The annual Reston Multicultural Festival is set to celebrate the community’s rich diversity tomorrow (Saturday) from 11 a.m. to6 p.m. at Lake Anne Plaza.

The festival offers a mix of song, food, dance and art at the plaza. It is hosted by Lake Anne Plaza and co-sponsored by Reston Association.

Attendees are encouraged to dress in their multicultural attire at the free festival. This year’s event includes a naturalization ceremony, three performance stages, family arts and crafts, a global cafe, and a global market.

More information about the event is available online.

Tomorrow (Saturday)

• Beer Run (9:45 a.m.) — Join the Lake Anne Brew House for a weekly Saturday morning beer run around Lake Anne. The lake loop is 1.5 miles and all ages and paces are welcome.
• Reston Friends Semi-Annual Book Sale (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) — The book sale continues today and tomorrow (Sunday) at Reston Regional Library. Thousands of gently-used books will be available for purchase.
• PSV Race to Make It All Better (8:30-11:30 a.m.) — Pediatric Specialists of Virginia will host their fifth annual fundraiser and 5k in Reston Town Center to support patients and families in need. The race and health fair also includes booth with giveaways, health tips, activities and prizes.

Sunday (Sept. 29)

• Walk to End Alzheimer’s (1;30-4:30 p.m..) — The Alzheimer’s Foundation hosts its annual walk, to raise funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. The event is open for all and there is no fee to register. Participants are encouraged to fundraise to take part in the walk.
• Shear Madness (2-5:45 p.m.) — Enjoy a trip to see Shear Madness at the Kennedy Center. The trip begins with bus pick-up at Reston Association’s headquarters. Tickets are $51 for RA members and $56 for all others.

Photo via RCC

Herndon-based Company Acquires Silicon Valley Company — iDirect Government, a Herndon-based unit of Singapore’s ST Engineering paid $20 million in cash to acquire Glowlink Communications Technology. [iDirect Government]

Reston Semi-Annual Book Sale Kicks Off Today — The book sale is open for Reston Friends today from 5-8 p.m. at Reston Regional Library. It will open up to the public for the rest of the week. [Reston Regional Library]

Last Week to Vote in Preference Poll — The deadline to vote in Reston Community Center’s annual preference poll for online and in-person ballots is on Friday, Sept. 27. Mailed ballots must be received by 5 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 26. [Reston Community Center]

‘Meet Me at the Movies’ for Seniors — Reston Association and Reston Town Center Bow Tie Cinemas presents the 25th anniversary of the movies series. This month, seniors can watch “The Best of Enemies” at 9:15 a.m. at the cinema. [Reston Town Center]

Staff Photo by Jay Westcott

A musical promising the audience a synthesis of comedy and murder is coming to Reston next month.

A local production of the Tony award-winning “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” will open at the Reston Community Center’s CenterStage (2310 Colts Neck Road) on Oct. 18 and run through Nov 3.

Here’s more about the plot from RCC:

Set in London in 1907, Gentleman’s Guide focuses on the low-born Monty Navarro, who suddenly learns that he’s ninth in line for an earldom in the lofty D’Ysquith family and sets out to speed up the line of succession by using a great deal of charm… and a dash of murder. Can he knock off his unsuspecting relatives without being caught and become the ninth Earl of Highhurst? And what of love? Because murder isn’t the only thing on Monty’s mind.

“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder retains a classic aesthetic but with humor that is modern and relevant,” Rich Farella, the director of the production, said in a press release.

The production will be put on by the Reston Community Players, a local non-profit theatre group.

Tickets are available online and start at $24 for students and seniors. Showtimes will take place on the weekends and include matinee and evening performances.

Photos courtesy Reston Community Players

Reston Association is hosting a community yard sale tomorrow (Saturday). Eighty families will gather to sell a variety of items from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Families will set up their booths at the parking lot behind 1900 Campus Commons Drive.

