More than 50 artists will converge at the Greater Reston Art Center’s gallery in Reston Town Center next month for the annual Monster Drawing Fundraiser.

The rally turns the gallery into a public performance space as artists create artworks on-site using the media of choice from 4-8 p.m.

Completed works are hung on the wall and are available for purchase at $75 each. If more than one person is interested in an artwork, the buyer will be determined through a drawing.

All proceeds from the event will benefit GRACE’s exhibition programs.

The event, which is sponsored by Collective Arts Brewing, is free and open for all.

Volunteers can sign up online to help with the event.

Photo via GRACE

Citizens Meet to Discuss Campus Commons Plan — Local residents gathered last night to discuss TF Cornerstone’s plan to build three new buildings at the southeast corner of Wiehle Avenue and Sunrise Valley Drive. [Reston 2020]

Donate Blood at Reston Town Center Today — INOVA’s bloodmobile will be at RTC’s pavilion from 1 to 6 p.m. today. Appointments can be scheduled online or by calling 1-866-256-6372. [Reston Town Center]

A Close Look at Algae — Reston Association’s watershed manager William Peterson dives into how algae can be hazardous and unhealthy for the ecosystem, as well as how RA tries to maintain its lakes and local watershed. [Reston Today]

Photo via vantagehill/Flickr

The 37th annual Reston Century Bike Tour returns to Reston Town Center on Sunday (August 25).

Riders select routes of 22, 60, 80 or 100 miles — with all routes start and ending at RTC.  The event is set to happen rain or shine. A post-ride party will be held in the pavilion for participating cyclists.

Registration is open online.

Tomorrow (August 24)

• Dog Paddle for Small Dogs (10 a.m. to noon) — Dogs under 30 pounds can dip in the pool during this event at the North Hills Recreation Area. Registration is $6 for RA members and $8 for all others. A second session is planned from 2-4 p.m.
• Summer Stem (10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) — Children between ages 9 and 14 can dive into the exciting world of robotics. Registration is open online.
• Summerbration Fun Brunch (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) — Enjoy a performance by Rocknoceros at Reston Station Plaza. The event is free and open to all.
• Reston Concerts on the Town (7:30-10 p.m.) — The final “Reston Concerts on the Town” performance brings Empire Strikes Bass to the pavilion at Reston Town Center. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket.

Sunday (August 25)

• Dog Paddle for All (10 a.m to noon) — Dogs of all sizes are invited to dip in the pool at North Hills Recreation Area. Female dogs in heat are not permitted and all dogs must remain under control at all times.
• Summerbration Fun Brunch (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) — Enjoy a performance by a face painter, balloon twister and stilt walker at Reston Station Plaza. The event is free and open to all. Parking is free on weekends in the Metro garage.

Photo via Ed Robichaud

Facilities Planning Council Seeks Representative — The school board’s Facilities Planning Advisory Council is seeking a member to represent the Hunter Mill District. Howard Perlstein, the current representative for the district, is leaving the council since it was established over a decade ago. [Fairfax County Public Schools]

County Hosts Launch of Statewide Checkpoint Strikeforce Campaign — State and local officials “launched the annual statewide anti-drunk driving Checkpoint Strikeforce Campaign. The DUI law enforcement and public education campaign continues through Labor Day weekend and will resume during Halloween and the holidays. Complementing the high visibility enforcement, Checkpoint Strikeforce is sponsoring an advertising campaign called “Act Like It.”‘ [Fairfax County Police Department]

Dog Days of Summer is Today — Enjoy a special play zone for dogs and their owners today at Reston Town Center’s pavilion from 5-7:30 p.m. The last session is on September 4. [Reston Town Center]

Photo via vantagehill/Flickr

As schools go back into session later this month, the Friends of the Reston Regional Library is hosting a book sale for teens, children, and educators this weekend.

The book sale, which began on Thursday, continues through the weekend. Books will be available for purchase tomorrow (Saturday) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sunday (August 18) from 1-3:30 p.m.

It takes place at Reston Regional Library and features books in used condition.

The next book sale — which will not include children’s books — is set for September 25.

Tomorrow (August 17)

• Back 2 School Bash (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) — The bash includes interactive activities and offers information to help children and families prepare for school. The event takes place at South Lakes High School (11400 South Lakes Drive).
• The Arithmechicks Add Up Book Launch (11 a.m.) — Ann Marie Stephens celebrates the launch of her third children’s book “Arithmechicks Add Up.” Refreshments will also be offered.
• Summerbration Fun Brunch (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) — Enjoy tunes from the Ryan Forester Band at the Reston Station Plaza. Parking is free on weekends in the Metro parking garage.
• Reston Concerts on the Town (7:30-10 p.m.) — Underhill Rose brings progressive bluegrass, country and Americana to Reston Town Center’s pavilion. Attendees should bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket.

