We’ve reached the end of August and the Labor Day holiday is nigh. Before we head off into the big three-day weekend, though, let’s take a look back at the biggest stories on Reston Now in recent days.

The following articles were the five most-clicked links on Reston Now this past week.

1. Fairfax County School Board Vote is Tuesday (Karen Keys-Gamarra won the election.)
2. Mouthpiece for Reston Town Center Merchants Says His Business Is on the Outs
3. Arrest Made After Attempted Robbery in Hunters Woods Parking Lot
4. Now Open: Coopers Hawk Winery and Restaurant on Sunset Hills Road
5. Arrest Made in Attempted Sexual Assault Earlier This Month Near Tall Oaks

This week also saw the first community input meeting on the Hook Road Recreation Area project from Reston Association, which came with controversy along with the beginning of the discussion. We will continue to follow that process as it progresses over the next several months.

And in late-breaking news Friday, At-Large Director Ray Wedell informed Reston Now that he will resign from the RA Board. We’re continuing to follow that story and will provide more information when it becomes available.

In addition, the week marked the one-year anniversary of an unsolved hit-and-run pedestrian death on North Shore Drive. Police are still looking for information.

Feel free to discuss these topics and anything else that happened locally this week. Have a great weekend!

File photo courtesy Joy Every

It’s the end-of-summer party known as Labor Day Weekend. Over the next three-plus days, there will be plenty of chances to get out and give summer its well-deserved sendoff.

There are several marquee events in the area this weekend, beginning with the kickoff of the JamBrew series tonight in Herndon. Aslin Beer Co. will be pouring frosty mugs, Weird Brothers Coffee will be offering tasty drinks, Lake Anne Brew House/Nordic Knot Pretzels “will be vending fresh baked soft pretzels to the masses,” and there will be much more. Live music will be offered from DJ Cihad, Todd Wright and Tammy Gann, and Turtle Recall. The free event is slated for 6-10 p.m. at the Herndon Town Green (777 Lynn St.).

(Lake Anne Plaza’s Jazz & Blues Festival has been canceled due to rain in the forecast.)

Over at Lake Anne Plaza, the 11th annual Lake Anne Jazz & Blues Festival will go down from 1-9 p.m. Saturday. The lineup of musicians for the festival includes many well-known names in the local music community. The eight hours of music will include performances by Cheick Hamala Dibaté, Sam Gunderson, John Lee & Michael Pavone, Integriti Reeves, Mykle Lyons (sextet), Gigi MacClaughlin, Kriss Funn and Crush Funk Brass.

On Monday in Herndon, the town’s annual Labor Day Festival will feature Virginia wine tastings, craft beers, live music, a craft show, food vendors, lawn games and more. Eight craft brewers will offer tastings, and eight wineries are participating as well. There will also be live music throughout the event and much more. Admission for those participating in sampling wine and beer will be $20, which includes a glass for wine and three complimentary beer tastings. Anyone who won’t be purchasing alcoholic beverages will be admitted for $5, and children 12 and under will be admitted free. The event is slated for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Herndon Town Green (777 Lynn St.).

The weekend weather forecast calls for a chance of rain Saturday, a partly sunny day Sunday and then a gorgeous Labor Day holiday. Get out there and make the most of it!

Listed below are some other events that will also be taking place this holiday weekend.

(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.)

