If you’re looking for fun during the coming Labor Day Weekend, you might look no further than downtown Herndon.

The annual Herndon Labor Day Festival has been scheduled for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the holiday, Sept. 4. The event on the Herndon Town Green (777 Lynn St.) will feature Virginia wine tastings, craft beers, live music, a craft show, food vendors, lawn games and more.

Admission for those participating in sampling wine and beer will be $20, which includes a glass for wine and three complimentary beer tastings. (Additional beer tastings will be $2 each.) Anyone who won’t be purchasing alcoholic beverages will be admitted for $5, and children 12 and under will be admitted free.

Live music at the event will include performances by:

• 11 a.m.: Acoustic Soul, classic rock and blues duo
• Noon: Wild the Waters, American music
• 1 p.m.: The Janglebachs, a Woodstock tribute
• 2:30 p.m.: Gary Smallwood, rural contemporary music
• 3:30 p.m.: Speed of Sound, the Paul McCartney experience

Participating wineries will be 868 Estate Vineyards, Cobbler Mountain Cider, Horton Vineyards, Mattaponi Winery, Narmada, Rebec Vineyards, Rodgers Ford Farm Winery and Two Twisted Posts. Craft beers will be offered by Apocalypse Ale Works, Blue Mountain Brewery, Brothers Craft Brewing, Devils Backbone Brewing Company, Forge Brew Works, Pale Fire Brewing Company, SmartMouth Brewing Company and Tröegs Independent Brewing.

Food and non-alcoholic drinks will be provided by Casero Creations, Island Smoothie, Guapo’s, The Tender Rib and Zabb Thai Restaurant.

For more information about this and other future events in Herndon, follow the town’s Parks & Recreation Department on Facebook.

File photo courtesy Town of Herndon

Herndon High School freshmen who are joining the school’s Navy Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps learned all about the program last week during a New Cadet Introductory Course camp.

The incoming cadets learned how to march, how to wear and care for their uniforms, and how to handle a rifle among other valuable lessons. In addition, they participated in community service, including a cleanup of Dranesville Road near the school.

Students also learned the importance of physical fitness as a cadet, including through completion of an obstacle course.

Awards were presented to the top-performing cadets for academics, drill and physical fitness during the orientation course.

The next exhibition at Greater Reston Arts Center (12001 Market St.) will feature the work for D.C.-based artist Sue Wrbican.

“Sue Wrbican: Well Past the Echo” will be on view at the gallery Sept. 9 through Nov. 18. According to a press release from GRACE:

This first comprehensive exhibition of Wrbican’s work will bring together her most recent photographic series inspired by the landscape paintings of American Surrealist Kay Sage (1898-1963) — The Eventual Outcome of an Instant and Biography of Catastrophe — both dealing with ideas of epic journeys, one personal and the other representing impossible connections through time, place and dimension. The exhibition will also feature a site-specific installation and sculptural elements. Over the years, Wrbican has had many instances of encounter with Sage, a one-time student of painting at the Corcoran School of Art. By building three-dimensional models of Sage’s painted structures, Wrbican not only actualizes the hallucinatory images from Sage’s two-dimensional renderings but makes them relevant for the contemporary viewer in an ever-changing landscape.

Wrbican is an associate professor and director of photography at the School of Art at George Mason University. Her education includes an MFA in photography from the Rhode Island School of Design, and BA in English writing with a concentration in poetry from the University of Pittsburgh.

A free public reception to celebrate the show’s opening is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 9 from 5-7 p.m. at GRACE. Further free public programming related to the exhibition will include:

• Creative Responses (Thursdays, Sept. 28 and Oct. 26, 6-7 p.m.): Hear a creative professional respond to the work on view in the gallery. The short presentation will be followed by open conversation. Presenters may include poets, dancers, writers, musicians, visual artists and more. The Oct. 26 response will be held in conjunction with the Now Be Here project.
• Conversation and Book Release with Sue Wrbican and Lily Siegel (Saturday, Nov. 4, 3 p.m.): Enjoy the release of Wrbican’s book, “Biography of Catastrophe and the Eventual Outcome of an Instant,” and a conversation with Wrbican and gallery curator Lily Siegel. The book’s cover is crafted with material from one of the sails in the narrative. Varied covers featuring a handwritten embroidered title and binding by the author make each book unique in an edition of 50.

Images courtesy Sue Wrbican/Greater Reston Arts Center

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. Police Say Woman Was Dragged Into Woods Near Tall Oaks, Man Tried To Remove Her Clothes
2. Multiple Reports of Credit Card Skimmers Hitting Local Residents; Police Offer Advice
3. 25 Years Ago Today: Lollapalooza at Lake Fairfax Park
4. Congratulations to the Winners of the 2017 Best Reston Business Awards
5. Big Turnout, Big Fun at First Cardboard Boat Regatta at Lake Anne

The suspect in the attempted sexual assault this week is still on the loose. Police released a sketch of him later in the week.

