In a distinct sign of the season, the first area farmers market of the year will open this week.

The Herndon Farmers Market will have its opening day Thursday, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and it plans to be open each Thursday into November on Lynn Street in the town.

In Reston, two farmers markets are scheduled to open in the coming weeks. First will be the Reston Farmers Market at Lake Anne Plaza, which plans to open for its 20th season on Saturday, April 29. Its hours are 8 a.m. to noon, and the season is scheduled to last until Dec. 9.

Smart Markets, which last year operated a farmers market at Reston Station, will this year set up at St. John Neumann Catholic Church (11900 Lawyers Road) beginning Wednesday, May 3. The market is scheduled to be available from 3-7 p.m. each Wednesday.

For more information about the markets, including vendors available at each location, check their websites at the links above.

Photo via Reston Farmers Market at Lake Anne Plaza

Today’s Boston Marathon field included numerous local runners.

According to the entry list for the 121st annual event, the following individuals from Reston were registered for the race: William D’Agostino, Emmett Delaney, Marcy Foster, Lisa Johnston, Vince Kelley, Mark Langham, Deedee Loughran, Bin Mu, Douglas Pepelko, Sherri Ranney, Catherine Reen, Bob Reinhold, Rebecca Scott, Jie Zheng and Malissa Zimmerman.

In addition, three runners from Herndon — Pei Han, Mckell Poulton and Kiley Trennepohl — are listed among the registrants.

Local runners’ times, via the event’s Results page, are displayed below.

The men’s and women’s marathon winners, respectively, were Geoffrey Kirui (2 hours, 9 minutes, 37 seconds) and Edna Kiplagat (2 hours, 21 minutes, 52 seconds), both of Kenya.

When “Romeo and Juliet” was first performed in the 1600s, all-male casts were used — women were not permitted on stage.

Next month in Reston, the script will be flipped.

DC troupe AnyStage Theater Company, which first brought Shakespeare to Reston with “Hamlet” in 2015, will return May 6-7 to stage an all-female version of the classic love story. Three stagings of the outdoor production are slated for Lake Anne Recreation Area (11301 North Shore Drive). A cast of seven women will portray 12 roles in the minimal-scenery show, which will also feature 21st-century costumes and music.

The show (trailer available on YouTube) is directed by Aria Velz and John-Nicholas Walsh.

“One of the best parts of having an all-female cast is talking about masculinity and femininity in the play,” Velz said in a news release. “Having a room full of women talk about not only womanhood but our perspective of manhood makes for insightful and hilarious moments while staging, particularly in the scenes with only male characters.”

Diane Samuelson plays Romeo.

“One of my favorite aspects is the energy and enthusiasm from everyone in the cast getting to tackle roles we wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to play,” she said of the show.

Kirsten Koch portrays Juliet in the show.

“Juliet is often seen as sort of a half-person, defined by being in a pair with Romeo rather than as an actual character,” Koch said. “This production really highlights that Juliet is much more complex than she gets credit for. We can see the strength of her character in her refusal to follow along quietly.”

Velz says she hopes the show reaches the audience in a specific way.

“We’re hoping audiences really see how the masculinity and braggadocio that boys and men display can be ridiculous,” she said.

The performances will be Saturday, May 6 at 2 p.m.; and at both 2 and 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 7. Performances are free but donations are welcome.

Image courtesy AnyStage Theater Company

It’s Easter weekend, and it’s time to celebrate all things spring.

Whether outdoor activities are your thing or you want to sit and enjoy a good show, there are plenty of options in Reston and the surrounding area this weekend.

Here’s just a sampling of how you can have a good time this holiday weekend:

