Stories for September 2013

Stories for September 2013

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Friday, September 27

Commentary: In Search of Affordable Housing

Challenges for Residential Studio Units and the need to address them.

Fairfax County’s Planning Commission will hold two workshops on Wednesday, Sept. 25 and Oct. 2 to expand the discussion about the proposed residential studio unit (RSU) amendment to the Zoning Ordinance. There will be a staff presentation on Sept. 25, and questions submitted online by citizens to the Planning Department will be answered in the second workshop on Oct 2. The plan is for both workshops to be televised on the county’s cable station.

Thursday, September 26

Editorial: Vote

It will matter who is elected governor.

To vote on Election Day, you must be registered at your current address no later than Oct. 15, 2013. You can check your registration status online by visiting the State Board of Elections website at www.sbe.virginia.gov. There you can also download a voter registration form and mail or fax it to your elections office address.

Column: A Study in Contrasts

The decision for yours truly to participate in a Phase 1 Study at N.I.H. or Johns Hopkins (depending upon availability and qualifications) discussed in last week’s column has been put on hold, temporarily. It seems that my oncologist was thinking about me over the holiday weekend and called me on Wednesday following Labor Day to say he had a diagnostic idea concerning me: a 24-hour urine collection (a “Creatinine Clearance Study”) which would provide a more accurate reading (than the regular lab work I have; from blood) of my kidney function.

Column: A Peculiar Existence

I’m not exactly pretending that I don’t have stage IV lung cancer (non-small cell, to be specific), but ever since my hospital admission on August 2nd, I have been treatment-free; no I.V. chemotherapy, no oral medication, no targeted treatment, no nothing. And during this sabbatical (I use that term loosely; being off chemotherapy has been as much about recovering from surgery and recuperating from my hospital “stay-cation” as it was anything necessarily intended), I have progressed from feeling crappy and being short of breath—while being infused previously, to where I have become relatively asymptomatic, breathing normally and for the nearly eight week treatment-free interval mentioned, have felt mostly OK.

Residential Studios Put on Hold

Supervisors establish committee, plan additional public outreach.

At the recommendation of Chairman Sharon Bulova (D-At-Large) and Supervisor Michael Frey (R-Sully), the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, Sept. 24 deferred its Nov. 20 public hearing on a proposed residential studios (RSUs) amendment to conduct additional community outreach. The board also established a Planning Commission Residential Studios Committee.

Northern Virginia Supports Day to Serve

The Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC), a coalition of 14 counties, cities and towns that work together on regional issues, passed a unanimous resolution endorsing Virginia Governor Robert F. McDonnell’s call to participate in the 2013 Day to Serve.

New Nosy Recruits ‘Bolt & Silas’ Prepare for Duty

Although they are just a few months old and still in their bonding and training phases, two new bloodhound pups are preparing for the rigors of police work in Fairfax County. Bolt and Silas are the police department’s newest additions to their bloodhound team. The agency purchased the pups in August when they were just 6 weeks old. They join Shnoz and Cody, sisters from the hills of Northern Alabama who joined the agency in 2008 at 19 months old.

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McAuliffe, Cuccinelli Highlight Small Business Summit

Gubernatorial candidates speak at the Mason Inn & Conference Center.

Virginia gubernatorial candidates Terry McAuliffe and Ken Cuccinelli were the keynote speakers at the fourth annual Virginia Small Business Partnership (VASBP) Summit, hosted by Miller/Wenhold Capitol Strategies LLC at The Mason Inn in Fairfax on Friday, Sept. 20. “We are thrilled to have them join us,” said Paul A. Miller, chairman of the VASBP.

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Wear Jeans to Work, Help End Homelessness

Register now to participate in Jeans Day Fairfax on Oct. 18.

Just by wearing jeans to work, you can actively help nearly 3,000 men, women and children in Fairfax County who face homelessness and hunger every day. On Tuesday, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors proclaimed Friday, Oct. 18 “Jeans Day Fairfax,” the third annual Jeans Day event in Fairfax County.

