LISTEN LOCAL & MEET NEW PEOPLE
We’ve got a first look at a new brewery just down the road in Herndon, plus a big county story that has Reston in the chatter again. We’re also rounding up the quick hits you should know and a weekend lineup that goes from Lunar New Year festivities to maple syrup magic.
What’s inside
Feature: Hawkley Preview
Around Town: Casino Bill
Events: Male Boil, Lunar New Year, and VIP Dance
What beer are you most excited to try?
Feature Story
HAWKLEY BREWING HERNDON PREVIEW
Herndon’s most storied brewery address is pouring again, and this time it’s Hawkley Brewing. We sat down with owner Monte Hawkins and head brewer Mike for a behind-the-scenes preview ahead of their March opening, plus a first taste of what’s on tap. Expect a lineup that honors the legacy that started here while carving out something new, with everything produced end-to-end in house, right down to milling their own grain. Watch to see our favorites and the vibe of the new space.
Around Town
RESTON BACK IN PLAY
The Fairfax County casino conversation is back in motion after the Virginia Senate advanced SB 756, and the big change is the location language. The bill still has a long runway with more votes, possible amendments, and local steps before anything gets close to real, but it has people watching Metro-adjacent hubs again, including Reston Station. Even without an official site named, the stakes are very local: traffic planning, public safety resourcing, and how the county prioritizes future growth around major centers. Click to see a full breakdown with the timeline, what changed, and what to watch next.
Quick Hits
IN OTHER NEWS
Tech investing firm Razor’s Edge Ventures is moving its HQ from Reston Town Center to The Row at Reston Station after signing for about 15,000 square feet.
The Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office issued a warning about scammers impersonating the Sheriff’s Office using deceptive voicemails.
Fairfax County leaders are cautiously optimistic after a House bill advanced that would let certain localities use monitoring equipment to fine excessively noisy vehicles.
Herndon Town Council approved a rollout plan for red-light cameras, clearing the way for enforcement at selected intersections.
Reston nonprofit Cornerstones tapped Shannon Steene as its next CEO (starting April 13).
Snow and ice cleanup frustrations around Herndon’s Franklin Farm are driving calls for better regional coordination, including ideas like clearing bus stops faster.
Herndon’s big-picture planning is in motion with the HERNDON 2050 comprehensive plan work session (plus a housing study presentation) on Feb. 17.
Curated Events
EVENTS IN RESTON, HERNDON, AND BEYOND
From Clifton to Reston to Great Falls, this weekend is stacked: kick things off Saturday night at the Lunar New Year Celebration at Twin Lakes with crafts, cultural games, tasty samples, and live performances like martial arts, dance, and music. Nearby, families can go full red-carpet at VIP Dance: Hollywood Nights at the Herndon Community Center, a semi-formal evening for kids and their favorite grown-up. On Sunday morning, bundle up for the February Bird Walk with Walker Nature Center around Lake Audubon, then head to Reston Chorale’s Broadway Favorites at RCC for an early-evening hit of show tunes and movie classics. Wrap it up with the Maple Syrup Boil Down at Colvin Run Mill, where sap becomes syrup over an open fire and you can sample the sweet results.
A Final Note
YOU KNOW YOU’RE FROM RESTON WHEN…
“…you’ve taken out-of-towners to the Town Center and then insisted the real Reston is the trails.”
Your Next Step
SIMPLE WAYS TO WORK WITH US
Buying or selling, the questions are similar: timing, pricing, and fit. From Reston’s clusters to Herndon’s historic streets—and everywhere along the W&OD—we’ll help you separate noise from what actually moves the needle. Expect data that’s grounded in our local neighborhoods, answers that respect your pace, and options designed to teach first and guide second. Start where you are; we’ll meet you there.
Book 15 minutes with Kathy — a quick intro chat about your plans.
Instant home value estimate — see a data-driven range in seconds.
Curated home picks — tell us your must-haves; we’ll send a short, smart list.
Monthly market brief — a no-jargon snapshot for your neighborhood.