• Lake Anne Brew House (11424 Washington Plaza W.) will celebrate its one-year anniversary all day Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., with music, food, drink specials and more.
• The Herndon Municipal Center (777 Lynn St.) will host an Easter egg hunt from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday. The event will also include a coloring mural, petting zoo, photo op with the Easter Bunny and more. Registration is $9 in advance, $10 at the event.
• Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares will perform at Reston Community Center’s CenterStage (2310 Colts Neck Road) at 8 p.m. Saturday. The group’s goal is “to enrich the heritage of the Bulgarian solo folk song with harmonies and arrangements that highlighted its beautiful timbres and irregular rhythms.” Tickets are $25 for Reston residents and $35 for non-residents.
• The art exhibit “A Respite from Chaos” will remain on display at Reston Community Center’s Jo Ann Rose Gallery (1609 Washington Plaza N.) through the month of April.
• Frying Pan Farm Park will pay a visit to Reston Regional Library (11925 Bowman Towne Drive) at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. The children’s event will be an opportunity to meet with baby chickens, hear a story and make a craft to take home. (Note: The library will be closed Sunday in observance of Easter.)
• Reston Confections, a custom bakery, will have a pop-up shop at Pottery Barn (11937 Market St.) on Saturday from noon to 5 p.m.
• Other events at Reston Town Center this weekend will include live entertainment at World of Beer (1888 Explorer St.) Friday and Saturday nights; a French cooking class at Mon Ami Gabi (11950 Democracy Drive); and exercise in the pavilion Sunday.
• Tom Saputo and Friends will perform tonight from 7:30-10:30 p.m. at Café Montemarte (1625 Washington Plaza N.), and a ukelele and slack-key guitar performance by Michael Keale is slated for 6-9 p.m. Sunday.
• Vinafera Wine Bar and Bistro (11750 Sunrise Valley Drive) has live music every Friday and Saturday night in April, from 7-10 p.m.
• NextStop Theatre Company (269 Sunset Park Drive, Herndon) is performing “Boeing, Boeing,” and the show has been extended through May 7. Performances this weekend are tonight and Saturday at 8 p.m., along with a 2 p.m. matinee Sunday. Tickets are $35-$55.
• “First Blooms” by artist Dorothy Donahey remains on exhibit at Reston Art Gallery and Studios (11400 Washington Plaza W.), which is open from noon to 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.
• Kalypso’s (1617 Washington Plaza N.) will have live music tonight, 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., from The Vandelays. DJ Kram will play Top 40 hits Saturday night.

A 33-year-old Herndon man faces a litany of charges after police say he attacked employees at a Fox Mill Center restaurant before breaking into a nearby home.

At about 12:37 a.m. Friday, police say Quan Anh Ly approached employees and patrons on the front patio of Glory Days Grill (2567 John Milton Drive) and began swinging a large chain while threatening them, sending them scrambling to lock him out. According to police:

“The suspect broke the front doors to the business with his chain, entered and continued to swing his chain at employees. He confronted the bartender, who was on the phone with police, and grabbed the phone from him, and then proceeded to break numerous glasses and bottles. The suspect walked to the rear of the restaurant, encountering another employee. The suspect struck the 58-year-old man, injuring his hand, and exited out the back.”

Police say they were called to a home in the 2500 block of Freetown Drive a short time later for a reported burglary. The homeowner told them he was awakened by the sound of glass breaking and found that a man had broken both windows by the front door. The suspect fled the scene when the homeowner shouted, police say, and he was found beneath a nearby car. He was apprehended at the scene and charged with malicious wounding, attempted malicious wounding, burglary and felony destruction of property.

More charges may be issued against the man as the investigation continues, police say.

A worker was killed in a construction accident Thursday morning at a Great Falls site, police say.

According to the Fairfax County Police Department, the incident took place at about 10:30 a.m. at the construction site in the 10500 block of Georgetown Pike. Investigation shows that 50-year-old Pedro Banegas of Sterling was working on mechanical issues at the front of a dump truck when another worker got into the truck. Apparently unaware of what Banegas was doing, the other man began moving the truck forward.

Banegas was struck by the truck and pronounced dead at the scene. Police say no charges are expected to be filed. Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to call the Crime Reconstruction Unit at 703-280-0543.

In an unrelated incident near the same site Wednesday, a dump truck overturned on Georgetown Pike.

A man exposed himself to a 53-year-old woman Wednesday morning on a Herndon pathway, Fairfax County police say.

According to the FCPD report, the incident took place at about 8 a.m. in the area of Powells Tavern Place and Rock Ridge Road. The woman told police she saw the man exposing himself while both were walking along the pathway. The woman said she yelled at the man to “make him stop,” after which he ran off.

The suspect is described as a white man, 20-30 years old, about 5 feet 6 inches tall and 160 pounds.

