Editorial: Remembering on Memorial Day
The sacrifices of those who died in war.
1st Lt. Robert J. Hess, 26, of the Kings Park West neighborhood of Fairfax, was killed by enemy fire on April 23, 2013 in Pul-E-Alam, Afghanistan. Hess was known as “RJ” and graduated from Robinson Secondary School in 2005, where he played football, lacrosse and was the captain of the swim team. He was a U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter pilot who deployed to Afghanistan on April 11, 2013. His family remembers his sense of humor and his natural leadership ability.

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.
Week in Herndon
Memorial Day Observance at Chestnut Grove. Town of Herndon Holiday Schedule. 2013 Herndon Festival Set for May 30-June 2. Delegate Rust Receives ‘A+’ Rating. Are You Missing Money?

Herndon Joins Bike To Work Day
On Friday, May 17, the Town of Herndon hosted a bike pit stop close between the Herndon Depot Train Museum and old Town Hall, just off the W&OD trail.
Herndon High Presents ‘Improvathon’
The event honors Chuck Stanley.
For the past four years the Stanley family has been awarding a scholarship to a Herndon High School theatre arts student in memory of their son and brother, Chuck Stanley. This year, the HHS Drama Department decided to show their thanks.

Remembering Paige Saucedo
Herndon High hosts annual event in memory of its late teacher.
The second annual Paige R. Saucedo Memorial ESOL Scholarship Fund Event was held on Saturday, May 18, at Herndon High School. The occasion marked the second anniversary of the sudden passing of Herndon High’s English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) department chair, Paige Saucedo.

Spring Farm Day at Frying Pan Farm Park
Spring Farm Day was held at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, May 11, and although the weather was overcast, the event was well attended.

Area Students Receive Hispanic Leadership Alliance Scholarships
Recipients are first in their families to attend college.
Every year, The Hispanic Leadership Alliance (HLA), a non-profit organization based in Northern Virginia, gives out scholarships to Latino high school students for post-secondary education. The alliance identifies itself as “a group of area residents committed to helping its students achieve their highest academic potential.”

Women Mean Business
In the two months since the much-hyped and dreaded sequester took effect, the daily economic forecast has been almost as painful as the slow grinding of bureaucratic wheels. But here’s some good economic news, especially for aspiring female entrepreneurs: the numbers are in your favor.

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.

‘We Are the World’ at Dranesville Elementary
International Night features world music, dance, food and exhibits.
For the 11th time, the halls were alive with the sound of music at Dranesville Elementary’s International Night Program on Friday, April 26, from 7 until after 9 p.m. The cafeteria was entertainment central. After Principal Kathy Manoatl got things started, the evening began with five first grade classes delighting the assembly with their individual performances of songs from Russia, Latin America, Germany, Indonesia and France.
FISH Honors Peggy LeReche
Peggy LeReche of Herndon, administrative assistant at Dominion, was honored as one of the outstanding volunteers at FISH (Friendly Instant Sympathetic Help).

‘Count ON Us’ Mural Presented to Town of Herndon
Town of Herndon Mayor Lisa Merkel, Council for the Arts of Herndon (CAH) President Michael O’Reilly and other dignitaries were on hand for the official presentation by the CAH to the town of a mural in the vestibule of the Herndon Municipal Center’s ground level entranceway.

ArtSpace Herndon Hosts Photographers’ Artists Reception
ArtSpace Herndon held an artists reception for the annual Fine Art Photography Exhibit, featuring the finalists of the 2013 Fine Art Photography Competition Saturday night, April 27. The photos of 35 regional photographers are showcased in this display.
Classical Ballet Theatre Hosts Local Preschools
On Thursday, April 18, Classical Ballet Theatre (CBT) dancers enjoyed sharing their love of the performing arts with preschool students from Herndon Elementary Head Start, Montessori Country Day School, Reston Children's Center and St. Timothy's Episcopal Church. As part of their free outreach program, CBT performed Act I of their popular Cinderella production, which is packed with choreography, costumes, and good-natured humor. The students clapped for big leaps and twirls, laughed with stepsisters “Haughty” and “Spiteful,” and delighted in Cinderella's magical transformation into a princess dressed in a shimmering ball gown. Afterwards, enthusiastic audience members asked many questions and visited with cast members.