• Reston Association is hosting a chartered bus trip to the National Book Festival at the Washington Convention Center on Saturday. All ages are welcome, but children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Cost is $18 for RA members and $23 for non-members. The bus will depart from RA headquarters (12001 Sunrise Valley Drive) at 9 a.m. Saturday. Registration can be done through Webtrac, by emailing [email protected] or by calling 703-435-6577.
• Reston Association will have four pools — Lake Audubon, Lake Newport, North Shore and Ridge Heights — open Saturday, Sunday and Monday. North Shore and Ridge Heights will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day; Lake Audubon and Lake Newport will be open from noon to 7 p.m.
• The Reston Farmers Market will take place from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at Lake Anne Village Center.
• Lake Anne is also hosting Sunday Yoga on the Plaza each week, at 9:30 a.m.
• Surf Reston is offering the chance to paddleboard to the sounds of the Lake Anne Jazz & Blues Festival from 1-3 p.m. Saturday. Advance registration is required. In addition, there will be SUP yoga from 9-11 a.m. Saturday.
• Unitarian Universalist Church (1625 Wiehle Ave.) will show the film “A Five-Star Life” tonight beginning at 8:30 p.m., preceded at 8 p.m. by a social and snack opportunity.
• Many restaurants and bars in Reston will have live music this weekend. These include: Vinifera Wine Bar and Bistro (11750 Sunrise Valley Drive) from 7-10 p.m every Friday and Saturday night; Crafthouse (1888 Explorer St.) every Friday and Saturday night from 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.; and Tavern64 (1800 Presidents St.) every Friday from 6-10 p.m.
• Crafthouse (1888 Explorer St.) will also have a pregame party Sunday in anticipation of that evening’s college football game between Virginia Tech and West Virginia at FedExField. The restaurant will also charter a bus to the game, leaving at 3:30 p.m., with tickets starting at $29.99. (Note: That price only includes the ride and the party, not tickets to the game itself.)
• Kalypso’s Sports Tavern (1617 Washington Plaza N.) will have live music from Olivia & The Mates tonight from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.; and from Sam Gunderson during those hours Saturday night.
• Mr. Knick Knack will provide “unique, heart-centered music” for children Monday from 10:30-11:15 a.m. at the Reston Town Center pavilion. Parking will be free at the Town Center for the Labor Day holiday.

An upcoming event at a Reston church plans to dive into the issue of hate in the wake of violent clashes earlier this month in Charlottesville.

United Christian Parish (11508 North Shore Drive) will host a panel of community and faith leaders on Sunday, Sept. 10 at 2 p.m. for what it is calling a “post-Charlottesville town hall.” According to information provided by the church, residents are invited to take part in the “[discussion of] bigotry and unconscious bias as we seek to work together to heal the wounds.”

Panelists scheduled for the event include:

• the Rev. Debra Haffner, Unitarian Universalist Reston
• Imam Ali Siddiqui, the Muslim Institute for Interfaith Studies, Virginia
• the Rev. Dr. Ken Brooks Langston, Disciples Justice Action Network
• the Rev. Michele Nickens, Washington Plaza Baptist Church
• the Rev. Russell Heiland, Unity Fairfax
• Minister Wendy Hamilton, Metropolitan Community Church of Northern Virginia
• Ronald Lapitan, the Center for Health and Human Rights
• the Rev. Marcus Leathers, United Christian Parish-Reston

Registration is also open for the church’s Justice & Inclusion Conference, scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 11. Workshops will include Justice of Anti-Racism, Immigrant Sanctuary Cause & the Law, LGBTQ Students, Employees and Families in Public Schools, Troubling the Waters: Intimate Violence & the Church, Movement for Health & Human Rights, Think Global Warming: Act Local, Social Justice and Islam, Social Witness & Justice Advocacy, Transgender Advocacy, Immigrant/Refugee Advocacy and more.

“In light of recent events, it seems more important than ever for people to come together to discuss and work together for justice, inclusion and peace,” the church says in a press release. “We will not agree on all of the issues, but we can find common ground and we can work together to advance justice, inclusion and peace.”

Singer/songwriter Bobby Jo Valentine will also perform at the free conference.

For more information about either of these events, contact James Dean at [email protected] or 571-830-8730.

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue’s 2017 “Fill the Boot” campaign, its annual fundraiser for the Greater Washington Muscular Dystrophy Association, is this weekend.

The Labor Day tradition, which has been going on for more than 35 years, raises hundreds of thousands each year for MDA. This year, some of that money will go to another very important cause.

