Stories for February 2013

Classified Advertising Feb. 27, 2013

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Herndon Pets Bring Laughs and Lots of Love

Fur, feathers, fins, paws, claws. Beady eyes or scaly hides. Once word got out that the Connection Newspapers was putting together its special Pet Issue, there was no shortage of pet parents in Herndon lining up to testify how Fido or Fifi, or in one case, Pa’ani, bring joy and companionship to their lives. It would take a publication the size of the old Yellow Pages to chronicle all of the much-loved beasties, so we will have to make do with introducing just a few. Cats seemed to rule the day in our sampling (don’t they always?), but a couple of dogs managed to wag their way in.

Alliance Pushes for Gun Control Policies

Reston-Herndon Alliance to End Gun Violence holds vigil at NRA headquarters.

Members of the Reston-Herndon Alliance to End Gun Violence gathered at the National Rifle Association headquarters in Fairfax Friday, Feb. 22, to advocate for stricter gun laws. This was the group’s second such protest, where more than 30 members carried signs citing statistics about gun-related deaths.

Week in Herndon

A Herndon man in his early 30’s died as a result of a crash that took place on Dranesville Road at around 3 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 23.

Herndon Scouts Practice for D-Day

A group of Venture scouts carry a stretcher past a group of Webelos. As the stretcher passes, the Webelos watch the scouts of the Cobras Patrol demonstrate how to treat a puncture wound. This is Disaster Day (or D-Day, if you really want to call it that).

Delegate Tom Rust Contributes Key Provision to Texting While Driving Bills

Last week, the General Assembly passed two pieces of legislation—SB 1222 and HB1907—which would change the offense of texting while driving from a secondary offense to a primary one. Earlier in the 2013 session, Delegate Tom Rust (R-Herndon) introduced a bill (HB1357) which, on its own, would change the status of the offense, and receiving wide bipartisan support, the bill was incorporated into HB1907.

Civil War Raid Comes to Downtown

March 17 marks 150 years since Mosby’s raid of Herndon.

On St. Patrick’s day 150 years ago, Union soldiers from the First Vermont Cavalry were at the Town of Herndon depot and sawmill. They were expecting a group of reinforcements, but instead Confederate Capt. John Mosby and his unit arrived on a raid, sparking a brief skirmish.

Column: To Buy Or Not To Buy

That is my question. And though I can’t quite quote Shakespeare the way I can quote The Three Stooges: “Moe, Larry, the cheese. Moe, Larry, the cheese,” “’tis nobler” to ask it nonetheless. Still, if Hamlet had been diagnosed with a terminal form of cancer, as I have, perhaps he wouldn’t have been contemplating suicide but rather allocating his monthly budget – as I do every day, with nearly every purchase. That’s my dream, “perchance” or otherwise.

Civil War Raid Comes Downtown

March 17 marks 150 years since Mosby’s raid of Herndon.

On St. Patrick’s day 150 years ago, Union soldiers from the First Vermont Cavalry were at the Town of Herndon depot and sawmill. They were expecting a group of reinforcements, but instead Confederate Capt. John Mosby and his unit arrived on a raid, sparking a brief skirmish.

Alliance Pushes for New Policies

Reston-Herndon Alliance to End Gun Violence holds vigil at NRA headquarters.

Members of the Reston-Herndon Alliance to End Gun Violence gathered at the National Rifle Association headquarters in Fairfax Friday, Feb. 22, to advocate for stricter gun laws. This was the group’s second such protest, where more than 30 members carried signs citing statistics about gun-related deaths.

Classified Advertising Feb. 20, 2013

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A Lesson in Stomach Flu Survival

The ABCs of recognizing, treating and preventing stomach flu.

“The best way to prevent the stomach flu is by washing your hands, especially after using the restroom.” — Dr. Jean Glossa

Column: Definition of “Slippery Slope”

Figuratively speaking, of course. That definition being: a late stage cancer patient/survivor previously characterized as “terminal” awaiting the results of their most recent diagnostic scan. A scan that will indicate whether the tumors have grown, moved or God forbid, appeared somewhere new. If your life hung in the balance before the scan, waiting for results of this however-many-months-interval-scan will most assuredly loosen your figurative grip on your equilibrium and your most literal grip on your sanity. This is a domain, unlike the one referred to in one of the more infamous Seinfeld episodes, that one cannot master. To invoke and slightly rework Dan Patrick’s “catch” phrase: You can’t stop it, you can only hope to contain it.

