Reston Grandmother Fighting For Pay Hired After Being Fired— Swartha, Tujare, 67, lost her job as a wheelchair attendant at Dulles International Airport after she participated in a strike demanding higher wages. Huntleigh Corporation, an airport contractor, fired her; but after a settlement, agreed to give Tujare her job back along with more than $4,000 in lost wages and benefits. [WUSA 9]

Barnes & Noble Kitchen Opens in Ashburn — Four years after the closure of the Barnes & Noble in Reston, the company has opened a new location in Ashburn’s One Loudoun. The new location is a Barnes & Noble Kitchen that includes an in-house restaurant. [Northern Virginia Magazine]

A 4.1 Magnitude Earthquake Rumbles D.C. Area —  Shocks from an earthquake centered in Dover, Delaware were felt throughout the D.C. area, including Reston on Thursday. The location of the quake was near the Doer Air Force Base, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. [NBC Washington]

Gingerbread Man Race Takes Place at Reston Town Center — The 17th annual Gingerbread Man Mile took place last Friday. The event is sponsored by Potomac River and was featured by The Connection. [The Connection]

Volunteers Enhance Safety at Fellowship House — Nearly two dozen volunteers gathered at the Hunter Woods Fellowship House in Reston on Nov. 11 to make bathrooms in the 222-unit apartment complex more accessible. [Fairfax County Times]

Holiday Performances on The Promenade Announced — Reston Town Center will feature outdoor musical performances on The Promenade, including the Northern Virginia Ukulele Society at noon on Dec. 17, Catchin’ Toads at 3 p.m. on Dec. 17 and Tenor Tim McKee at noon on Dec. 23. [Reston Town Center]

Local Group Celebrates 50 Years of Volleyball in Reston — The group, Hickory Volleyball, was founded in 1967 by longtime Restonian Philip Lilienthal, founder and president of Global Camps Africa. [Fairfax County Times]

Safety Tips for Displaying Christmas Trees — The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department suggests reviewing Electronic Safety Foundation International’s tips on how to display Christmas trees in your home. [The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department]

Holiday Open House at Reston Historic Trust and Museum — The nonprofit organization is hosting an open house on Saturday, Dec. 2 from 10 a.m. to noon. The event will include exhibitions, Reston-inspired gifts, hot chocolate and cookies. Author Watt Hamlet and illustrator Jill Ollison Vinson will also be on-site for a book signing of their book “Reston A to Z.” [Reston Historic Trust and Museum]

Tennis Courts Closures In Effect — The Glade and North Hills clay courts closed for the tennis season on Monday. For more information about Reston Association’s tennis facilities, visit the association’s website. [Reston Association]

Reston Town Center Gears Up for Holidays — On its website, Reston Town Center provides a complete guide of local holiday events, including Toys for Tots, Reston’s holiday parade and tree lighting.  [Reston Town Center]

File photo.

The Belgian bakery and restaurant Le Pain Quotidien will celebrate its opening earlier this month at Reston Town Center today through a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony.

Light refreshments will be served from 5 – 7 p.m. The formal ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. Complimentary garage parking is available after 5 p.m.

The cafe opened on Nov. 2 at 11909 Democracy Drive. It is open from 7 am. to 9 p.m. daily. It will offer special seasonal items throughout the year. For the fall, they plan to offer treats such as a turmeric latte, spiced apple cider, Turkey Bánh Mì, a roasted pear and spinach salad, chicken “zoodle” soup and “Speculoos Tiramisu,” which the cafe describes as “a Belgian twist on the classic Italian treat.”

According to promotional material, LPQ is a privately-held company with headquarters in New York City and more than 200 locations on five continents. Its signature loaves come from the experiment of Alain Coumont, a young chef in Brussels, who opened a small bakery where he could knead flour, salt and water in 1990. Coumount struggled to find the right bread to serve at his restaurant.

The 27th annual Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival will be bigger than ever this year. The festival, which is the largest annual fundraiser for the Greater Reston Arts Center, will become a three-day event instead of a two-day event.

It is scheduled to take place on May 19 through 20 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. GRACE added Friday to the event in order to open up the festival to the 10,000-person workforce in Reston Town Center and make it “bigger and better than ever,” GRACE says.

“Making the very significant logistical investment in a Friday opening provides a new, built-in, affluent buying audience looking for world-class art for their offices, homes, for gifts, and more,” according to a statement by the center.

The competitive, juried event is consistently rated as one of the best outdoor art festivals in the country, both for the quality of the artwork presented and for its artist hospitality.

GRACE also plans to move its Festival Party, which is sponsored by M Group and The Counter, to Saturday night from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Artist awards, sponsored by Boston Properties, will be announced during the party.

