Reston Association is officially the first business to join the Washington & Old Dominion Trail Ambassador Program, an initiative that encourages local businesses near the trail to support bicyclists during business hours.

The program is operated by the Friends of the Washington & Old Dominion Trail, a citizen-led organization that aims to protect and improve the trail. The organization was created as an advisory body to the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority in 1997. It aims to maintain the trail’s position as a recreational, environmental and historic resource through volunteer efforts like fundraising, promotional, educational programming and maintenance, according to the organization’s website.

According to an RA release, the program encourages local businesses near the trail to support to bicyclists during business hours, including bicycle tools, restroom facilities, drinking fountains, and telephone access. The program is part of a supportive community that is expanding surrounding the trail.

Ambassador businesses within four miles of each side of the 45-mile trail are envisioned to join the ambassador community, extending from Arlington to Purcellville.

Photo via RA

A new sit-down restaurant is joining the food scene at JBG Smith’s RTC West development (12120 Sunset Hills Road).

Famous Toastery, a breakfast and brunch restaurant, will open next to BGR The Burger Joint in February or March next year.

Gary Ready, the Reston location’s owner who was born and raised in Fairfax County, said the restaurant is currently in the process of receiving permits from Fairfax County. Ready, who has been behind several businesses over the last 25 years in Fairfax and Loudoun counties, said he was intrigued by the restaurant’s high-quality ingredients and speed of service.

“The average ticket time is 10 minutes. A lot of other restaurants in Reston Town Center give you quick service. This is one of the few sit-down restaurants in Reston where you can get the sit-down experience and still be in and out in 30 minutes,” he told Reston Now.

Ready said the restaurant will be open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and can seat between 100 to 105 people.

County records indicate the building plan is under review.

Photo via Famous Toastery

Changes to Wiehle-Reston Metro service — From 5-6 a.m. this week, Silver Line service to Wiehle-Reston East begins at Stadium-Armory. Customers between Largo and Benning Road should use Blue Line Service, then transfer to the Silver Line at Stadium. [Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority]

Safety tips for Halloween — As the day of trick-or-treating approaches, here are some safety tips to keep in mind for kids. [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department]

Planning by South Lakes JROTC — Students leaders at the JROTC program outlined their goals and plans for the year recently, including a planned Veterans Day dinner for area veterans on Nov. 16. [Fairfax County Public Schools]

A feature on Reston Farm Market — “The legendary Reston Farm Market brings the magic of celebrating time-honored fall fun to families. With an eye toward community focus, owner Bonita Weinstein strives every day, but especially when all things pumpkins rule Reston, to offer opportunities for everyone.” [The Connection]

Metropolis at CenterStage tonight — “Percussionist Tom Teasley performs his original live music accompaniment to a screening of Fritz Lang’s classic science fiction film Metropolis. In a futuristic city sharply divided between the working class and the city planners, the son of the city’s mastermind falls in love with a working class prophet who predicts the coming of a savior to mediate their differences.” [Reston Community Center]

Photo by Mark Bramer

Before we head off into the weekend, let’s take a look back at the biggest stories on Reston Now in recent days.

1. Mason’s Famous Lobsters to Open Next Week in Reston Town Center
2. Crime Roundup: Sterling Residents Arrested in Target Shoplifting
3. Wendy’s on Bracknell Drive Reopens, Grand Opening Set for Next Week
4. County Board Approves Lake Anne Fellowship House Redevelopment
5. New Harvest Festival Coming to Lake Anne Plaza

If you have ideas on stories we should cover, email us at [email protected] or submit an anonymous tip. We’re also looking for photos of Reston submitted by readers.

Feel free to discuss these topics, your weekend plans or anything else that’s happening locally in the comments below.

