The Reston Rotary Rise Against Hunger fundraising event this Saturday will donate meals to kids and families in need.

People are invited to pack meals alongside Rotary members at Aldrin Elementary School (11375 Center Harbor Road) from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Anyone interested can sign up online for a shift or donate if they are unable to attend.

Once the goal of 10,000 meals is met, extra funds will ensure that kids in the area have the winter clothes they need, help the Reston Community Orchestra, assist kids with scholarships and send books to students in Nyeri, Kenya.

Tomorrow (Saturday)  

• Make Shift Happen: The Storytellers Experience (10 a.m. to 9 p.m.) — This day-long event invites people to learn about themselves and become better storytellers. This event takes place at The Lake House (11450 Baron Cameron Avenue) and includes meditation, guest speakers, trust workshops and more. General admission tickets are $200.
• Jazz (6:30 p.m) — Watch a live performance by pianist Caleb Nei at the Lake Anne Coffee House and Wine Bar (1612 N. Washington Plaza). This event is free and open to the public.
• Tween Dodgeball (5 to 9 p.m.) — Kids ages 9-12 are welcome to get some exercise at Life Time Athletic (1757 Business Center Drive). Everyone will be placed in a bracket and encouraged to compete.

Sunday (Jan. 12)

• Kickstart your Sweatlife 2020 (8 to 10 a.m.) — Reston Town Center Lululemon is hosting workouts and goal setting events for patrons. People are welcome to gather and take a run with instructors Brian and Erica. This event is free and open to the public.
• 2 Silos Brewing Co. Tasting (noon to 3 p.m.) — Try some beer from 2 Silos Brewing Co. at Safeway (11120 S. Lakes Drive) including Citralicious and Cream Ale brews. There will be giveaways available for attendees.
• Sunday Afternoon Dance (2:30 to 4 p.m.) — The Reston Community Center welcomes people of all skill levels to enjoy an afternoon of cha-cha, swing, waltz or foxtrot dancing. Admission is $5 for Reston residents and $10 for others. Admission includes a short lesson, refreshments and door prizes.

Image via Rotary Club of Reston/Facebook

The Greater Reston Arts Center is welcoming a new exhibit featuring the work of artist Moira Dryer this month. 

Dryer’s work, which features large abstract paintings on wood panel, will be on display from Jan. 18 through April 18. The exhibit, which was curated by GRACE’s executive director and curator Lily Siegel is titled “Yours for the Taking.”

Here’s more from GRACE on the exhibit:

This exhibition will provide an intimate look at the artist’s practice through works given as gifts to friends and family, many never previously shown publicly. Her work has been exhibited extensively across the United States in institutions such as Boston’s Institute for Contemporary Art; Whitney Museum of Modern Art; and The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Dryer’s work is included in the permanent collections of The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York; Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles; and Museum of Modern Art, New York

Dryer was educated at the School of Visual Arts. Her first solo exhibition debuted in 1986 at John Good Gallery in New York. She was born in Toronto, Ontario in 1957 and died in New York City in 1992.

The exhibit is supported by ARTFAIRFAX and Robert and Theresa Goudie, as well as the Exhibition Circle.

A curator’s talk and opening reception is set for Jan. 19 from 4-6 p.m.

Photo via Moira Dryer/GRACE

As 2020 nears, there are plenty of bars, restaurants and clubs around Reston and Herndon catering to people trying to spend their final hours of the year in style.

Here are some of the events in the Reston area where people can celebrate New Year’s Eve.

PassionFish Reston (11960 Democracy Drive) will host a party with no cover charge from 10:30 p.m. until 1:45 a.m. on New Year’s Eve. The event will feature a DJ, a photo booth, a special bar menu and several dining options.

For those seeking an all-inclusive option, there will be an event at Clyde’s of Reston (11905 Market Street) on Dec. 31 from 10 p.m. until 2 a.m. For $125, guests can enjoy unlimited appetizers and drinks. There will be a DJ and party favors handed out at the event. This party is for guests 21 or older.

Kalypso’s Sports Tavern (1617 N Washington Plaza) is offering guests the chance to celebrate with New Year’s Eve DECA Party, beginning at 6 p.m. The $10 charge will include party favors, live DJ, champagne toast and a specialty cocktail. Guests are asked to wear cocktail attire.

In Herndon, Anatolian Bistro (13029 Worldgate Drive) is hosting a dinner party with live entertainment including Turkish music and a belly dancer. The $85 dollar fee will include a three-course meal and a complimentary glass of wine. Times vary throughout the evening and people can make a reservation.

Ned Devine’s Irish Bar and Restaurant (2465 Centreville Road) invites people to come and enjoy New Year’s Eve with a celebration featuring live bands, a feed of New York’s Times Square celebration and free champagne at midnight. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online. The event begins at 7 p.m. and goes until 1 a.m.

