Milking cows. Feeding the livestock.

It’s all part of a day’s work for a farmer. Beginning in April at Frying Pan Farm Park (2709 W. Ox Road, Herndon), local families are invited to find out what it’s like.

The Junior Farmer Family Fun program will take place at the park every other Thursday beginning April 6. Open to ages 2 and up, the program will give participants the chance to get up close and personal with farm life by helping with a variety of the chores.

Topics and activities will vary throughout the six weeks of the program, which will go from 4 to 5 p.m. each day. Cost to participate is $7 per person, per week. All children must be accompanied by a registered adult.

Frying Pan Farm Park preserves and interprets a farm of the 1920s-1950s, including the agricultural process, rural community life and landscape. Its goal is to provide for the educational, cultural and recreational enrichment of citizens and visitors of Fairfax County.

For more information about Frying Pan Farm Park, the program or other activities that are available, call 703-437-9101 or visit its website.

Photo via Fairfax County Park Authority

Only a few larcenies have been reported by the Reston District Station of the Fairfax County Police Department in the past week.

From police reports:

LARCENIES:

1800 block of Cameron Glen Drive, property from vehicle

2200 block of Cocquina Drive, identification card from vehicle

2500 block of Congreve Court, wallet from business

11600 block of Stoneview Square, bag and sunglasses from vehicle

11700 block of Summer Chase Circle, laptop computer from vehicle

1600 block of Washington Plaza, cash from business

STOLEN VEHICLES:

None reported

Reston District Station officers did have to deal with a group of teens who were allegedly shooting a BB gun at vehicles on Route 7, which we reported last week. The investigation also continues in the death of a man found in a car down an embankment in Herndon last week.

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

Dogs will be the guests of honor Saturday during the “Wag Fest” celebration in Reston.

At the event, scheduled for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., dog lovers will have the opportunity to, among other activities:

• Learn about the county’s nine dog parks and find out about opportunities to serve as a volunteer dog park monitor
• Visit with search and rescue dogs from Fairfax County Fire and Rescue’s Virginia Task Force 1
• See a police K9 unit demonstration
• Treat their dogs to handmade doggie treats
• Get a lesson in dog park etiquette and speak with service dog trainers
• See the latest in doggie goods from local vendors of dog merchandise and services
• Purchase a dog license

Among the presenters will be the Fairfax County Animal Shelter, Weber’s Pet Supermarket, Gordon’s Grill and Off-Leash K9 Training LLC.

The free event will be held both inside and outside the North County Governmental Center (1801 Cameron Glen Drive). For more information, call 703-324- 8662 or visit the event’s Facebook page.

Arbor Day may not officially be until the end of April, but that didn’t stop volunteers in Reston from marking the event a little early.

Friday morning at the Old Trail Natural Area, 70 volunteers and Reston Association staff participated in the community’s an Arbor Day tree planting. The event was a collaboration between Volunteer Reston and the National Wildlife Federation.

According to volunteer supervisor Ha Brock, RA celebrates Arbor Day earlier in the spring so it can stand alone from other Earth Day festivities in the community.

“A big thank you to all our volunteers,” Brock said. “Our work would not be possible without the work of our dedicated volunteers.”

A video showcasing the morning’s work is available on the Volunteer Reston Facebook page.

It’s the first weekend of spring and the weather forecast is looking fantastic. Here are some ideas for how you can get out and enjoy yourself.