Wednesday, September 25

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Celebrating Arts in Herndon

ArtSpace Herndon hosts 5th annual Paint Herndon.

“Over 325 people attended the ArtSpace Herndon annual Paint Herndon,” said Robin Carroll. A former director of ArtSpace Herndon, Carroll helped organize this year’s Paint Herndon event, an annual birthday of the ArtSpace Herndon. Held this year on Saturday, Sept. 21, all scheduled activities went on as planned as rain held off until the reception and award ceremony. The cornerstone of the event is the painting competition, which is designed in the spirit of a “day painting” competition and challenges artists to create works of art in a short period of time. “The art was amazing,” said Emmanuelle Marie Carnogursky. A resident of Herndon, Carnogursky also participated in the painting competition, submitting three finished oil paintings. “I have been painting with oil since the age of 14 … I got right to painting as soon as I had my canvas stamped, it was a lot of fun.” Two other big activities at the ArtSpace Herndon event were the VW “Doodle Bug” and the animals available for adoption from Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation. The Doodle Bug, a Volkswagen Beetle wrapped in white vinyl to enable a dry-erase canvas, was on display at ArtSpace Herndon for guests to demonstrate their artistic talent on the car. Volkswagen of America has an office in Herndon, and staff from their office drove the vehicle to ArtSpace Herndon.

Chimney Installed at Runnymede

Structure will serve as local habitat for bird species.

Visitors to Runnymede Park over the past few weeks might have noticed a new feature in the median of the parking lot, a freestanding chimney.

NatureFest Returns to Runnymede

Annual festival will take place Sunday, Oct. 6.

The Town of Herndon Parks and Recreation Department and the Friends of Runnymede Park will team up to host this year’s NatureFest Sunday, Oct. 6. The annual event gives local residents a chance to explore the plants and animals that live in the 58-acre park.

Tuesday, September 24

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Running, Walking for a Cause at Susco 8K

Annual Tim Susco 8K run, 2K walk comes to South Lakes.

Tim Susco, a 1999 graduate of South Lakes High School, was living his dream in the summer of 2007. He was working as a location scout for the NBC show “Heroes” when he suffered a brain aneurysm and passed away at the age of 25.

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Full Disclosure? Forms Plagued By Lack of Information, Absence of Oversight

Fairfax County goes so far as to redact disclosure documents.

Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell is in hot water for taking gifts without disclosing them, and legislators are talking about increasing disclosure requirements for family members. But here in Northern Virginia, personal financial disclosure forms are often incomplete and inconsistent.

Thursday, September 19

Oak Hill, Herndon Home Sales: August, 2013

In August 2013, 93 homes sold between $1,399,990-$170,000 in the Herndon and Oak Hill area.

Oak Hill, Herndon Home Sales: August, 2013

Editorial: Addressing Virginia’s Economy

Ending gridlock in Congress and supporting health care reform would be huge steps in supporting economic recovery in Virginia.

The strength of Virginia’s economy, especially Northern Virginia’s economy, comes significantly from federal spending. So while the governor and other elected officials claim that Virginia’s success is because Virginia is a low-tax state with fewer regulations, it’s worth considering that the sequester and continuing gridlock in Congress threaten Virginia’s most important resource, federal spending.

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Navy Yard Shootings Hit Close to Home

Four Fairfax County victims killed in Washington Navy Yard rampage.

“Marty was a kind and caring man. He had such a sweet spirit and was in every way a man that lived his life to honor Christ.” —Pastor Steve Holley of Immanuel Bible Church in Springfield

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Local Business Leaders Spotlight Opportunities for UK Companies

Fairfax County EDA organizes Sept. 26 seminar in London.

Fairfax County’s Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) officials announced Tuesday, Sept. 17, that local executives will speak at a London seminar to spotlight opportunities for British companies interested in homeland security business opportunities in the United States.

Full Disclosure?

