Herndon Center Pitched for Amazon’s Second Headquarters — As other jurisdictions make similar bids, local officials will make a combined offer for Amazon’s headquarters to be located on the 26-acre Center for Innovative Technology in Herndon. [Washington Business Journal]

Reston Man Killed in Plane Crash Remembered by Industry — Steven B. Zaboji, who died Saturday in a plane crash near Front Royal, is being remembered as “one of the most iconic manufacturer sales representatives in the consumer electronics industry.” He was the owner of Balaton Marketing, which represented the Yamaha line of electronics and other well-known brands. [Strata-Gee.com]

RA Seeks Volunteers for Halloween Event — Reston Association is looking for volunteers to help with the “Halloween House & Trick-or-Treat Trail,” the Walker Nature Center’s annual Halloween event. The program runs on Oct. 27-28 from 5-9:30 p.m. [Reston Association]

Public Art Reston to Celebrate 10th Anniversary — The nonprofit organization, which formed in 2007, will celebrate its 10th anniversary Nov. 9 with a fundraising event, which will include live music, refreshments, a live auction and a raffle. Public Art Reston’s mission is to inspire a new commitment to public art in order to support community arts and culture in Reston. [Public Art Reston/Facebook]

Registration for Free Disaster-Preparedness Training Open — The Fairfax Fire and Rescue Department is providing free Community Emergency Response Team training, a program that trains residents on disaster response skills like fire safety, light search and rescue and disaster medical operations. The program takes place on Mondays and Wednesdays from Nov. 6 through Dec. 6, from 7-11 p.m. each night. [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue]

Woman with Reston Ties Recounts Las Vegas Shooting — Courtney Robey was at the Route 91 Harvest Festival last weekend through her work with the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association, based in Reston. She told her hometown news station about what she experienced the night of the tragic mass shooting there. [WAJR]

Early-Bird Tickets on Sale for Reston Home Tour — Discount-priced tickets for the 16th annual tour on Oct. 14 are on sale through Saturday for $25. The tour focuses on six homes where owners have moved within the last few years and gain and gained a new perspective. Full-price tickets are $30. [Reston Historic Trust and Museum]

Local Ghost Stories — The Herndon Historical Society shares a trio of tales about the town’s visitors from beyond. [Herndon Patch]

County Fire and Rescue Promotes Escape Plans  — As part of National Fire Prevention Week, which begins Sunday, the department encourages residents to develop a home escape plan in the event of a fire. Department representatives will be available on Saturday, Oct. 14 at area fire stations, including Reston Station 25 (1820 Wiehle Ave.), to review plans and ask questions. [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue]

‘Cupcake Ride’ Rolls Through Herndon — Herndon Parks & Recreation put on its first “Cupcake Bike Ride” recently. About 20 riders took part in the four-mile ride, which featured stops at bakeries and businesses. [Connection Newspapers]

Lake Anne Plaza is going to get colorful this weekend, and you can be a part of it.

Reston Art Gallery & Studios is hosting “Painting on the Plaza” from 4-6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. According to an event information on Lake Anne Plaza’s website:

“Experience the beauty and vibrancy of the Lake Anne Community as the Plaza comes alive with artists painting en plein air. Join in the fun by painting or watching the artists as they work. Purchase an original artwork to take home. And while you’re at Lake Anne, don’t forget to vote for your favorite painting and enter the drawings for door prizes. Winners will be announced on Sunday at 5:30. The event will be held rain or shine.”

The event is being produced by the Lake Anne Merchants Association and the Friends of Lake Anne. It is sponsored by Pat and Steve Macintyre along with Reston Art Gallery & Studios. For a full schedule and information about how you can participate, check out the event details.

There is plenty else scheduled to take place this weekend in the area as well. Take a look at our list below.