“This week members of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, along with the rest of the world, watched devastation unfold in Texas,” reads a press release issued Thursday morning. “We knew that we wanted to do something to help. The staff at the Greater Washington Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) and National MDA also felt that need. With that in mind a recommendation was made that, for municipalities interested, a portion of ‘Fill the Boot’ money should go to a disaster relief fund.”

Fairfax County has decided that $50,000 of the money it raises in this year’s effort will go toward the Hurricane Harvey relief effort.

The campaign will take place Friday through Monday, and drivers are asked to watch for uniformed firefighters with apparatus on display at controlled intersections all over the county.

Last year, Fire and Rescue reports that the $521,509 it raised through the campaign was the most among any department in the United States and Canada — an accomplishment it says it has achieved in eight of the past 10 years.

According to the Greater Washington Muscular Dystrophy Association, funding it receives goes toward:

• The annual weeklong MDA Children’s Summer Camp, where kids from 6 to 17 years old can have a “typical” camp experience with their peers. They enjoy swimming, boating, zip line, crafts, a talent show and many other activities all tailored to their specific disability. This week also provides a respite for the families from the sometimes 24-hour-a-day job of caring for a special needs child. This camp is provided free of charge for the families.
• The MDA clinic at Georgetown University Hospital and Children’s National Medical Center. This “one-stop shop” allows those with neuromuscular disease to see all of their specialists, such as their cardiologist, neurologist, pulmonologist, occupational therapist and many others in one location. This alleviates the need to make appointments and travel throughout the D.C. area to the many medical professionals that they see on a regular basis.
• Research at the National Institutes of Health and Georgetown University.
• Programs designed to help people with neuromuscular disease live, go to school and work independently.

For more information about the work of the MDA, visit its website.

Image courtesy Fairfax County Fire and Rescue

#RestonExpo: One-stop shopping event for home improvement & more! Food, music, kids tent events & workshops. https://t.co/T5k6M1uxc5 #Reston pic.twitter.com/qeMbK7FYvm

— Reston Association (@RestonOnline) August 29, 2017

Area home and garden businesses will share their products and services with residents during the Reston Expo, now scheduled for Sept. 30 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The event was originally planned for Saturday, May 13, but it was postponed due to rain on that date. To avoid a recurrence of that situation, the event is planned to be held under a tent.

In addition to the change in date, there will also be a change in location. Instead of its normal home at Reston Association headquarters, the free event will take place at 1900 Campus Commons Drive. According to the Eventbrite page for the event, this will allow the Expo to be combined with RA’s semi-annual yard sale.

Advertised as “a one-stop shopping event for home improvement and more,” the event will also include food, music, kids’ tent events and workshops.

For exhibitor and sponsorship information, go to www.restonwebtrac.org and click on Search, then Service Search. Any questions about the event should be directed to [email protected] or 703-435-6530.

Friday is the first day of September, which means an annual tradition will return to downtown Herndon.

JamBrew will be presented each Friday night in September on the Herndon Town Green (777 Lynn St.), featuring live music, local food and local drinks. Food and refreshments will be available from Aslin Beer Co., Weird Brothers Coffee, Lake Anne Brew House and Brama Italian Cuisine. In addition, there will be more food and beverages, including wine; vendors, artists and more.

This year, there are five Fridays in September, so there is an extra opportunity to enjoy the festivities.

The music schedule for the series is as follows:

• Sept. 1: DJ Cihad, Todd Wright and Tammy Gann, and Turtle Recall
• Sept. 8: MK Skillz, Shane Gamble and Burn the Ballroom
• Sept. 15: DJ Ragz, The Duskwhales and JUXT
• Sept. 22: DJ CB1, Queens Over Kings and Sub-Radio
• Sept. 29: Edward the Librarian, Black Masala and a third act TBA

The Friday night series will last from 6-10 p.m. each night.

The series will be capped off Saturday, Sept. 30, at Herndon’s annual OktoBrewFest event. During that all-day event (noon to 10 p.m.), music will be provided by Tribalistix Crew, Bach 2 Rock, Darlingtonia, Unsullied, Dr. Robinson’s Fiasco and Throwing Plates.

