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Alex McVeigh

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Ukulele Festival Comes to Lake Anne

Fourth annual Northern Virginia Ukulele Festival features variety of acts.

Lake Anne welcomed hundreds of ukulele enthusiasts Saturday, July 13 for the fourth annual Northern Virginia Ukulele Festival. For Heath Murphy of Reston, it was a chance to embrace his budding hobby.

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W&OD Trail Lighting Proposed for Town of Herndon

Project would light 3,800 feet of trail within town borders.

The Town of Herndon’s Department of Parks and Recreation will begin to seek public comment on a proposal to light a 3,800- foot section of the W&OD Trail.

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NVTC Hosts Hot Ticket Awards

Annual awards recognize “hot” technology businesses.

Guests at the annual Northern Virginia Technology Council’s annual Hot Ticket Awards came dressed for a beach but weathered a brief summer storm Wednesday, June 26 in McLean.

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IPAR Unveils Latest Project at Reston Hyatt

Aluminum statue to be placed in front of Hyatt at Reston Town Center.

The Initiative for Public Art-Reston gave a preview of its latest project Wednesday, June 26, with a presentation of the sculpture that will soon be placed in the park across from the Hyatt Regency Reston in Reston Town Center.

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Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce Presents Annual ACE Awards

Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce swears in new board.

The Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce welcomed a new board and handed out their annual ACE Awards at the Sheraton Reston Thursday, June 27.

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Shelter House Presents Changing Lives Awards

Awards given to individuals and organizations, new board sworn in. jumphead

Shelter House, a Herndon-based nonprofit that serves those affected by homelessness and domestic abuse, held their annual awards ceremony and welcomed a new board Tuesday, June 25.

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Senator Tim Kaine Tours Downtown Herndon

Senator speaks to residents, officials, business owners.

Sen. Tim Kaine (D) took a tour of downtown Herndon Friday, June 28, visiting a variety of local businesses.

Herndon Hosts Second Battle of Bottles

Two neighborhoods compete to see who recycles more in July.

Herndon residents will battle it out for the second straight year in an attempt to be more environmentally friendly. The second annual Battle of the Bottles will challenge residents of Four Seasons and Hunters Creek to see who can recycle more.

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Virginia Gubernatorial Candidates Speak in Reston

Northern Virginia Technology Council hosts Ken Cuccinelli, Terry McAuliffe.

The Northern Virginia Technology Council hosted Virginia’s two gubernatorial candidates Thursday, June 20 at Microsoft’s Reston offices.

Herndon High School Graduation Viewpoints

Where are you headed in the fall and where do you see yourself in 10 years?

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Herndon High Class of 2013 Graduates

Four hundred and eighty-eight seniors graduate at Patriot Center.

The 488 members of the Herndon High School Class of 2013 took their final steps as high school students Tuesday, June 18 at the Patriot Center in Fairfax.

Boy Dies at Fox Mill Elementary School 

Bennett Rill, 14, fatally electrocuted behind school.

Fairfax County Police and Fire personnel were called to Fox Mill Elementary School shortly before 9 p.m. Tuesday, June 18. Upon arrival they discovered 14-year-old Bennett Rill of Herndon electrocuted and pronounced him dead on arrival. 

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Reston Town Center Gives Taste of Reston

More than 20 vendors show off signature dishes at annual festival.

Paul Jones of Reston has one secret to success when it comes to the annual Taste of Reston festival: where there’s smoke, there’s food.

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South Lakes Seniors Graduate

Class of 2013 features 104 International Baccalaureate, 119 honor graduates.

The South Lakes High School Class of 2013 gathered for the final time as students at the school, leaving the building that evening, Friday, June 14, as South Lakes alumni.

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New Healthcare Facility Opens in Herndon

Clinic is first in Fairfax County to receive Affordable Healthcare Act funding.

HealthWorks for Northern Virginia opened a new healthcare center in Herndon Tuesday, June 11, the first such facility in Fairfax County that will receive funding from the federal government via the Affordable Healthcare Act.

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Herndon Garden Tour Set for June 23

Annual tour features four local gardens.

The Herndon Garden Tour will be held Sunday, June 23 from noon to 4 p.m. The annual tour will feature four local residences and allow visitors to explore and learn about their gardens.

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Creating Livable Community For All Ages

County and local organizations seek to find and meet seniors’ needs.

People over 55 make up approximately 30 percent of Fairfax County’s population, making them the largest population group. Many of that group have chosen, or plan, to spend their later years in Fairfax County, but as they age in place, there are certain services and resources needed.

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Restonians Receive Lord, Lady Honors

Amanda Andere, Arthur Hill, Patricia Nicoson honored.