(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’s semi-annual yard sale (8:30 a.m. to noon) and the Reston Expo (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) are both scheduled for Saturday at 1900 Campus Commons Drive.
• The JamBrew series wraps up this weekend in Herndon. Tonight, live music will be offered from Right On Records, Tommy Gann and Todd Wight, and Black Masala. The free event is slated for 6-10 p.m. at the Herndon Town Green (777 Lynn St.). On Saturday, from noon to 10 p.m., the OktoBrewFest will rock the town green. Music will be provided by Bach 2 Rock, Darlingtonia, Unsullied, Dr. Robinson’s Fiasco and Throwing Plates. There will also be cold beverages from Aslin Beer Co., wine, nitro brew coffee from Weird Brothers Coffee, pizza from Brama Italian Cuisine, Nordic Knot Pretzels and much more.
• In celebration of 11 years of service to the community, the Southgate Community Center (12125 Pinecrest Road) will host its annual Family Festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. According to information provided by the center, the event will include giveaways, music, moon bounces, refreshments and games.
• Chicano rock band Quetzal will perform Sunday at 3 p.m. at CenterStage (2310 Colts Neck Road) as part of Reston Community Center’s Professional Touring Artist Series. Tickets are $20 for Reston residents and $30 for non-residents.
• Friends of the Reston Regional Library will be continuing their fall book sale through the weekend at the library (11925 Bowman Towne Drive). The fundraiser for the library will be open until 5 p.m. today; from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; and from noon to 3:30 p.m. Sunday.
• “Sue Wrbican: Well Past the Echo” will be on view at Greater Reston Arts Center (12001 Market St.) through Nov. 18.
• The Reston Farmers Market will take place from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at Lake Anne Village Center.
• The 16th annual TFcon, a convention for fans of the “Transformers” franchise, is taking place this weekend at the Hyatt Regency Reston (1800 Presidents St.). Check out its website for the full schedule and admission prices.
• Pulitzer Prize-winner display “Disgraced,” exploring Muslim assimilation and identity in America, will wrap up this weekend at NextStop Theatre Company (269 Sunset Park Drive, Herndon). Performances are tonight at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 8 p.m.; and at a 2 p.m. Saturday matinee. Tickets range in price from $17.50 to $55.
• The National Kidney Foundation’s Northern Virginia Kidney Walk is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. Sunday at Reston Town Center. Proceeds benefit awareness of kidney disease, a top 10 public health problem.
• Many restaurants and bars in Reston will have live music this weekend. These include 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 Vandalays tonight from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.; and DJ Kram will play Top 40 hits during those hours Saturday night.

A 4.675-acre site in downtown Herndon is expected to become a mixed-use project that includes residential and commercial structures, an arts center, and a parking garage.

The Town of Herndon and Comstock Partners announced this week that they have completed a proposed comprehensive agreement for the project. It will be discussed with the community during an informational town-hall meeting Oct. 12, and the Town Council will consider adoption of the plan following a public hearing Oct. 24.

According to information provided by the Town of Herndon:

The proposed agreement between the town and Comstock is reflective of Comstock’s proposal, submitted in response to the town’s Request for Proposals (RFP), for a redevelopment project comprised of approximately 281 residential apartments, approximately 17,600 square feet of retail space, an 18,000 square feet Arts Center and an approximately 761-space parking garage. As per the proposed agreement, Comstock anticipates beginning construction on the project early in 2019, with completion estimated in 2021.

The site on which the development would take place is north of Elden Street, east of Center Street, west of Station Street and south of the Washington & Old Dominion Trail. The space in question includes municipal parking lots and the home of ArtSpace Herndon, as well as the former Stohlman Subaru building on Elden Street.

The Herndon Station building at the corner of Elden and Station streets is not included, nor is the Ice House Cafe & Oyster Bar building next door.

According to Herndon’s website, the town’s purchase price for the land was $5.8 million. The town will be selling the land to Comstock and contributing an additional $3.6 million in allowances, which include environmental remediation ($500,000), transitional public parking ($500,000), Arts Center relocation ($250,000) and culvert repair ($100,000).

In return, Comstock is to provide $12 million in assets, including 339 public parking spaces in the parking garage, to include 60 for the Arts Center and 59 for the retail space; the 18,000-square foot Arts Center; and $505,000 in proffer funds for town recreational services.

“This proposed comprehensive agreement comes after months of spirited negotiation between the town and Comstock,” said Bill Ashton, town manager, in the press release. “Ultimately, we came to agreement by working toward the same vision: a vibrant, energized downtown that is financially viable both to the developer and to the town. We are grateful to Comstock for their collaborative spirit throughout these negotiations and look forward to public comment and Town Council deliberations.”

Christopher Clemente, Comstock CEO, said the company is “excited to have an opportunity to participate in the reshaping of Herndon’s downtown.”

“Comstock is committed to creating a vibrant cultural arts district and community open spaces together with high quality residences, exciting retail spaces, and an accessible structured parking facility,” Clemente said in the release. “We take great pride in delivering quality developments that fit well in the community where they are located and we look forward to partnering with the Town of Herndon on this important project.”