In addition to the food and drink vendors listed above, sponsors of the free event series include the Town of Herndon, EOTH, Hampton Inn, Dominion Energy, Reed Smith, Griffen Owens and Right On Records. Proceeds benefit local nonprofits including Recyclelife.org, ArtSpace Herndon, The Closet of Herndon and Cancer Can Rock.

The series is presented by the Herndon Hospitality Association, a 501(c)(6) organization.

Police have been busy responding to crime in Reston in the past week.

In recent days, we have reported on vehicle break-ins and gunshots on Vantage Hill Road and an attempted robbery in the Hunters Woods Village Center. Plus, as reported this morning, an arrest was made in the attempted sexual assault earlier this month in the Tall Oaks area.

In addition to all this, the Fairfax County Police Department says a pair of bicycles were stolen from a South Reston home earlier this month.

According to an FCPD press release, the thefts took place between Aug. 3 and Aug. 22 from a residence in the 12100 block of Stirrup Road. Police say “items inside a home were moved around and two bikes were reported missing from the garage.”

The FCPD’s Reston District Station also reported the following crimes in recent days:

LARCENIES:

2400 block of Alsop Court, wallet from vehicle

2600 block of Bastian Lane, bicycle from residence

1800 block of Cameron Glen Drive, property from person

11500 block of Hemingway Drive, property from vehicle

2300 block of Hunters Woods Plaza, alcohol from business

11500 block of North Shore Drive, wallet from residence

1500 block of North Village Road, sunglasses from vehicle

13100 block of Parcher Avenue, merchandise from business

12600 block of Pinecrest Road, property from vehicle

11500 block of Red Leaf Court, property from vehicle

2000 block of Royal Fern Court, property from vehicle

11800 block of Sunrise Valley Drive, merchandise from business

12100 block of Sunset Hills Road, merchandise from business

12600 block of Terrymill Drive, property from vehicle

1400 block of Waterfront Road, property from vehicle

STOLEN VEHICLES:

None reported

Anyone with information about any of the crimes reported by FCPD should call 703-691-2131 or 1-866-411-TIPS(8477), or text “TIP187” plus the message to CRIMES(274637).

Meanwhile, in the Town of Herndon, police say a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle last week on Herndon Parkway. According to Lt. Stephen Thompson, the incident occurred at about 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 23 near the intersection with Ferndale Avenue.

“The driver remained on scene, and our accident reconstruction unit is still investigating,” Thompson said. “Right now, there are no charges.”

The pedestrian who was struck was taken to Reston Hospital Center’s emergency room with trauma to her head.

Matthew Centrowitz Jr., whose accomplishments as a runner include a gold medal in the 1,500 meters at the 2016 Olympic Games, will visit Reston Town Center next week for an event with Potomac River Running.

Centrowitz and his father, fellow Olympian Matthew Centrowitz Sr., will be at the Reston Town Center pavilion Tuesday, Sept. 5, at 6:30 p.m. to share their stories and sign copies of the elder’s new book, “Like Father, Like Son: My Story on Running, Coaching and Parenting.”

Centrowitz Sr. was a member of the U.S. Olympic Team in 1976 and 1980, while he son has done so in 2012 and 2016. The gold medal won by Centrowitz Jr. in Rio de Janeiro last year marked the first time an American had accomplished that feat in the 1,500 meters since 1908.

At Reston Town Center next week, the Centrowitzes will share their Olympic experiences and offer running advice. The event is free, but space is limited. Those who wish to attend should visit www.prraces.com to register.

According to an event schedule released by Potomac River Running:

6:30 p.m: Take your seats in the RTC Pavilion

7 p.m.: The Centrowitz Duo present a comedic, yet informative clinic and share adventures from their Olympic experiences

8 p.m.: See the Gold Medal in person and get your booked signed or photos taken with the legendary father and son team

The Fairfax County Park Authority has released the draft version of its latest Parks & Recreation System Master Plan and is inviting the public to give its feedback.