Oak Hill, Herndon Home Sales: January, 2013

In January 2013, 41 homes sold between $965,000-$122,500 in the Herndon and Oak Hill area.

Oak Hill, Herndon Home Sales: January, 2013

Week in Reston

The Reston Historic Trust and the Reston Museum are exploring the early history of Reston. The Reston Museum is producing another free program on Feb. 28, 7-9 p.m., to be presented at the Jo Ann Rose Gallery at Reston Community Center—Lake Anne, titled: “Building Community in Reston: Diversity, Openness and Inclusiveness.”

P Minor of a Purim Paparazzi

Instead of joining an exasperated press probing into prominent people's privacies, I will pursue celebrities like King Ahasuerus, Queen Esther and Vashti of Persia. I will serve a much greater purpose by presenting a better picture, or portrait, of the Megillah's principal personalities. It gives me the opportunity to report on the grand procession of Mordechai, Haman and his sons Parshandatha, Parmashta and Poratha, to name only three. Now, with the approach of Purim, I prefer to devote my expertise to promote the proper performance of the Purim procedures and its prerequisites.

‘Casino Royale’ Raises $10,000 for Homeless Children

The Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce’s event honors educators, raises money for county students.

The Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce’s annual Casino Royale event evidenced great success on Feb. 8, packing a ballroom at the Westfields Marriott in Chantilly with guests eager to support education in Fairfax County. Chamber members, sponsors, and Fairfax County Public School educators enjoyed the evening, raising more than $10,000 for homeless children in Fairfax County and honoring seven area educators who were presented with the chamber’s Educator of the Year Award.

Week in Herndon

On Tuesday, Feb. 26, northern Virginia’s business community has an opportunity to hear commentary and expert views on today’s economic conditions and real estate market trends from one of the nation’s top-ranked economic forecasters. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of Research with the National Association of REALTORS®, will headline Northwest Federal Credit Union’s 2013 Economic Forecast Breakfast. A participant in many economic forecasting panels, including Blue Chip and the Harvard University Industrial Economist Council, Yun has been named among the 100 Most Influential Real Estate Leaders by INMAN News. He will address the economic activities, trends, risks and outlook for the coming year.

Northwest FCU Welcomes New, Familiar Faces

Both new and familiar faces will play key roles at Northwest Federal Credit Union as 2013 gets underway. Taking the reins at Northwest Federal — one of the nation’s largest credit unions, with $2.5 billion in assets and serving 117,000 members — is new President/CEO Chris McDonald. He succeeds Gerrianne “Winky” Burks, who retired after a 41-year career at the Credit Union. McDonald has extensive credit union experience gained over 28 years, most recently serving as CEO of Andrews Federal Credit Union in Suitland, Md.

Letter: Saving French at Herndon Elementary

I am writing, as a parent of two children currently attending 4th and 6th grade at Herndon Elementary School in Herndon, to express our big concern about the proposal and possibility of switching from the French Immersion Program that has been in place since 1988, to a two-way Spanish immersion.

Town Calendar Photo Competition Announced

ArtSpace Herndon and the Council for the Arts of Herndon present the third annual Herndon 2014 Town Calendar Photo Competition. Professional and amateur photographers aged 16 and older are invited to submit entries to the competition; the deadline for submissions is June 18, 2013. Subjects for all entries must be located within the corporate limits of the Town of Herndon, and special consideration will be given to entries depicting people participating in seasonal or community events.

New Approach to Helping Chronic Homeless

County joins "100,000 Homes" effort as chronic homelessness on rise.

The number of chronically homeless individuals in Fairfax County is on the rise. Currently, nearly 300 individuals are considered chronically homeless, many living in cars or sleeping in tents. In an effort to find permanent homes for these individuals, the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Partnership to Prevent and End Homelessness is joining the 100,000 Homes Campaign, a national movement to find permanent homes for 100,000 chronically homeless throughout the nation.