Last year’s festival raised about $275,000 for GRACE’s operating budget, executive director and curator Lily Siegel told Reston Now. It attracts an estimated 30,000 visitors a year, GRACE says.

Anyone interested in applying to submit art for the festival can do so online. Applications can be submitted in 16 different categories, including painting, photography, ceramics, jewelry, glass, sculpture and more. Artist applications for juror review must be submitted by Dec. 10.

Free garage parking is available each day.

Photo courtesy of GRACE

Donations for Thanksgiving Food Drive Needed Through Nov. 20 — The Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, Reston Community Center and Cornerstones is seeking non-perishable food and items for a food drive. Drop off locations are dispersed throughout Reston. All donations will benefit Cornerstones, a non-profit organization that aims to help neighbors overtime tough economic times. For a complete list of items needed and drop off-locations visit the center’s website.  [Reston Community Center]

Reston Town Center’s Ice Skating Pavilion To Open for the Season — Lace up your skates and get ready for the opening of RTC’s ice skating pavilion on 1818 Discovery St. The pavilion will be open today at 11. Admission for adults is $10 and $9 for children under 12. Skate rentals cost $6. [Reston Town Center via Facebook]

Meals on Wheels Needs Drivers Countywide –– Drivers are needed throughout to pick up and deliver meals to individuals on specific routes. Deliveries are made midday Monday, Wednesday ad Friday. Each route is a maximum of two hours. [Fairfax County Government]

‘Death at the Place Theater’ Showing Continues This Weekend — Watch the saga of Vaudeville at Café Montmartre at Lake Anne tomorrow and next Saturday at 8:15 p.m. The show opened to a packed house earlier this month. [Fairfax County Times]

Many pet lovers came out to Reston Town Center on Saturday for the Home 4 The Holidays pet adoption fair.

Roughly 40 different breeds were there from local purebred rescue organizations to be cuddled and played with.

The adoption fair was sponsored by GoodDogz.org.

The Belgian bakery and restaurant Le Pain Quotidien will celebrate its opening at the Reston Town Center this Thursday, Nov. 2.

The European cafe will serve different offerings for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner, and will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day, RTC staff said today.

“A morning at the bakery begins with Daily Blend smoothies, organic skillet eggs and egg dishes, in addition to a range of organic breads, pastries, yogurt, coffee and teas,” LPQ representatives said in a press release.

For brunch, lunch and dinner, the bakery will offer their signature “tartines” open-faced sandwiches, alongside savory soups, salads and quiches, and in the evening, LPQ plans to serve organic wine.

The bakery will also offer special seasonal items throughout the year. For the fall, they plan to offer treats such as a turmeric latte, spiced apple cider, Turkey Bánh Mì, a roasted pear and spinach salad, chicken “zoodle” soup and “Speculoos Tiramisu,” which LPQ describes as “a Belgian twist on the classic Italian treat.”

Le Pain Quotidien will be located at 11909 Democracy Drive in the Reston Town Center. For more information, visit their website.

Image of menu items courtesy of Le Pain Quotidien

A man has died from his injuries after police say he fell from a parking garage at Reston Town Center Friday evening.

Officers from the Reston Police District issued a statement Monday evening indicating that the incident is under investigation.

Police said officers responded to the 11900 block of Freedom Drive Friday evening after it was reported that an 18-year-old man had accidentally fallen off a parking structure where he was hanging out with a friend.

The man, identified as Robin Buritica Carvajal of Woodbridge, was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. He later died from those injuries on Sunday.

Fun, Fear and Treats Served Up at Halloween Event Tonight — At the BOO-stravaganza at Frying Pan Farm Park (2739 West Ox Road), guests can enjoy themed games, enter a slightly-spooky barn and take a wagon ride through the woods at night. One-hour sessions begins at 6 and 7 p.m. tonight. The cost is $10 per person and reservations are required. Call 703-437-9101 for more information. [Fairfax County Government]

Midtown Jewelers Fall Bridal Show to Begin Today — Representatives from Danhov and Michael M. collection will be on hand to showcase all the latest designs in wedding rings and bands. The show will take place from Friday through Sunday at 11990 Market St. To make an appointment, email  [email protected]. [Midtown Jewelers]

Department of Motor Vehicles to Offer Express Services in November —Apply for a new ID and driver’s license or get driving records, license plates and more when the DMV’s wireless office on wheels comes to Reston Town Center’s pavilion on Nov. 16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. [Reston Town Center]

The seventh annual Washington West Film Festival returns to Reston and other locations this Wednesday through Saturday with the theme “A Story Can Change the World.” 

The festival showcases new films from around the world and brings filmmakers and actors for conversation to Reston. All net box office proceeds help address issues like hunger, illness and limited organization, according to the festival’s website.

On Wednesday at 5 p.m., there will be a free screening of Deep — Mare Nostrum at Refraction (11911 Freedom Drive). The movie is a narrative about a woman who trains to dive in the hopes of avenging her brother’s honor, who died in a diving championship.