Photo via Malcolm Gilbreath

New app tracks suspicious activity — In conjunction with other law enforcement agencies in Northern Virginia, the Fairfax County Police Department is launching an app that allows residents to report suspicious activity and behavior that may indicate terrorist or major criminal activity. [Fairfax County Police Department]

Office Depot donates supplies to Lake Anne — Managers of the store donated a van-load of school supplies gathered by Office Depot over the last several months to Lake Anne Elementary School this week. [Patch]

Annual jigsaw puzzle sale begins today — The Friend of Reston Regional Library will hot its annual jigsaw sale today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Puzzle books and gently-used games are also available. [Reston Regional Library]

Photo by Lisa DiRisio

Fairfax County police stations will collect unused or expired medications during its “Operation Medicine Cabinet Cleanout” on Saturday (Oct. 27). Residents can drop off medicine like pills or liquids between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at any of the county’s eight district police stations.

The take-back program offers residents a safe method for disposing of prescriptions drugs in a way that is closely monitored by state, local and federal government agencies, according to FCPD.

The initiative is made possible with partnerships with county departments like police, health, neighborhood and community services, public works, environmental services, and the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board.

Disposal is free and confidential. No pressurized canisters and needles can be disposed of, however.

The drop-off site for Reston is 1801 Cameron Glen Drive.

Photo via FCPD

Planning is underway for a host of improvements along South Elden Street in anticipation of the adoption of a concept plan next year.

The improvements will be partly financed through a $65,000 grant by the Virginia Office of Intermodal Planning and Investment in order to ensure transportation needs are addressed as more development happens along Elden Street between Herndon Parkway and Sterling Road. Anticipated changes will also make the stretch of the road more accessible and safe for pedestrians and vehicles.

Changes include increasing the visibility of crosswalks; updating ramps, signals and crosswalks for ADA compliance, adding bus stop shelters, widening existing sidewalks by three feet, and installing pedestrian refuge areas in medians.

A concept plan will be presented to the Town of Herndon Planning Commission on Nov. 19, with a public hearing set for Dec. 3. The town council will likely adopt plan next year. The town must spearhead planning this month in order to avoid repaying grant funds to the state.

Photos via handout/Town of Herndon

The ninth annual Washington West Film Festival kicks off today in Reston and other locations with a movie screening at Bowie Tie Cinemas.

The festival, which showcases new films from around the world and the filmmakers and actors behind them, will begin opening night with a screening of My Indiana Muse, a story about an artist who starts an inspirational project that will take more than a decade to complete. Tickets can be purchased online for $35.

A reception will follow the 7 p.m. screening and light appetizers and drinks will be available. The movie’s director Jennifer Serena and cast members Robert Townshend and Cheryl Berea will take part in a question and answer session following the screening.

The complete schedule of movie screenings and events is available online.

Prior to today’s screening at 4:30 p.m., the Kendra Scott store in Reston Town Center will offer drinks and refreshments.

All net box office proceeds help address issues like hunger, illness and limited organization, according to the festival’s website.

Photo via Washington West Film Festival

The Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce is seeking adult volunteers for its annual Ethics Day on Nov. 19.

Each November, typically before Thanksgiving, GRCC and other community organizations sponsor a day-long event for South Lakes High School seniors. Students are taken to the Sheraton Reston Hotel to learn about how to reach ethical decisions and how those decisions will impact their adult lives.

Students are guided through four different, real-life scenarios in order to reach ethical decisions. Adult guides will lead a group of between eight to ten students through the different scenarios.

Roughly 20 volunteer spots are still open. Those interested can register to be a table leader online.

File photo via GRCC

Construction of a new dock for Lakeport Cluster homes has been completed after the previous aging structure was demolished and rebuilt.

Paul Renard, chair of the Lakeport Cluster Association’s dock, said most residents have expressed approval of the new structure, which includes a ramp extension for launching kayaks and canoes, landscaping, and a stronger foundation.

The project was funded by reserve funds from the Lakeport Cluster Association after a 2.5-year design and approval process. Earlier this year, permits required by Fairfax County were delayed due to logistical issues and the county’s classification of the structure as a “critical commercial structure,” which the completion of additional technical requirements.

Work on the project began in June by Virginia Class A. During demolition of the previous structure, the construction team discovered the old foundation was not built particularly well.