The article about the 25-year anniversary of Lollapalooza’s last show — Aug. 14, 1992 — in Reston prompted numerous readers to post their memories both on our website and our Facebook page, where it was our most-shared story of the week. Here are just a few of those comments:

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

Image of Lake Anne Cardboard Boat Regatta via NovaLabs/Facebook

A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for parts of CT, DE, DC, MD, MA, NJ, NY, PA, VA, WV until 9 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/5IkasOqzn9

— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) August 18, 2017

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the entire region that will be in effect until 9 p.m. Friday.

According to the alert, isolated hail up to the size of a ping-pong ball is possible, as are scattered wind gusts up to 70 mph. In addition, frequent lighting is possible.

The watch extends from Virginia all the way up the East Coast to Connecticut.

Locally, the Washington Post’s Capital Weather Gang says they “expect that there will be a few severe thunderstorm warnings,” and to “anticipate scattered power outages from downed limbs.”

(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.)

• This weekend, the “Summerbration” series rolls on at Reston Station. Tonight from 7-9 p.m., Scott Kurt & Memphis 59 will perform. Saturday night from 8:30-10:30 p.m., there will be a free screening of the 2017 live-action film “Beauty and the Beast.” The Summerbration events outside the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station will continue through the end of the month. (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 will continue its summer concert series with a show from Grammy Award-winning Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience from 7:30-10 p.m. at the pavilion (11900 Market St.). Parking at RTC is free on the weekends.
• 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.
• This is the last weekend for Reston Community Center’s August exhibit, “The Heart of Art.” It is on display at the Jo Ann Rose Gallery (1609 Washington Plaza N.).
• “Radcliffe Bailey: The Great Dismal Swamp” closes tonight at Greater Reston Arts Center (12001 Market St.).
• Interested in stand-up paddleboarding? Surf Reston is offering sessions this weekend on Lake Anne. Advance registration is required.
• The Friends of Reston Regional Library back-to-school book sale is taking place at the library (11925 Bowman Towne Drive) through the weekend. Hours are until 5 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, and 1-3:30 p.m. Sunday. All proceeds benefit the library and its programming.
• 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 The Vandelays tonight from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; Saturday night, DJ Kram will play Top 40 hits.
• “A Grand Night for Singing” closes this weekend at NextStop Theatre Company (269 Sunset Park Drive, Herndon). Shows are tonight and Saturday at 8 p.m.; with a 2 p.m. matinee Sunday. Tickets range from $17.50 to $55.
• Walker Nature Center (11450 Glade Drive) will be having a photo scavenger hunt event from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday. Cost for the all-ages event is $6 for Reston Association members and $8 for non-members.

Photo via Reston Station on Facebook

A heat advisory from the National Weather Service will be in effect from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, as temperatures soar into the 90s.

From the alert:

…HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 8 PM EDT
THIS EVENING…

The National Weather Service in Baltimore MD/Washington has
issued a Heat Advisory, which is in effect from 11 AM this
morning to 8 PM EDT this evening.

* HEAT INDEX VALUES…Around 105 degrees due to temperatures in
the lower 90s and dewpoints in the mid to upper 70s.

* IMPACTS…The heat and humidity may cause heat stress during
outdoor exertion or extended exposure.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A Heat Advisory means that a period of high temperatures is
expected. The combination of high temperatures and high humidity
will create a situation in which heat illnesses are possible.

Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When
possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or
evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat
stroke. Wear light weight and loose fitting clothing when
possible and drink plenty of water.

To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and
Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks
in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by
heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke
is an emergency — call 911.

The National Weather Service says strong thunderstorms are possible this afternoon as well, with frequent lightning, damaging winds and large hail possible.

Active weather expected today with heat and humidity followed by strong to locally severe thunderstorms. pic.twitter.com/z9W5V6PxSs

— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) August 18, 2017

File image via Flickr

The results of the 2017 Best Reston Business Awards are in, and congratulations are in order to all of our winners and runners-up.

After the nomination process in June and the preliminary vote in July, we narrowed each category down to two finalists. More than 800 of our email subscribers voted over the past week on those finalists in each of the 18 categories, determining who our most regular readers have deemed the best of the best in 2017. And every vote counted — in the closest competition, only six votes separated the candidates.

Without further adieu, the results of the final voting for the awards. Both the winner and the runner-up in each category is listed, with the winner first and in bold.

