As Halloween creeps up, Frying Pan Farm Park (2709 West Ox Road) in Herndon will host a special Halloween celebration on Friday (Oct. 26) at 6 p.m.

At the “BOO-stravaganza,” attendees can enjoy themed games, go trick-or-treating to animals and enjoy a wagon ride. Small treat bags will also be provided.

Reservations are required for the event, which costs $10 per person. Two sessions will be held at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. Registration is open online. This year’s event will take place outside at the Kidwell Farm.

File photo

A six-week partial bus loop closure is planned near the Herndon-Monroe Park & Ride facility.

Beginning on Monday (Oct. 29), crews will install a precast stair tower at the southwest corner of the Herndon-Monroe bus loop. The southwest portion of the loop will be closed to traffic between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. during the weekdays.

All service and bus stop locations before 10 a.m. and after 3 p.m. will not be affected by the closure.

The installation of the tower is expected to be complete by December. Passengers should expect delays and BusTrack arrival times will likely be affected, according to an announcement by the Fairfax County Department of Transportation.

Updated stop locations can be found below:

Photo via FCDOT

Two Sterling residents were arrested Saturday night in connection with a shoplifting incident at Target (12197 Sunset Hills Road).

According to the Fairfax County Police Department, Naim Arrak, 21, ran away from police after he left the store with stolen goods. Officers quickly caught up with Arrak and found a woman, Ashley Loza, 18, waiting for him in a nearby car.

Loza was charged with grand larceny and Arrak was charged with grand larceny, larceny with intent to sell, possession of schedule two narcotics and possession of schedule four narcotics.

In a separate incident, a woman receiving medical care in an ambulance allegedly assaulted a firefighter on Oct. 17. at around 4:16 p.m.

Linda Klotz, 59, of Centreville, pulled a firefighter down onto the gurney and caused several minor injuries. She was charged with assault on a firefighter, according to police.

FCPD also reported the following incidents in recent days:

LARCENIES:

11900 block of Market Street, merchandise from business

12100 block of Sunset Hills Road, merchandise from business

11600 block of Stoneview Square, dog from residence

12100 block of Sunset Hills Road, merchandise from business

12100 block of Sunset Hills Road, merchandise from business

STOLEN VEHICLES:

13300 block of Hungerford Place, 2012 Mercedes C350

Photos via FCPD

Helmut Jahn building wins award — The Reston Station building known for its iconic X design has won an award for best project and an award for excellence in safety. [ENR Mid Atlantic]

A passion for fish — PassionFish in Reston Town Center is celebrating ten years. Loyalty members can enjoy dinner specials to celebrate the restaurant’s milestone. [PassionFish]

No need to be alarmed — Units from the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department took part in roof ventilation and forced entry training in the area. The building will later be demolished. [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department]

Photo by Ray Copson

Finishing touches are underway at Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls, an Annapolis-based restaurant, ahead of its opening next week.

The restaurant’s sign was installed over the weekend at the new location at 11939 Democracy Drive, the former location of Red Velvet Cupcakery.

Malcolm Gilbreath, who runs the Reston location and is a Reston resident of 16 years, said he’s excited to bring a new enterprise to Reston Town Center.

“We’re in town center all the time and we’re excited to be a part of the whole community,” Gilbreath said.

There will be indoor seating at the restaurant, which is around 800 square feet. Gilbreath also plans to incorporate gluten-free lobster rolls and is working with local bakeries to have their items on the menu. More details on the grand opening are expected in several days.

The restaurant would be the first Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls branch in Virginia. The company has four locations in Maryland, one in Delaware and another in South Carolina. The Reston location’s menu is modeled after the Delaware location.

Photo via Art Display Co.

In an effort to find more ways to activate Lake Anne Plaza with community programming, a new free harvest is coming to the plaza on Saturday (Oct. 27).

The free festival offers holiday tips, treats, live music, wine and beer and collection of fall-related products from the eleven eateries and shops at Lake Anne Plaza, according to Rachel Piering, who is helping organize the festival.

“The Lake Anne Plaza business[es] are working towards adding more events to the annual calendar – as a collective. We are doing more to make Lake Anne Plaza an anchor for activities in Reston. We wanted to add at least one more event to the lineup before the end of the year,” Piering told Reston Now.

The event will take place at the waterfront of the plaza from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Event organizers offered the following information about specials during the festival:

Café Montmartre: Virginia wine pairing and specials on Vienna Lager and Devils Backbone IPA

Chesapeake Chocolates: Free wine tasting featuring Virginia wines from 2pm-4pm. Virginia treats and chocolate apple dipping and first annual Fall for Peeps Display. 