All sales are final. Space is limited and pre-registration was required to take part in the event. Anyone with questions is encouraged to email [email protected].

Tomorrow (Saturday)

• A Conversation with Fran Lebowitz (8 p.m.) — Lebowitz, who is known for her acerbic views on current events and the media, will speak at Reston Community Center. Tickets are $25 for Restonians and $35 for all others.
• Susco 8K (8:30 a.m.) — Tom and Nancy Susco of Reston organize the last 8K race in memory of their son, Tim Susco, who died due to a ruptured brain aneurysm. The race, which has raised more than $500,000 for charity, kicks off at South Lakes High School.

Sunday (Sept. 22)

• DogFest (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) — Dog lovers can unite for a one-mile walk to celebrate dogs and raise money for providing service dogs to individuals with disabilities.  The event, which is organized by nonprofit Canine Companions, takes place at Reston Town Center.
• High Intensity Interval Training (11 a.m.) — Enjoy free one-hour high intensity interval training at Reston Town Center at 11 a.m. The event is organized by Athlete.

File photo

Absentee Voting Begins This Friday — Absentee voting for the general election in November begins on Friday, Sept. 20, at the Fairfax County Government Center. An additional nine satellite absentee voting locations will open on Thursday, Oct. 17. [Fairfax County Government]

Reston’s Place as a ‘Radical Suburb’ Tonight at Reston Community Center Lake Anne – “Author Amanda Hurley speaks about her book Radical Suburbs: Experimental Living on the Fringes of the American City. American suburbs were once fertile ground for utopian planning, communal living, socially conscious design and integrated housing. Hurley’s talk will discuss and compare Reston with other communities.” [Reston Community Center]

Walk to School Day Set for Oct. 2 — Students and employees are encouraged to bike or walk to school and work on October 2.  Parents are encouraged to accompany their children to school, and to work with their school and PTA or PTO to assemble bike trains or walking groups for the event.” [Fairfax County Public Schools]

Photo by Jay Westcott

A local artist will debut her floral quilts and fiber art at a new exhibit in Reston next week.

Anne Smyers is the creator of “Sat It With Flowers,” an art installation that embodies her “love of flowers and propensity to work with botanical images,” according to the Reston Community Center event page.

The installation opens Monday, Sept. 16, and runs until Oct. 31 at RCC Hunter Woods (2310 Colts Neck Road).

“Her work is informed by interests, including gardening; a lifelong practice of tai chi chuan, which is a Chinese meditative movement series; and her artistic eye that looks for the best arrangement of a given set of elements,” RCC said.

A free reception will be held from 2-4 p.m. next Sunday, Sept. 22, at RCC Hunter Woods. Smyers will speak at the event, where there will be refreshments for attendees.

Photo via Twitter/Studio Art Quilts

Performers and activities at this year’s annual Reston Multicultural Festival, which is set for September 28 at Lake Anne Plaza, are centered around the theme, “Discover the World in Reston.”

Reston Community Center, which organizes the yearly event, hopes the festival will honor the community’s diversity and exemplify Reston founder Bob Simon’s vision for inclusivity in Northern Virginia.

“At the Reston Multicultural Festival each year, people enjoy the fruits of that inclusive and celebratory approach to building community,” said RCC executive director Leila Gordon.

The festival kicks off at 11 a.m. with a naturalization ceremony and a performance by New Line Brass Band at 12:15. p.m. A series of performances will following the show by the band, including dance and music from countries like India, Bolivia, Japan and Ireland.

This year’s festival also features two fellows from the National Endowment for the Arts: Cajun musician Michael Doucet and African American storyteller Linda Gross. Doucet performs on the world stage from 12:45 p.m.. to 1:30 p.m. and Goss performs at the gallery stage from 1:45 to 2 p.m.

