Stories for September 2012

Classified Advertising Sept 26, 2012

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Collecting ‘Bikes for the World’

Senthil Kannan, Boy Scout Troop 1983, completed his Eagle Scout Project. With the help of Yvette Hess and Keith Oberg from Bikes for the World and over 25 volunteers, a total of 77 bikes were collected.

Week in Herndon

Ann Marie Heiser, deputy director at Herndon Parks and Recreation Department, accepts the award for “Best Promotional Effort—Traditional” for the Herndon Festival Sponsorship Brochure this September at the annual Virginia Recreation and Park Service Conference. The 2011 Herndon festival special design T-shirt was also voted Best Promotional Effort—Specialty.

A ‘Night of Magic’ for Chronically Ill Children

Northwest Federal Credit Union Foundation sponsors the annual ball.

For 7-year-old Abby Huff and her family, it was a night of special memories—and a night to forget about long hospital stays and medical treatments. Abby, a patient at Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children, dressed up in a new gown, shoes and accessories, along with her mom and older brother and sister.

McLean's Cordial Debate Turns Controversial

Allen, Kaine battle for Northern Virginia votes.

“I’m open to dialogue, and I don’t see how openness is something controversial.” —Tim Kaine "If you want a job, you ought to join the Allen team.” —George Allen

Fairfax County Fall Fun Calendar

Along with the seasonal changes of fall—“sweater weather,” the oft-sighted decorative pumpkin, new menus and produce, and the swath of color across the treeline in every direction—come the fall events. Apple picking, parading through town in costume and spending time enjoying fall in Fairfax County are musts. Here are some favorite events to aid and abet your celebration of the season at hand.

Column: My Team

Not literally, of course. Nor am I the coach or the general manager. But I do feel like an owner, in that there are people that I invest in – again not literally, but definitely emotionally.

Family of Four Found Dead in Herndon

Police make discovery during welfare check, believe husband killed family before turning gun on himself.

A Herndon family of four was found dead in their home on Point Rider Lane the morning of Tuesday, Sept. 25. Fairfax County Police responded after a co-worker of one of the family members reported that they had not been to work this week.

Lake Anne Hosts Annual Multicultural Festival

Event features day of international culture, food.

Saturday, Sept. 22 marked the first time Jesse Ekland and Alicia Morales attended the Reston Multicultural Festival as a couple, but they used it to celebrate their anniversary anyway. That’s because it served as a catalyst for their relationship.

Haunted House Returns This Fall

Annual Bradley Farm event will raise money for FISH.

The Bradley Farm neighborhood in Herndon will host what has fast become an annual fall tradition, their annual haunted house. Now in its sixth year, this year’s theme will be "The Evil Around Us," a focus on local legends.

Closet Hosts Community Picnic

Thrift store kicks off fall shopping season.

The Closet Thrift Store in Herndon hosted a community picnic on Saturday, Sept. 22, paying thanks to their customers, donors and volunteers that have supported the shop during their almost 40-year mission.

Keeping Tysons Corner Moving

Event provides updates on 495 Express Lanes, Dulles Metrorail.

In the next 15 months, Tysons Corner will see almost $5 billion in new transportation projects come online.

Black Chamber of Commerce to Host Candidates’ Night Mixer

With access to capital and opportunity for growth at an alarming low for black-owned businesses, the Northern Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce will shine a light on this small business crisis at the 4th Annual Candidates’ Night reception on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 6-8:30 p.m. at the Springfield Hilton, 6550 Loisdale Road, Springfield. The annual nonpartisan NVBCC Candidates’ Night Mixer gives candidates and elected officials the opportunity to meet business owners face-to-face, and allows members of the African American community the chance to express their concerns about the future of Northern Virginia. Already, a dozen candidates and elected officials have been confirmed.

Area Roundups

Financial crimes detectives were alerted to the issue when they began to receive complaints that ATM cards were being used fraudulently to purchase groceries, expensive coffees, and, primarily, to get cash from other ATM machines. An alert customer spotted the skimming device on the machine and contacted hospital security who immediately called police on Wednesday, Sept. 13.