Kalypso’s Sports Tavern: Specials on all Virginia wine and beer plus wine pairing/tasting

Kustard & Co: Buy one get one Seasonal Harvest Flavored Pumpkin scoops

Lake Anne Brew House: 20% off growlers refills and special prices on seasonal beers

Lake Anne Coffee House and Wine Bar: Dinner special inspired by Virginia Wines and Beers.

New Trail Cycling Studio: Sneak Peak of New Space, Membership Discounts and Bike Trail Maps

Reston Historic Trust & Museum: Happy Birthday Museum! Fall refreshments and sale on mugs, t-shirts, and memberships.

Reston Art Gallery and Studio: Hosting a fall craft project for kids from 10am-Noon.

Reston’s Used Book Shop: Sale on all Virginia Books and books about wine.

Small Change Consignment: 80% Off Halloween Costume Sale and extra 20% off toys and books.

The festival is produced by the Lake Anne Merchants Committee.

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The eighth annual Washington West Film Festival returns to Reston and other nearby locations this Thursday through Monday. This year’s theme is “Story Can Change the World.”

The festival showcases new films from around the world and aims to bring filmmakers and actors together for conversation in Reston. All net box office proceeds will go to Kids in the Spotlight and the Robert Duvall Children’s Fund.

Opening night on Thursday kicks off with a 7 p.m. screening of My Indiana Muse, a story about an artist who tackles a project that will take more than a decade to complete. The screening at Bow Tie Cinemas (11940 Market Street) will be followed by a reception with light appetizers and drinks.

The festival was founded in 2011 by Brad Russell, who sought to bring films to the area that focus on creating inspiring stories, not just watching them.

To view the full schedule and to purchase tickets, visit the film festival’s website. Other screenings are planned in Arlington, Sterling and Stone Ridge.

Photo via Washington West Film Festival

After a year-long review and public engagement period, members of a working group charged with developing the master plan for Hook Road Recreation Area will pitch their recommendations on how the area should be upgraded this week.

The area, which has remained largely unchanged since tennis and baseball amenities were added in 1973, was identified for major revitalization in 2016 after a review of facility enhancements approved by Reston Association’s Board of Directors.

Members of the 16-person working group, which was created by the board, will present their conceptual plan at RA’s board meeting at 6:30 p.m. at RA headquarters. The board will consider a motion to allocate $50,000 in next year’s budget for architecture and engineering of the conceptual master plan. Full cost estimates and phasing of future improvements would be determined following the analysis.

Design consultant Dewberry held three public roundtable discussions on the project — a process that flagged areas of concern, areas of use and areas to improve. Based on a public online survey and a survey mailed to households nearby the facility, Dewberry found that the areas were primarily used for “passive recreation,” with most respondents leaning toward using the park as is with minimal changes. After considering four concepts, the working group selected a final plan, which prioritizes traffic calming, baseball upgrades, internal paths, a ring path, and a natural playscape.

Road upgrades, which are subject to state approval, include roadway bump-outs at the west intersection of the property and a crosswalk. Upgrades to the baseball field and the construction of a permanent pavilion and bathroom is also recommended. Currently, one portable bathroom serves the entire park. Paths would be added near the baseball field. Other components of the plan include a natural enhancement for seating along Fairway Drive, tree preservation, a natural playscape for children with the “fewest manmade elements as possible,” and pathways as narrow as possible while remaining compliant with ADA and RA guidelines, according to the plan.

A live stream of the meeting will be available on YouTube.

Photo via handout/Reston Association

Developments on development — It’s no secret that mixed-use development is on the way. Reston Association’s acting CEO Larry Butler gives an update on development issues in the community. [Reston Association]

The big drop — Virginia’s unemployment rate dropped to 2.9 percent. The rate decreased for a third consecutive month. [Governor Ralph Northam]

Frost advisory in effect — You’ll likely notice some frost on your windshield today. An advisory is in effect through 10 a.m. Frost could harm sensitive outdoor vegetation. [National Weather Service]

Photo by Flickr user vantagehill

Before we head off into the weekend (which finally feels like fall!), let’s take a look back at the biggest stories on Reston Now in recent days.

1. Some Members Decry Poor Upkeep of Hidden Creek Country Club
2. Decision on ‘Midline’ Delayed to November Again
3. Renovations Proposed for Sheraton Reston Hotel
4. CVS Pharmacy to Open in Reston Station
5. Final Vote on Residential Project at Reston Arboretum Expected Next Week

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.