Crafts like textiles, clothing, jewelry and housewares will be available for purchase from the Global Market. Food will be available for purchase from the Global Cafe:

• A Southern Fish Fry (Food Trailer): Fried Fish, Fried Shrimp, French Fries, North Carolina Barbecue Ribs  
  
• Colonial Kettle Corn (Food Trailer): Kettle Corn, Water
• Danibelle’s Lebanese Cuisine LLC (Food Truck): Chicken Shawarma, Falafel, Kafta Sandwich, Hummus, Tabouleh Salad, Fries, Soft Drinks
• Del Sur Baked Goods: Peruvian: Peruvian Empanadas
• E-San Food and Drinks: Asian: Pad Thai, Fried Rice, Egg Rolls, Lo-Mein, Chicken Teriyaki, Lemonades, Thai Ice Tea, Sugarcane Juice
• Lake Anne Plaza Market & Deli: Tacos, Burritos, Quesadillas
• Lets Get Twisted Potato: Fried Twisted Potato on a Stick
• Nitro Creamery: Homemade Ice Cream and Gelato
• Reston Association: Hot Dogs, Cotton Candy, Popcorn, Chips
• Taste of the World Restaurant: Fried Rice, Teriyaki Chicken, Panang Curry Chicken, Fried Tofu, Curry Puff, Beverages

Free parking is available at the upper and lower lots at Lake Anne Plaza, on North Shore Drive, and off-site at Brown’s Chapel.

The event is hosted by Lake Anne Plaza and co-sponsored by Reston Association.

Photo via RCC

Local Schools Receive “Common Sense Recognition” — Aldrin and Hunters Woods elementary schools in Reston and Clearview and Crossfield elementary schools and Carson Middle School in Herndon are a part of the 23 Fairfax County Public Schools recognized for their digital citizenship. [FCPS]

Fixing Up Reston Ball Field — The Reston Association recently uploaded a video about ball field maintenance. [YouTube]

Lights! Camera! Action! — People can watch “Jumanji” — a movie starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson — at the Reston Community Center Hunters Woods today from 10 a.m.-noon. The movie is about four high school kids who become adult avatars in a video game’s jungle setting. The screening is free to attend and appropriate for all ages. [Reston Community Center]

As summer draws to a close, the annual Dog Daze event is tomorrow (Sept. 7).

Community members are invited to bring their dogs to the Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole (1400 Lake Fairfax Drive) and let their friendly four-legged friends take a dip in the community pool.

All ages are welcome to attend, though dog handlers must be 18 or older. This event runs from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.

A $10 d0nation is suggested for the Fairfax County Animal Shelter and the Fairfax County Park Foundation. There will be prizes and treats for both people and their pets.

Saturday (Sept. 7) 

• 2019 Craft Market Season (8 a.m.) — Local vendors can show off their arts while community members check out the nearby farmers market. This event is free and will be located at Lake Ann Plaza
• Elephant and Piggy Day (11 a.m.-1 p.m.) — This free event will take place at the Reston Regional Library Branch and feature lifesize characters from Mo Willems’ “Elephant and Piggy” series. Families are welcome to stop by to meet the characters and take a selfie.
• Wine Tasting at Balducci’s (2-5 p.m.) — The restaurant is having a wine tasting event with its new private stock from California. Participants can get 25% off when buying 12 or more bottles.
•  Author Peter Kageyama (8 p.m.) — Author Peter Kageyama will speak at the Reston Community Center about how Reston fits into his version of an ideal city.  Tickets are $15, and his books are available for purchase before and after the presentation.

Sunday (Sept. 8) 