The premiere for Corridor Four, a movie that paints a portrait about a 9/11 first-responder, will take place Thursday at 7 p.m. at Bow Tie Cinemas (11940 Market St.). A reception and question and answer session with the filmmakers will follow the screening.

Friday’s schedule is packed with a happy hour with festival guests at Bow Tie Cinemas at 4:30 p.m. Highlights include:

• Short Film Screenings — Darkness and Light (Bow Tie Cinemas, 5 p.m.) A collection of five short films will begin screening the theater. The films center around the concept of light finding a way to shine through darkness. 
• Short Film Screenings — Leading Ladies (Bow Tie Cinemas, 6 p.m.): A second collection of six short films about leading ladies will begin, followed by a question and answer session with filmmakers.
• Clive Davis — The Soundtrack of Our Lives (Bow Tie Cinemas, 7 p.m.): This profile examines the life of Clive Davis, a legendary music man, and explores the cultural revolution of music from the 60s to the rise of hip hop.
• Family Shorts Showcase (Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station, 7:30 p.m.): A free, family-friend screening of fun short films.
• What Haunts Us (Bow Tie Cinemas, 8 p.m.): This story follows six men from the same year in high school who committed suicide.

Screenings on Saturday run from noon through 9:30 p.m. Highlights include:

• American Veteran (Bow Tie Cinemas, noon): This documentary explores challenges faced by veterans of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan who survived because of advanced medical technology that did not exist in previous wars
• Free Concert: (Reston Town Center Pavilion, 5 p.m.): The event features composer and guitarist W.G. Snuffy Walden and vocalist Sara Niemietz.
• Modern Family (Bow Tie Cinemas, 7 p.m.): Guests can watch a free, advanced screening of a new episode of the show as it begins its ninth season.
• King of Peking (Bow Tie Cinemas, 9 p.m.): This international narrative explores the story of a former projectionists who encourages his young sown to start a pirate movie company.

To view the full schedule, including other events in Arlington, and to purchase tickets, visit the festival’s website.

Photo: Washington West Film Festival

Another pair of celebrities will be part of the festivities surrounding the Washington West Film Festival this week in Reston.

Esteemed record producer Clive Davis will participate in a question-and-answer session Friday night following a presentation of a documentary film about his life. “Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives” will be screened at 7 p.m. Friday at Bow Tie Cinemas (11940 Market St.).

According to the description of the 123-minute film by director Chris Perkal:

This riveting profile of legendary music man Clive Davis spans a remarkable five-decade career, providing an incredible tour of the most sensational music of the cultural revolution, from the ’60s to the rise of hip-hop. Bruce Springsteen, Whitney Houston, Santana, Aretha Franklin, Barry Manilow, Patti Smith, Alicia Keys and Sean “Puffy” Combs all attest to Davis as, in Aretha’s words, “the greatest record man of all time.”

According to DCist, actor Robert Duvall — who also participated in the festival last year — will introduce the screening. Duvall’s charity, the Robert Duvall Children’s Fund, is a main beneficiary of proceeds from the festival.

According to the film festival’s website, Duvall’s Children’s Fund is …

… committed to providing for the welfare, health, education and relief of children and their families who are poor, distressed, or underprivileged. This is accomplished, in turn, by promoting and supporting activities of charitable organizations that provide medical assistance, promote education, instruction and development, or provide assistance in meeting requirements relating to food, clothing and other basic needs for children and their families around the world. The Robert Duvall Children’s Fund also strives to educate children about the importance of environmental conservation initiatives through partnerships with nonprofit organizations focused in this area.

Tickets to the event are $35, which includes the screening, the Q-and-A session and admission to that evening’s masquerade party in the Reston Town Center pavilion.

The Washington West Film Festival is scheduled for Oct. 25-30 in both Reston and Arlington. For more information about events scheduled as part of the festival, visit its website.

Pictured: Robert Duvall, left, and Clive Davis

The Reston Community Players’ 2017-18 season opens tonight as the curtain rises on their presentation of Elton John and Tim Rice’s musical “Aida.” The show, winner of four Tony Awards, will be performed through Nov. 11 at Reston Community Center’s CenterStage (2310 Colts Neck Road).

This weekend, the show is being performed at 8 p.m. both tonight and Saturday night. Tickets are $27, with student/senior tickets available for $23.

For more information about the show or about other upcoming events from the Reston Community Players, call 703-476-4500, ext. 3.

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.)

