greaterrestonliving Toastique is now open in Reston at 11900 Inspiration Street in RTC Next, in the Skymark building right next to Mollie’s Dog Place. It’s a fast casual café focused on gourmet toast, smoothie bowls, cold-pressed juices, smoothies, coffee, and other lighter meals that still feel filling 🥑🍓 ⠀ What makes this one more interesting is that it feels pretty local in more than one way. The brand started in the D.C. area, and the founder’s idea goes back to her time at JMU. It has grown around Northern Virginia over the years, and now Reston has its own location with a local franchise owner. For Reston, that means another fresh daytime option in an area that keeps adding more places people can actually work into their routine. ⠀ This is a good fit for anyone looking for a cleaner, easier breakfast or lunch without a big heavy meal. Expect bright, colorful food, a polished space, and a menu that leans wellness-forward without feeling too complicated. I tried the Spicy Crab Toast, the Dragonberry bowl, and the Green Machine smoothie, and the color alone makes this place stand out. The Dragonberry bowl especially is hard to miss if you love a good pop of color ✨ ⠀ A couple of practical notes if you go: mornings and lunch should probably be the busiest times, especially now that it has just opened, so an earlier weekday stop may be your easiest visit. Parking is easiest in the Reston Town Center garages, but check which garage is closest to RTC Next before you go 🚗 Check before you go for current hours. ⠀ #RestonTownCenter #RestonVA #RTCNext #NorthernVirginiaEats ⠀ Looking to make a move in Northern Virginia? Text or DM me:�Kathy Tracey, Realtor�Greater Reston Living at Compass�kathy @greaterrestonliving.com�703.231.7049 (call or text)� #greaterrestonliving

greaterrestonliving Cherry blossom season is officially on the calendar, and the peak bloom predictions are already coming in 🌸 Right now, the National Park Service is forecasting peak bloom for March 29–April 1, 2026, while Capital Weather Gang has it a little later: April 3–7, 2026. Either way, we’re in that sweet spot where you’ll want to start thinking about a weekday visit, an early-morning Metro ride, and a backup plan for crowds. Predictions can shift fast with weather, so keep an eye on official updates as we get closer. Local tip from Reston: if you’re heading in from this side of town, aim for off-peak hours and pack patience, comfy shoes, and a plan for where you’ll hop on Metro 🚆 Want weekly Reston news + events? Comment “Insider” to join our Reston Insider newsletter. ⠀ Looking to make a move in Northern Virginia? Text or DM me: Kathy Tracey, Realtor Greater Reston Living at Compass kathy @greaterrestonliving.com 703.231.7049 (call or text) #greaterrestonliving #RestonVA #NorthernVirginia #DMVEvents #CherryBlossoms

greaterrestonliving Skyview High School is the new name for what FCPS had been calling Western High School, and it’s scheduled to open for the 2026–27 school year 🏫 ⠀ Why this matters locally: even if you’re not switching schools, new high school openings can change transportation patterns, activities logistics, and eventually boundaries. If you live near Fox Mill, Oak Hill, Chantilly Highlands, or Franklin Farm, this is one of those updates worth keeping on your radar 🗺️ ⠀ Here’s the simple version of what to expect: − Year one (2026–27) is an opt-in launch for rising 9th and 10th graders from five pyramids: Centreville, Chantilly, Oakton, South Lakes, and Westfield 🎓�− If more students opt in than there’s space, FCPS has said they’ll use a randomized lottery�− Long-term boundaries come later, with a final decision expected by June, and implementation starting in 2027–28 ⠀ Sports and activities are the other big question. FCPS has said the first year will not include full VHSL sports at the new school, and students can participate through their base school, with transportation provided from Skyview to practices and games 🚌 ⠀ Two practical tips:�− Bookmark the official FCPS Skyview page and check it periodically because details like transportation timing and event schedules can shift�− If you’re planning to attend an open house or community meeting, plan to arrive a little early and check details before you go since parking and timing can vary ⠀ Are you following this because you’re deciding for a student soon, or because you want to understand how boundaries might affect your neighborhood? #HerndonVA #RestonVA #FoxMill #FranklinFarm Looking to make a move in Northern Virginia? Text or DM me:�Kathy Tracey, Realtor�Greater Reston Living at Compass�kathy @greaterrestonliving.com�703.231.7049 (call or text)� #greaterrestonliving

greaterrestonliving Disco lights on ice feels like the perfect way to close out skating season at Reston Town Center. 🪩⛸️ Join Saturday, March 7, 6–10 PM for one of those classic RTC nights that turns a regular weekend into a “we should do this every year” tradition for a DJ, lights, and giveaways. 🎶 Practical tips: − Arrive a little early for parking and to get settled before the rink fills up. − Garage parking is usually the easiest at RTC, and it helps to dress in layers since the Pavilion can feel cooler at night. Want weekly Reston news + events? Comment “Insider” to join our Reston Insider newsletter. Looking to make a move in Northern Virginia? Text or DM me: Kathy Tracey, Realtor Greater Reston Living at Compass kathy @greaterrestonliving.com 703.231.7049 (call or text) #greaterrestonliving #RestonVA #RestonTownCenter #NovaEvents #FamilyFun