• Best Apartment Building: The Avant at Reston Town Center (50.76 percent), BLVD | Reston Station (49.24 percent)
• Best Architect or Designer: Cindy Beyer Design (56.50 percent), AKG Design Studio (43.50 percent)
• Best Arts/Entertainment Venue: Lake Anne Plaza (57.88 percent), Reston Community Center (42.12 percent)
• Best Bar/Happy Hour: Lake Anne Brew House (58.87 percent), Jackson’s Mighty Fine Food & Lucky Lounge (41.13 percent)
• Best Builder, Remodeler or Contractor: My Kitchen & Bath (52.35 percent), HandyMensch Home Remodeling (47.65 percent)
• Best Child Care or Preschool: Lake Anne Nursery Kindergarten (64.41 percent), Reston Children’s Center (35.59 percent)
• Best Dentist or Orthodontist: Reston Serenity Smiles (62.93 percent), Smilezone Family & Cosmetic Dentistry (37.07 percent)
• Best Fast-Casual Restaurant: Cafesano (75.80 percent), Chick-fil-A Village Commons (24.20 percent)
• Best Financial Business: Baird (65.42 percent), CST Group CPAs PC (34.58 percent)
• Best Fitness Business: Potomac River Running Store (65.18 percent), Fusion 360 Inc. (34.82 percent)
• Best Legal Practice: Berry & Berry LLC (74.58 percent), Khanna Law PLLC (25.42 percent)
• Best Local Shop: Reston’s Used Book Shop (59.23 percent); Chesapeake Chocolates, Wine, Gifts and More (40.77 percent)
• Best Medical Practice: Colleen Neumann Psychology LLC (55.58 percent), Generations Medical Aesthetics (46.42 percent)
• Best New Business: Lake Anne Coffee House & Wine Bar (54.20 percent), Lake Anne Brew House (45.80 percent)
• Best Pet Care: Just Cats Clinic (52.94 percent), Villaridge Pet Sitters (47.06 percent)
• Best Private School: Reston Montessori School (78.32 percent), Berthold Academy (21.68 percent)
• Best Real Estate Agent: Eve Thompson (54.50 percent), Susannah Palik (45.50 percent)
• Best Sit-Down Restaurant: PassionFish (52.80 percent), Jackson’s Mighty Fine Food & Lucky Lounge (47.20 percent)

Again, congratulations to all the winners and runners-up!

DogFest Walk ‘n Roll, a charity event to benefit Canine Companions for Independence, will come to Reston for the first time next month.

This will be the fourth annual D.C.-area gathering for the nationwide event. In previous years, it was held in Arlington’s Pentagon City.

The event is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 10 at Reston Town Center. From a press release:

Furry friends and their families are invited to join us for a day of fun, festivities, graduate speakers, dog demonstrations, music, food and more.

Admission is free, parking is free and our event is accessible.

Last year, hundreds joined us from DC, Maryland, Virginia and Delaware to walk and roll in our biggest celebration yet raising nearly $65,000 with an agility course, demonstrations, treats, freebies, raffles, and best of all, stories of real graduate teams who live and work here in the DMV.

Celebrate the community of people and dogs that make it possible for Canine Companions to show that the most advanced technology capable of transforming the lives of people with disabilities has a cold nose and a warm heart.

Canine Companions for Independence provides highly-trained assistance dogs to adults, children and veterans with disabilities FREE of charge.

Dozens of DogFest Walk ‘n Roll events are held yearly around the nation.

All are welcome to the event. To register as a volunteer, or to make a donation to the cause, check out the event’s website.

Photo via Canine Companions for Independence website

Drivers are asked to exercise caution this morning as the National Weather Service has issued a dense fog advisory that will be in effect until 9 a.m.

According to the NWS advisory:

…DENSE FOG ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM EDT WEDNESDAY…

The National Weather Service in Baltimore MD/Washington has
issued a Dense Fog Advisory, which is in effect until 9 AM EDT
Wednesday.

* VISIBILITIES…One quarter mile or less at times.

* IMPACTS…Areas of dense fog will cause sudden reductions in
visibility and rapidly changing conditions, making travel
difficult.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A Dense Fog Advisory means visibilities will frequently be
reduced to less than one quarter mile. If driving, slow down, use
your headlights, and leave plenty of distance ahead of you.

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue has shared a number of fog safety tips for drivers who will be out in the hazardous conditions this morning.

• Slow down and allow extra time to reach your destination.
• Make your vehicle visible to others both ahead of you and behind you by using your low-beam headlights since this means your taillights will also be on. Use fog lights if you have them.
• Never use your high-beam lights. Using high beam lights causes glare, making it more difficult for you to see what’s ahead of you on the road.
• Leave plenty of distance between you and the vehicle in front of you to account for sudden stops or changes in the traffic pattern.
• To ensure you are staying in the proper lane, follow the lines on the road with your eyes.
• In extremely dense fog where visibility is near zero, the best course of action is to first turn on your hazard lights, then simply pull into a safe location such as a parking lot of a local business and stop.