Forms plagued by a lack of information, absence of oversight; redacted documents.

Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell is in hot water for taking gifts without disclosing them, and legislators are talking about increasing disclosure requirements for family members. But here in Northern Virginia, personal financial disclosure forms are often incomplete and inconsistent. Some elected officials choose to disclose a great deal of information while others disclose very little. Fairfax County officials have decided to redact information that's supposed to be part of the public record. And nobody is reviewing the forms to make sure they are accurate.

Classified Advertising Sept. 18, 2013

Read the lastest ads here!

Wednesday, September 18

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Life Time Athletic Opens in Reston

New gym brings jobs, promotes fitness in Reston

Life Time Athletic Reston held an official opening ceremony on the evening of Sept. 12. The grand opening ceremony was open to the public, and several local dignitaries attended, including Robert "Bob" Simon, Jr., founder of Reston. Life Time Athletics staff from the Reston store and other locations including Centreville were also on site to attend to the large number of visitors.

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Reston Teen Serves Up Recipes the Italian Way

Ben Gaiarin, a 16-year-old Reston native and student at South Lakes High School, explores Italian cuisine.

Imagine yourself savoring all the flavors of Europe; the cheeses and breads of Switzerland, the bratwurst and schnitzel of Germany, the pastries of France, the pastas and pizzas of Italy and the classic dishes of countries like England, Spain, Austria and Hungary.

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Sport and Health Hosts Concussion Forum

Former NFL players, doctors discuss diagnosis and care for athletes.

Worldgate Sport&Health Clubs hosted a forum for local parents and coaches Tuesday, Sept. 10 to discuss proper diagnosis and care for athletes with suspected concussions.

Commentary: Voter Suppression

As fundamental as the right to vote is to a democratic republic, free and open access to voting continues to be a contentious issue. From the earliest days of our nation’s history when only white male landowners could vote to recent history when the Voting Rights Act was intended to ensure that voter registration processes were open and fair, there have been expansions of the suffrage followed by efforts at retrenchment. While the Emancipation Proclamation may have freed the slaves, African Americans and other minorities have seen a steady stream of legislation and intimidation to keep them from voting.

Week in Herndon

Woodland Park Crossing to Host HarvestFest

Woodland Park Crossing presents the third annual HarvestFest, a fun fall-themed family event on Saturday, Sept. 28 from noon until 4 p.m. All are welcome to enjoy free entertainment, including a giant walking scarecrow, a juggling unicyclist, DJ music, and free activities such as face painting, glitter tattoos, pumpkin painting, fitness demos, prizes and more. Participating Woodland Park Crossing merchants and restaurants will offer giveaways and samplings at their booths, and Finnegan’s is hosting tastings of food and fall brews on their patio. Fitness demos will be presented by LA Boxing and Down Dog Yoga. Select HarvestFest proceeds will benefit local charities.

Seniors Spell in Bee, Expert Youth Speller Moderates

Herndon Senior Center hosted 200-plus senior attendees from 15 senior communities and 22 contestants on Sept. 11 in a spelling bee to remember. Lori Anne Madison, 7, the youngest ever participant in the Scripps National Spelling Bee from 2012, gave a presentation and assisted in word calling. The overall winner was Ruth Siegerson of Falcon's Landing.

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A Playful Homage to Hitchcock

“The 39 Steps” opens at NextStop Theatre, Fairfax's newest professional theater.

"Hitchcock meets hilarity" is the way cast member Nick Rose describes "The 39 Steps," the first production of Fairfax County's newest professional theater company, NextStop Theatre in Herndon.

Record Crowds, Record Fundraising in Dulles Day Plane Pull

More than $226,000 raised for Special Olympics Virginia.

