Archive for the 'In the News' Category

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

Bud & Susie Burwell

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.

View from inside the CupCake Ladi's Shop

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.

Little boats big fun!

It’s regatta time at Lake Anne, so bust out the yacht and come on down. Those crazy captains of the miniature yachts will be doing battle against the fickle seas of Lake Anne in the 5^th Annual Lake Anne Regatta. Pitted against nature the captains will battle high winds, Canada Geese and the occasional Snapping Turtle as they duke it out for fame and glory.

The Northern Virginia Yacht Club sail regularly at Lake Anne, you can usually find them on the 2^nd Sunday of the month. The 4^th Sunday is a fun day where you will find all different types of radio controlled boats on the water being handled by beginners and veterans alike. On Fun Days feel free to ask questions and don’t be surprised if the Captain turns over the remote to the boat to let you try it for yourself!

1st race is at 10:00 am and will continue until about 3:00 pm.

This Saturday’s sail will include a raffle for a Victoria class model yacht and music by Lucia & Levi.

Lake Anne is all about pure local living and this summer the area has added another layer to create a comfortable lifestyle by offering free internet Wi-Fi access to the region’s best contemporary designed plaza.

Set to a tranquil lakefront backdrop, the internet service is provided by the Lake Anne Condo Association and Lake Anne resident Alec Berry, who was the founder of IT firm Reston Tech.  The Lake Anne Merchants partnered with the condo association and Mr. Berry to install the wireless network providing residents, tourists, area workers, and visitors with an opportunity to get outside and online.

Look for the Lake Anne Wi-Fi logo throughout the waterfront plaza to get connected and enjoy surfing for free.

This new community enhancement is one of many scheduled for Lake Anne Plaza – part of a revitalization, transformation, branding campaign that the area is currently undergoing.

Sun, fun, and tropical tunes will take over the waterfront of Lake Anne when the 1st Annual Ukulele Festival takes place on Saturday, July 10, 2010 from 9:00AM-2:30PM in the heart of historic Reston. The music festival will feature performances by several internationally known and local ukulele musicians, music demonstrations, open to the public jam session, festival vendors, and other family friendly activities. The event will take place during the ever popular weekly Saturday Farmers Market and the open air arts & craft market – blending music, food, and art – paired with a beautiful waterfront setting.

Headlining the festival will be the popular Baltimore-based singer/songwriter Victoria Vox, who in May released her fifth album titled Exact Change. The festival will also include Bruce Hutton (old-time folk), Gordon and Debbie Valasco (Hawaiian, jazz), Marv and Kathy Reitz (country western, swing), Hoa Mele Wakinekona (Hawaiian), and ukulele blue man and contemporary singer Lily Bui. There will also be a special surprise appearance by a Grammy award winning contemporary folk group.

Performance Schedule:
9:00AM Hoa Mele Wakinekona
9:30AM Lily Bui
9:45AM Deach
10:00AM Kathy & Marv Reitz
10:30AM Bruce Hutton
11:00AM Gordon & Debbie Velasco
11:30AM Victoria Vox
12:30PM Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer
1:30PM Open Jam Session (public participation welcomed)

The festival is hosted by the Northern Virginia Ukulele Ensemble and is sponsored by the Lake Anne Merchants, Reston Community Center, House of Musical Traditions, and the Institute of Musical Traditions.

EVENT DETAILS
What: Lake Anne Plaza – 1st Annual Ukulele Festival
When: July 10, 2010
Where: Lake Anne Plaza (Waterfront) – 1609 Washington Plaza, Reston, VA 20190
Time: 9:00AM-2:30PM
Website: www.lakeanneplaza.com
Cost: Free, Rain or Shine

Sun, fun, and tropical tunes will take over the waterfront of Lake Anne when the 1st Annual Ukulele Festival takes place on Saturday, July 10, 2010 from 9:00AM-2:30PM in the heart of historic Reston. The music festival will feature performances by several internationally known and local ukulele musicians, music demonstrations, open to the public jam session, festival vendors, and other family friendly activities. The event will take place during the ever popular weekly Saturday Farmers Market and the open air arts & craft market – blending music, food, and art – paired with a beautiful waterfront setting.

Headlining the festival will be the popular Baltimore-based singer/songwriter Victoria Vox, who in May released her fifth album titled Exact Change. The festival will also include Bruce Hutton (old-time folk), Gordon and Debbie Valasco (Hawaiian, jazz), Marv and Kathy Reitz (country western, swing), Hoa Mele Wakinekona (Hawaiian), and ukulele blue man and contemporary singer Lily Bui. There will also be a special surprise appearance by a Grammy award winning contemporary folk group.

Performance Schedule:
9:00AM Hoa Mele Wakinekona
9:30AM Lily Bui
9:45AM Deach
10:00AM Kathy & Marv Reitz
10:30AM Bruce Hutton
11:00AM Gordon & Debbie Velasco
11:30AM Victoria Vox
12:30PM Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer
1:30PM Open Jam Session (public participation welcomed)

The festival is hosted by the Northern Virginia Ukulele Ensemble and is sponsored by the Lake Anne Merchants, Reston Community Center, House of Musical Traditions, and the Institute of Musical Traditions.

EVENT DETAILS
What: Lake Anne Plaza – 1st Annual Ukulele Festival
When: July 10, 2010
Where: Lake Anne Plaza (Waterfront) – 1609 Washington Plaza, Reston, VA 20190
Time: 9:00AM-2:30PM
Website: www.lakeanneplaza.com
Cost: Free, Rain or Shine

Congratulations to Small Change Consignment for being listed by Washingtonian Magazine as one of the best places to shop in the area. This comes as no surprise to us; Small Change is a jewel. Come on by and see for yourself!