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Reston Association is looking for a member to join its Design Review Board, an independent body that decides on cases involving design covenants set by RA’s design guidelines.

Specifically, the body is seeking a design profession to volunteer for the position. All terms are for three years.

The nine-member body meets on the first, second and fourth Tuesday evening of each month in panels with three members. The entire board meets once a month on the third Tuesday evenings. All meetings take place at RA’s conference center at 7 p.m.

The following is a breakdown of the DRB’s responsibilities, as provided by RA:

Interpret, administer and render decisions involving the Design Covenants in the Reston Deed of Dedication

Propose amendments to the Design Guidelines to the Board of Directors

Developing administrative and application procedures

Review and render decisions on applications for improvements and alterations to property

Consider and decide appeals from applicants and affected parties

Consider requests for temporary exception permits

A volunteer application is available online.

For the second time in two years, Greater Reston Art Center‘s gallery will be transformed into a public performance space for the Monster Drawing Rally, a live drawing event, and fundraiser.

The event, set for Dec. 1 from 1-5 p.m., draws artists from the Greater Washington area and challenges them to create artwork on-site using their preferred medium. The artwork is hung on the wall and available for purchase for $75 each. If more than one person wants to purchase the artwork, a draw of cards determines the winner.

In a new addition this year, Jessica Stafford Davis, founder of The Agora Culture, a national online multicultural arts platform, and the team at STABLE, a DC-based studio complex, will help event organizers select and invite participating artists.

All proceeds benefit exhibition programming at GRACE.

Here’s more from organizers about Davis and STABLE:

Jessica Stafford Davis is the founder of The Agora Culture LLC (TAC), a national online multicultural arts platform that supports emerging artists of color and collectors at all level through educational programming, art salons, and the annual Art on the Vine exhibition in Martha’s Vineyard. Art on the Vine is one of the only contemporary African-American art fairs presenting critically-acclaimed, institutional level work in the United States, and features a four-week residency created by Ms. Stafford Davis to give young artists of the African diaspora a space to continue to explore their practice.

Ms. Stafford Davis is the 2018 and first recipient of the Arena Stage Emerging Leader Award. She currently serves on the board of The Smith Center for Healing in the Arts, is a member of the George Mason University School of Art Advisory Board and ArtTable. She previously served as a member of the board of Washington Project for the Arts. She received her Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science from George Mason University. Jessica resides in McLean, Virginia, with her two sons.

STABLE is a DC-based studio complex that provides visual artists with an active, affordable workspace to pursue their profession. STABLE’s mission is to strengthen DC’s contemporary visual arts community by providing sustainable studio space, fostering an engaged, diverse community, and extending access to local, national, and international audiences through partnerships, programming, and exhibitions. STABLE was co-founded by  Tim Doud, Linn Meyers, and Caitlin Teal Price.

Photo via GRACE

Herndon Town Councilmember Grace Wolf Cunningham is facing a civil suit filed by a trio of candidates, including two current councilmembers, who allege Cunningham, also a council candidate, engaged in malicious prosecution over the summer.

The Sept. 24 suit, filed by Cesar del Aguila, Sheila Olem and Signe Friedrichs, alleges that Cunningham filed three complaints with the Virginia Department of Elections claiming the candidates violated state campaign ad law based on “personal, vindictive reasons.”

Cunningham filed the complaints following a meeting by Dranesville Magisterial District Democratic Committee, which met in late June to recommend six candidates to the Fairfax County Democratic Committee for endorsement. Cunningham was the only candidate who was not recommended by the committee, according to the complaint.

All three complaints were unanimously dismissed by the Virginia State Board of Elections on Sept. 20. Four days after the decision, which took about a minute-and-a-half to reach, the candidates filed the civil suit against Cunningham.

In an email to Reston Now, Cunningham, who has served on the Town Council since 2010, said there was not much to comment on because the matter is ongoing litigation. A motion by her attorney to dismiss the case was denied earlier today.

John Farrell, the plaintiff’s attorney, said a decision on the case is pending and subpoenas to six of Cunningham’s “allies,” including Town of Herndon Mayor Lisa Merkel, have been delivered.

“We believe this was a concerted effort and that there are documents that she sent them that prove that she was filing her case for malicious reasons,” Farrell said.

The first complaint against Friedrichs stated a grip card that said “Herndon’s Future is Happening Now: Let’s plan it together” contained no identification about the campaign committee that paid for the card. The second complaint against del Aguila did not form a campaign committee and did not file any campaign finance disclosure reports. TThe final complaint against Olem challenges a grip card that stated “Moving Forward Herndon.”