A record-breaking crowd—more than 16,000—turned out for the Sept. 14 Dulles Day Festival and Plane Pull at Dulles International Airport. In its 21st year, the event is a fundraiser for Special Olympics Virginia, pitting teams of 25 against one another to see who can pull an 82-ton, 164,000-pound airplane the fastest. Seventy teams registered to participate in the event, raising over $226,000—a record amount for the event. A new addition to the festivities this year was an early morning 5K on the Dulles runway, in which 2,000 runners participated. A highlight of the afternoon was the arrival of an FA2 fighter attack sea harrier jet, which demonstrated its vertical take off and landing capabilities to a rapt crowd.

Herndon Parks and Recreation Wins Awards for Marketing

Approximately 450 delegates from Virginia gathered in early September for the 59th annual conference of the Virginia Recreation and Park Society, which was held in Williamsburg. The conference is a learning exchange and provides an opportunity for recreation and park professionals to collaborate and ultimately improve the delivery of parks and recreation services. A highlight of each conference is a presentation of awards. This year Herndon Parks and Recreation had two items, which were selected in the 25,000 and less population category:

Tuesday, September 17

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Planning Area’s Future Transit

Transportation officials discuss transportation funding, projects.

The Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance hosted their annual "What You Need to Know About Transportation" seminar Thursday, Sept. 12 at the Gannett building in McLean.

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A New Beginning for Fairfax County Public Libraries?

Library trustees vote to discard beta plan in favor of more public outreach sessions.

On Wall Street, a “beta” test refers to assessing the risk, volatility and expected return of a particular portfolio. If Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) officials had a crystal ball to assess the volatility of its planned beta tests this fall, it’s likely they may have steered clear of the project that became a quagmire of epic proportions.

What’s Wrong With This Picture?

County suspends discarding of library books.

Just when Sam Clay, Fairfax County’s Public Library director, thought FCPL’s public image couldn’t get any worse, Supervisor Linda Smyth (D-Providence) released photos of bins filled to the brim with discarded library books.

Letter: Joining Forces to Prevent Homelessness

You can prevent homelessness, you can end chronic homelessness, you can move people rapidly out of homelessness. What you cannot do is stand aside and let people fall. This simple belief—that together we can change the rate and severity of people losing their homes—brings together nonprofits, for-profits, civic leaders and government staff. We each play a special role, depending on our location and mission. For United Community Ministries (UCM), prevention is the key.

Friday, September 13

Column: Now This is What

Do nothing (no more treatment) and live life to the fullest (for as long as I’m able, and right now, I’m extremely able); start another chemotherapy protocol – with an I.V. chemotherapy drug which, according to my oncologist, has not been proven in any clinical setting to be better than the patient doing nothing; or, try to get into a Study (Phase 1, 2 or 3) at either N.I.H. (National Institutes of Health) or Johns Hopkins (in Baltimore) and let the treatment chips fall wherever experimental/research medicine takes them. This is what my oncologist discussed with Team Lourie at my most recent appointment, my first appointment with him since my hospitalization and subsequent release.

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NVAR Summit at GMU’s Mason Inn

Complex shortage of homes for sale likely to persist; boomers not planning to retire, not planning to move, experts say. Rising mortgage rates should inspire renters to buy soon.

Nationally syndicated columnist and moderator Kenneth R. Harney introduced the expert panel for the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors (NVAR) 17th annual Economic Summit Thursday morning, Sept. 5. Dr. David Crowe, chief economist and senior vice president of the National Association of Home Builders, joined economic experts David E. Versel, a senior research associate at the George Mason University Center for Regional Analysis, and Dr. Lawrence Yun, senior economist for the National Association of Realtors.

Condo Renovations

As sales of condominiums grow, so does demand for luxury renovations.

More people are moving from leafy, sprawling suburbs to more urban areas, neighborhoods both in the city and in Northern Virginia that offer close proximity to restaurants, jobs, cultural activities and Metro.

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Big Ideas for Small Spaces

Local designers offer ideas for decorating small rooms.

Whether one is sprucing up a small powder room or decorating a studio apartment, space limitations often pose a design challenge. However, local designers say that no matter how a small space’s square footage or how awkward the layout, there are plenty of decorative cures for small spaces. Whether one is sprucing up a small powder room or decorating a studio apartment, space limitations often pose a design challenge. However, local designers say that no matter how a small space’s square footage or how awkward the layout, there are plenty of decorative cures for small spaces.