‘Two Symphonies and a Dance’ for Area Music Lovers

Virginia Chamber Orchestra to present early Mozart and Mendelssohn works.

There has always been the debate about the role of nature and nurture in a child’s development. This is especially true in child prodigies. Mozart and Mendelssohn were from musical homes and received encouragement in musical studies. Although Gluck sang in his church choir, his interest in music was surely of his own making as he was expected to work in his family’s forestry business.

Classified Advertising Feb. 13, 2013

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A Positive Reflection

Joan Brady gives foster children needed exposure.

On Monday, Sept. 10, 2001, Joan Brady of Great Falls had just started a three-month sabbatical from her job with an Internet company. Newly-married, Brady, who was 36 years old at the time, was exhausted from 80-hour work weeks in a rigid corporate environment. She wanted time that fall to contemplate what to do next with her life. The next day provided answers and a sense of urgency. It was Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001. The terrorist attacks, and the moving stories of heroism and tragedy on 9/11, indelibly left their mark. Brady, like many Americans, was inspired to do something new, to take more chances, to change direction.

Editorial: On Transportation

Compromise, in the works, should include indexing the gas tax to inflation.

Virginia needs more options, not fewer, in developing revenue to pay for roads and transportation. Compromise on a plan to increase transportation revenue should not include making Virginia the only state in the nation without a gas tax. The current, ridiculously low gas tax should be indexed to inflation. The last thing the commonwealth needs is to do away with an existing, major source of money for roads.

Senators Speak on Debt Situation

Mark Warner, Tim Kaine address Northern Virginia Technology Council.

Senators Mark Warner (D) and Tim Kaine (D) spoke to members of the Northern Virginia Technology Council Friday, Feb. 8, at the Sprint building in Reston.

Sweet Tradition Raises Funds for Local Children in Need

Chocolate Festival at Herndon’s Floris United Methodist Church.

The Floris United Methodist Church in Herndon has been hosting their annual Chocolate Festival for charity for about 20 years.

Herndon Moms Club to Meet

The MOMS Club® of Herndon will host its monthly meeting on Thursday, Feb. 21.

Week in Herndon

President’s Day Holiday Schedule

Town of Herndon government offices and services will be impacted by the President’s Day holiday on Monday, Feb. 18.

Maude Hair Wins Redken Up and Comer Award

Maude Hair Salon of Herndon has won the Redken Salon of the Year “Up and Comer” Award.

Declaration of Independence Signer and Loudoun County Resident Remembered

Few people are aware that the land occupied by Washington Dulles International Airport was once the home of one of the country’s founding fathers.

Herndon High Presents ‘Hansel and Gretel’

Annual children’s production tells classic fairy tale.

The Herndon High School Theater Department will present their annual children’s show starting Friday, Feb. 15, featuring “Hansel and Gretel.”

Student-Athletes Mark Black History Month

Herndon students commemorate 150 years since signing of Emancipation Proclamation.

Three years ago, Elise Ashby Arrington decided that she wanted her son Harrison Craddock to understand the importance of Black History Month.

Classified Advertising Feb. 6, 2013

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February Is Heart Month

Diet and fitness experts offer suggestions for maintaining a healthy heart.

When Mary Elizabeth O’Conner enters a supermarket, she is careful stay within the outer perimeters of the store. “Most grocery stores are designed so that the healthiest and non-processed food, like fresh vegetables and meat are kept on the outer edges,” she said. She looks for heart-healthy foods like whole grains and fresh fruit.

Column: A Complicated Answer

And a further explanation and corollary to last week’s column: “A Simple Question,” which attempted to sort through my reactions to being asked an extremely innocent, appropriate, well-intended and always appreciated courtesy: “How are you?” and the problem that it sometimes causes me. That problem being: a question which had it not been asked would then not require an answer. An answer that I’ll always give, but not before I’ve given it some thought, which if I hadn’t thought about, wouldn’t have bothered me in the least

Making the Difference Between Struggle and Success

Carmen Jordan of Reston has been a mentor for Fairfax Families4 Kids for six years. She is considered one of the most experienced mentors in the program. In addition to working full-time as a marquee account manager at Deltek in Herndon, Jordan makes herself available to “trouble-shoot” for the children and families she mentors. In the following column, she details her experiences with the program, and at-risk foster youth.