• Reston Association has an “open house” event slated for Sunday from 2-4 p.m. at The Lake House (11450 Baron Cameron Ave.). Members are invited to come find out more about what RA has to offer.
• Islamic Relief USA’s “Skate for Syria” is tonight from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at SkateQuest (1800 Michael Faraday Court). Tickets are available online for $12; they will be $15 at the door. Proceeds from the fundraiser support Syrian Humanitarian Aid.
• Reston Town Center is hosting “Family Fun Saturdays” throughout March to benefit Opportunity Neighborhood: Reston. This week’s schedule features mini train rides, caricature and balloon artists, free “sweet treats” and more. The event will go from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday.
• Other events at Reston Town Center this weekend include an art workshop at Greater Reston Arts Center, a cooking class at Il Fornaio, cupcake-making demonstrations at Williams-Sonoma and live music at World of Beer.
• ArtSpace Herndon (750 Center St.) will host its Best of FAVS showcase from 7-9:30 p.m. tonight. The event showcases several films from George Mason University’s Film and Video Studies program. There will be a question-and-answer session with the filmmakers as well. Tickets are $20.
• There will be a community rummage sale Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Berthold Academy (11480 Sunset Hills Road). Proceeds from the event will go toward class trips for students.
• Reston Community Players’ will put on “Rock of Ages” tonight and Saturday at 8 p.m., as well as Sunday at 2 p.m. at CenterStage (2310 Colts Neck Road). Tickets for each performance of the show, which will run through April 1, are $25.
• Scrawl Books (11862 Market St.) will host storytime with author Anne Marie Stephens on Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to noon.
• The Diva Central prom dress giveaway will be Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. at the Lake Anne location (1609A Washington Plaza N.) of Reston Community Center. The giveaway is open to any current middle school and high school student who is in need of a formal dress, shoes, jewelry and other accessories.
• An all-ages nature workshop involving spring bulb containers will happen at Walker Nature Center (11450 Glade Drive) from 2-3 p.m. Sunday. Cost is $7 for RA members and $9 for non-members.
• The Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra of Greater Washington will present its Suite Serenade at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at United Christian Parish (11508 North Shore Drive).
• There will be a free Montessori music class and information session at Herndon Community Center (814 Ferndale Ave.) from 6-8 p.m. Sunday. Parents are invited to learn about Little Oaks Montessori Academy.
• Reston Regional Library (11925 Bowman Towne Drive) will have its YA Book Club on Sunday at 2 p.m.
• Kalypso’s (1617 Washington Plaza N.) will have live music tonight, 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., from Throwing Plates. DJ Kram will play Top 40 hits Saturday night.

A trio of documentary films on the tradition of public art in Reston will be screened Tuesday at CenterStage (2310 Colts Neck Road).

Public Art Reston will present the three short films, works of award-winning director Rebekah Wingert-Jabi, who will also attend the event to discuss them. The films — “Emerge: The Making of a Community Public Art Project,” “Fun, Beauty, Fantasy: Reston’s Public Art” and “A Bird in the Hand — Patrick Dougherty’s Sculptural Installation in Reston, VA” — explore the legacy of Reston’s public art and show how Public Art Reston works to advance it.

“Since Reston was established over 50 years ago, public art has played a central role in defining the unique character of our community,” said Wingert-Jabi, a Reston native. “As Public Art Reston celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2017, it is a particularly important time to have a discussion of what public art has meant to our community and how we would like to see it advanced here over the next 10 years.”

The films will be screened beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Public Art Reston’s presentation is in collaboration with Reston Community Center. The event is free.

Photos courtesy Public Art Reston

The Fairfax County Police Department is investigating after a man found unresponsive in a car down an embankment died at Reston Hospital Center.

According to a release from FCPD, 30-year-old Cory Lee Boback of Sterling was found at about 9 p.m. Wednesday in a car off Hiddenbrook Drive near Dranesville Road, in the Herndon area. Boback was transported to the hospital in life-threatening condition and pronounced dead a short time later.

Police say their preliminary investigation suggests the car was stopped at the light at the intersection of Hiddenbrook Drive and Dranesville Road when Boback may have passed out and the car rolled backward, down the embankment and off the road, without striking anything.

The incident remains under investigation, and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Solvers, text a tip by sending “TIP187” plus the message to CRIMES(274637), or call 1-866-411-TIPS(8477) or 703-691-2131.

Reston Association is welcoming new — and “not-so-new” — members to an open house to learn more about what the community has to offer.

The event will be held Sunday from 2-4 p.m. at The Lake House (11450 Baron Cameron Ave.).

According to a flier advertising the event, attendees will be able to:

• learn about aquatics, camps, environmental education and tennis programs
• learn about upcoming RA events for all ages
• meet members of the RA Board of Directors and advisory committee
• purchase pool and tennis passes and learn how to use WebTrac
• learn about how to get involved in Volunteer Reston
• vote in the RA Board of Directors’ election
• meet with the Covenants Advisor and learn about services provided to property owners
• meet local elected officials and community organization representatives

Refreshments will be provided by Jersey Mike’s, and door prizes will be awarded.