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Top-to-Bottom Makeover Embraces Longterm Horizons

The Hollis family wanted a house that would work better today — and long into the future.

Sometimes it’s not limited square footage that makes a house feel inadequate — it’s how that square footage is configured.

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Like Magic

New plan in built-out 1940s colonial gains vital square footage as young family looks ahead.

In the end, a skillful spatial reconfiguration is like a deft magician's trick — you've seen it with your own eyes, but you still can't figure out how they did it. “Really, I don't know how this plan created so much more usable space,” Alexandria resident Alice Goulet said, discussing a recent reconfiguration to several rooms in the family's 1,800-square-foot center-hall Colonial.

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Northern Virginia Designers Awarded Rooms in Showhouse Event

Northern Virginia/metro area interior designers Kelley Proxmire of Kelley Interior Design and Wayne Breeden of E. Wayne Breeden Design are among 17 designers awarded rooms at the benefit Winchester Showhouse & Gardens, open to the public through Sept. 29.

Sun Design Named One of U.S.’s Fastest Growing Private Companies

Sun Design Remodeling Specialists, Inc., of Fairfax, was named by Inc. Magazine as one of America’s fastest-growing private companies. This is the fourth time the magazine has included Sun Design on its annual Inc. 5000 list.

Thursday, September 12

Week in Herndon

Bolger said he has worked for 30 years fixing problems in our community, protecting families' homes from aggressive creditors, bringing residents together to improve street safety and schools. Now, Bolger says, he is running for Congress to bring these same problem solving values to Washington.

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Herndon Resident Takes State Title in Clays Shootout

Herndon resident James McGowan emerged as top gun in the NSCA (National Sporting Clays Association) Virginia State Championship at Primland, taking the top prize of $1,000. He scored 187 out of 200 targets. The runner-up was Barry Moore Jr., of Pulaski, who shot a 185 and took home $500. Third place went to David Collins, Jr. of Ruther Glen. Only three targets separated first through third place.

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Herndon Scouts Collect Bikes for the World

On Sept. 28, Boy Scout Troop 159 will have a bike drive for Bikes for the World.

Did you just buy a new bike and find someone to adopt your old bike which is not in a perfect condition? Do you have a child’s bike at home that's not fit for your son or daughter? Do you have a bike with missing parts? Put your old bike to good use by donating it to Bikes for the World.

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ArtSpace Herndon Hosts Cinema and Brew Series

Gallery also opens a new art exhibit, “Menagerie.”

On Friday, Sept. 6 ArtSpace Herndon hosted its first Art House Cinema and Brew. The movie selected to kick off the new series was the cinema classic “Metropolis.” Directed by Fritz Lang, Metropolis was the first feature length movie of the science fiction movies genre. Giorgio Moroder, a music producer, released a version with a soundtrack by rock artists such as Freddie Mercury and Adam Ant in 1984. Ann Rust, wife of Delegate Tom Rust, and a board member for the Herndon Foundation for the Cultural Arts, welcomed everyone to the event.

Helping Herndon Girl Scouts Help Students in Need

Recognizing the importance of starting off the school year prepared to learn, local Girl Scout Troop 3419 recently partnered with Northwest Federal Credit Union Foundation (NWFCU Foundation) to provide backpacks and school supplies to Dranesville Elementary School students.

Letter: Knowledge Is Power

It’s that time of year, when Labor Day passes and school traffic schedules take effect. In the midst of the post-summer hassle and bustle, September also begs our nation to reflect on a memory that still seems surreal. Coverage of the crumbling Twin Towers, debris, chaos, terror—seemed like a scene from an action movie and not something I should have been watching on the local news channel. Changed forever by this modern era Pearl Harbor, I have struggled to understand why and how.

