Ms. Sybil takes 7 yr-old Lukka for a spin. Photo by Andrea Worker.
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Will that cowardly groundhog get spooked by its own shadow and curse us with six more weeks of winter? Let us hope not. Find out at Groundhog’s Day Out on Sunday, Jan. 31 at Frying Pan Farm Park, 2739 West Ox Road, Herndon. Find out if groundhogs can really predict the weather. Visit a groundhog burrow, learn cool groundhog facts, enjoy games and make your own groundhog friend to take home. Dress for the weather, hot chocolate provided. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Cost is $8 and $10. Pre-register at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/fryingpanpark/.
A cold and clear night provides the best view of the night sky. Warm up at Winter Night-Time Campfire at Lake Fairfax Park, 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive, Reston. The campfire is on Saturday, March 12 at 6:30 p.m. Discover the night sky through hands-on activities and storytelling. Families can come early and picnic or toast hotdogs. Bring a toasting stick, blanket and flashlight. S’mores provided. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Cost is $8, $10. Sign up at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/lakefairfax/.
Meet the makers. No, not your Maker. The Maker Movement hearkens to the past, when people made stuff, and the desire to make stuff is experiencing a resurgence. At NoVa Mini Maker Faire, a collection of tech enthusiasts, engineers, woodworkers, artists, and craftspeople will gather on Sunday, March 13 at Langston Hughes Middle School and South Lake High School. Children will have the opportunity to become makers themselves, so bring the whole family. Langston Hughes Middle School is located at 11401 Ridge Heights Road, Reston. South Lakes High School is located at 11400 South Lake Drive, Reston. For more information, visit http://makerfairenova.com/.
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At the Reston Town Center Ice Skating Pavilion, skaters get a chance to show off their figure 8s and their triple lutz triple flip combo. Not ready for the Olympics? Classes are offered to all skill levels that you’ll soon be gliding and spinning...or at least be able to stay upright. The rink is open daily and is located at 11900 Market St., Reston. For more information on rates, rentals and schedules, call 703-709-6300 or visit http://www.restontowncenter.com/amenities/ice-skating/.
Seniors, show us how it was and is done at the Social Ballroom Dance on Sunday, Feb. 7 at the Herndon Senior Center, 873 Grace St., Herndon from 3 to 6 p.m. There will be a West Coast Swing lesson. Basic knowledge suggested. For more information, call 703-980-7793.
For an Instagram-worthy Valentine’s Day, take a Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride at Reston Town Center. Your coach is at the ready from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m on Sunday, Feb. 14, in front of Talbots, 11888 Market St., Reston. For more information, go to restontowncenter.com.
See and Hear
Herndon sure loves bluegrass.
Frying Pan Farm Park holds its Bluegrass Barn. Performances by regional bluegrass bands are on Sundays starting at 6 p.m. Scheduled dates are Jan. 17, 31; Feb. 14; March 6, 20; and April 3. Cost is $18, $20, and $128 for a season pass. Frying Pan Farm Park is located at 2709 West Ox Road, Herndon. For tickets, visit http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/fryingpanpark/.
Holy Cross Lutheran Church presents its Weekend Bluegrass Concert Series. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.. Cost is $15, free for children 12 and younger. For a list of dates and performers, visit, https://hclcbluegrass.wordpress.com/. The church is located at 1090 Sterling Road, Herndon.
Fitness
Fight that urge to just lay on the couch and Netflix-binge till it’s at least 50 degrees outside.
The All-Comers’ Group Fun Run at Potomac River Running meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30 p.m at Reston Town Center, 11911 Democracy Drive., Reston. For beginners or competitive runners, come out for a fun, low-key run that is safe and social. For more information, call 703-689-0999 or visit https://potomacriverrunning.com.
Take a tour of Herndon at the Ice Breaker 5K, which will be held on Sunday, March 13 at 7:45 a.m. The race begins at 200 Spring St., Herndon. Register at http://www.active.com/herndon-va/running/distance-running-races/herndon-ice-breaker-5k-2016.
Run like you’ve got the luck of the Irish on your side and then enjoy a fun-filled celebration at the finish line at Lucky Leprechaun 5K. The race is on Saturday, March 12 at 8:30 a.m. at Reston Town Center, 11911 Democracy Drive. To register, go to http://www.prraces.com/luckyleprechaun/.
Use your love of running to help a mother, a child, a family — live a better life. Run for Haiti 5K or the One-Mile will provide monetary aid to Project Haiti and GHATES (Global Haitian Advancement Through Education & Sports). The race will be on the South Lakes High School track at 11400 South Lakes Drive, Reston, on Sunday, March 20 at 9 a.m. For information and registration, go to http://www.prraces.com/runforhaiti/.