RA’s event calendar shows additional open house events at The Lake House are scheduled for April 30 and May 21.

Attendees are being asked to used WebTrac to register for the event. For more information, email [email protected] or call 703-435-6530.

The 2017 Runners Marathon of Reston is scheduled for Sunday, April 9 from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Race proceeds go to the Reston Runners Community Fund, designed to support the Reston community by providing scholarships to area student-athletes and financial support for athletic programs.

The marathon course traverses Ridge Heights Road, Soapstone Drive, Sunrise Valley Drive, Twin Branches Road, Lawyers Road, Steeplechase Drive and South Lakes Drive, as well as portions of Reston’s trail system. Marathoners will circle the 13-mile course twice.

In addition to the marathon, a half-marathon and marathon relay will also be run. Organizers say about 700 runners in total are registered, representing 20 states. Runners from as far away as Hawaii are registered to participate.

In addition, nearly 250 community members — including Reston Runners club members, Boy Scouts and more — will be helping along the route, as well as in the days leading up to and following the event. Anyone interested in signing up as a volunteer will get a long-sleeved T-shirt, a commemorative glass and other thank-you items.

No roads are scheduled to be closed, with runners expected to stay within coned-off sections of roads along the course. However, police reserve the right to close roads for safety as needed.

Map courtesy Reston Runners

The Fairfax County Park Authority is looking for 30 volunteers to assist in a watershed cleanup event at Lake Fairfax Park.

The event at Lake Fairfax Park is one of nine around the county scheduled for 9-11:30 a.m. April 1. The cleanup effort is a partnership between the Park Authority and The Nature Conservancy to attempt to prevent trash from reaching the Chesapeake Bay, the nation’s largest estuary.

Snacks, giveaways and other incentives will be offered to volunteers.

For more details or to register, visit the Fairfax County Park Authority website.

Photo via Fairfax County Park Authority

Reston’s annual Founder’s Day festivities will take place Saturday, April 8, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lake Anne Plaza.

This year’s event, celebrating the 53rd anniversary of Reston’s founding, will feature a full day of arts, history and family-friendly activities. Free activities will include a moon bounce and face painting. There will also be a 50-foot Ferris wheel, sponsored by Reston Association, the cost of rides on which will benefit the Reston Historic Trust and the Friends of Reston.

Musical entertainment will be provided by the Langston Hughes Middle School Jazz Ensemble, the Lake Anne Drumming Ensemble, the Lake Anne Choral Ensemble, the Reston Chorale, the Reston Encore Chorale and Catchin’ Toads.

There will also be a public art walk around Lake Anne, sponsored by Public Art Reston, as well as screenings of the films “Another Way of Living: The Story of Reston, VA” and “Fun, Beauty, Fantasy: Reston’s Public Art.” Local authors will also be present for an afternoon book-signing event.

The day will also include comments from local elected officials and the commemoration of bricks at the plaza.

Founder’s Day is presented by the Reston Historic Trust with support from Reston Community Center, and it is co-sponsored by Reston Association and Public Art Reston. A full schedule of activities can be found at the Reston Historic Trust and Museum website. For more information, contact the Reston Historic Trust and Museum at 703-709-7700 or [email protected].

Photos courtesy Reston Historic Trust and Museum

The Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce and other regional chambers are sponsoring the fifth annual Northern Virginia Restaurant Week, Monday through March 27.

Northern Virginia Restaurant Week is designed to offer the opportunity for people to enjoy dining at a number of participating restaurants at reduced prices. Restaurants participating in the event offer selections from their menu at special prices.