Editorial: Small Steps to Fight Homelessness

Efficiency apartments would serve 20-somethings, service workers, retirees and more.

One way to prevent homelessness is to think small. It doesn’t take much space to house one person. Sure, many houses in our area have 1,000 square feet and sometimes two or three times that much per person, but that’s really not necessary.

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Celebrating Diversity Through Music

The Fairfax Symphony Orchestra (FSO) will be presenting bilingual master classes and outreach presentations at various Fairfax County venues.

With grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Arts Council of Fairfax County, the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra (FSO) will be presenting bi-lingual master classes and outreach presentations at various Fairfax County venues in the coming weeks.

Classified Advertising September 11, 2013

Read the latest ads here!

Wednesday, September 11

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Herndon Hosts Classic Car Show

Automobiles, live music, swing dancing come to downtown.

Downtown Herndon went back in time by more than a half century Sunday, Sept. 8, for the 12th annual AARP Dulles Classic Car Show.

Thursday, September 5

Opinion: Dangers of Failure To Act

Our current and future standing in the international community is on the line.

President Obama has sought Congressional approval to carry out limited surgical strikes in Syria against the regime of Bashar al Assad in response to his use of chemical weapons to attack Syrian civilians, which killed 1,429 people, including 426 children.

Editorial: Later Start Times for High School

It’s past time to act; let this year be the year.

Tuesday morning, Sept. 3, the first day of school in Fairfax County, Dr. Karen Garza began her official day at 6:30 a.m. at Chantilly High School. While Garza was making herself available for interviews before the first class started at 7:20 a.m., many students were already on the school bus.

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Wellbeing: How To Set Realistic Goals

Local experts say the key to success is setting achievable goals.

Laura Wheeler Poms, of Fairfax, set out to earn a doctorate degree and make a career change. As a wife, mother and working professional, the goal, she said, often felt lofty. “Writing my dissertation at times felt overwhelming, especially if I looked at it as one huge project,” said Poms, who now holds a Ph.D. in industrial/organizational psychology and is an assistant professor of global and community health at George Mason University in Fairfax. “I set goals like writing one page or doing one analysis each day and I was able to get it done. I also gave myself little rewards along the way.”

Column: Indeterminate Sentence

And no, that’s not another made-up phrase by yours truly describing my occasionally cluttered/run-on prose with which many of you extremely patient regular readers are all too familiar. No, it has to do with how I perceive my future now that I’m post-hospital and sleeping in my own bed. Instead of nurses, respiratory therapists, X-ray technicians, doctors and miscellaneous other hospital staff too numerous to list, I have one wife and five cats to do my bidding. And though they’re not nearly as attentive as the hospital staff, I know that they all have my best interests at heart.

Saving Jobs in Hard Times

Virginia lawmakers will push work sharing legislation this session.

“Having been through the recession and recent slight increases in Virginia unemployment rates as federal sequestration takes effect, it is important that we give Virginia businesses all the tools we can to help them and their employees get through challenging times. This bill does that.” —State Sen. George Barker (D-39)

‘Shared Work:’ A Win-Win-Win Solution

Preventing layoffs, maintaining the well-being of employees and their communities and keeping businesses competitive.

How do we mitigate the devastating effects of layoffs on employees, employers and their communities? Is there a "win-win-win" solution?

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The Pet Elf Celebrates 15 Years in Business

The Pet Elf is now officially in its 15th year of caring for Reston and Herndon’s pets. Kim Waite-Williams is the owner of The Pet Elf, one of Pet Sitters International’s nearly 7,000 members. Sept. 8, they’ll be marking the occasion with an outdoor picnic to honor their many clients and their pets at North Hills Pavilion, N. Village Road at Hollow Timber Court, Reston, from noon to 4 p.m.

Week in Herndon

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) of Reston and Herndon will feature Delegates Ken Plum and Tom Rust at its monthly meeting at the Reston Regional Library on Thursday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. Come and hear these delegates to the Virginia General Assembly bring AAUW up to date on the 2013 legislative session and outlook for the coming year on issues of interest to women in particular and Virginians in general. There will be refreshments and an opportunity to briefly meet your delegate and to ask questions.

