Reston, Virginia is for lovers, (Four Square and our tourist bureau says so.) Tomorrow is Valentines Day and we think that Lake Anne is the perfect place to take your sweetheart for a little wooing and we hope swooning.

Our little burg by the lake has so many charms. Dinners by candle light, soft music, great food. What could be better for setting the mood? Jasmine Cafe for intimate murmurs, Singh Thai for the Spice, Cafe Montmartre for Jazz, and Kalypsos for dancing; so many choices, so much to adore.

Need a gift for your sweetheart? The Reston Museum has something to ward off the chill. There’s ware-able art, beautiful shawls and capes to snuggle and thrill. Maybe poetry from the Book Shop, sonnets and verse to convince and to lure. We have hand crafted chocolates  and flowers galore, and cupcakes and cookies and oh so much more!  Craft beer for him, a fine Viognier for her?

Should your evening end with a tender embrace, we have Small Change and Baby Blossoms to attend to your tiny addition; inspired and assisted by this great gathering place.

Well it finally happen—Winter did  get here. There’s still  fun stuff happening on Lake Anne Plaza. Here’s a quick run down of what’s up.

On February 4^th from1:00 – 3:00 those crazy jumpers will be plunging once again into the frigid waters of Lake Anne in their quest to raise money for Camp Sunshine; an organization that sends kids with life threatening illness and their families to camp for a week. It’s worth the trip to see the crazy costumes. Even if you aren’t plunging come out and support the Virginia Polar Plunge and those that are making the jump. Afterwards, or before warm up with a good meal at any of our wonderful restaurants. Jasmine Cafe will have a variety of  Brunch specials. Also a special thanks to Jasmine Cafe  & Chef Eduardo Faubert who will be providing warm up meals for all of the jumpers.

Every day & night of the week there is something to do and bargains to be had; Small Change Consignment Shop is running their Winter Sale with many items 50% off! A sure sign that Spring is one the way.

Kalypso’s Sports Bar has something going on every night of the week.

• Monday – Service Industry Night – Do you work in the restaurant business?  We’ve got specials for you!
• Tuesday – Team Trivia – come and play even if you’re no good. It’s lot of fun.
• Wednesday – Karaoke Night
• Thursday – International Night – DJ dance the night away
• Friday – Live music night!
• Saturday – more dancing!
• Sunday – all Sports all the time.

Café Montmartre is running a wonderful Friday Night Jazz series through March and maybe beyond if it continues to be successful; so far so good!

The Reston Museum has a program full of great exhibits and speakers on a number of topics.

I can’t cover everything, but I have to mention the sweets, I have heard that from time to time “The CupCake Ladi” has something called a cannoli cupcake; rumor has it that they are amazing. If chocolate is your thing: Chesapeake Chocolates, amazing handcrafted treats that are perfect for soothing a chocolate desire.

Finally- for those of you that cannot stand to leave the house on these cold winter nights. Just call Singh Thai because they will deliver right to your door!

This week marks the 34^th anniversary of the grand opening of Reston’s Used Book Shop. The shop was originally opened by best friends Sue Schram and Sue Wensell. The Sue’s as they are affectionately known, long time book lovers and readers collected books found at yard sales; over time they decided that Reston should have a bookshop of its own.

Sue Wensell, a former resident of Denver,CO had been a patron of ‘The Tattered Cover’ and knew that its warm inviting style would do well in Reston. The Sue’s opened Reston’s Used Book shop on January 7, 1978 with inventory from their yard sale collection. That first weekend’s sales far exceeded their expectations, that was the good news, the bad news, they were desperately in need of new inventory!

In the ’80s Fairfax County teacher and Reston resident, Bud Burwell prowled the Book Shop for reading materials for his HS English class. Over time his affection for the Shop lead to his joining the part-time staff as a Summer employee along with Victoria Reid.