Restaurants in Fairfax, Loudoun, Arlington and Prince William counties are all participating. In Reston, participating eateries include:

• American Tap Room (1811 Library St.)
• Carrabba’s Italian Grill (12192 Sunset Hills Road)
• Il Fornaio (11990 Market St.)
• M&S Grill (11901 Democracy Drive)
• McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood & Steaks (11920 Democracy Drive)
• Mon Ami Gabi (11950 Democracy Drive)
• Morton’s The Steakhouse (11956 Market St.)
• Not Your Average Joe’s (1845 Fountain Drive)
• Red’s Table (11150 South Lakes Drive)
• Tavern64 (1800 Presidents St.)
• The Melting Pot (11730 Plaza America Drive)
• Vinifera Wine Bar & Bistro (11750 Sunrise Valley Drive)
• World of Beer (1888 Explorer St.)

To see special menus being offered as part of Restaurant Week, as well as a full list of participating businesses, visit the event’s website.

It’s St. Patrick’s Day weekend and a lot of people will be out celebrating. Safety officials are reminding residents to party responsibly and to be sure to have a safe ride home.

As part of the effort to keep everyone safe, the Washington Regional Alcohol Program is offering revelers free rides (up to a $20 value) through its SoberRide campaign. The program is open to everyone throughout the Washington region through 4 a.m. Saturday.

To get the free ride, use the Lyft app and enter the promo code SOBERRIDE.

Partying or not, though, there will be plenty of things to do in the Reston area this weekend. Here are just some of the options available.

• The Reston Community Center (2310 Colts Neck Road) will host its annual spring flea market Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. The free event is available to residents of all ages. For more information, call 703-476-4500.
• The fourth annual Maker Faire NoVa is Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., at South Lakes High School and Langston Hughes Middle School. Tickets at the door will be $15 for adults, $12 for senior citizens and $5 for children. Family packs of five tickets will be $40.
• Teen job fairs and resume-building workshops will be offered Saturday by Fairfax County at Chantilly High School (4201 Stringfellow Road) from 10 a.m. to noon, and at Oakton High School (2900 Sutton Road, Vienna) from 1-3 p.m.
• Reston Town Center is hosting “Family Fun Saturdays” throughout March to benefit Opportunity Neighborhood: Reston. This week’s schedule features horse-drawn carriage rides, free funnel cakes and a performance by the McGrath Academy of Irish Dance. The event will go from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday.
• The opening reception of Greater Reston Arts Center’s “Emerging Visions” exhibit is set for 6-8 p.m. Saturday. The show features curated works of art created by Fairfax County students from South Lakes, Herndon and Oakton high schools, and it will be on display through April 1.
• The Social Justice & Peace Conference will be Saturday from 12:30-6 p.m. at United Christian Parish (11508 North Shore Drive). The free event will include workshops on how people from different religious backgrounds can support immigrants, the trans community, environmental justice and more.
• A bird walk at Sunrise Valley Wetlands and Polo Fields will be offered from 7:30-10:30 a.m. Sunday. Check out Reston Association’s WebTrac for more information.
• Reston Community Players’ will put on “Rock of Ages” tonight and Saturday at 8 p.m., as well as Sunday at 2 p.m. at CenterStage (2310 Colts Neck Road). Use the password “St. Paddy’s” when purchasing tickets for tonight’s show by phone or in person to get them for $10. Regular tickets for each performance of the show, which will run through April 1, are $25.
• A Kennedy Center Production of “From the Mouths of Monsters” will be performed at Herndon High School (700 Bennett St.) tonight at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m.; and at 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for students and children.
• Reston Regional Library (11925 Bowman Towne Drive) will be visited by Frying Pan Farm Park on Saturday from 11 a.m. to noon, featuring animal education, stories and crafts. For adults, the lecture series on World War I will continue at 2 p.m. Sunday.
• Kalypso’s (1617 Washington Plaza N.) will have live music tonight for St. Patrick’s Day, with Mark Scott from 4-8 p.m. followed by Sam Gunderson from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
• ArtSpace Herndon (750 Center St.) will have the opening reception for its exhibit “There’s No Place Like Home,” by members of the Great Falls Studios, from 3-5 p.m. Sunday. The show will be on display through April 8.
• The Reston Town Center Singles Meetup group has an event scheduled for tonight at Ned Devine’s Irish Bar & Restaurant (2465 Centreville Road, Herndon). Shake 3X will perform at the restaurant from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.