Patterson, Meador Wed

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Meador of Clifton are pleased to announce the marriage of their daughter, Holly, to Brett Patterson, son of Mac and Theresa Patterson of Herndon. The wedding was held at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine in Florida with the reception at the St. Francis Officers Club, June 8. The couple honeymooned in the Turks and Cacaos and now reside in Herndon. Holly is a graduate of Paul VI High School, Virginia Tech and is employed at Il Pioppo. Brett graduated from Westfield High School, George Mason University and works at Dunn & Phelps.

New Accessible Community Playground Opens at Southview Community Church

Southview Community Church invites all to the grand opening of a new accessible community playground on Sunday, Sept. 8. Southview Community Church recently completed its goal of raising funds to renovate and expand its playground, making it into an accessible playground where all children can come and have fun. “Many people in the Herndon and Reston community come and enjoy the playground all throughout the week,” said Pastor William Attaway. “We want to provide a safe and fun environment where parents, grandparents and caregivers can come and bring kids. We believe every person matters to God, and they matter to us too. Part of being a community church is showing love to our community, and this playground is one small way we can do that.” 

Herndon Temple Prepares for High Holidays Activity

New Rabbi Michelle L. Goldsmith enjoys friendly community, neighborhood.

Rabbi Michelle L. Goldsmith joined Congregation Beth Emeth as rabbi beginning July 1, taking the pulpit as Beth Emeth’s third full-time rabbi in the synagogue’s 34-year history. Rabbi "Mina" Goldsmith takes over for Rabbi Steven Glazer, who retired after 18 years at Beth Emeth.

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Herndon Celebrates Labor Day

25th Herndon Labor Day Festival attracts area residents.

The Town of Herndon held its 25th Herndon Labor Day Festival, on Monday, Sept. 2 from on the Town Green at 777 Lynn Street next to the Municipal Building. For $20, attendees received admission to hear the music, a tasting glass and unlimited wine tastings, plus four beer tastings with the option to purchase more. For $10, a person could enter to hear the music.

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Amazon Comes to Herndon

Amazon Web Services hosts opening of Herndon Public Sector Headquarters.

Amazon Web Services held a grand opening at their public sector headquarters on Worldgate Drive in Herndon on Monday, Aug. 26. Local dignitaries and guest speakers attended the event. The opening of Amazon Web Services at the Town of Herndon location brings an economic boost to the area and strengthens this region’s status as the Silicon Valley of the East.

Believing in Miracles

Over the past several months my daughter and I have been reading Kenneth B. Lourie's article about his cancer. We have been praying for him and encouraged by his strength. So many people struggle and never are able to put into words what they are dealing with each day.

Mount Pleasant Baptist Church of Herndon to Celebrate Anniversary

Mount Pleasant Baptist Church of Herndon will continue its 147th anniversary celebration season at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 11, with guest speaker Dr. Lance Watson of St. Paul’s Baptist Church, Richmond. He is host of the telecast “Positive Power” on TV ONE Network and authored “Being Healthy From Now On,” “Maximize Your Edge: Navigating Life’s Challenges,” “Meet Me in the Morning” and the soon to be released, “That Was Then, This is NOW.” Saint Paul’s congregation of over 15,000 has been noted as one of the fastest growing churches in the nation by Outreach Magazine.

Wednesday, September 4

Classified Advertising Sept. 4, 2013

Read the latest ads here!

Monday, September 2

Letter: ‘Works Sunday 2013’ Thanks the Community

In short, it was you, our neighbors, who made “Works Sunday” a joyful, caring and compassionate event celebrating the common humanity and vibrant diversity of our communities. And so, we of the committee wish to publicly thank all those who gave so freely of their time, talent and treasure to make this year’s “Works Sunday” the major success that it was.