reviews
reviews
Reston A to Z: An Adorable and Clever New Book for the Youngest Restonians
There’s a new children’s book called Reston A to Z, and local preschoolers and early readers are going to love it. My own kids adore this book about their town. There are a lot of reasons Reston A to Z appeals to young children, including a charming squirrel narrator and entertaining rhymes. But what makes this book particularly special is…
December 16, 2016Myths and Monsters of Reston, Virginia: A hilarious book about creatures that might live here but probably don’t
Recently I chatted over Lake Anne Brew House brews with Eric MacDicken and Kristina Alcorn about their hilarious new book, Myths & Monsters of Reston, Virginia. These two kept me laughing so hard that I didn’t notice two hours going by. As I reluctantly packed up at the end of a fun evening, I realized that I still had…
December 1, 2016The Chinese Lantern Festival might be the most beautiful holiday lights show you’ve ever seen
From what I’d heard about it, I expected that this show would be interesting, but I had no idea that the Chinese Lantern Festival was going to be the most amazing holiday lights display in the area. This new event is currently taking place at Roer’s Zoofari in Vienna, and it’s one that I highly recommend. I loved it….
November 19, 2016How Bold Are You? Two Scary Attractions Offer Different Levels of Fright
“How on earth do you do that with a straight face?!” I asked the actress in demon makeup who was glaring at me just a few inches from my face. I couldn’t help myself from grunting some combination of anxious terror and giggly delight. Meanwhile she never broke character, even though I suspect she was relishing her success in making…
October 18, 2016Trail Tour: A Picture-Perfect Waterfall at Scott’s Run Nature Preserve
I had no idea anything this close to the Beltway could be so beautifully serene. This waterfall along the Potomac River is located at Scott’s Run Nature Preserve in McLean, which is a Fairfax County Park located 25 minutes from Reston Town Center. It’s a gorgeous park, especially as the leaves are changing. The trail is short and…
October 17, 2016The Inspiring Story of Small Change Consignment, the Little Shop of Hidden Treasures
When three young mothers decided to open a children’s consignment shop at Lake Anne, their lawyer and accountant were skeptical. “Adorable,” they said. They didn’t think the business would last a year. Thirty-five years later, Small Change Consignment continues to prove them wrong. There’s a ton of reasons why Small Change has lasted so long in this constantly…
September 15, 2016You Can Find Fossils on the Beaches of Calvert Cliffs State Park
This is well known in Southern Maryland, but I had no idea until recently: some of the beaches there have tons of fossils! The Calvert Cliffs, located south of Chesapeake Beach in Calvert County, Maryland, contain sedimentary deposits from the Miocene age (6 to 20 million years old), and those fossils wash up on the beaches. The…
September 12, 2016Savoring the Fine Life at Morton’s the Steakhouse
Tucked away at Reston Town Center is the long-established restaurant Morton’s the Steakhouse. I’ve eaten a few times at a different Morton’s location many years ago, and I thought the food was extraordinary. For some reason, though, I’d never given the Reston location much thought. Instead I always dismissed it as a place for upscale business dinners. When we were recently…
September 10, 2016Weekend Highlight: The Lake Anne Jazz and Blues Festival
It will be a waterfront dance party when the Lake Anne Jazz and Blues Festival returns to Reston this Saturday, September 3, 2016. Even if you don’t typically listen to jazz music, I highly recommend this festival. The music and atmosphere are fantastic, and it’s one of my favorite events of the year. The Jazz and…
September 1, 2016We Tried It: Indoor Skydiving at iFLY Loudoun
Flying — you know you’ve dreamed of it. If you’ve ever envied a seagull soaring over a cliff, or imagined yourself leaping like Ironman, here’s the chance you’ve been waiting for. An indoor skydiving center called iFLY Loudoun opened earlier this year in Ashburn, and we’ve been eager to try it. This facility offers the sensation of…
August 8, 2016At the Reston Farmer’s Market: Delicious Gluten-Free Baked Treats
Over the last few years, more than half of my extended family has had to give up gluten for medical reasons. They are dropping like flies around here. Chances are, you know someone who has had to give up gluten, too. At first, that transition was hard for me, a devoted cookie/cake/brownie lover. But gluten-free baked goods…
July 28, 2016Release Your Inner Ninja at the Northern Virginia Ninja Warrior Course
Contributor Kate Schwarz reviews her family’s experience traversing NoVa’s very first Ninja Warrior Course. Let’s just say they had a super-fun time — from the biggest to the smallest among them. Read on to find out more. There is no escaping American Ninja Warrior in our house. Without my knowledge and consent, my husband let…
April 8, 2016