In the late 1990’s, the Sue’s ready to shed the responsibility of the Shop approached Bud, his wife Susie and Victoria about purchasing

the shop. The deal was struck and ownership of the space, the business and an inventory of 28,000 books transferred to Bud & Susie Burwell and Victoria Reid* on April 1, 1999.

The Burwell – Reid team expanded the Shop into the space next door, adding room for expanded inventory, a kid’s area and a great reading section for hosting a new book-club, musical events and local author readings.

The Shop hosts a ‘5^th Sunday Bluegrass Jam’ where if you’re lucky you’ll hear owner Bud Burwell play the Hammered Dulcimer. Through his musical connections Bud also helps find musicians for the Saturday morning Market Music.

On any day and especially Saturdays’ you will find Bud and Susie at the shop with a myriad collection of customers and friends discussing books, politics and local happenings.

Happy Birthday to Reston’s Used Book Shop, a wonderful, charming, unique, and much loved treasure of Reston.

*In the mid-2000’s Ms. Reid sold her interest in the Book Shop when she found she was seriously ill, she passed away not long after that time.

The Holiday’s are upon us! The Christmas Trees are up and brightly lit, the Plaza Shops are offering everything from kid’s toys to Gift Certificates for dinners. The toffee candy from Chesapeake Chocolates is divine, especially when paired with a lovely Virginia wine! Fun toys by Melissa & Dave at Small Change and for your hip toddler the latest fashions from Baby Blossom. Tired from all the shopping, need a break? Drop in for a meal at any of the great Lake Anne eateries, or perhaps a sweet treat from The CupCake Ladi.

If you’re planning a holiday party, speak to any of our restaurants. Each offer catering services ranging from delivery of food to full turn-key service where they provide everything and take away the trash! It is a great way to entertain.

Join us on December 22 at 6:00 PM  for an outdoor Chanuka Festival. We’ll gather on the waterfront and our very own Bob Simon will assist Rabbi Fajnland of Chabad of Reston-Herndon in the lighting of a giant ice Menorah. We’ll then move inside at the RCC for food and games. The Chanuka Festival is an activity of the Chabad of Reston & Herndon a home for Jewish living and learning in Fairfax County.

This holiday season shop local!

For more than 30 years Santa has arrived at Lake Anne Plaza to kick off the Holiday Season and this year is no exception! This Saturday is the Jingle on Lake Anne complete with Gingerbread Cookie decorating and crafts for the kids, a petting zoo and of course Santa! Don’t miss the fun this Saturday from11:00 – 3:00.

This is also your last chance to pick up a unique holiday gift from the Craft Market as we close out the 2011 season.  We’ll have a few farmers left, including Fertile Plains, Grace’s Bakery, Glasscock’s Farm and a full compliment of artist and crafters with wonderful gifts that you won’t find anywhere else. The market opens at 9:00 am, Petting Zoo and kids crafts start at 11:00 and Santa arrives at 12:00. Be sure to stop in at the Reston Community Center at Lake Anne for the 13th Annual Gifts from the HeART Fine Arts Exhibition.

The market at Lake Anne is a great place to pick up unique items as holiday gifts. This year the market has been extended to run until the Dec 3rd Jingle on Lake Anne, a tradition that goes back more than 30 years. This year the Jingle will include a petting zoo, ginger bread cooking decorating, kids crafts and of course Santa arriving by barge.

The extended market includes 10 Farmers that are still set up in the parking lot. We have 3 produce vendors selling orchard and other veggies, Grace’s Bakery and Baguette Nations, Oy Vey Pickles, Honey, Goat Cheese, Spices, Olive Oil and meats from Fertile Plains. All well worth bundling up and braving a little chilly weather. Market runs Saturday from 9:00 – 12:30,(Note the later start time!) and will go until Dec 3rd.

Those crazy folks at Reston Challenge are at it again! Every year they raise money for a worthy cause while having fun and building community. This year the challenge will include all kinds of fun stuff including games, beer tastings and costumes!