The roaring ’20s will return with an event at Bar Louie (13195 Parcher Ave) from 8 p.m. until 2 a.m. Tickets are free unless attendees wish to purchase a package for $50, which includes drink tickets, a champagne toast and appetizers.  People are encouraged to dress in 1920s attire.

Photo via Jamie Street/Unsplash

The Fairfax County delegation to the General Assembly will hold a public hearing for the upcoming 2020 session.

The hearing will take place on Saturday, Jan. 4 at 9 a.m. in the board room of the Fairfax County Government Center (12000 Government Center Parkway).

Residents interested in speaking at the hearing should register online or contact the county’s Department of Clerk Services at 703-324-3151 by Thursday, Jan. 2.

Only county residents can speak either on behalf of themselves or an organization serving county residents. All speakers will be allocated three minutes to address the delegation. The hearing will be streamed online.

The 2020 session convenes on Wednesday, Jan. 8. More information about key dates is available online.

Photo via Fairfax County/Facebook

Fellowship Square, a nonprofit organization that provides affordable housing and services for seniors with limited incomes and resources, is hosting its second annual fundraising tonight (Wednesday).

The event, “Winter Wonderland Fundraiser for Affordable Housing,” takes place at Hunters Woods at Trails Edge (2222 Colts Neck Road) from 6-8 p.m.

Here’s more about the organization from its website:

Residents at our four Fellowship Houses are active, independent, and remain engaged with life in their communities. Some residents are area natives, with most of them coming from the East Coast and states east of the Mississippi River. However, many residents relocated from across the country, or from other nations, to be near family members.

Residents often worked in occupations with little or no retirement benefits such as teaching, cosmetology, unskilled labor, and farming. Some are even refugees from forced labor camps. All have limited means and many live on Social Security or Supplemental Security Income alone. Without Fellowship Houses, many of our residents would live in less than ideal conditions or be homeless

There is no entrance fee, but RSVPs are encouraged. The fundraiser will include win, beer raffle prizes, and desserts.

More information about the event is available online.

The first-ever Herndon WinterMarkt kicks off tomorrow, bringing European holiday festivities to the Herndon Depot Museum from noon to 8 p.m. There are also plenty of local options to take photos with Santa through the end of the year.

Tomorrow

• Handmade Holiday Ornaments (1-2:30 p.m. ) — Make holiday ornaments at this workshop with staff the Greater Reston Arts Center. The workshop is $10 for Restonians and $20 for all others.
• Balloon Twister (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) —  Enjoy Mike’s and Marsha’s balloon hats, giant birds, and other balloon creations at Reston Regional Library.
• Reston Holiday Open House (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) — Join staff at Reston Regional Library to celebrate the holiday season with light refreshments, music, entertainment and fun.
• The Grinch Who Stole Christmas (1 p.m.) — Rhythm Street Dance performs at Reston Town Center in front of the ice skating pavilion.

Sunday

• Reston Town Center Holiday Performances (Noon, 1 p.m., 3 p.m.) — The Northern VA Ukelele Society, the Northern VA Ensemble, and Rich Landers, are set to perform during three separate timings at Reston Town Center’s promenade.
• Mini-train Rides (Noon to 4 p.m.) — Enjoy mini-train rides at Reston Town Center. A suggested donation of $5 per person is appreciated.   

Photo via Facebook

More than 50 artists from around the region will create live artwork using their preferred media at a live fundraising event tomorrow (Saturday).

The Greater Reston Arts Center will host the third annual Monster Drawing Rally, which helps raise funds for its programs, at Signature apartments (11850 Freedom Drive).

As works are completed, they will be hung on a wall and will be available for purchase at $75 each. The event is free and open to all.

Tomorrow (Saturday)

• Gifts from the HeART Shopping Event (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.) — Residents can buy artwork, jewelry, and other items at Reston Community Center Lake Anne’s annual event.
• Mystery Authors Extravaganza (1-4 p.m.) — Authors from the Chesapeake Chapter of Sisters in crime will prevent their 2019 novels. Books will be available for sale and signing.
• Reston Friends Holiday Book Sale (10. a.m. to 4 p.m.) — Gently-used books will be available for purchase at the annual event at Reston Regional Library. 
• Lake House Open House (10 a.m. to noon) — Light refreshments will be available at the open house which takes place at the Lake House.
• Reston Town Center Holiday Performances — Over the weekend, several performers and groups will perform at the Reston Town Center promenade. Performances continue through Saturday, Dec. 21.

Sunday (Dec. 8)

• Reston Friends Holiday Book Sale (1-4 p.m.) — Gently-used books will be available for purchase at the annual event at Reston Regional Library. 
• Holiday Open House (1-4 p.m.) — A holiday open house to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the opening of the Nature House takes place at the. Walker Nature Center. The event is free and registration is not required.
• Best Kept Secrets with Dr. Charles Thomas (2 p.m.) — Dr. Charles Thomas, CEO of Clear Cloud, discusses his new book, “Best Kept Secrets from Invisible Walk-ons to Life Champions.” The event takes place at Scrawl Books (11911 Freedom Drive).