The park system master planning process was first initiated with the 1993 Recreation Demand Study. The plan has been revised several times over the years, most recently in 2011.

According to the Park Authority website, the revisions to the 2011 plan were deemed necessary because a “revision is undertaken when the park system or its surrounding community have notably changed. This is the case with the Fairfax County park system.”

The Park Authority says “[m]any of the strategies detailed in the 2011 plan have been completed despite funding challenges” and “[a]dditional improvements or system changes have also been made where possible in order to address emerging community needs.”

Principles in the “Great Parks, Great Communities” plan include to inspire a passion for parks, meet changing recreation needs, advance park system excellence, strengthen and foster partnerships; be equitable and inclusive; be great stewards; and promote healthy lifestyles.

The goals include to improve and promote natural resource protection and management; ensure protection, conservation, preservation and interpretation of cultural resources; improve access and opportunities for healthy and active lifestyles; enhance and maintain park system quality and condition; advance as an innovative, responsive and adaptable organization; and provide sustainable financial management to advance the Park Authority mission.

Residents are encouraged to read over the plan and submit comments by email to [email protected], the comment box on the Park Authority website during a public input meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 12 from 7-9 p.m. at Green Springs Gardens (4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria).

Comments can be submitted through Sept. 22.

Graphic via Fairfax County Park Authority

The end of another week has arrived. Before we head off into the weekend, though, let’s take a look back at the biggest stories on Reston Now in recent days.

The following articles were the five most-clicked links on Reston Now this past week.

1. Finishing Touches Being Done on Cooper’s Hawk, Set to Open Aug. 28
2. Cubicle Fire on 11th Floor of Commercial Building Draws Two Alarms
3. New Lighting on Helmut Jahn Building at Reston Station Part of Architect’s Signature Design
4. More Than 140 Trees To Be Removed To Comply with Dam Safety Code
5. Wedell: Hook Road Park Should Be for Community, Not ‘Just Another Recreation Area’

Also receiving a lot of clicks this week is the short article we published in July announcing the four candidates in the special election for a Fairfax County School Board seat. That election is Tuesday; the last day for in-person absentee voting at the Fairfax County Government Center is Saturday.

And of course, lest we forget, we all watched with craned necks earlier this week as the moon passed in front of the sun.

Feel free to discuss these topics and anything else that happened locally this week. Have a great weekend!

It’s the last weekend in August, and school starts Monday.

It’s not even Labor Day yet, but it’s an unofficial end of summer.

With that comes the end of many of the events that have defined the season in Reston. Reston Station’s “Summerbration” series ends this weekend, as does Reston Town Center’s summer concert series.

This also marks the end of the season for much of Reston Association’s swimming pool schedule. North Shore and Ridge Heights pools are the only locations where daily hours will continue after this weekend, though Lake Audubon and Lake Newport pools will open for Labor Day Weekend.

Kids and families, take advantage of these last two days before the school bell rings Monday.

Below are many of the fun events that are going on this weekend, for the young ones and the adults alike.

(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.)

