The Reston Town Center spot vacated by a Thai restaurant in May now has a future tenant.
Jinya Ramen Bar, a Japanese ramen restaurant chain, is “coming soon” to 11964 Market Street, according to the website.
The move to Reston is part of a larger expansion, with more than 10 other spots slated to open across the country, including California, Georgia, Lousiana and Texas.
The chain has already set up restaurants in 12 states and has nearby locations in D.C. and Fairfax, Va. Jinya Ramen Bar also has five locations in Canada.
Busara Thai Restaurant closed on May 19 after 13 years of business at that spot, Reston Now previously reported.
Back in May, an employee with the restaurant told Reston Now the shift from free to paid parking in Reston Town Center drove the decision to shut down as “revenue just went down the drain.”
Photos via Google Maps, Jinya Ramen Bar/Facebook
(Updated at 2:31 p.m.) We’re counting down the top 15 most-read articles of 2018 this week. Kicking off the list today is #11-15.
15. The closure of Obi Sushi in Reston Town Center over the weekend brought in 7,081 pageviews. An employee said that ever since Boston Properties, RTC’s owner, implemented paid parking, the restaurant has seen its number of customers dwindle.
14. Speaking of another business shuttering its doors in RTC, the upcoming closure of Williams-Sonoma in January was a popular post with 7,232 pageviews. A specific date for the closure has not been announced yet.
13. Residents’ concerns that upgrades to the plaza in the South Lakes Village Center will attract teens and noise collected 7,281 pageviews. Residents near the center and merchants said they worry that the new space will become a magnet for youth from Langston Hughes Middle School and South Lakes High School and also increase noise.
12. A 37-second video of a former Reston Association employee yelling “Why are you such a b**** Afghanistan?” and other profanities at a driver garnered attention with 7,288 pageviews. The man, who was described as a seasonal RA employee, posted the video on Facebook.
11. The arrest of an assistant principal at Hunters Woods Elementary School for shoplifting at the Target in Reston brought in 7,332 pageviews. Melissa Tochterman, 47, of Herndon, was arrested and charged with grand larceny in January and was then placed on leave from the school.
Look out for the #6-10 on the countdown tomorrow.
File photo
This story has been updated
Updated at 4:35 p.m. on Jan. 2 — A person was taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
Firefighters responded to an apartment fire on Christmas Day (Dec. 25).
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue units were at the scene at 7:03 p.m. of a fire in a bedroom closet of an apartment in the 1700 block of Ascot Way. An electrical event with the light fixture in the closet started the fire.
Smoke was spotted in the front of the two-story, condominium building. One person in the apartment self-evacuated after the smoke alarm went off and was transported to an area hospital with minor, non-life-threatening injuries, according to the fire department.
More from a fire department press release:
On Tuesday, December 25 at approximately 6:40 p.m., units were dispatched for a reported fire in a condominium in the 1700 block of Ascot Way in the Reston section of Fairfax County.
Units arrived on scene with smoke showing from the front of a two-story, condominium building. Crews quickly extinguished a fire in a bedroom of one of the units. There were no reports of firefighter injuries. One occupant was treated and transported to an area hospital with minor, non-life-threatening injuries.
There was one occupant home at the time of the fire. The fire was discovered by the occupant after a smoke alarm sounded. The occupant was able to self-evacuate and call 9-1-1.
Fire Investigators determined that the fire was accidental in nature and started in a bedroom closet. The cause of this fire was an electrical event involving the light fixture in the closet.
No one was displaced because of the fire. Red Cross assistance was offered but was declined. Damages as a result of the fire were approximately $18,750.
This story will be updated.
Units on scene of garden apartment fire in the 1700 Ascot Way in Reston with smoke showing from front. Report of fire in closet. #fcfrd #news #fairfaxcounty pic.twitter.com/1whjhEzdJ9
— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) December 26, 2018
Map via Google Maps
(Updated at 3:46 p.m.) Foodies who are hungry for more options can start craving these upcoming restaurant openings.
Italian, Thai and Afghan cuisine and more are heading to Reston and Herndon early next year.
Reston
Finn Thai Restaurant and Bar, a Thai restaurant, aims to open at 1466 North Point Village Center “around the beginning of 2019,” according to its website.
Bombay Velvet, a fine-dining, Indian restaurant, will open later in January at 12120 Sunset Hills Road, the restaurant confirmed on Facebook. Reston Now previously reported that the owner said the restaurant was planning to open sometime near Christmas.
Famous Toastery, a breakfast and brunch restaurant, will open next in February or March at JBG Smith’s RTC West development at 12120 Sunset Hills Road, Reston Now previously reported.
Fox Restaurant Concepts plans to open its North Italia concept at 11898 Freedom Drive in Reston Town Center by early 2019, Reston Now previously reported.
Herndon
Ramen and Rice will open at 482 Elden Street in Herndon Centre sometime in January or February, Owner Sirinda Liw previously told Reston Now.
Kabobi by the Helmand, a restaurant serving Afghan cuisine, plans to open in February at 2321 Dulles Station Blvd, Suite A near the Innovation Center Metro station, Owner Khaleeq Ahmad told Reston Now.
