Monday, March 29
- Draw Nature (4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m) — Get out your pencils and get ready to draw the trees, sky, and birds around you. Join naturalist and artist Margaret Wohler on the trails of Fairfax County’s Huntley Meadows Park. Learn basic skills, color theory, perspective, shading, gesture, contour and realistic rendering. This is a four-week class.
Tuesday March 30
- Storytelling, Roots of Resistance (6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.) — Explore the role of folktales in resistance with local storyteller Diane Macklin. She’ll talk about the history of storytelling as a means of liberation and introduce the audience to American folk hero High John. This virtual event is presented by the Fairfax County Public Library.
Wednesday, March 31
- Scrawl Books Trivia (8:00 p.m.) — Experience another version of virtual literary trivia, hosted by Scrawl Books in Reston and emcee Kate Clark. This time, though, there will be new competitors looking to take the prize from Twice-Told Tales New and Used Books in Kansas.
Thursday, April 1
- Egg-stravaganza (10 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.) — Join the Reston Association for a woodland walk to find all the Easter Bunny’s eggs. Start the journey at Walker Nature Center and search high and low for those eggs. At the end, grab a selfie with the Easter Bunny or the nature center’s mascot, Walker the Woodpecker. Face masks and social distancing are required.
Friday, April 2
- Movie Under the Stars (7:00 p.m.) — Grab a blanket and chair to take in a Hollywood blockbuster under the stars. “Lego: Batman” is the first in a series of movies presented by the Reston Association at Hunter Woods Park. Concessions will be available to purchase, but a threat of rain will cancel the event.
Saturday, April 3
- Dino Safari (9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.) — Take a trip back in time and see dinosaurs. Head to National Harbor for a drive-thru adventure across a Jurassic safari populated by robot T-Rexes and lost Spinosauruses.
- Anime Movie Days at the Wharf (3 p.m. & 7 p.m.) — Cherry blossoms aren’t the only symbol of the U.S.’s and Japan’s friendship. Come to downtown D.C. to watch one of Japan’s most loved exports — anime movies! Over the next 10 days, a series of popular anime movies will be played outside on the 20-foot LED screen at the Wharf.
Photo by Annie Spratt
With Easter Sunday on the horizon, there are plenty of local options for egg hunts and celebrations. The Town of Herndon is hosting its annual egg hunt on Saturday at 777 Lynn Street.
Preregistration is $9 until 5 p.m. today (Friday) and $10 the day of the event. Three egg hunts are planned, with the first beginning at 9:45 a.m. Other activities include quilt crafts, decorating a mural, a petting zoo, photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny, and more.
Parking is free and the event will be held rain or shine. More information is available online.
Tomorrow (April 20)
- Reston Farmers Market (8 a.m.) — The market, which is located at Lake Anne Plaza (1609 Washington Plaza), kicks off with an offering of fruit, veggies, breads and snacks to satisfy your taste buds.
- Growing Healthy plants with Smart Pots (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.) — In this free educational workshop, attendees will learn about to grow healthy plants with smart pots. It’ll be held at Reston Farm Market (10800 Baron Cameron Avenue).
- Bookworms Club (11 a.m.) — Young readers are invited to take part in this free book club where a new theme will be explored each week at Reston Regional Library (11925 Bowman Towne Drive). Readers can join at any time
- Fix-it Clinic (2-4 p.m.) — Bring bikes, small appliances jewelry, and fabric items for minor repairs at the library’s first fix-it clinic. The event is taking place as several libraries, including Herndon Regional Library and Reston Regional Library.
Sunday (April 21)
- One-on-one Computer Help (all day) — Need some help with your device? You can make a one-hour appointment with a tech volunteer. Just make sure the device is fully charged (and don’t forget your password).
- Restoration Church Egg Hunt (10:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) — The church (1501 Becontree Lane) will offer an egg hunt, face painting, food, games and more. Two services will take place in the morning before the big event.
Photo by Annie SprattÂ
Plan to break a sweat this Saturday (April 13) during the Nature Center 5K Run and Walk. Although online registration for the annual run — now in its 16th year — closed on Wednesday, participants can still register on-site at 7 a.m. tomorrow.
Walkers are welcome, but pets and strollers are not.
The race begins and ends at the Walker Nature Center (11450 Glade Drive) and will start promptly at 8 a.m. Runners will be greeted with refreshments, music and prizes at the finish line. Funds raised by the race will help support the Walker Nature Center.
Tomorrow (April 13)
- EGGnormous Egg Hunt (10-11:30 a.m.) — Eggspect lots of entertainment, including a strolling magician, games and moon bounces, during this egg hunt at Sunrise Valley Elementary School. Don’t forget to bring a basket to carry your eggs, a camera for photo opportunities, and a picnic to enjoy outdoors.
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Sing Books (10:30-11 a.m.) — “Sing Books with Emily” is back to sing illustrated songs with kids for all ages at Reston Regional Library.
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Hena Khan (2-3:30 p.m.) — Khan, the author of “Under My Hijab,” goes beneath the veil with this author talk and book signing at Reston Regional Library. The program is made possible by Reston Regional Library and Scrawl Books. Her books feature Muslim characters and portray Islamic culture. Herndon senior Nura Behgoman will moderate the discussion.
- Lake Anne Brew House Third Anniversary Party (10 a.m. to 11 p.m.) — An all-day celebration is brewing at the Lake Anne Brew House. The family-friendly celebration will feature an extended lakefront beer garden, live music, outdoor games, and more. Owner Melissa Romano says she’s “proud to be part of such an amazing community.”
