Vandalism Hits Downtown Herndon
Structures damaged in downtown Herndon.
On April 1 police from the town of Herndon were visiting locations in downtown Herndon which had been vandalized. The glass back door to the Herndon Fortnightly Library was shattered, and windows to the Herndon council chamber building were further destroyed. On Friday night, Jan. 17, large windows around the outside of the Herndon Town Council Chamber building had been smashed. Also vandalized was the historic Herndon Depot Station and the glass windows of the Herndon caboose, a local landmark.
Groundbreaking Held For Vinehaven Homes
Evergreene Homes to construct houses in downtown Herndon.
“This is the first new development in downtown Herndon in nearly a decade,” said Mayor Lisa Merkel. Merkel participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Vinehaven homes development held March 19. This development is near the W&OD Trail and is located on Vine Street, close to the ArtSpace Herndon, the local community art gallery.
Dance-A-Thon, A Cappella Concert at Floris UMC
There’s going to be music and dancing and more music this weekend at Floris UMC, as the church hosts two fundraising events to support the 2014 Feed A Child campaign. The campaign is a youth initiative by area students under 25 years old to raise $20,000 in support of the children of the Child Rescue Centre and patients of Mercy Hospital, both located in Bo, Sierra Leone. The campaign, which is taking place through a partnership with the non-profit organization Helping Children Worldwide, kicked off on Feb. 16, and will conclude on March 30. All of the money raised will go directly to feeding, educating, clothing and attending to the medical needs of children in Bo.
Oak Hill Elementary Gets Energized By Einstein
Mark Spiegel presents Einstein Alive!
How do you get a cafeteria full of kids wildly engrossed in and energized about some pretty complex scientific subject matters? You call in Albert Einstein to explain and demonstrate - that’s how. OK. Not the Albert Einstein, of course. But Marc Spiegel’s performance of Einstein Alive! did the trick.
Herndon Awaits Construction Of New Mural
New mural to depict animals in downtown Herndon.
While the region has been anticipating the incoming Silver Line, the Town of Herndon has taken steps to become an art friendly town. Some of these steps include the design of murals. The Council for the Arts of Herndon, the Town of Herndon’s officially designated local arts agency orchestrated the design of another mural in downtown Herndon. The next project will be one at the Dominion Animal Hospital at 795 Station Street.
Mosaic Harmony Sings at Herndon Senior Center
Community choir performs inspirational music.
"Feel free to please sing along with us," said David K. North, director of Mosaic Harmony Community Choir since 1996. North drove to the Herndon Senior Center from Maryland to direct the Feb. 28 concert performance. Twenty-five members of Mosaic Harmony performed in the show, which was also attended by Herndon town council member Sheila Olem. The concert was sponsored by the Council for the Arts of Herndon.
ArtSpace Herndon Launches Children’s Book Series
Book Look seeks to develop kids’ literary desire.
On March 9, ArtSpace Herndon will continue its Book Look Literary Series for Children with a reading by author and Herndon resident Kwame Alexander. The Book Look series is a new addition to events operating at ArtSpace Herndon, and began in February with a reading by author Debbie Levy.
ArtSpace to Announce Photo Competition Winners
The competition pool, narrowed down from 87 entrants to 37 finalists, features photographers from the DMV area.
Those who turn out to ArtSpace Herndon on Saturday, March 8 from 7-9 p.m., will have a chance to see a colorful exhibition of images by 37 photographers from Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. In addition to the exhibition, longtime photographer and competition juror D.B. Stovall will announce the first, second, and third place winners of ArtSpace’s 2014 Fine Art Photography Competition during an awards ceremony. Stovall narrowed down the competition pool of 400 submissions by 87 photographers to 37 finalists in a difficult process of elimination that he described as a "series of difficult cuts."
Honored for Promoting Peace
The Student Peace Awards of Fairfax County honors 22 students.
The Student Peace Awards of Fairfax County, presented by the Herndon Friends Meeting, honored a group of 22 juniors and seniors who were nominated for their dedication to peace and conflict resolution on March 2.
Creating a Harmonious Family Life
Local experts offer tips for keeping your family happy.
As Elizabeth Rees drove her daughter and two of her daughter’s friends to a library reading group recently, the Alexandria mother of three admits that she felt like a chauffeur at first. But she had a change of heart after hearing sounds of laughter.
Board Advertises Higher Tax Rate
Rate gives board flexibility, options in determining final budget.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted 8-2 Tuesday to advertise a higher real estate tax rate that could add about $100 to annual tax bills, which will be on top of the $332 county homeowners will see this year as a result of higher real estate assessments. Setting the advertised tax rate formally begins the two-month public process to adopt the Fiscal Year 2015 budget, and the rate represents the maximum potential tax rate for FY2015.
Herndon Rotary Club Holds Valentine's Sock Hop
Final show for Herndon fundraising event.
The Fabulous Hubcaps band preformed Saturday evening at the Herndon Community Center’s gymnasium, playing some favorite classic rock n’ roll hits including "Surfin’ USA" and "Get Around." The Valentine's Sock Hop has been an annual event for the Herndon Rotary Club, but due to multiple factors will no longer be held as a fundraising event.
Heaven and Earth Akido Hosts Fundraiser
Funds raised for family of departed Herndon waiter.
"Damien was one of the first folks who I spoke with when I came back to the area after being overseas over three years," said Ben Ericksen. "We stuck up a pleasant conversation, and I told him I was back from Afghanistan. I would take some of the students up to the O’Sullivan’s restaurant."
Groundhog Day Held At Frying Pan Park
Families visit groundhog burrow.
"They are like little lawnmowers, so when it is spring, they eat everything they can," said Frying Pan Park naturalist Shannon Morley. "When it is summer, they eat everything they can. And when it is fall they still eat. But in winter they rest or hibernate." Morely was giving a presentation to families on groundhogs that reside on the park grounds.
Floris United Methodist Church To Host Chocolate Festival
On Saturday, Feb. 8, Floris United Methodist Church will hold its 23rd Annual Chocolate Festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. One of the church’s largest community events, the festival features carnival games, large inflatables, face painting, balloon art, food and lots of chocolate. An entertainment and travel-themed Silent Auction and an expansive homemade bake sale table are other highlights of this event. It is free and all are welcome. The church is located at 13600 Frying Pan Road, in Herndon. For more information, go to www.florisumc.org/chocolate or call the church office at 703-793-0026.