Wooboi Chicken is coming to 139 Spring Street, Suite 1 in January, according to its Facebook page.
Photos via Helmand Kabobi/Facebook, North Italia, Finn Thai and Wooboi Chicken
This story has been updated
Give blood today — INOVA’s bloodmobile will be in Reston Town Center today from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. [Reston Town Center]
RA’s winter break camp starts today — For parents who applied, the Reston Association’s begins today at 9 a.m. The campers participate in recreational activities, sports and arts and crafts. Kids should bring a packed lunch and a daily snack since the RA will offer only one daily snack. [Reston Association]
Shine bright like a … LED light — Plans are in the works for Fairfax County street lights to be converted into more energy-efficient LEDs, but it could be five years before LED light touches streets in some parts of the county. [Tysons Reporter]
Photo via Marjorie Copson
Before we head off into the weekend, let’s take a look back at the biggest stories on Reston Now in recent days.
- H Mart to Open on Saturday in Herndon’s Elden Street Marketplace
- Reston Then and Now: Reston Town Center
- Police Searching for Man Who Robbed Sunoco in Herndon Last Night
- Poll: What do You Think About Wegmans Coming to Town?
- Democrat Launches Campaign for Hunter Mill District Supervisor’s Seat
If you have ideas on stories we should cover, email us at [email protected] or submit an anonymous tip.
Feel free to discuss these topics, your weekend plans or anything else that’s happening locally in the comments below.
Photo via Google Maps
Obi Sushi Japanese Bistro will shutter its doors tomorrow (Dec. 22) after 14 years at Reston Town Center.
Although the restaurant at 1771 Library Street is closing, the Herndon location at 2415-B2 Centreville Road will remain open, an employee told Reston Now.
The employee said that ever since Boston Properties, RTC’s owner, implemented paid parking, the restaurant has seen the number of customers dwindle. The employee added that the paid parking has also impacted other businesses by driving away patrons.
No specific time tomorrow for the closing has been announced yet.
Photo via Google Maps
The votes are in.
The annual Reston Holiday Parade nabbed fifth-place nationwide in a USA Today holiday parade contest, according to results released today.
Reston’s slot put it ahead of the Scottish Christmas Walk Parade in Alexandria, Va. and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York.
Last year, the parade in Reston ranked sixth place. In 2016, it came in fourth overall.
Top honors went to America’s Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit. The city has been hosting the parade since 1924, according to USA Today.
The complete rankings are as follows:
- America’s Thanksgiving Parade – Detroit
- Sparks Hometowne Christmas — Sparks, Nev.
- Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade — Gatlinburg, Tenn.
- Ford Holiday River Parade — San Antonio
- Reston Holiday Parade — Reston, Va.
- Scottish Christmas Walk Parade — Alexandria, Va.
- Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade — Newport Beach, Calif.
- Mayor’s Annual Christmas Parade — Baltimore
- Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade — New York
- San Diego Bay Parade of Lights — San Diego
USA Today said a panel of experts whittled down a long list of nationwide events to come up with the initial top 20, which were put up to readers’ votes to determine the top 10 holiday parades in the country.
Photo via Lesnick Photo
For locals who plan to hit the roads around the holidays, expect delays with lane and ramp closures as construction continues on the second phase of the Metrorail Silver Line project.
The closures start on Sunday (Dec. 23) and are scheduled to last until Saturday (Dec. 29), according to a post from the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project.
Drivers heading eastbound on the Dulles Toll Road can expect alternating right and left lane closures of varying lengths from just west of the Route 28 overpass to the Reston Parkway overpass. This will take place from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. from Wednesday to Friday.
Meanwhile, westbound on the Dulles Toll Road will have alternating right and left lane closures of varying lengths between the Reston Parkway overpass and Route 28. This will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Wednesday to Friday.
Eastbound on Sunset Hills Road will have alternating right and left lane closures from 400 feet west of Town Center Parkway to Bechtel Building Entrance from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday.
Eastbound on Herndon Parkway will have a right lane closed from 1,000 feet east of Van Buren Street to 800 feet west of Exchange Place.
The times for this are:
- Thursday: 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Friday: 9:30 a.m. to noon
Several spots westbound on Sunrise Valley Drive will have closed right lanes from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday and from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Friday, including:
- from Dulles Technology Drive to Dulles Station Blvd
- from Thunder Chase Drive to Millburn Lane
- from Reston Parkway to 200 feet west of Edmund Halley Drive
Edmund Halley Drive will have a right shoulder closed from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday and from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Friday.
File photo
Reston’s Embry Rucker Community Shelter is set to receive later this month quilts made by inmates in a sewing program.
A class member who benefited from the shelter’s services at 11975 Bowman Towne Drive requested that quilts go there, according to Fairfax County.
The Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office created the sewing class at the Alternative Incarceration Branch of the Adult Detention Center (10520B Judicial Drive) in July to offer inmates a marketable life skill and help cut back costs. The program kicked off after an investment of $3,600 paid for the sewing machines and equipment.