greaterrestonliving If you’ve walked the W&OD through downtown Herndon, you’ve passed the Depot a hundred times. Turns out, it’s not just a cute landmark. It’s one of the places where the town’s story really starts. 🚂 ⠀ The Herndon Depot Museum sits right in the town square, and it’s run by volunteers with the Herndon Historical Society. It’s small, friendly, and surprisingly easy to miss until you actually step inside. (And yes, I’m a little obsessed with the original hardwood floors.) 🪵 ⠀ Inside, you’ll learn how Herndon grew up around the railroad, and how the town got its name in 1858. The wild part: Commander William Lewis Herndon, the town’s namesake, never lived here. He was born in Fredericksburg, and the town was named in his honor after his heroic final voyage on the S.S. Central America. ⚓️ ⠀ And don’t skip the caboose out back. You can pop inside, and it’s a fun hands-on add-on to the visit. It was brought to town later and, even though it’s painted in W&OD colors, it never actually ran through Herndon. 🚃 ⠀ Why it matters locally: it’s a quick, tangible way to understand why Herndon looks and feels like Herndon, especially if you love the trail, the town square, or local history. It’s also great for kids, visiting family, and anyone who wants an easy Sunday activity without a big commitment. ⠀ What to expect: a compact museum, a few rooms of exhibits, a warm welcome from the volunteers, and the caboose as a bonus. ⠀ Practical tips: it’s typically open Sundays from 12 to 3 (except holidays), so aim for early afternoon if you want time to linger. Parking is usually easiest in the nearby town lots, then it’s a short walk over. Check before you go for seasonal details. ⠀ #HerndonVA #DowntownHerndon #WODTrail #FairfaxCountyVA ⠀ Looking to make a move in Northern Virginia? Text or DM me: Kathy Tracey, Realtor Greater Reston Living at Compass kathy @greaterrestonliving.com 703.231.7049 (call or text) #greaterrestonliving

greaterrestonliving Reston’s farmers market lineup just got a third stop, and it’s a good one. Alongside the Lake Anne Farmers Market on Saturday mornings and the Wednesday afternoon market at St. John Neumann on Lawyers Road, EatLoco is bringing a new weekly market to Halley Rise on Sundays, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. ⠀ More produce, more local makers, more reasons to keep a reusable bag in your car. 🍓Can Reston support three farmers markets? We’re about to find out. Want weekly Reston news + events? Comment “Insider” to join our Reston Insider newsletter. ⠀ Looking to make a move in Northern Virginia? Text or DM me: Kathy Tracey, Realtor Greater Reston Living at Compass kathy @greaterrestonliving.com 703.231.7049 (call or text) #greaterrestonliving #RestonVA #FarmersMarket #NoVAThingsToDo #FairfaxCountyVA

greaterrestonliving Happy (belated) National Retro Day, Reston and Herndon. 📻 Here’s a little throwback tour through the neighborhoods we know today, from old street views and early snapshots to the classic R.I.B.S. bus days. It’s wild to see how much has changed and how much still feels familiar. Do you recognize any of these spots or have a favorite “remember when” photo from around town? 📸 Want weekly Reston news + events? Comment “Insider” to join our Reston Insider newsletter. ⠀ Looking to make a move in Northern Virginia? Text or DM me: Kathy Tracey, Realtor Greater Reston Living at Compass kathy @greaterrestonliving.com 703.231.7049 (call or text) #greaterrestonliving #RestonVA #HerndonVA #NovaHistory #FairfaxCountyVA

greaterrestonliving A piece of Reston history is officially on the market. This is the historic Bowman Distillery building, and it actually started life as the Wiehle Town Hall back in the 1890s, long before Reston was Reston. 🏛️ It’s located just off Sunset Hills near Old Reston Avenue, in the area that used to be called Wiehle. If you’ve ever driven by and thought, “That building feels older than everything around it,” you’re right. Why it matters locally: this is one of the clearest physical links to the pre-Reston story. It’s a rare landmark that reminds you this place had a whole chapter before the planned community era. Who this is for: local history people, architecture nerds, Reston longtime residents, and honestly anyone who likes the idea of preserving character while still letting a place evolve. What to expect: the exterior is protected as a historic landmark, and any future buyer will need to work through zoning and approvals to match their vision. The best-case future is an adaptive reuse that keeps the history visible, while giving it a new purpose. 🧱✨ Practical tip: if you want to see it in person, treat it like a landmark, not an attraction. Enjoy it from public areas, and don’t assume the site is open to visitors. 🚶 Practical tip: for photos and video, golden hour makes the brick and details pop, and traffic is usually calmer earlier in the day on weekends. 📸 #restonva #wiehle #restonhistory #NorthernVirginia Looking to make a move in Northern Virginia? Text or DM me:�Kathy Tracey, Realtor�Greater Reston Living at Compass�kathy @greaterrestonliving.com�703.231.7049 (call or text)� #greaterrestonliving