Photo courtesy National Weather Service

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. Now Open: PokeHub at Reston Town Center
2. RA Urges County to Support Dog Park Study as Baron Cameron Concerns Continue
3. Weird Brothers Coffee Co-Owner Kenny Olsen Dies Unexpectedly
4. Police Say Three Assaulted by ‘Group of Men’ Wednesday on South Lakes Drive
5. Fairfax County Public Schools 2017-18 Calendar — Dates to Remember

In addition to these stories, we also learned this week that the opening of Founding Farmers will be delayed into 2018, that SNAP usage is stronger than ever at the Reston Farmers Market, and much more.

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

This Labor Day Weekend, Lake Anne Plaza will once again be infiltrated by an influx of jazz and blues tunes.

The 11th annual Lake Anne Jazz & Blues Festival will hit the plaza Saturday, Sept. 2. 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.

The free event is slated for 1-9 p.m. and will be held rain or shine. For updates, follow Lake Anne Plaza’s Facebook page.

Sponsors of the event include the Lane Anne Merchants, Friends of Lake Anne, Reston Community Center, Reston Association and Aperture Reston Station.

There will be an unofficial kickoff to the festival Thursday, Aug. 31 during the plaza’s “Take A Break” concert series. Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet will perform during that event.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BXjWgO_lckm/

Makeshift boats will be taking over Lake Anne this weekend for a first-of-its-kind Reston event.

The Lake Anne Cardboard Boat Regatta will take place Saturday from 2-6 p.m. at the plaza. A pre-event “launch party” is scheduled for 6-9 p.m. tonight.

Participants in the event will be using self-constructed and decorated boats, which will take to the water in timed heats. Some extraneous material could be used in building the vessel, but there are many rules and limitations to what could be utilized. Prizes will be awarded to the fastest boats in each category, as well as the “Titanic” award for the ship that sinks “most spectacularly.”

It should be fun for all, participants and spectators alike.

There will be plenty else to do in the area this weekend as well. Get out there and enjoy Reston.

(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.)

• This weekend, the “Summerbration” series rolls on at Reston Station. Tonight from 7-9 p.m., Eastern Standard Time will perform. Saturday night from 8:30-10:30 p.m., there will be a free screening of “Lego Batman.” The Summerbration events outside the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station will continue through the end of August. (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 will continue its summer concert series with big band jazz from the Navy Band Commodores from 7:30-10 p.m. at the pavilion (11900 Market St.). Parking at RTC is free on the weekends.
• The Reston Farmers Market will take place from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at Lake Anne Village Center. This week, as part of National Farmers Market Week, there will be a SNAP at Market Appreciation Day.
• Lake Anne is also hosting Sunday Yoga on the Plaza each week, at 9:30 a.m.
• On Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., South Lakes High School will be the host to a “Back 2 School Bash” to get K-12 students ready for the coming school year. The free event will feature local schools, government and nonprofit providers of services, resources and activities for Reston community members.
• This is the last full weekend for “Radcliffe Bailey: The Great Dismal Swamp” at Greater Reston Arts Center (12001 Market St.), which closes Aug. 18.
• Reston Community Center’s August exhibit, “The Heart of Art,” is on display at the Jo Ann Rose Gallery (1609 Washington Plaza N.) through Aug. 21.
• Reston Association will host an open house for the Lake House from 10-11:30 a.m. Sunday.
• 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 The Jones tonight from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; Saturday night, DJ Kram will play Top 40 hits.
• “A Grand Night for Singing” is being performed at NextStop Theatre Company (269 Sunset Park Drive, Herndon) tonight and Saturday at 8 p.m.; with a 2 p.m. matinee Sunday. There will also be a performance at 7 p.m. Sunday, which is currently sold out; however, a waiting list is available. The show is being performed through Aug. 20. Tickets range from $17.50 to $55.
• Reston Community Center’s Sunday Art in the Park series will wrap up Sunday from 7-8 p.m., with a performance by the Shenandoah Conservatory Saxophone Quartet. The show will be at Reston Town Square Park, at the corner of Market and Explorer streets.
• ArtSpace Herndon (750 Center St.) will host The Solo Projekt, a one-man show by Shabbar Raza, from 4-6 p.m. Saturday. The show is described as “is a eclectic cross-hybrid genre act that pushes from pure orchestral that has been experimented with and can change into heavy and soft luscious electronic sounds with beats that mix and incorporate psychedelic, ambient, hip hop soundscapes that can spill into alternative rock.”