The Adult Detention Center has an average population of roughly 1,000 inmates, who all wear jumpsuits. The Sheriff’s Office usually spends about $12,000 per year repairing jumpsuits, with an average of 200 jumpsuits sent out every month at a cost of $5 each last year, according to the county. Replacing them is even more expensive at about $15 to $17 each.
Now, inmates repair all of the jumpsuits in-house.
The quilting program emerged to fill their spare time after the inmates consistently finished jumpsuit repairs before the end of each class period. Inmates use donated pieces of fabric to create the quilts.
Photo via Fairfax County
Whether you want to stay cozy indoors or venture outside, there’s plenty to do around Reston this weekend ahead of Christmas.
Tomorrow (Dec. 22)
Teen Maker Boxes (all day event) — Head to the Herndon Fortnightly Library for some arts and crafts time. Locals can try out origami, 3D pen and sewing to make handmade ornaments. Participants can also try their hand at watercolor painting, Sharpie art, poetry boxes and Duct Tape creations.
Shrek The Musical (1-2:30 p.m., 5-6:30 p.m.) — Tomorrow is the last day to catch the last two shows for Nextstop Theatre Company’s (269 Sunset Park Drive) production of Shrek The Musical. Tickets are available online.
Zee performance (1-3 p.m.) — Enjoy the final performance for Reston Town Center’s holiday entertainment lineup for December. Zee will sing and play the keyboard between Market Street and Democracy Drive across from the Starbucks.
“You’ve Got Mail” (2-4 p.m.) — Warm up with hot cocoa while watching the 1998 movie starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. The movie screening is a part of Reston Regional Library’s Fantastic Film series.
Tour de Lights (5-7 p.m.) — Join the Reston Bicycle Club for a slower paced, 10-mile ride to enjoy the holiday scenery. Bicyclists will meet at Lake Anne Plaza at 4:45 p.m. The first ride with the club is free and the membership costs $25 per year. Riders are encouraged to “light up” their bikes with holiday lights and anything else that is festive and increases visibility. In case of rain, the makeup date will be at the same time and place on Dec. 23.
Sunday (Dec. 23)
Reston Runners (8 a.m.) — Join the running and walking group for either a 3-mile walk or a 5-mile run starting at the Lake Newport Tennis Courts.
Sleigh Bells (12:30-2:30 p.m.) — Join Belgian draft horses Jeff and Charlie for a decorated wagon ride around the woodland and rolling farmland at Frying Pan Farm Park. All ages are welcome. Tickets cost $6 per person.
Horse-drawn Carriage Rides (3-8 p.m.) — The Reston Town Center is holding festive horse-drawn carriage rides departing at Market Street near Clyde’s to benefit local nonprofit organizations. Rides cost $5 per person and are free for kids under the age of 5. Proceeds will go to The Reston Chorale.
Photo via Reston Town Center
In case you were planning to visit these government facilities around Fairfax County during the holiday season, check to see whether or not they will be closed on Christmas Eve (Dec. 24), Christmas (Dec. 25), New Year’s Eve (Dec. 31) and Jan. 1.
Fairfax County
Fairfax County’s government offices, libraries and courts will be closed Christmas Eve, Christmas and Jan. 1.
The county’s public schools will be on winter break from Monday, Dec. 24, until Friday, Jan. 4.
The Fairfax Connector will be running on a holiday weekday schedule for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. A full list of routes running in the Reston area is available online. The next day, the bus will operate on a Sunday schedule for Christmas and Jan. 1.
Frying Pan Farm Park and Colvin Run Mill Historic Site will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year’s Eve and Jan. 1.
County trash and recycling collection will not happen on Christmas. The updated collection schedule for next week is:
- Tuesday customers will have collection on Wednesday (Dec. 26)
- Wednesday customers will have collection on Thursday (Dec. 27)
- Thursday customers will have collection on Friday (Dec. 28)
- Friday customers will have collection on Saturday (Dec. 29)
Reston
The Reston Association offices will be closed for Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year’s Eve and Jan. 1.
Nature House will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
Reston Community Center Lake Anne will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year’s Eve and Jan. 1.
Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods will be closed on Christmas. It will have modified hours from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve and from noon to 5 p.m. on Jan. 1.
The Terry L. Smith Aquatics Center will be closed on Christmas. It will have modified hours from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve and from noon to 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 1.
Herndon
Town of Herndon government offices will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas and Jan. 1.
Refuse will be collected on Christmas Eve, but refuse normally collected on Tuesdays will be collected on Thursday (Dec. 27) and New Year’s Eve.
The Herndon Community Center will be closed on Christmas and Jan. 1.
The Herndon Centennial Golf Course will only be closed for Christmas.
Metro, DMV and more
All Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) customer service centers will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year’s Eve and Jan. 1.
The Metro and Metrobus will be running a Sunday schedule on Christmas and Jan. 1, operating from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. The Metro will provide special late-night rail service on New Year’s Eve with trains running until 2 a.m. on Jan. 1.
Speaking of closed offices, Reston Now will be on breaks for Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year’s Eve and Jan. 1.
File photo