• The “Summerbration” comes to a close this weekend at Reston Station. Tonight from 7-9 p.m., The Swingin’ Swamis will perform. Saturday night from 8:30-10:30 p.m., there will be a free screening of “The Little Mermaid.” The Summerbration events are in the plaza outside the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station. (Note: To receive free parking for these events, parking tickets need to be validated by personnel on the plaza. Find the sign that reads “Parking Validation Here.”)
• Saturday night, Reston Town Center’s summer concert series wraps up with a show from David Akers and the Soul Shakers from 7:30-10 p.m. at the pavilion (11900 Market St.). Parking at RTC is free on the weekends.
• Hours for humans at Dogwood and North Hills pools may have ended, but there’s still fun to be had there for their four-legged friends. Reston Association will host two “Dog Paddle” events this weekend, at Dogwood Pool (2460 Green Range Road) on Saturday and at North Hills Pool (1325 North Village Road) on Sunday. Each day, the events will go from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost to register is $4 for dogs of Reston Association members and $6 for dogs of non-members.
• Potomac River Running will put on the sixth-annual South Lakes 10K on Sunday at 7:30 a.m., beginning at SLHS (11400 South Lakes Drive).
• Reston Bicycle Club’s 35th annual Century ride will roll off at 6:30 a.m. Sunday from the pavilion at Reston Town Center. Three hundred slots are being held of same-day walk-ups. In addition to the 100-mile ride, there are 31- and 62-mile routes available.
• The Reston Farmers Market will take place from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at Lake Anne Village Center.
• Lake Anne is also hosting Sunday Yoga on the Plaza each week, at 9:30 a.m.
• Interested in stand-up paddleboarding? Surf Reston is offering sessions this weekend on Lake Anne. Advance registration is required. In addition, there will be SUP yoga from 9-11 a.m. Saturday.
• Many restaurants and bars in Reston will have live music this weekend. These include: Vinifera Wine Bar and Bistro (11750 Sunrise Valley Drive) from 7-10 p.m every Friday and Saturday night; Crafthouse (1888 Explorer St.) every Friday and Saturday night from 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.; and Tavern64 (1800 Presidents St.) every Friday from 6-10 p.m.
• Kalypso’s Sports Tavern (1617 Washington Plaza N.) will have live music from Revelator Hill tonight from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; Saturday night, DJ Kram will play Top 40 hits.
• Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor square off Saturday night in one of the most anticipated professional fights in history. Many sports bars in Herndon, Tysons, Sterling and elsewhere in the area will be showing it on the big screen.

Doug Graney’s 32-year teaching career is the topic of his new memoir, “American Teacher,” now available.

After starting his career teaching in Connecticut and upstate New York, Graney came to Herndon High School as a social studies teacher in 1992.

Graney has been honored with awards including Herndon Optimist Club Teacher of the Year (1997), Virginia Education Association Excellence in Teaching Award (2007), Horace Mann Teacher of the Year/Finalist for National Education Association Excellence in Teaching Award (2008), Dulles Area Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year (2011) and Virginia Veterans of Foreign Wars Teacher of the Year (2014). He became a National Board Certified Teacher in 2003, and his certification was renewed in 2013.

According to publisher Mascot Books:

“American Teacher” details Doug Graney’s journey to becoming a celebrated teacher at Herndon High School. Following a career packed with political and historical field trips, holding government officials accountable including Colin Powell, Sandra Day O’Connor and many members of congress, generating spirited debate, and creating the largest congressional intern placement program in the country, “American Teacher” is the story of a man dedicated to his students and their education, no matter what.

Graney’s book can be purchased through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

In September, lovers of natural beauty will have a chance to see some of the most beautiful spots in Herndon.

The Herndon Garden Tour, slated for Sunday, Sept. 10, will be a showcase of five examples of fine use of green thumbs. The tour will feature:

• 900 McDaniel Court: A palette of different leaf shapes, textures, and colors; and a pond with waterfall
• 958 Tympani Court: An Italianate garden modeled after the designs of southern Italy
• 654 Old Hunt Way: Trees, bushes and flowers that create overall design balance
• 809 Monroe St.: A contrast of different plants, colors, leaf shapes accentuated by various types of stones and plants
• 101 Pearl St.: An organic garden with emphasis on colors throughout the seasons

In addition to the private gardens, the Monarch butterfly waystation at Runnymede Park (195 Herndon Parkway) will also be part of the tour. Painting demos, garden music and more will also be offered. Gardeners will be on hand during the self-guided tour to discuss their gardens and answer questions.

The tour is scheduled for noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 10. Advance tickets are available for $10 through Sept. 1, at which time the price will increase to $15. Children under 12 can participate for free.

Tickets are available at Herndon Florist (716 Lynn St., cash or check only) and the Herndon Community Center (814 Ferndale Ave.).

The Herndon Garden Tour is produced by the town’s Cultivating Community Initiative, a group of volunteers who are committed to neighborhood beautification and community spirit.