Dam Project Worries South Run Residents

South Run residents want unofficial park entryway shut down permanently.

Chris Amans and his wife, Brenda Riffe, have lived in the leafy neighborhood of South Run in Fairfax Station since the community was developed in the mid-1980s. Bordered by Lee Chapel Road, Route 123, and the Fairfax County Parkway, many of the community’s 500 homes, which sell for close to $1 million, back up to Burke Lake Park. While they love the neighborhood’s mature trees, expansive 1/2-acre lots and access to Burke Lake Park, they have never been happy with the fact that their Laketree Drive cul-de-sac has become an unofficial entrance to the popular Burke Lake trails.

County Combats Chronic Homelessness

Fairfax County joins national effort to house ‘most vulnerable.’

Fewer families experienced homelessness in Fairfax County this year, a 16 percent decline stemming largely from the County’s “housing first” focus, which rapidly identifies housing for those living on the edge. But the number of chronic homeless—the most entrenched street dwellers and vulnerable individuals—jumped 20 percent this year. According to the September report released by the Fairfax County Office to Prevent and End Homelessness (OPEH), 51 percent of single homeless individuals (353 people) were identified as chronically homeless in 2012, compared to 39 percent in 2011. An additional 43 adults were counted as unsheltered in 2012 over the previous year.

Classified Advertising Sept 19, 2012

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County Launches Safety Campaign

How to participate in Fairfax County’s ‘30 Ways in 30 Days’ campaign.

In the past 12 months, Fairfax County residents have experienced an unprecedented number of emergencies, from an earthquake and a tropical storm to floods, a tornado and a derecho.

HarvestFest at Woodland Park Crossing

Woodland Park Crossing announces HarvestFest, a fun fall-themed family event on Saturday, Sept. 29 from noon until 4 p.m. All are welcome to enjoy free entertainment, including a giant walking scarecrow and DJ music, and free activities such as face painting, glitter tattoos, pumpkin painting, fitness demos, prizes and more.

History on the Move in Herndon

No one seems to know exactly when the old white farmhouse at 820 Monroe Street in Herndon was built, or who the first owners might have been, although it’s rumored that it was originally built as a summer home for a DC resident. Ninety-three-year-old Carl Payne is the last private owner. He bought the place from the Yount family, who had owned it, and about 50 acres of present day Herndon, since 1861.

Host Herndon Finishes Runner-Up at Field Hockey Invite

Hornets led by sophomores Stone, Palacios.

The Herndon field hockey team finished second at the two-day Herndon Invitational on Sept. 14-15.

Column: Refillable. Rechargeable. Reusable.

More like replaceable. Obviously, I want to remain positive and believe that today is not a good day to die (Worf from “Star Trek: Next Generation”) and that there will be many more tomorrows to live for and days beyond that to plan for. However, having a terminal disease has a tendency to darken up those rose-colored glasses.

Celebrating Public Art in Reston

IPAR kicks off new exhibit at Reston Museum.

In his founding principles for Reston, Robert Simon mentioned the need for public art several times. The Initiative for Public Art-Reston presented a history of public art in Reston Saturday, Sept. 15, celebrating several major art projects that form the core of Reston.

Multicultural Festival Comes to Lake Anne

Annual event features food, culture and more from variety of nations.

Lake Anne will host Reston’s annual Multicultural Festival Saturday, Sept. 22 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event is designed to celebrate Reston’s diversity, with live performances, arts and even a book fair. A signature part of the festival the past few years has been a naturalization ceremony for recent immigrants to the United States.

Hospital Breaks Ground on New Building

Medical office building will add 180,000 square feet to campus.

The Reston Hospital Center broke ground on their new medical office building Monday, Sept. 17. The new building, which is estimated to be completed in late fall 2013, will add 180,000 square feet of physician offices and hospital services.

MWAA Releases Toll Rates to 2014

Community groups concerned about raises and effect on local traffic.

The Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority has released its scheduled toll rate increases for the Dulles Toll Road up to 2015. Effective January 1, 2013, tolls at the mainline plaza will be $1.75 (up from $1.50) and the ramps will be $1.00 (up from $0.75).

South Lakes Football Beats Rival Herndon

The South Lakes football team defeated Herndon, 21-7, on Sept. 7.

Local Real Estate: July 2012 Top Sales in Great Falls, McLean, Oak Hill, Reston, Oakton and Vienna

Plane Pull on Sept. 22 to Benefit Special Olympics

Superheroes Iron Man, Captain America, Hulk and Thor regularly come together to fight crime. Although humans don’t naturally possess super powers, you would be amazed at what a group of individuals can do when they put their minds—and muscles—together to accomplish a goal.

Week in Herndon

The MOMS Club of Herndon is recycling gently used items instead of throwing them away. Join the MOMS Club of Herndon on Thursday, Sept. 20, from 10 - 11:30 a.m. at their monthly meeting at Trinity Presbyterian Church, located at 651 Dranesville Rd, Herndon. The Club offers support for local stay-at-home mothers through weekly events.

Paula Swift, 76, Dies

A common belief is that Congressional wives do little but stand around looking on devotedly as their husbands give speeches. With few exceptions that is untrue. It was particularly not the case for Paula Swift, wife of eight-term Representative Al Swift (D-Wash.). She died suddenly of a heart attack on Labor Day.

Reston/Herndon Calendar, Sept. 21-27

Round out your week and get out on the town, local style.

Classified Advertising Sept. 12, 2012

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Column: Trip Without a Fall

Recently, for the first time in nearly two years, I took a trip without having my car. Significant to me in that not “having my car” meant not being able to transport/have all my cancer things.

Classified Advertising Sept. 5, 2012

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Herndon Police Department Recognized in Law Enforcement Challenge

The Town of Herndon Police Department received third place in the Virginia Chief’s Law Enforcement Challenge for 2012, Municipal Division (51-75 officers category). There were 41 agencies that entered programs in this year’s challenge. The awards ceremony was held on Aug. 14, at the Virginia Chiefs of Police Conference in Roanoke.

Column: Symptoms or just Sometimes

Making the best of a bad situation, that’s how I roll (I’m a Red Sox fan after all). Some days are easier than others, some symptoms/treatments/results are better than others. And some columns make more sense than others. But that’s cancer for you: an equal opportunity “screwer-upper.”

Terry Tymczyna, of Herndon, Receives Sales Award

Terry Tymczyna, visual communications expert at FASTSIGNS® of Herndon, was recognized with the Silver Sales Award at the 2012 FASTSIGNS Outside Sales Summit, recently held in Dallas.

Herndon Festival With ‘Adult Flavor’

24th Annual Labor Day Festival features beer, wine and fun.

From noon to 6 p.m., Historic Downtown Herndon was hopping on the holiday. The Town of Herndon Parks and Recreation Department and their partners, the Herndon Women’s Club, produced the town’s 24th Annual Labor Day Festival. Chipper volunteers from the club welcomed the festival-goers, collected the cash, and checked id’s before handing out those coveted commemorative wine tasting glasses, which were put to good use at booths representing no less than 12 Virginia wineries. "Between the wine, the beer, and the cooking demonstrations, there’s definitely an adult flavor to this festival," said Alanna Greaves of Reston.

ArtSpace Hosts Paint Herndon

Local adult, teen and youth painters take to streets Saturday.

Hannah Cameron Cadenazzi came into this year’s Paint Herndon with some big shoes to fill. Her sister Mhairi won the youth competition last year, and Hannah aimed to do the same thing: spend Saturday, Sept. 1, painting her entry for the annual art contest.

Students GIVE Back in Big Way

Student-run educational nonprofit celebrates third year, expansion of services.

During his freshman year at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Kevin Cao had the opportunity to volunteer at Belvedere Elementary School in Falls Church. What he learned there is having impact around the Fairfax County School system to this day.