Three Restonians were recognized by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Tuesday, June 4 as Lords and Ladies of Fairfax. Each supervisor named a man and a woman to highlight their community service efforts.

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Herndon Naval JROTC Cadets Leave Legacy

Graduating Naval JROTC cadets recognized for achievements.

Herndon High School’s Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps has been an integral part of the school’s fabric for years.

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Lake Anne Hosts Summer Film Series

'Back to the Future' is first installment.

Dark clouds and the threat of rain didn’t deter more than 100 people from gathering at Lake Anne Plaza for the first installment of Lake Anne’s summer film festival. The crowd gathered in front of a large movie screen to watch the 1985 classic “Back to the Future.”

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Reston Community Center Indoor Facility Study Unveiled

Proposed new facility would have pool, fitness features.

The Reston Community Center Board of Governors Long-Range Planning Committee heard the results of the latest study on a possible indoor recreation facility Monday, June 3.

Two Killed in Taxicab Collision

Norbert Sebok, 29, and Jozsef Szathmari, 24, killed morning of June 1.

Norbert Sebok, 29, and Jozsef Szathmari, 24, of Sterling were killed in a car crash in the early morning hours of Saturday, June 1.

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Herndon High School Step Team Crowned National Champs

Herndon High School Step Team wins second national championship in three years.

The Herndon High School Step team stood onstage holding hands, waiting anxiously for the results in the 2013 Youth Step USA National Championships Saturday, May 25. As the names of the top five finishers started coming in, coach Gary Bushrod started hearing every name but theirs.

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Herndon Celebrates 33rd Festival

Annual festival brings live music, entertainment to downtown Herndon.

By the time it gets to Saturday, the third day of the three-day annual Herndon Festival, Jimmy Schwein of Herndon knows exactly what he wants to do. Having grown up coming to the festival, he’s used to coming at least three of the four days.

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Author Abigail Trafford Discusses Planning for ‘My Time’

Trafford speaks at Reston Community Center about ways to spend later years.

The Reston Community Center hosted author and speaker Abigail Trafford Wednesday, May 22, as the keynote speaker for their “Celebrate Your Bonus Years” event.

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Summer Fun at Reston Town Center

Summer Concerts on the Town, Taste of Reston highlight annual events.

Reston Town Center will host their annual concert series starting June 1 and going through Aug. 24. The annual Summer Concerts on the Town series features everything from big band jazz to West African dance, Zydeco and more.

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Reston Historic Trust Examines Reston’s Architecture

Historic Trust hosts discussion on development of Reston.

There is a small elevated concrete platform just south of the Lake Anne Plaza. According to the writing on the platform, it was built in 1963. But the plaza wasn’t completed until 1964.

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Summer Fun in Herndon

Herndon Festival, new concert series highlight summer events.

Whether it’s downtown or the surrounding areas, there’s plenty of summer fun to be had in Herndon. Though it takes place a few weeks before the official start of summer, this weekend’s Herndon festival marks the start of the season for many.

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Herndon Pays Tribute to the Fallen on Memorial Day

Annual Memorial Day ceremony held at Chestnut Grove Cemetery.

Herndon residents gathered at Chestnut Grove Cemetery Monday, May 27 to commemorate Memorial Day. The annual ceremony featured members of the American Legion, Herndon High School Naval JROTC and guest speaker Dr. Duane C. Young, a retired Army major.

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Herndon Environmental Network Founder Recognized

Carlin Anderson named finalist for Cox Conserves Heroes.

When Herndon resident Carlin Anderson was looking for opportunities to volunteer, she wanted her efforts to go to helping the environment on a local and global level.

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Reston Community Orchestra Wraps up 25th Season

Reston Community Orchestra welcomes youth for season finale.

The Reston Community Orchestra concluded their 25th season Sunday, May 19, with a performance at the Reston Community Center.

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Katherine Hanley Shelter Hosts Open House

Shelter houses more than 20 families at a time.

Shelter House, a Herndon-based nonprofit that operates two homeless shelters in Fairfax County, as well as a domestic abuse shelter, hosted an open house at their Katherine K. Hanley Family Shelter in Fairfax Tuesday, May 14.

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Herndon Farmer's Market Opens With New Activities

Cooking demos, live entertainment, extended hours part of this year’s market.

The Herndon Farmers Market has returned for the season, in a new location and with new extended hours designed to make shopping for fresh produce and other goods easier.

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Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival Returns to Reston Town Center

Greg Sawyer of Herndon describes himself as an art fan, but says he’s a “little intimidated” by it. Still, having recently moved from Texas and living without roommates for the first time in his life, he has an apartment to decorate. That brought him to the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival at Reston Town Center last weekend. 

