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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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!
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.
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.