The town-hall meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 12, at 7 p.m. at Herndon Council Chambers (765 Lynn St.). The public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 24, at 7 p.m. in the same space, and it is expected to be followed by the council’s vote.

More information about the project can be found at www.herndon-va.gov/downtown.

Local Big Lots fans will soon have farther to travel to get to their favorite discount store.

The location at 490 Elden St. in the Herndon Centre plaza will close Oct. 15, a Big Lots media representative confirmed to Reston Now. Signage now in place outside the store informs customers that after that date, they can visit locations in Sterling (300 Enterprise St.) and Fairfax (11181 Lee Highway).

Lotte Plaza Market will be taking over the 26,000-square-foot Big Lots space in the spring, Herndon spokesperson Anne Papa Curtis confirmed to Reston Now. We first reported in July that the market, described on its website as “the premier source for Asian groceries in Maryland and Virginia,” would be opening in the plaza in early 2018.

In the interim, a large percentage of the west side of the plaza will be vacant, following the closing of Kmart earlier this year. The 84,000-square-foot former department store space is expected to be broken up among several new businesses, Herndon Mayor Lisa Merkel said at the time of its closing.

Herndon Centre is owned by A.J. Dwoskin & Associates Inc.

2 Dead in Great Falls Crash — A 26-year-old Annandale man and a 23-year-old Great Falls woman were killed in an automobile crash at about 7 p.m. Saturday in the 10500 block of Beach Mill Road. A 15-year-old girl, reported by the Washington Post to be the woman’s sister, also suffered life-threatening injuries in the crash. The Post says the two victims were Virginia Tech students who planned to marry. [Fairfax County Police Department/Washington Post]

County Promoting Car-Free Commuting This Week — Fairfax County is encouraging residents to go car-free for a day and try an alternative to drive-alone commuting during Try Transit Week. Participants will be eligible to win prizes include SmarTrip cards and more. [Fairfax County Department of Transportation]

Volunteers Needed for Reston Expo — Volunteers are needed to assist with setup, parking, children’s activities and more at Sept. 30’s Reston Expo. Everyone who signs up to volunteer will receive lunch, snacks, drinks and a volunteer T-shirt. To volunteer, or for more information, contact Ha Brock at [email protected] or call 703-435-7986. [Volunteer Reston]

FCPD Warns of Jury Duty Scam — Once again, the Fairfax County Police Department says, crooks are scamming money from residents through calls claiming a jury duty appearance has been missed. [Fairfax County Police Department]

Herndon Seeks Nominees for Good Neighbor Award — Residents can nominate a family members, friends or neighbors who make noteworthy contributions to improve the quality of life in their neighborhood. [Town of Herndon]

Enjoy the Holiday Today! — Remember, many facilities including Fairfax County government offices are closed today. [Fairfax County]

Labor Day Festival On Tap — The annual Herndon Labor Day Festival on the Town Green (777 Lynn St.), from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., will feature Virginia wine tastings, craft beers, live music, a craft show, food vendors, lawn games and more. [Reston Now]

Sunday Morning Gas Leak Disrupts Neighborhood — Fairfax County hazmat units reported to the area of Glade Drive and Marginella Drive at about 9:45 a.m. Sunday for a gas leak. The road was shut down while repair work was done. [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue/Instagram]

Deon King Joins Browns’ Practice Squad — The South Lakes High School alumnus was released by the Cleveland Browns during their last wave of roster cuts Saturday; however, he was signed to the team’s practice squad the following day. [Cleveland Browns]

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.

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.

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

https://www.facebook.com/Herndonpolicedepartment/photos/a.918201318209768.1073741831.783516198344948/1747091011987457/?type=3&theater

For the second time this week, one of Herndon’s main thoroughfares is being affected by a natural gas leak.

Elden Street will be closed between Center Street and Monroe Street through the evening rush hour, according to the Herndon Police Department. The natural gas leak was first reported on HPD’s Twitter account just after 11 a.m.

On Wednesday night, a natural gas leak on Herndon Parkway between Van Buren Street and Palmer Drive required repair. The work at that site continued through Thursday.