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Pictures with Easter Bunny (Noon to 3 p.m.) — Bring the little ones to take pictures with Easter Bunny during this free event at Reston Farm Market. Each child will get an Easter gift bag and a one-day pass to the market’s fall festival.
Sunday (April 14)
- Fairfax Veg Fest (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) — In case you need a reminder to eat your greens, this inaugural event “showcases the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle,” according to event organizers. The festival takes place on the surface parking lot between the Northwest Federal Credit Union (200 Spring Street) and the Washington & Old Dominion Trail.
- History of World War II (2-4 p.m.) — Harry Butowsky of George Mason University nears the end of his six-part lecture series on the history of the war. The talk at Reston Regional Library is geared toward adults and teens.
Photo by Flickr user vantagehill
A little extra planning for the weekend — Not planning to dine out? Carrabba’s Italian Grill (12192 Sunset Hills Road) is launching its own food delivery service. [Reston Patch]
And a little early planning for Easter — Frying Pan Park and Lake Fairfax Park are hosting several events in late March, including an eggspectular “Eggstravaganza.” [Fairfax County Government]
Chimney causes Reston townhouse fire — Heat escaping from gaps in a chimney caused a townhouse fire over the weekend. No injuries were reported, but damages are estimated at around $65,000.  [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department]
In rumor mill this week — Restonians have asked us if Reston Association plans to close Lake Thoreau. Their head spokesman says Reston Association’s staff plan to discuss details of a future demand analysis of RA pools at the board’s May 7 meeting.
(Editor’s Note: This post was updated at 9:50 a.m. to clarify the subject of discussion by RA staff at the board’s May meeting)
Flickr pool photo via vantagehill
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.
Fine Arts Center Coming to Herndon? — A McLean-based investor group is proposing a $40 million afterschool fine arts facility at Centreville and West Ox roads, near Frying Pan Farm Park. The site could have up to 40,000 square feet of by-right commercial development in its future instead, the group’s land-use attorney said, which would not fit the “historic fabric of the property.” [Washington Business Journal]
Easter Event Schedule — Easter is this weekend, and no matter how you mark the holiday there are plenty of opportunities to do so around the area. [Connection Newspapers]
Registration for Reston Kids Triathlon Now Open — Signups for the event, scheduled for Aug. 6, began last night. Cost is $35. Â [Reston Kids Triathlon]
County DOT Seeking Data Gatherers — Volunteers are sought to help count non-motorized road and trail users as part of a national data-gathering project, to be conducted in September. Among the locations where counts are to be done are Town Center Parkway, New Dominion Parkway, Fairfax County Parkway and the W&OD Trail in Reston. [Connection Newspapers]
Parkway Advisory Committee Needs Members — The objectives of the Town of Herndon’s committee are to identify current and future transportation impacts in the three jurisdictions; develop a proposed policy for council consideration for the use of the Herndon Parkway; and coordinate a list of concerns and proposed solutions for representatives of each jurisdiction to take to their respective government bodies. [Town of Herndon]
It’s been a relatively mild winter, but the first day of spring still brings with it thoughts of certain activities. For kids, there’s no doubt one of those activities is the Easter egg hunt.
Reston Community Center will put on the community’s annual egg hunt at Lake Fairfax Park on Saturday, April 1. (Due to a park scheduling conflict, this is a change from the originally announced date of April 8.)
Debbie Heron, RCC’s youth program director, says about 10,000 eggs will be dropped for the event, which is a hit for families and RCC staff alike.
“It’s one of the few free egg hunts that still exists,” she said. “We get a very nice showing of patrons and people in the community. … We love it. It’s great. It’s one of our favorite events.”
Lake Fairfax Park (1400 Lake Fairfax Way) is a new location for the event, which has been held in recent years at Brown’s Chapel Park. Heron said Lake Fairfax Park provides bigger grounds with more room for parking.
“We change every several years, but if this works out really well, we’ll probably stay for the long term,” she said.
Heron said several hundred children ages 8 and under are expected to participate in the hunt, and they will separated into four different age groups. The event will also include moon bounces, a strolling magician and more fun for kids.
The event is scheduled for 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 1. The egg hunt itself will start at 10:30 a.m. sharp.
For more information about the egg hunt or other upcoming youth-oriented events from Reston Community Center, contact Heron at 703-390-6163.
Photo courtesy Reston Community Center
It’s nearly Easter, so its time to have some holiday fun.
Children ages 1 to 8 and their parents/caregivers are invited to Brown’s Chapel Park Saturday, March 19 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. for Reston Community Center’s Eggnormous Egg Hunt.
Here’s what is in store:Â Carnival games, entertainment, moon bounces, prizes, and a strolling magician, as well as the main event, the egg hunt. The egg hunt starts at 10:30 a.m. sharp.
Brown’s Chapel Park is located off of Baron Cameron Avenue at 11300 Brown’s Chapel Rd.
The event is free. The rain date is Saturday, March 26.
Don’t forget to bring:
- A basket to carry your eggs
- A camera for all the photo ops
- A picnic to enjoy outdoors
We don’t need the Washington Post’s Peeps diorama contest. Reston has its own!
Chesapeake Chocolates at Lake Anne Plaza is once again sponsoring a Reston Peeps Contest. Â Celebrate Reston by creating your favorite Reston scene using the marshmallow Easter candy and other decoration.
Submit your shoebox-sized diorama to Chesapeake Chocolates (11426 Washington Plaza W), and they will display it until March 28.
One diorama, chosen by a panel of judges, will win a delicious Chesapeake Chocolates prize.
Check out some of last year’s fun entries on Modern Reston.
Photo of 2015 contest by Charlotte Geary/Modern Reston