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

Map via Google

Work surrounding the construction of the Hunters Woods at Trails Edge Senior Living Community will disrupt walkways in the area, including forcing the closing of the underpass to Hunters Woods Village Center, for up to two years.

According to information provided by Reston Association, temporary pathways will be created in the area of the construction, 2222 Colts Neck Road. This will include the building of a new pedestrian bridge over Snakeden Creek near the property to ensure access to Colts Neck Road from Reston Parkway remains.

Pedestrians who regularly use the Colts Neck Road underpass to access Hunters Woods Village Center from Reston Parkway can walk to the intersections of Glade Drive or South Lakes Drive where there are signaled crosswalks, RA says.

Developer Atlantic Realty Company will pay for pathway alterations in the area of the construction. The temporary trails will be wood-chipped and unlighted. According to RA, they may not be suitable for bicycles or strollers.

The work to re-route the pathways is expected to begin within the next two weeks.

ARC has agreed, as part of its work to construct the senior-living facility to contribute $81,300 to improve pedestrian trails and pathway lighting within a half-mile of the facility. It also will be putting $60,000 into improvement of the facade of the Colts Neck pedestrian underpass, in coordination with Public Art Reston and Reston Association.

Map courtesy Reston Association

The Fairfax County Police Department reports that Georgetown Pike (Route 193) is closed just west of Great Falls due to an overturned dump truck.

Road closure: Reston, Great Falls area, Georgetown Pike at Ellsworth Ct and Georgetown Pike at Applewood Ln. 2 hour closure. pic.twitter.com/gFmBtWgT9y

— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) April 12, 2017

#BREAKING @fairfaxpolice on the scene 10100 blk GTown Pike #GreatFalls #Fairfax. Overturned dump truck. Road closed #nbc4dc pic.twitter.com/Ykm5YTYCKV

— Charlie Bragale (@charlienbc) April 12, 2017

NBC Washington reports the collision involved the dump truck and a car, but the drivers of each suffered only minor injuries.

The closure is expected to last into the mid-afternoon.

Map via Google

A Sunday fire on Brown Fox Way has displaced two adults, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue reports.

Units from the Fox Mill station were dispatched to the blaze in the 12300 block at about 12:30 p.m. Sunday. When they arrived, they saw smoke showing from the front of the two-story, single-family house. The fire was found in the kitchen, firefighters said, and they were told by residents that there had been a problem with a circuit breaker that had tripped.

Both occupants of the home escaped without injury. Smoke alarms had activated, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue says.

According to investigators:

“The fire started under the cook top, in the back of a base cabinet in the kitchen. The fire was accidental in nature and was caused from an undetermined electrical event. In addition, the fire caused the natural gas line to fail which led to a gas fed fire.”

Red Cross assistance was offered to the residents, who declined. Damages as a result of the fire have been estimated to be approximately $93,750.

A 40-year-old Herndon man is being held without bond after police say he repeatedly sexually abused a 12-year-old girl being cared for at an in-home daycare where he lived.

Oscar Perez Rangel faces several child abuse-related counts including felony aggravated sexual battery in relation to the alleged abuse, which the Fairfax County Police Department says took place between October and December. Rangel was not the operator of the daycare; however, he did live at the residence.

FCPD’s Major Crimes Division Child Abuse detectives received information about the alleged abuse March 28, after the victim had reported it to staff at her school. Perez Rangel was arrested April 7 at the home.

Detectives, Victim Services and Child Protective Services are working with the victim and her family to provide assistance as needed. There is no indication that there are any other victims connected to Perez Rangel; however, any information that may be useful in this case can be directed to Det. Elizabeth Melendez at 703-246-7885.

Photo: Oscar Perez Rangel courtesy Fairfax County Police Department

The 26th annual Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival is just a little over a month away.

Thousands of people are expected to enjoy the festival, which will take place May 19-21 at Reston Town Center. The event is the largest fundraiser of the year for the Greater Reston Arts Center (12001 Market St.).

Around 200 exhibiting artists will be filling the streets to show off their wares during the event. The festival is an honoree in the America’s Best Art Fair Awards competition, which recognized it as one of the top juried art fairs in the country.