The state’s elections board found all of Cunningham’s complaints were unfounded.

Del Aguila, Olem and Friedrichs are seeking $50,000 in compensatory damages and $100,000 punitive damages. Olem and Friedrichs are current councilmembers.

The complaint filed by the trio goes on to say that Cunningham sought to damage the other candidates’ electoral prospects by “subjecting them to unfounded allegations of campaign advertisement violations, and by forcing them to defend themselves at a public hearing before the Virginia State Board of Elections.”

That process damaged the candidates public standing and threatened their electoral prospects, according to the complaint. It also states that Cunningham was “willful, wanton, and malicious, in the sense of acting with ill will, malevolence, grudge, spite, wicked intention, and a conscious disregard for Plaintiffs’ rights.”

Descriptions of the dismissed complaints filed by Cunningham are below and were obtained by Reston Now:

“Cesar Del Aguila is a candidate for Town Council in the Town of Herndon and running in the Nov 6th General Election. His affiliates have been doorknocking and handing out his campaign literature that is allegedly paid for and authorized by “Friends of Cesar” – there is no campaign committee of that name in the entire state,

Cesar Del Aguila has violated campaign finance reporting requirements that he form a campaign committee nor has he filed any of the required campaign finance disclosure reports.

Signe Friedrichs is a candidate for Town Council and up for election in the Nov 6th General Election in the Town of Herndon. Residents are being doorknocked and handed her campaign literature that does not have any disclaimers as to who paid and authorized this piece of printed campaign literature.

No identification of whose campaign committee paid for and authorized this palm card [by Signe for Herndon]”.

Photo via Virginia Department of Elections

Reston Community Players’ first show of their 52nd season kicks off tonight with a performance of Hairspray. The musical is presented in partnership with Music Theatre International.

Tonight’s show begins at 8 p.m. and performances are scheduled for Saturday and next weekend as well. Details about upcoming shows are available online. Tickets are $28 for adults and $24 for seniors and students.

(Editor’s Note: This is just a limited list of all the events taking place in the Reston area this weekend. If you have an event you would like to ensure is listed on the website, be sure to submit it to our Events Calendar.)

• If you’d rather see a show about South Africa’s fragile democracy, you can take part in a viewing and discussion on the topic at Reston Regional Library today from 2-4:15 p.m.
• Halloween is just around the corner and kids between the age of six months and 12 years can enjoy the first-ever “Boo at the Pool” at the Terry L. Smith Aquatics Center from 1:45-2:30 p.m. Registration is $4 for Reston residents and $8 for all others. Treat will float for little ones and others will sink into the pool for a little more adventure.
• If you’d rather keep water out of Halloween fun, infant and kids up to 8 years old can take part in Halloween Family Fun Day at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods. The event includes carnival games, a musical performance and a puppet show. The event is free.
• Keep Reston beautiful by taking part in a fall stream clean up on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon. Participants will meet up at Hunters Woods Village Center to help restore Reston’s streams. All ages are welcome but kids under 13 must be accompanied by an adult.
• Reston Association also needs help monitoring local streams on Saturday from 1:30-4:30 p.m. Volunteers will work with a small team to collect data and identify insects, with the ultimate goal of assessing the health of the stream.
• A book club about books and their movie adaptations is set for Sunday at 4 p.m. at Scrawl Books. This month’s book is Crazy Rich Asians.
• Reston Town Center will become the site of a 4K walk and run organized by Shatterproof, a national organization that aims to end the stigma against addiction. The event runs from 8 a.m. to noon.
• RA is also organizing a chartered bus trip to Toby’s Dinner Theatre in Reston’s sister city of Columbia, Md. Participants will enjoy a buffet lunch and see “Ain’t Misbehavin'”. The event will run from 9:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. and tickets are $75 for RA members and $85 for all others.
• On Sunday, bestselling author and LGBTQ activist Armistead Maupin will speak at the RCC Hunters Woods at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 for Reston residents and $30 for all others.
• Kids can test their opening tactics and ending strategies at Reston Regional Library’s chess club for kids on Sunday from 2-3 p.m.
• The 20th anniversary of Acoustic Jam is on for Sunday from 1-4 p.m. The event, which takes place at Frying Pan Farm Park, is free.
• And Professor Harry Butowsky’s six-part lecture series on the history of World War II continues on Sunday from 2-4 p.m. at Reston Regional Library.

Photo via Reston Community Players