'Stuff the Bus’ Campaign Helps Feed the Hungry

Donations continue to increase as campaign enters third year.

Local grocery stores were packed this weekend with shoppers stocking up on Super Bowl snacks for the annual football fan party. At the Wal-Mart in Fairfax, shoppers were greeted with colorful displays of chips, dips and other party favorites. They were also greeted by volunteers from Our Daily Bread (ODB), who were handing out flyers and encouraging shoppers to donate gift cards or specific items to restock ODB’s pantry shelves. A Fairfax nonprofit for nearly 30 years, ODB provides food and other critical services to the working poor, the elderly and the disabled. More than half of ODB’s clients are local children.

Lily Dunlap of Herndon Middle Wins Peace Poster Contest

Lily Dunlap, an eighth grade student at Herndon Middle School, won a competition sponsored by the Reston Lions Club.

Reston Lions Honor Music Competition Winners

Students win awards at the James A. Bland Music Scholarship competition, co-sponsored by the Reston Lions Club and the Reston Community Center and held at the community center on Tuesday, Jan. 29.

Week in Herndon

Town Council seeks input on budget and President's Day holiday schedule

Elaina Lenore Heller and James Eric Rosenquist Wed

Elaina Lenore Heller and James Eric Rosenquist were married Oct. 6, 2012, at Wintergreen Resort.

Elden Street Players to Become Professional Theatre

The Elden Street Players’ (ESP) Board of Directors has announced plans to transition the 25-year-old community theatre company into the Dulles Technology Corridor’s premier professionally-operated, not-for-profit regional theatre.

Joan Lorraine (Stark) Mikulak, 81, of Oak Hill, Dies

Joan Lorraine (Stark) Mikulak died on Monday, Jan. 28, after a short illness. She was 81.

For the Love of Art

Photo exhibition draws art lovers to ArtSpace in Herndon.

The night was cold and windy, but there was hardly enough space to contain visitors and art lovers at ArtSpace in Herndon, who came to see the works of two photographers—Catherine Powers and Michael Austin Kane—in their exhibits, “U.S. 17: The Scenic Highway” and “Hopeful Calm & Beginnings” on Friday, Feb. 2.

Elden Street Players Receive 10 WATCH Nominations

The Elden Street Players have been nominated for 10 Washington Area Community Honors (WATCH) for artistic and technical excellence in Community Theater.

Declaration of Independence Signer and Loudoun County Resident Remembered

Few people are aware that the land occupied by Washington Dulles International Airport was once the home of one of the country’s founding fathers. Francis Lightfoot Lee was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, the only Loudoun County resident to have that honor.

French Immersion at Herndon Elementary in Jeopardy

Program at Herndon Elementary could be changed to Spanish Immersion, parents object.

Herndon Elementary School has announced a proposal to discontinue the school’s French Immersion Program, one of two in the county, and replace it with a Spanish Immersion Program. Principal Ann Gwynn said that the French program would continue until 2019, meaning incoming first graders next year would be the last students who could take the program to completion.

Town Council Approves Downtown Guidelines

Pattern book lays out principles for downtown design principles.

The Herndon Town Council unanimously passed a vision for principles of downtown redevelopment at their Tuesday, Jan. 29, meeting. The “pattern book,” as it’s known, lays out guidelines for building design and frontage for downtown.

Family Raises Support Fighting Son's Rare Disease

Two hundred plus friends and family will descend on Santinis Restaurant in Herndon to raise support and awareness for Congenital Muscular Dystrophy on Thursday, Feb. 7, from 5-9 p.m. One in 10 Americans is affected by a rare disease. John Gluck, of Herndon, is that one in 10 with a rare form of muscular dystrophy called congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD). As a rare group of diseases causing muscle weakness at birth, CMD is under-recognized and under-diagnosed by physicians. Several defined genetic mutations cause muscles to break down faster than they can repair or grow. A child with CMD may have various neurological or physical impairments. Some children never gain the ability to walk, while others lose the ability as they grow older. There is no cure and no treatment to slow disease progression.