• 18th Annual Herndon Rotary Car Show (10 a.m.-3 p.m.) — Sponsored by the Herndon Rotary International, this show will feature cars of various makes and models. The event is free for everyone, and there will be prizes offered for registered participants who bring their cars. Later in the day, there will be a panel discussion. It will be held at 777 Lynn Street.
• “Beehive: The 60’s Musical” (showings at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.) — This 60s’ themed performance highlights six women and groups who made an impact on music including the Shirelles, Supremes, Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner and Janis Joplin.
• Healthy Kids Running Series (3:30 p.m.) — This fun-run event will feature 50- and 75-yard dashes, the quarter-mile, the half-mile and the one-mile run for kids ages 2-14. Top-performing kids in each category will receive a trophy. Registration is $10 on-site at YMCA Fairfax County Reston.
• Lake House Open House (3-5 p.m.) — Community members are invited to the lake house for a social gathering with their neighbors. Light refreshments will be served and people can learn about how the space can serve them.
• Country Dance (5:30-8:30 p.m.) — This event invites community members 18 years of age or older to join in a social dance session featuring line dancing, swing and two-step. Tickets are $5 for Reston residents. It will take place at the Reston Community Center.

Photo via Fairfax County

Thursday Takeover with Lululemon — Enjoy a 45-minute sweat session at the Reston Town Center’s pavilion with Lululemon ambassador Cameron. Class is free and begins at 6 p.m. [Reston Town Center]

New Exhibit Comes to Signature — Maremi Andreozzi’s work will be on display at the Greater Reston Arts Center’s satellite gallery at the apartment building in Reston Town Center. The exhibition, “Hidden Histories,” begins today and runs through January 7. [Greater Reston Arts Center]

Voting Now Open for Reston Community Center Preference Poll — Voting is now open for this year’s preference poll, which offers five candidates for three, three-year positions on RCC’s Board of Governors. [Reston Community Center]

Photo via vantagehill/Flickr

As we head into Labor Day weekend, here’s a look at some area closings and schedule adjustments for the holiday.

Public schools, library, county offices, the county’s animal shelter, General District Court, and Reston Community Center Hunters Woods and Lake Anne will be closed.

The Fairfax Connector will be operating on a Sunday schedule. Metrorail and Metrobus will also operate on a Sunday schedule, with off-peak fares in effect all day. Parking will be free at all Metrorail facilities.

Frying Pan Farm Park’s farm and indoor arena will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but its visitors center will remain closed. More information about county closures is available online.

Reston Association offices, the Central Services Facility and the nature house will close at noon today (Friday) and remain closed on Monday.

The pool schedule for the holiday weekend is below:

Glade, Lake Audubon, Lake Newport: Noon to 7 p.m.

North Shore, Ridge Heights: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

In the town of Herndon, government offices will be closed. Recycling collection will be postponed from Monday to Tuesday. The town’s Labor Day festival is set from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the town green.

Photo via Ben White/Unsplash

The author of the book, “Radical Suburbs: Experimental Living on the Fringes of the American City,” will discuss why she classifies Reston as a radical suburb this month.

The event, which features author Amanda Hurley, is set to take place on September 18 from 7-9 p.m. at Reston Community Center Lake Anne’s Jo Ann Rose Gallery.

Hurley’s talk will compare Reston to other communities, including a co-housing commune in Pennsylvania, a tiny-house anarchist community in New Jersey and a government-planned garden city in Maryland.

Here’s more about the book from the publisher:

America’s suburbs are not the homogenous places we sometimes take them for. Today’s suburbs are racially, ethnically, and economically diverse, with as many Democratic as Republican voters, a growing population of renters, and rising poverty. The cliche of white picket fences is well past its expiration date.

The history of suburbia is equally surprising: American suburbs were once fertile ground for utopian planning, communal living, socially-conscious design, and integrated housing. We have forgotten that we built suburbs like these, such as the co-housing commune of Old Economy, Pennsylvania; a tiny-house anarchist community in Piscataway, New Jersey; a government-planned garden city in Greenbelt, Maryland; a racially integrated subdivision (before the Fair Housing Act) in Trevose, Pennsylvania; experimental Modernist enclaves in Lexington, Massachusetts; and the mixed-use, architecturally daring Reston, Virginia.

Inside Radical Suburbs you will find blueprints for affordable, walkable, and integrated communities, filled with a range of environmentally sound residential options. Radical Suburbs is a history that will help us remake the future and rethink our assumptions of suburbia.