Sunday (August 18)

• Summerbration Fun Brunch (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) — Enjoy a performance by Interactive Theater of Jef at Reston Station Plaza. The event is free and open for all ages.
• Sunday Art in the Park (7-8 p.m.) —  The class of 2020 presents a cabaret-style performance featuring Broadway hits at Reston Town Square Park.

A new 50-foot steel sculpture by artist Sue Wrbican is on track for installation in the fall.

For more than a year, the Greater Reston Arts Center has been working on the project, which is inspired by American surrealist Kay Sage. Construction began a little over a year ago. The sculpture is intended to encourage viewers to think about the themes of urbanism and landscape, environmentalism and natural resources, feminism, and community, said Lily Siegel, GRACE’s executive director and curator.

“Through her project, Wrbican is not just bringing attention to Sage’s life and work, she is making it relevant to our contemporary lives by introducing forms inspired by Sage into our present urban landscape,” Siegel said, adding that Sage’s work was overlooked during her time and that she lived in the shadow of her celebrated artist-husband and associates.

Siegel hopes the sculpture will be a gathering point and topic of conversation.

GRACE turned to crowdfunding to help finance the construction of the project, as well as ongoing programming scheduled for the sculpture. While the organization did not release the cost of the project, Seigel said the project has received “incredible support.”

A talk about the project, which will be installed in Town Square Park, is set for August 22 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. at GRACE. The event is free and open to the public.

Community partners include Reston Town Center Association, Reston Community Center, ARTSFAIRFAX, Public Art Reston, The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, MacMullan & Associates, Architecture Incorporated, Commercial Concrete, ECS Mid-Atlantic, PaintTech, and a number of individuals.

Photo by Sue Wrbican

Recently, Reston Town Center shed its iconic logo of the Mercury Fountain in favor of a more modern and simplistic design.

For weeks, Boston Properties and their public relations company TAA PR have been mum about the rebranding effort, as well as the latest on a planned renovation to RTC’s common areas.

In response to multiple requests from Reston Now, company representatives said they have some “exciting news to share” about the future of RTC in the coming weeks. In absence of hard details, Reston Now is turning to its readers to get their thoughts on what they think about the new logo and what message the new design seeks to convey.

RTC’s first logo features a line drawing of the 20-foot Mercury Fountain, which was designed by sculptor Saint Clair Cemin and anchors the pavilion. While the new logo retains the original blue palette, its circular form — with a ‘C’ rested in the center — lends itself to many interpretations.

A new crop of tenants are expected to open up in RTC by 2020, including Jinya Ramen Bar, The Candle Bar and Muse Paint Bar. The company also announced plans to renovate most of its gathering places in over the next several months. 

Until more details are made public, we’d love to know your thoughts about the new logo and the future of RTC in the comments below.

File photo

Summer Restaurant Week Kicks Off Today — “Several Reston restaurants will be among 250 in DC, Maryland, and Virginia participating in the summer 2019 Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week. The event will be held Aug. 12 to 18.” [Reston Patch]

Local Schools Compete at Hidden Creek Country Club — “The 10th Annual George Pavlis Memorial Golf Tournament hosted by McLean HS at Hidden Creek golf course will have 17 teams from VA high schools competing. Good viewing areas are any of the RA paths and sidewalks along North Shore Drive between Golf View Court and Links Drive.  Teams will be placed at each of 18 holes for the start, so activity from all vantage points. ” [Rescue Reston]

Mental Health First Aid Training — The county is offering a two-day certification course to help communities better understand mental illness and respond to psychiatric emergencies. While county employees can attend free of charge, materials cost $25. [Fairfax County Government]

Photo via Dario Piparo/Flickr

More than 60 teams will converge at Lake Anne Plaza to take part in the third annual Lake Anne Cardboard Boat Regatta tomorrow (Saturday).

Boats will begin arriving at the plaza between 10:30 a.m. and noon. The first race begins at 1 p.m. Races continue between two teams at a time throughout the afternoon.

An awards ceremony will be held in the afternoon.

More information about the race is available online.