Gas Line Break on Herndon Parkway — Emergency gas line repair work between Van Buren Street and Palmer Drive will keep one westbound lane closed throughout the day. [Herndon Police Department]

Still No Stop-Arm Cameras on School Buses — County supervisors have directed staff to work with Fairfax County Public Schools leadership to determine the status of the camera-installation program, and obtain a detailed timeline regarding when the equipment would be installed. Video-monitoring cameras capture images of vehicles being illegally driven past school buses that have their flashing red lights and stop-arms activated. [Inside NoVa]

Herndon Working With Comstock on Downtown Development — A comprehensive agreement on the downtown development is the town’s top priority, its new town manager says, and they hope to get it done this year. [Herndon Patch]

County Police Demonstrate ‘Pit’ Maneuver — The maneuver involves an officer using the police car’s front fender to touch the rear bumper of a suspect’s car, causing the other car to turn before coming to a complete stop. [WJLA]

A group of people went to Wells Fargo bank on Elden Street in Herndon on Saturday with no intention of withdrawing money.

Instead, they held up signs and yelled chants, calling out the bank for its support of the Keystone XL Pipeline.

The climate justice group 350 Fairfax protested July 8, which pipeline opposition group Protect & Divest had designated as an International Protect and Divest Day of Action. The day’s protests were meant to sway banks, such as Wells Fargo, from funding the Keystone XL Pipeline and other environmentally unfriendly projects such as Virginia’s Atlantic Coast pipeline.

The 1,179-mile Keystone XL Pipeline, when completed, will run from Alberta to Nebraska and will transport up to 830,000 barrels of oil per day. There is an existing pipeline in the region, but Keystone XL will deliver the oil in a more direct route.

It has caused controversy as some people see the pipeline as beneficial because it will create many construction jobs and bolster the nation’s economy. Additionally, if the pipeline is not built, the fear is other companies will transport the same oil but in riskier ways, such as via rail service. However, groups like 350 Fairfax fear for the environmental impact the pipeline’s construction may have.

“[350 Fairfax] handed out flyers to bank customers and passing pedestrians to explain why the Keystone XL pipeline is a disaster for the climate, dangerous for water and soil quality along its proposed route, and is unfair to indigenous peoples whose sacred land would be disrupted,” 350 Fairfax wrote in a press release.

On Facebook after the rally, 350 Fairfax said that pipeline projects can also greatly spur climate change by increasing greenhouse gases emissions.

“The project stands to endanger precious ecosystems, vital aquifers, and Indigenous and sacred lands. It would also exacerbate climate change at a time when a just transition off fossil fuels is critical for the health and well-being of life on Earth,” 350 Fairfax wrote.

The group’s hope is to stop further construction of the pipeline by encouraging its funders to re-evaluate the damage their invested money will be doing to the environment. 350 Fairfax noted that Saturday’s protest was just one of many the group plans to organize.

“We must demand that all investors, including Wells Fargo, #divest from these dangerous and unnecessary projects,” the group said.

Photos courtesy 350 Fairfax

If the fireworks Saturday night at Lake Fairfax Park weren’t enough for you, the Town of Herndon has you covered.

Herndon’s annual Fourth of July celebration is scheduled for Tuesday night at Bready Park (814 Ferndale Ave.). Free games, bingo, and children’s arts and crafts start at 6:30 p.m. There will be entertainment throughout the night, leading up to the fireworks show at 9:30 p.m.

Traffic will be rerouted during the event. Ferndale Avenue will be closed to through traffic from Vine Street to Barton Oaks Place once the event parking lots are full, and it will remain closed until the conclusion of the fireworks. Additional parking will be available at Herndon Middle School, Herndon Centennial Golf course and Herndon Community Center.

What are YOU doing for the #4thofJuly? #Herndon has a great evening planned for you! Fireworks at dark! https://t.co/qwHbHBqkeG

— Lisa Merkel (@merkette_) July 2, 2017

Cars that are parked at the Herndon Community Center will not be released until the fire marshal clears the area an hour after the fireworks show.

Eventgoers are encouraged to leave their pets at home and to leave the fireworks to the professionals. Blankets and lawn chairs are allowed, but no alcohol or glass containers. Bags and coolers may be searched.

In the case of inclement weather in the evening, the fireworks may be delayed or postponed until Wednesday night.

Herndon Names New Town Manager — Bill Ashton had been serving as acting town manager since February, following the retirement of previous town manager Art Anselene. [Town of Herndon]

Suicide at County Detention Center — A 33-year-old man being held at the county Adult Detention Center on a malicious wounding charge hanged himself in his cell Sunday night. [Fairfax County]

Numbers to Remember Over the Summer — South Lakes High School provides a list of sources, some from the school system and some independent, that may be of assistance if family emergencies or other needs arise over the summer. [South Lakes High School]

File photo courtesy Surf Reston