Signed copies of her book will also be available for purchase. The event is hosted by the Reston Historic Trust & Museum.

The 13th annual Lake Anne Jazz and Blues Music Festival returns to Lake Anne Plaza on August 31.

The event, which takes from place 2-8 p.m., brings together several bands and artists. Beer will be provided by Ornery Beer Company and tacos will be provided by Lake Anne Deli.

The following groups and individuals are scheduled to perform:

• BIG Whitson
• Shacara Rogers
• The Vaughan
• Ambrose Octet
• Jamal A. Brown, Feedel Band
• Michael Pavone
• VMC!

The event is hosted by the Friends of Lake Anne and is sponsored by Lake Anne, Reston Community Center, Friends of Lake Anne and Foxes Music Company.

Photos via Charlotte Geary Photography

Five candidates are running for seats on the Reston Community Center’s Board of Governors.

First-time candidates Laurie Dodd and Robert Petrine join incumbents Beverly Cosham, Michelle Moyer and Paul Thomas in the race for three positions.

Voting begins on September 6. All properties in Small District 5 will receive ballots in the mail.

Mailed ballots must be received by 5 p.m. on Thursday, September 26. Walk-in and online ballots must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, September 27.

The board is responsible for establishing RCC’s policies and guiding development of its programs and budget. The terms will be for three years.

Statements of candidate, which were provided by RCC, are below.

Beverly A. Cosham

What previous experience or participation in civic activities would you bring to the RCC Board? 

My previous experiences and participation in civic activities that I would bring to the RCC Board are my nine terms on the Lorton Arts Foundation, three terms on Advisory Board of ArtsFairfax, one term each on the Lorton Land Reuse Committee and the Actor’s Center, and nine terms on the Reston Community Orchestra and six terms on the RCC Board of Governors. I am a founding member of the Reston Chorale and the Reston Players.

How would your leadership enhance RCC’s efforts to bring the community together by providing opportunities for enriching leisure experiences and connections that reach out to all to foster inclusiveness and a sense of belonging? 

As an incumbent, I have experience creating and realizing Strategic Plans by working with the board and staff to create programs and partnerships to better serve the growing and diverse community. RCC is the heart of Reston and strives to keep Bob Simon’s Principles to ensure that Reston remains a welcoming place to live, work and play for all.

Laurie Dodd

What previous experience or participation in civic activities would you bring to the RCC Board?

I have lived in Reston for 23+ years, raising two children here. As an attorney with my own practice, I have been a leader in many community groups over the years. I served as board member for Reston Swim Team Association, Reston Children’s Center, and my church. I have volunteered with Coalition for a Planned Reston, Rescue Reston, Reston Runners, Embry Rucker Shelter, RA Community Gardens, and PTA. I have attended and testified at numerous meetings of RA, the Board of Supervisors, and the School Board. I recently ran for Hunter Mill Supervisor in 2019, finishing second among five candidates 

How would your leadership enhance RCC’s efforts to bring the community together by providing opportunities for enriching leisure experiences and connections that reach out to all and foster inclusiveness and a sense of belonging?

During my recent local campaign, I spoke with hundreds of Reston residents about their views. I know that RCC has truly been a center of our community, providing cultural, educational, and recreational experiences for many families, including my own. Reston residents want to be engaged in shaping the future of RCC. Just as my legal work has focused on helping underserved people and groups get what they need, I will work to ensure that RCC meet the needs of this community. I will bring fresh eyes to RCC programs, seeing that they are effective and efficient. RCC must provide opportunities for people from different social, economic, ethnic, and racial backgrounds to come together. Reaching out to get input from all is essential. As a board member, I will work diligently to help RCC serve the community, in collaboration with its many civic, cultural, and recreational partners. 

Michelle Moyer 

What previous experience or participation in civic activities would you bring to the RCC Board? 