Photo via GRACE

Thousands of books are available for purchase beginning today (Thursday) during an annual sale by Friends of the Reston Regional Library.

According to information provided by the Friends, the nonprofit organization has raised more than $700,000 for the library through its book sales over the past 15 years. In addition, it has been able to donate $200,000 to direct library support programs — including $100,000 in eBooks, $25,000 in children’s series books, a Braille printing station for the Access Services branch, librarian scholarships and more.

Science fiction, religion, romance, cooking, sports, history and many other genres of titles are available. Small paperback books are available for as little as 50 cents, with hardcovers books priced as low as $1.50.

The sale is on through 8 p.m. today, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. tomorrow (Friday), between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, and from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday.

The Friends’ next sale will be mystery, thriller and adventure sale, which is set for Feb. 6-9. Friends of the Reston Regional Library is made up of nearly 100 active volunteers who donate over 10,000 hours a year to process donations, run sales and reach out to the community.

For more information about Friends of the Reston Regional Library and its book sales, visit its website or its Facebook page, find it on Twitter, call 703-829-5467, or email [email protected].

File photo

An upcoming event in Reston will offer patrons a chance to purchase out-of-the-box holiday gifts.

Artisans from Nova Labs, Inc. will display gifts made from 3d printers and laser cutters at a maker market and artisan fair this weekend.

Nova Labs, Inc. (1916 Isaac Newtown Square West), a nonprofit organization that offers artisans tools and equipment to create items, will display work like glassware, personalized items, vases, cards, and jewelry at the fair, which is set for Saturday, Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The fair will also include blacksmithing demonstrations, tours, a magic sandbox and virtual reality rooms.

The event is free and open to all.

Photo via Unsplash

The Lake Anne Merchant Professionals Association will once again host Jingle on the lake on Saturday, Dec. 7.

Attendees can enjoy holiday music, take part in cookie decorating and participate in other activities around the plaza. Santa Clause is expected to arrive by boat at noon and he’ll stay at the Reston Used Books Store to hear the wishes of tiny tots and take photos.

All day long, stores at the plaza will offer materials to write a letter to Santa, which can be mailed of the “North Pole Mail Service” inside Chesapeake Chocolates. The store will also offer free wine tasting and hot chocolate from noon to 3 p.m.

The Reston Farmer’s Market and Reston Craft Market will take place from 8 a.m. to noon. Cookie decorating starts at 10 a.m. at Teapot and Cake. An adult choir performance is planned from 10:30-11 a.m.

More information about the event is available online.

Photo courtesy via Jingle on Lake Anne

The annual Monster Drawing Rally returns to Reston next month, but with a new location at the Signature Apartments (11850 Freedom Drive).

Artists from around the region will converge at the apartments for a live drawing event and fundraiser. More than 50 artists will create artwork on-site, which will be hung on a wall and available for purchase at $75.

The event is set for Dec. 7 from 4-8 p.m.

If more than one person wants to purchase the same artwork, a drawing will determine the winner.

All proceeds benefit the exhibition program at the Greater Reston Arts Center.

More information about the event is available online.

Photo via GRACE

The South Lakes High School PTSA is sponsoring a 0.5k run to help support the school’s food pantry this Sunday. From 3-5 p.m.

Proceeds from the event will go directly toward the pantry, which provides students in the SLHS pyramid food and toiletries.

The run is titled, “The Best 650 Steps You’ll Ever Take.”  The run begins and ends at the Lake Anne Brew House, with a stop in between for donuts and water.

To prepare for Halloween, organizers will be offering medals for the biggest team, best costume, most exuberant, best-dressed team and any other categories the judges “deem worthy,” according to organizers.

Registration is open online. Individuals can register as a student, adults, teams or families.

Raffle prizes include a diamond necklace with a value of $1,500 that was donated. Aspen Jewelry Designs. Other prices include a gift basket from Custom Ink, peanut putter basket, gift cards and a massage by Meg Donnelly.

The race is sponsored by Lake Anne Brew House, Reston Community Center, Restoration Church, Century 21 Redwood, CustomInk, Aspen Jewelry Designs, Dev Technology, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Del. Ken Plum, OmMade Peanut Butter, AKG Designs, and Friends of Lake Anne.

Photo via Roberta Gosling

Light the Night Set for Tomorrow — The Leukemia  & Lymphoma Society hosts the annual walk at Reston Town Center tomorrow (Friday) from 5-9 p.m. [Reston Town Center]

Supervisors Consider Reston Town Center in Parking Meters Decision in Loudoun — Loudoun County supervisors are thinking about allowing on-street parking meters — a move that some said is not comparable to RTC b because Boston Properties reversed longstanding free parking to paid parking. [Loudoun Now]

Lanes Reopen After Downed Power Pole Prompts Closure — Lanes reopened Wednesday night after a downed power pole at Herndon Parkway and Dulles Place changed the traffic pattern. [Herndon Police Department]

Photo via Dario Piparo/Flickr