• A trail of illuminated hand-carved pumpkins is welcoming visitors to “THE GLOW: A Jack O’Lantern Experience,” now through Oct. 29 at Lake Fairfax Park (1400 Lake Fairfax Drive). Presented by Townsquare Live Events, the “enchanting Halloween wonderland” features a third-of-a-mile trail decorated with more than 5,000 pumpkins. Tickets, which are $16 for kids ages 3-12 and $22 for adults, are available online and must be purchased in advance.
• The South Lakes High School football team, 6-1 on the season and ranked No. 13 in the region by the Washington Post, return home tonight for a 7 p.m. game against McLean.
• “Sue Wrbican: Well Past the Echo” will be on view at Greater Reston Arts Center (12001 Market St.) through Nov. 18.
• The Woodland Park Crossing HarvestFest will take place from 1-4 p.m. Saturday in the plaza, located at 12960 Highland Crossing Drive in Herndon. The event will feature strolling performers, tenant giveaways, face painting and entertainment, and participating restaurants will offer specials and samples.
• A digital scavenger hunt is planned in downtown Herndon from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday. Participants will explore various businesses and areas in downtown Herndon to find what they seek. Prizes will be given to winners who discover all the hidden treasures. The event is open to all ages, but parents must accompany any children who play.
• The bluegrass series at Holy Cross Lutheran Church (1090 Sterling Road, Herndon) will present a performance by The Blue Moon Cowgirls at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $15, with children 12 and under admitted free.
• At 11 a.m. Saturday, kids ages 6-12 are invited to take part in the “Halloween Science Spectacular” at the Reston Regional Library (11925 Bowman Towne Drive). Kids will explore fun Halloween science experiments that are “gooey and foggy.”
• During “Giraffe-toberfest,” celebrate fall with animals at Roer’s Zoofari (1228 Hunter Mill Road) on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors can meet the zoo’s giraffe, “Waffles.” Tickets are $20 and all proceeds will support giraffe conservation.
• The Reston Farmers Market will take place from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at Lake Anne Village Center.
• Fashion illustrator Joanna Baker will be at Scout & Molly’s (11944 Market St.) from 2-6 p.m. Saturday. Her prints will be available for purchase and she will be on hand to answer questions.
• 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; and Kalypso’s Sports Tavern (1617 Washington Plaza N.) every Saturday from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

By his own admission, Ed Asner is a “dauntless Democrat from the old days.”

The legendary actor will be at Bowtie Cinemas (11940 Market St.) in Reston Town Center on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 2-3:30 p.m. to sign copies of his new book, “The Grouchy Historian: An Old-Time Lefty Defends Our Constitution Against Right-Wing Hypocrites and Nutjobs,” and to chat with fans.

According to the book’s summary, Asner is making the argument that liberals need to step up to challenge “right-wingers who think that they and only they know how to interpret [the Constitution].”

Scrawl Books (11862 Market St.) is selling copies of the book, which will also be for sale at the theater event. Following the book-signing, a screening of Asner’s short film “The Flood” is planned as part of the Washington West Film Festival. Tickets to the film-screening will be sold separately.

Among his many credits, the 87-year-old Asner is likely best known for his role as Lou Grant on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” a character which was later spun off into its own show. He is also well-known by a younger generation for his voice role as Carl Fredericksen in Pixar’s “Up.”

Asner was nominated for seven Emmys for his role as Lou Grant on “Mary Tyler Moore,” winning three. He won two more Emmys for his work on “Lou Grant” and two for his work in other projects, including the acclaimed mini-series “Roots.” Off-camera, he was president of the Screen Actors Guild from 1981-1985.

For more information about the event in Reston, email [email protected].

Biden Stumps for Northam in Reston — During a roundtable discussion Saturday in Reston Town Center along with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ralph Northam, the former Vice President emphasized the importance of state politics at a time when he said the federal government has faltered in its responsibilities. Current Vice President Mike Pence was also in Virginia on Saturday, joining Republican gubernatorial candidate Ed Gillespie on the campaign trail in Abingdon. [The Hill]

‘Light the Night’ Raises Funds for Leukemia Research — The walk Friday night at Reston Town Center was part of a campaign expected to raise $3 million in the fight against blood cancers. [FOX5]

County’s Earners On Par with Manhattan’s, Nation’s Wealthiest — Forbes magazine analyzed U.S. Census data to determine where the highest wage-earners in the nation live. Fairfax County tied with Manhattan for the highest percentage of resident full-time workers making over $75,000, at 49.2 percent. [Forbes]

Police Auditor, Review Panel Taking Complaints — Use of excessive force, abusive language, harassment, reckless endangerment and more concerns about Fairfax County police officers can now be submitted using an online form. [Fairfax County]

King Gets on the Stat Sheet — The Cleveland Browns fell to 0-6 on the season with a 33-17 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday, but South Lakes High School football alumnus Deon King did get on the stat sheet. Playing on special teams, King recorded a tackle of Texans’ punt returner Will Fuller V in the third quarter of the game. [ESPN]