After serving two terms on the RCC Board I am eager to continue this role with a community-wide focus. During my 30+ years in Reston, I have participated, and held leadership roles, in a wide variety of community organizations including Reston Masters Swim Team, PTA, All Night Grad Party committee, Reston Swim Team Association board, Fellowship Square Corporate board, cluster board, and Christ the Servant Lutheran Church. While I am still involved with some of these organizations, my main volunteer focus in recent years has been the RCC Board of Governors.

How would your leadership enhance RCC’s efforts to bring the community together by providing opportunities for enriching leisure experiences and connections that reach out to all and foster inclusiveness and a sense of belonging?

RCC has some important opportunities, such as the completion of the Aquatics Center renovation and meeting the needs identified in the Community Survey results. I look forward being involved with the next steps for RCC as we continue efforts to identify what the Reston community needs and desires and to determine how to best meet these needs within fiscal restraints. 

I am a Human Resources consultant, focusing on compensation and affirmative action. I have had my own practice for the past 28 years. This work requires analytical, communication, and creative problem solving skills coupled with the ability to work cooperatively with management teams and boards. This experience and these skills are directly applicable to the role on the Board of Governors. I would like to apply my business consulting experience and civic work to solicit input, anticipate needs, support programs, and continue valuable partnerships with other like-minded community organizations.  

Robert T. Petrine

What previous experience or participation in civic activities would you bring to the RCC Board?

My background is in finance. I have been the chief financial officer of two banks and have 20+ years’ experience as a federal bank regulator. I have served on several professional boards and committees that represent the educational and developmental interests of those organizations and those of the general public including the Education Committee of the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce. 

I regularly attend and participate at RCC and RA Board meetings to keep informed of what’s going on in my community; active in CPR, Reston 20/20, RCA, and Rescue Reston.

I’m a 43+ year resident; coached Reston soccer teams. 

How would your leadership enhance RCC’s efforts to bring the community together by providing opportunities for enriching leisure experiences and connections that reach out to all to foster inclusiveness and a sense of belonging? 

This is my opportunity to give back to the community that has provided my family and I with innumerable cultural activities and events that have broadened our perspectives to other cultures and activities which have deeply enriched our lives. I intend to use the executive skills and experiences that I have developed in corporate finance and strategic planning over the past 5 decades to ensure RCC’s fiscal responsibility and program effectiveness.

I now have the time and am willing to make the commitment to use these skills for the benefit of my community. To meet my latter objective, I would conduct outreach meetings with community groups and individuals to inform them of the vision, values, and mission of the RCC and, most importantly, seek their input of the scope, availability, and cost of RCC programs and activities.

Paul Thomas

What previous experience or participation in civic activities would you bring to the RCC Board?

My wife and I both grew up in Reston, and we are raising our kids (ages 14 and 18) here. I currently serve on the RCC Board of Governors, and I am president of the South Lakes HS PTSA. I have served on other nonprofit boards and one county task force:

• Reston Community Center Board of Governors: 3 years
• Reston Association Board of Directors: 4 years; VP for 2 years
• Reston Historic Trust Board of Directors: 2 years
• Reston Swim Team Association Board of Directors: 2 years; VP both years
• Reston Master Plan Special Study Task Force: 2 years

How would your leadership enhance RCC’s efforts to bring the community together by providing opportunities for enriching leisure experiences and connections that reach out to all to foster inclusiveness and a sense of belonging?

Our changing community provides challenges and opportunities for those who care about our remarkably diverse, inclusive community. As the demographics and geography of Reston evolve, we need to continue to create spaces, events, and programs that are essential elements of Reston’s unique sense of place. Some people see RCC as a recreation center. Others see it as a fine and performing arts center. For others, it is a provider of camps for kids or continuing education for adults. To me, RCC is more than a sum of its parts; the Reston Community Center is an organization that helps define, serve and unify our community. My deep involvement with many facets of the Reston community help me understand and support the experiences and connections that make Reston such as great place. As a member of the Board of Governors, I hope to continue helping RCC with its critical mission.

Photo via RCC