This free-to-enter festival along beautiful Lake Anne features local craft breweries (Lost Rhino brewery and more), local restaurants, a corn hole tournament with top prize valued at $500, and local music. There is also a costume contest for all ages and scavenger hunt for the families/kids.

This year’s event will be held at the Lake Anne Plaza on October 29th 11am – 4pm. Net proceeds benefit the 4Paws Rescue Team, the community nonprofit chosen by Northern Virginia residents.

Event Details
11402 Washington Plaza West, Reston, VA 20190
8:00AM – 12:00PM – FARMERS MARKET
11:00AM – 4:00PM – FALL FESTIVAL
Beverages tickets $1
Beer tastings $2, Pints $6
*The first 500 people to purchase 10 tasting tickets get a free souvenir tasting glass.

This Saturday is the 5th Annual Jazz Festival!

Lake Anne is gearing up for the ever popular jazz and blues festival on Saturday, October 1st when they host the 5th Annual Lake Anne Jazz Festival. This free, family friendly, all-day event will take place from 1:00PM-9:00 PM and will showcase a variety of talented local artist and national jazz performers. The year’s music theme is Brazilian Jazz with leading Latin vocalist Cissa Paz headling the event, but when we had the chance to add Rashida Jolley, Jazz Harpist we grabbed it! The festival will also include signature food from charming Lake Anne restaurants and sips from selected local wineries and micro breweries. Regional arts and crafts vendors will also have a presence at the event from 1-4pm.

Performance Schedule
1:00PM – Rashida Jolley
2:00PM – Word View
3:00PM -Veronneau
4:00PM – Wayne Wilentz Quartet
5:30PM – The Mykle Lyons Group
7:45PM – Cissa Paz

The Jazz Festival is held as a benefit for the Explore More Arts Program of GRACE, (Greater Reston Arts Center).
The festival is sponsored by Lane Anne Merchants, Friends of Lake Anne, the Reston Community Center, and the Reston Association, Reston Art Gallary, Two Sisters Creative and some Anonymous Friends. For more information follow us on Facebook.

EVENT DETAILS
What: Lake Anne Plaza – 5th Annual Jazz & Blues Festival
When: Saturday, October 1, 2011
Where: Lake Anne Plaza (Waterfront) – 1609 Washington Plaza, Reston, VA 20190
Time: 1:00PM-9:00PM
Website: www.lakeanneplaza.com
Cost: Free (excluding alcohol), Rain or Shine

Summer is on the wane and the kids shows are coming to an end for the Season. Every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 11:00 A.M through the Summer the area under the Sycamores on the Plaza is transformed into a stage. This Thursday is our final performance for the season.

Here, performances of Jugglers, One-man bands, Clowns, Magicians and more entertain young children, their families and camp groups. It’s a varied and talented group of performers and the crowds of kids have a great time. Favorites include the Unicycle Lady who is very talented at running circles in and around the audience while juggling and joking and Amazing Phil who’s most amazing act is sword swallowing – not to be believed!

These free children’s performances are sponsored by the Lake Anne Merchant’s Committee and have been a tradition on the Lake Anne Plaza for twenty years!

No one at Lake Anne Plaza was surprised that “The CupCake Ladi” swept the very first Reston Rivals Challenge. The friendly competition was put on by Reston Patch. It was initially limited to Reston Town Center cupcake bakers Red Velvet and Edibles Incredible but community pressure persuaded Patch to open it up to include CCL.

With a handicap of two days without being able to collect reviews CCL came from behind in a blaze of lemon zest and blew past the competition with 63 reviews! Red Velvet came in at 42, and Edible Incredible came in with 1.

CCL has been a  wonderful addition to Lake Anne Plaza. Her small shop is located on the Quay down by the high rise at the far end of the Plaza. She has already leased the shop next door and will be expanding her shop to include an on premises bakery. “The CupCake Ladi” is deeply committed to a number of philanthropic pursuits including Reston Interfaith, animal and children related charities, she has a serious soft spot for those that need a hand; a percentage of each cupcake sale goes to support her various causes.