“Some of the pilings that should have been driven somewhere between eight and ten feet were only a few feet into the shoreline,” Renard told Reston Now. The previous dock was bowed out in the middle, suggesting that the original dock was not particularly well-built, he said.

Renard and the construction team hope the new dock will last for at least 50 years. With the help of a 33,000-pound excavator, the team drove pilings deep into the foundation.

“They were driven into either the rock below or 11 to 12 feet into the low-bearing soil,” Renard said. “We put in a strong foundation for this dock. I’m hoping it will last 50 to 100 years.”

The team also added a ramp extension that allows canoes and kayaks to be launched closer tot he surface of the water. A system to channel water coming downhill and release it into the lake was installed to decrease water pressure on the dock,

Landscaping by Riverbend and updated lighting to vandalized light fixtures were also completed, along with erosion abatement along the shoreline using materials donated by Reston Association.

The project cost roughly $90,000 for construction and demolition, $15,00 for electrical work to replace vandalized lighting in the community, and $10,000 for landscaping.

Renard said he’s confident the new dock will be a sustainable and beneficial addition to the community.

“It looks beautiful. We had a community dock party in early October and people loved it,” he said.

Photos by Renard

NextStop Theatre Company in Herndon will present its version of East of Eden, the John Steinbeck novel that reimagines the story of Adam and Eve.

Performances kick off tomorrow at 8 p.m. and are scheduled every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through Nov. 18.

The community theatre issued the following description of the show:

East of Eden is a re-imagining of the saga of Adam and Eve, and their sons Cain and Abel. Adam Trask is determined to build a new life and world for himself and his young wife, Cathy. Settling in California’s Salinas Valley, Cathy gives birth to twin boys. But a dark past, the seemingly inescapable sins of man (and woman), and the impending danger of World War I threaten their little corner of paradise. It is an American epic examining whether “good versus evil” is our great choice or our unavoidable fate. 

The theatre will also host a book talk with Evan Hoffman, the director of the show, on Nov. 8 (Thursday).

Tickets can be purchased online.

Plans to replace a vacant office building at 1941 Roland Clarke Place with a 308-unit apartment building are headed to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for approval next week.

Woodfield Investments wants to demolish a two-story office building and replace it with a 291,650-square-foot multifamily building across around 6 acres of land north of Sunrise Valley Drive, south of the Dulles Toll Road and east of Reston Parkway.

A hearing on the project is set for Oct. 30 at 3:30 p.m.

The property would be developed in two phases. Phase one will include the construction of the apartment building, which has 37 workforce dwelling units. The second phase will retain an 80,000-square-foot office building and the addition of a pocket park. The second phase leaves the option of redevelopment sometime in the future, according to the proposal.

The existing cul-de-sac at Roland Clarke Place will be reconstructed and extended further north to connect two private roads and provide access to the parking garage on the property.

Staff from the Fairfax County Department of Planning and Zoning recommended approval of the project.

Photos via handout/Fairfax County Government

Hairspray lives up to the hype — A theater critic writes that Reston Community Players’ latest production, Hairspray, lives up to the volunteer-based community theater’s reputation of presenting professional-quality theater. [DC Metro Theater Arts]

Halloween 101 — With the spooks just around the corner, the county offers several safety tips for trick-or-treating on Wednesday, Oct. 31. Kids are advised to generally visit houses with their porch lights on or with active Halloween decorations, for example. [Fairfax County Government]

Lake House open house — As efforts to increase revenue from The Lake House continue, Reston Association is continuing its tradition of holding an open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. [Reston Association]

Meet me at the movies — Seniors can enjoy a free screening of Ocean’s 8 today from 9:15 a.m. to noon. Light refreshments will be provided. [Reston Association]

A tale of prison and privilege — This free screening set for tonight highlights the economic and social inequities that divide the country and offers solutions on how separated communities can learn from each other. The screening will be followed by a discussion by Signe Taylor and several formerly incarcerated women who appear in the film. [Reston Community Center]

Flickr pool photo of stream cleanup recyclables by vantagehill