The event will begin with a kickoff party Friday, May 19 from 6-9 p.m., featuring complimentary food and wine along with the opportunity to mingle with artists and other dignitaries. Tickets are $50.

The festival itself will follow the next two days, with admission a $5 suggested donation for adults. It will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 20; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 21.

All interior streets of the Town Center will be reserved for pedestrians only, leaving an 11-block art walk. Boston Properties’ parking fees will be waived during the event, including during the kickoff party Friday.

File photo

Between Founder’s Day on Saturday and the Runners Marathon of Reston on Sunday, this is a big weekend for major events in Reston.

But even if you want to stay away from the big Founder’s Day crowd and long-distance running doesn’t sound like a fun time for you, there are plenty of other ways you can enjoy yourself this weekend.

Here is just a sampling of what’s going on in the Reston area in the next couple days.

• Saturday at Lake Anne Plaza, Founder’s Day will mark Reston’s 53rd anniversary. The festivities will take place between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. and will include fun for the whole family. Make sure to check out the full schedule.
• The Runners Marathon of Reston will have runners all over South Reston from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday. There are still a few slots open for registration, and volunteers are also still needed.
• Benefitting the Friends of Reston, the Nature House 5K run/walk will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday at the Walker Nature Center (11450 Glade Drive). The course mostly consists of paved walkways in neighborhoods as well as pathways at the Nature Center and through Glade Stream Valley Park.
• Two concerts are scheduled for Sunday at CenterStage (2310 Colts Neck Road) at Reston Community Center. Trout Fishing in America will be performing at 3 p.m., with Dana and the Glorious Birds going on stage at 7. Tickets for the first show are $5 for Reston residents and $10 for non-residents; tickets for the evening show are $15 for Reston residents and $20 for non-residents.
• NextStop Theatre Company (269 Sunset Park Drive, Herndon) is performing “Boeing, Boeing” through April 30. Performances this weekend are tonight at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 7 p.m., along with a 2 p.m. matinee Sunday. Tickets are $35-$55.
• Events at Reston Town Center this weekend include wine tasting at Il Fornaio (11990 Market St.) on Saturday and Zumba in the pavilion on Sunday.
• The opening reception for “First Blooms” by artist Dorothy Donahey at Reston Art Gallery and Studios (11400 Washington Plaza W.) will be Sunday from 2-4 p.m.
• The drama department at Herndon Middle School (901 Locust St.) will present “Romeo & Juliet” tonight at 7 p.m., and at 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $10.
• At Reston Regional Library (11925 Bowman Towne Drive), there will be a showing of kids’ movie “Open Season” and a young-adult writing workshop on Saturday.
• A bird walk is scheduled for the Twin Branches Nature Trail from 7:30-10:30 a.m. Sunday. No pre-registration is required for the free activity.
• “There’s No Place Like Home” will end its exhibit at ArtSpace Herndon (750 Center St.) on Saturday.
• Kalypso’s (1617 Washington Plaza N.) will have live music tonight, 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., from Revelator Hill featuring Bobby Thompson. DJ Kram will play Top 40 hits Saturday night.
• There will be a dance from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Sunday at Reston Community Center (2310 Colts Neck Road). Dancers of all skill levels are welcome to foxtrot, swing, cha-cha and waltz. Cost is $5 for Reston residents and $10 for non-residents.

A community meeting is scheduled for later this month at South Lakes High School to discuss the formation of a countywide strategic housing plan.

The goals of the plan, according to Fairfax County, include:

• To create a shared community vision of how housing supports local economic growth and community sustainability
• To quantify the housing needed to sensibly accommodate future growth
• To develop specific, measurable and actionable strategies for meeting countywide housing goals
• To identify the program and policies, and specific funding sources, that will be required to address housing needs in 5, 10, and 15 years

The plan will be led by the county’s Department of Housing and Community Development, and the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee will oversee it. The community meeting at SLHS this month is part of a communication plan by HCD to “engage residents and stakeholders throughout the entire process.”

The stated goal of the HCD is to complete the strategic plan by December and implement it in 2018.

The meeting will be held Monday, April 17 at 7 p.m. in the lecture hall at the high school (11400 South Lakes Drive).