Tomorrow (Saturday)

• ACEing Autism One Day Clinic (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) — The clinic will take place at Lake Newport’s tennis courts (11452 Baron Cameron Avenue). A convenience fee of $2.95 will be waived at checkout.
• Summerbration Fun Brunch (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) — Enjoy a performance by a latin and salsa band at Reston Station Plaza. This week’s performance includes dance instruction. Parking is free on weekends in the Metro Parking garage.

Sunday (August 10)

• Summerbration Fun Brunch (11 a.m. to 1 p.m) — Enjoy a performance by Dixieland Band at Reston Station Plaza. The event is free and open for all.
• Sunday Afternoon Dance (2:30-4:30 p.m.) — Dancers of all skill levels convene at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods for an afternoon of dance. The cost if $5 for Restonians and $10 for all others.
• Sunday Art in the Park (7-8 p.m.) — Professor of Flute Jonathan Snowden performs with his Wife at Reston Town Square Park. The event is free and open for all.

Photo via Nova Labs/Facebook

Microsoft Corp. is on the hunt for up to 300,000 square feet of office space in Northern Virginia, which could require the company to consolidate offices from two other locations.

The Washington Business Journal reports that the company is working with commercial real estate services firm JLL to find prospects across Northern Virginia. Properties in Reston — including Comstock’s Loudoun and Reston Station projects, Brookfield’s Halley Rise, and Boston Properties’ Reston Gateway.

Currently, Microsoft leases 275,000 square feet at Reston Town Center.

Here’s more from the report:

The search appears to separate from the 332-acre site Microsoft acquired last year in Leesburg for $73 million. The company hasn’t filed development plans for that site yet, but as the WBJ reported in May, the company may have acquired the land at least in part to advance its effort to secure a pair of multi-billion-dollar government contracts. That makes the Leesburg land a more likely play for data center development to service the government cloud computing contracts than for office space of the sort it has at Reston Town Center.

Moving to one of those other development sites might better position Microsoft to bring all of its local employees under one roof.

WBJ also reports that Facebook is also scouting for space in Reston after the social media giant scratched Tysons off its list.

Meanwhile, Google is expected to begin moving its current employee based into Reston Station’s signature office building this summer.

File photo

The Candle Bar, a Nashville-based store that allows customers to craft candles, plans to open in Reston Town Center soon.

The business allows patrons to pick from fragrances and pour wax into a vessel of their choosing.

Company representatives did not return multiple requests for comment from Reston Now. 

County permits indicate that the business plans to open on 1816 Library Street. Rappaport, an accredited management organization, has also reporting on the company’s planned expansion to Reston Town Center and Georgetown.

It is expected to take over space previously occupied by The Tasting Room Wine Bar and Shop, which closed in February.

Photo via The Candle Bar/Facebook

Artists of all ages and skill levels can now save the date for ChalkFest at Reston Town Center.

The annual event, which challenges artists to create chalk drawings on Market Street, is set for Saturday, September 14 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Registration is open in the following categories:

• Professional artist: $25
• Amateur artist: $25
• Families and kids: $15

Prizes will be given to winning artists in each category. Participants will also get the chance to vote in the “audience choice awards.”

ChalkFest is presented by Public Art Reston and Reston Town Center. All proceeds from the event will benefit Public Art Reston’s projects and programs.

Last year’s event was cancelled due to the forecasted rain, but in 2017, the event drew more than 4,000 people.

Photo by Public Art Reston

For more than two months, Reston Town Center’s Vapiano has been closed amid allegations of an international money laundering scheme.

The case, which was filed in May in U.S. District Court in the Central District of California, continues to rattle the company. The RTC location’s doors have been shuttered for more than two months.

A spokesperson for Vapiano said the company has not announced a reopening date. The new owners — Plutos Sama Holdings, Inc. (PSH) — are expected to provide an update soon.

Representatives of PSH alleged that individuals attempted to take over the chain and intentionally thwart PSH’s attempts to maintain operation of three Vapiano locations.

According to court documents, the complaint alleges the individuals — including one man known as the “King of Ports” — attempted to launder money through the restaurant chain, including funds amassed through questionable shipping transactions in Guatemala.

So far, little to no movement has been made in court. According to the docket, the case was assigned to a local judge, but no updates from the accused parties have come forward.

In early June, an attorney representing PSH expected the restaurant to open within a month. That attorney has not returned repeated calls and emails from Reston Now over the last three weeks.

Prior to the extended temporary closure that began in late May, the RTC location closed sporadically throughout the year. Prior to the release of the suit, company officials told Reston Now the company was undergoing major restructuring, training, and managing payroll delays.