Search For Fire Starters
Fairfax County Crime Solvers is asking for the public's assistance in identifying the person or persons responsible for intentionally setting two fires in the Herndon area during the month of October.
The first fire occurred around 8:30 p.m., Oct. 4, at a hotel which was under construction. The hotel was located at 977 Elden St. Damage in this fire was estimated to be $50,000.
The second fire occurred around 8 p.m., Oct. 5, in the Dumpsters at Herndon Middle School, located at 901 Locust St. The Dumpsters were ignited, causing minor damage to the rear of the school. Damage was estimated to be $1,200.
Anyone with information on either of these arsons or the persons involved is asked to call Fairfax County Crime Solvers at 1-800-673-2777. A cash reward of $100-$1,000 will be paid for information which leads to an arrest. As always, callers never have to give their names or appear in court.
LINK Helps Local Families
At its Nov. 20 Thanksgiving Holiday Basket event, LINK, an all-volunteer organization, assisted 424 families by providing more than $80,000 in grocery gift certificates and five days worth of food.
During the day-long event the nonprofit — comprised of 14 Baptist, Brethren, Catholic, Episcopal, Fellowship, Lutheran, Methodist and Presbyterian churches in the Herndon, Sterling and Ashburn areas — was also able to assist 44 walk-in families, helping more than 2,000 people.
In addition to offering food supplies to the needy families, the group also distributed 425 new coats to 115 families within six hours.
To be able to provide the families with enough food for five days, LINK received 24,000-pounds of food donated by Scouting for Food programs in addition to more than 17,000-pounds of food from 23 public schools in Fairfax and Loudoun Counties.
The upcoming Holiday Baskets program will be held Dec. 18 at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church in Sterling with holiday toys distributed from Herndon Methodist Church.
Those interested in volunteering can visit the Web site at www.linkagainsthunger.org or call the hot line at 703-437-1776 to sign up.
Safe Holiday Driving
The Herndon police would like to remind drivers of the dangers associated with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicants — including over the counter and prescription drugs.
In an effort to make the community safe over the holiday season, the Herndon Police will conduct sobriety checkpoints and driving while intoxicated targeted patrols during the month of December.
The Herndon Police ask for community assistance in making this a safe holiday season, asking people to "please do not drink and drive and have safe and happy holiday."
Construction To Affect Elden Street
Construction work required for the completion of the new Safeway on Elden Street between Grant Street and Post Drive is under way. One lane heading eastbound will be eliminated for approximately 60 days. Traffic will be slowed, but should flow smoothly. Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes to avoid delays. For more information, contact Hardaway Construction at 1-540-295-5768.
Sewer Reconstruction Project
A contractor for the Town of Herndon will be repairing the sewer system at the locations listed below. Restoration is necessary to meet current standards and eliminate maintenance problems.
The construction will take place with advance notice to all businesses and residences that will be affected. Effort will be made to complete this project with minimum inconvenience to residents, businesses and motorists.
For more information, call the Department of Public Works at 703-435-6860 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., weekdays.
Sewer reconstruction locations are: Elden Street between Van Buren Street and after Herndon Parkway; Charlton Place — all; Dranesville Road between Madison Forest Drive and Fillmore Street; Missouri Avenue between Alabama Drive and Stuart Court; Stuart Court — all; Virginia Avenue — all; Cordell Way — all; Reneau Way — all; Tamarack Way — all.
Holiday Men's Doubles Tournament Results
The team of Khris Baxter and Murali Gunasekaran won the holiday men's doubles tournament held Nov. 26-28. They had four match wins out of six rounds with a total of 46 game wins. The format for the matches was an eight-game pro-set with regular scoring for each round.
Rachel Carson Choral Director Awarded
Sue Alexander, choral director at Rachel Carson Middle School, was presented the Sidney Swiggett Award for Service Nov. 18, at the Virginia Music Educator's Conference in Norfolk. This is the most prestigious award that the Virginia Choral Director's Association gives. Alexander was also a past winner of the Virginia Music Educator of the Year award.