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Reston Nature House Hosts Spring Festival

Event features live animals, nature demonstrations.

Darren Chambers, 7, of Reston says he’s scared of spiders, silverfish and ants, but there’s one thing he’s not scared of: snakes. He had a chance to look at snakes up close and personal Saturday, May 4, at the Walker Nature Education Center during their Spring Festival.

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Reston Farmers Market Opens Season

Weekly market open for business at Lake Anne.

The Reston Farmers Market opened its 2013 season Saturday morning, May 4, at Lake Anne Plaza. The market returns stronger than ever this year, with new additions including the county’s first seafood vendor at a farmers market.

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Town Holds Big Truck Days

Children invited to explore equipment at Public Works Maintenance Complex.

The Town of Herndon opened up its Public Works Maintenance Complex and its large vehicles May 2 and 3 for the annual Big Truck Days. The event gave families and children a chance to explore some of the town’s heavy maintenance equipment.

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Town Passes FY2014 Budget

Budget up 7.3 percent form last year, calls for no tax increases.

The Herndon Town Council passed the budget for Fiscal Year 2014, which will take effect on July 1 of this year. The $49,603,300 budget reflects an increase of 7.3 percent of the FY2013 budget.

Three Officers Promoted

Cpl. Damien Austin, Sgt. Lawrence Whitmer and Lt. Michael Berg promoted in April 24 ceremony.

The Herndon Police Department promoted three of its officers Wednesday, April 24, during a ceremony at the town’s council chambers.

From Joy to Terror

Oak Hill resident recounts Boston Marathon experience.

“She’ll often wait for me right at the finish line, but thank goodness she had decided to make her way to the family area.” -- Carol Byrne of Oak Hill

Life Time Club Set for September Opening

Life Time Athletic Reston will be 13th “Diamond” club in country.

Fitness buffs in Reston will soon have a new state-of-the-art gym to visit.

South Lakes Takes on the 80s

Drama department presents “Xanadu” May 2-4.

“My daughters looked at it the same way they look at ‘Grease,’ a story about people who live in a completely different time.” -- Terri Goldberg of Reston

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Marker Unveiled at Meeting House

Frying Pan Meeting House has more than 200 years of history.

Maria Harper of Herndon has been to Frying Pan Farm Park with her children many times, but until Sunday, April 14, she had never been to the nearby Frying Pan Spring Meeting House. “I always remembered it as another random old building near on Centreville Road, I didn’t realize it had historical significance,” she said. “The more I walked around today, the more I learned about the historical figures that were right here on this spot.”

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Ballet Studio Tells Cinderella Story

Classical Ballet Theatre performs classic fairy tale.

The Classical Ballet Theatre will present their spin on the classic fairy tale “Cinderella” starting Saturday, April 13. The not-for-profit dance studio will also host several free outreach performances.

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Filmmaker Turns Camera on Reston

Rebekah Wingert-Jabi wins Peabody Award, begins work on documentary about Reston.

Rebekah Wingert- Jabi has lived all across the world. She moved to Reston as a child, attended college in Minnesota and California, studied abroad in China and lived in the Middle East. She became interested in still photography at a young age, and while in China she got a video camera and became fascinated with the idea of moving images. 

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Robotics Team Brings Home Hardware

After Washington, D.C. regionals, Herndon High School Robotics team competes in St. Louis.

The Herndon High School Robotics team gained several accolades at the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) regional robotics competition, punching their ticket for the world championships in St. Louis, Mo., this month. 

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Examining Reston’s Natural History

Historic trust hosts program on Reston’s stewardship of natural resources.

When Robert Simon first saw the land that would eventually become Reston, he was struck by its beauty. 

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Foundation Prepares to Promote Mental Health

Josh Anderson Foundation to sponsor events across county for mental health and depression awareness.

Before Fairfax County students finish the school year and head to summer break, they first must deal with exams, both final and for AP classes. This can lead to a lot of stress over the final two months of school, pressure the Josh Anderson Foundation is determined to relieve. 

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Masonic Lodge Presents Annual Award

Connie Hutchinson, Bill Tirrell recognized with Community Builder award.

The Herndon Masonic Lodge presented their annual Community Builders award Monday, April 1, to Vice Mayor Connie Hutchinson and former councilmember Bill Tirrell. The two were recognized for their contributions to many aspects of the community.

Senior Takes STEM Challenges Head On

Mayank Mahajan earns Siemens Foundation scholarship.

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology senior Mayank Mahajan enjoys taking on tough challenges.