Herndon Dulles Chamber of
Commerce 101
Learn how to maximize the benefits of being a member of the Herndon Dulles Chamber of Commerce, Wednesday, Dec. 15. The event, geared toward new and prospective members, begins at noon and will be held at the ITT Technical Institute, 14420 Albermarle Pointe Place, Suite 100 in Chantilly. Free, but RSVP to membership manager Ellen Kaminsky 703-437-5556, Ext. 102, or e-mail membership@HerndonDullesChamber.org.
Chamber December Mixer
The Herndon Dulles Chamber of Commerce monthly mixer will be held, Thursday, Dec. 16, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at St. Joseph's Events Hall, 750 Peachtree St. This mixer will showcase local nonprofit organizations and offer the opportunity for business and organization personnel to learn how numerous organizations can enhance the quality of life in a community, as well as make business contacts. Refreshments provided. Entrance fee, $5/$15 at the door members/non members. RSVP and information 703-437-5556, Ext. 100. Access a map on-line at ww.herndondulleschamber.org.
Celtic Holiday Celebration
Hammered dulcimer player and Irish instrumentalist, Maggie Sansone, will perform Friday, Dec. 17, at 8 p.m., at the Industrial Strength Theatre located at 269 in the Sunset Business Park in Herndon.
This holiday concert will also feature Lisa Moscatiello, a vocalist and guitarist, Sue Richards on Celtic harp and Fred Leider on cello.
Sansone is an author of hammered dulcimer music books and founder and CEO of Maggie's Music record label which features more than 40 recordings distributed worldwide. She has eight recordings and is a seven-time WAMMIE winner for "record label of the year." Sansone has performed on stages from National Geographic and the Kennedy Center Concert hall to a variety of festivals. Admission is $9 in advance and $10 at the door for adults; $7 in advance and $8 at the door for children 12 and under.
HHS All Night Grad Committee Raffle
The All-Night Grad Committee is sponsoring a raffle to raise funds for the alcohol- and drug-free event following the June 22, 2005 graduation ceremony.
The raffle offers the choice to win one of three prizes including, an MP3 player, a Kodak digital 4 megapixel camera and printer dock or a HHS Class of 2005 quilt.
Tickets are $1 each or six for $5 and more information about purchasing or the downloads of tickets can be found by clicking on the class of 2005 quilt on the home page of the high school Web site at: http://www.fcps.edu/HerndonHS/
Checks may be made payable to, HHS DAFA, and can be mailed along with tickets to All Night Grad Raffle, 700 Bennett St., Herndon, VA 20170.
The raffle drawing will be held at the Winter Chorus/Orchestra Concert, Dec. 16, and contestants do not need to be present to win.
Herndon Festival Volunteers
Volunteers are needed for the Herndon Festival planning and entertainment committees. Interested members of the community and civic groups from throughout the town are invited to assist the Herndon Parks and Recreation Department in the planning and execution of the 25th annual Herndon Festival to be held June 2-5, 2005.
Volunteers are also needed to serve on the entertainment subcommittee, which will meet once or twice to consider possible performers and make suggestions to the festival executive committee.
For more information about the planning committee call the Herndon Community Center at 703-435-6800, Ext. 2123. Those interested in the entertainment subcommittee should call 703-435-6800, Ext. 2120.
Senior Cinema at Center
Seniors can enjoy an afternoon of refreshments and a movie for free. Senior Cinema will be held every first and third Thursday, at 2 p.m., at the Herndon Community Center. All movies are rated PG or PG-13.
Senior Cinema schedule is:
* Dec. 16: "A Christmas Story."
For more information, call 703-435-6868 or register on-line at www.herndon-va.gov. The Herndon Community Center is located at 814 Ferndale Ave.
Town Calendar
Tuesday, Dec. 14, 7:30 p.m.
Town Council public hearing.
Wednesday, Dec. 15, 7 p.m.
Architectural Review Board/Heritage Preservation Review Board work session.
Thursday, Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m.
Board of Zoning Appeals.