Van Buren Street Fire
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department units responded to a house fire at 403 Van Buren Street on March 22 at approximately 12:40 a.m.
Upon arrival, the units reported smoke and fire in the attic of the one-story single-family home.
Firefighters were able to bring the fire under control in 10 minutes and no one was home when the fire started.
There were no reported injuries and the American Red Cross is assisting the two adult residents.
Damage is estimated at $50,000. According to fire investigators, the fire was accidental — an electrical anomaly in the attic caused the fire.
"Real Jobs and Good Pay": Job Fair 2005
Job Fair 2005 will be held April 5, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the ACE Learning Lab at 414-416 Elden Street.
The job fair is a collaborative effort between Fairfax County Public Schools Office of Adult and Community Education (ACE), the Fairfax County Department of Family Services (DFS), local employers and community-based organizations.
The first of its kind in the Herndon community, this year's theme “Real jobs and good pay” is targeted to bring students from the ACE English for Speakers of Other Languages program (ESOL), Career Certificate programs and the Adult High School programs, as well as job-seekers, face-to-face with potential employers.
Participating employers include Shirley Contracting, Local Union 26-International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, SODEXHO, Mastec, Comfort Keepers, Air Wisconsin and VOLT Temporary Service.
The event culminates the employment readiness and community awareness segment of the adult ESOL curriculum for advanced ESOL classes at the Herndon Learning Lab.
Designed primarily to facilitate contact between employers and the diverse pool of emerging prospective workers from the Reston-Herndon area, Job Fair 2005 is also open to the public-at-large.
Contact the ACE Learning Lab at 703-707-9230 or visit www.fcps.edu/adult.htm.
Gang Awareness Seminar
The Greater Herndon Community Coalition presents "Gangs: Awareness, Prevention, Intervention," Thursday, March 31 at 7 p.m. at the Herndon High School Lecture Hall.
Guest speakers include: Fairfax County School Resource officers Michael Murn and Mark Ours and Town of Herndon Police Regional Gang Task Force Guidance Counselors.
Contact Lisa Lombardozzi at ghcc@cox.net or 703-973-4444
For more information about the Greater Herndon Community Coalition visit www.fcps.edu/HerndonHS/Coalition/homepage.html.
Shahi Kabob House
Shahi Kabob House will hold a live concert event featuring "The Seakers," Saturday, March 26 starting at 8 p.m.
Located at 724 Pine Street in Herndon, entry for the event is $3. Call 703-796-0110 or visit www.theseakers.net.
Spring Clean-Up
Starting the week of April 4, the north side of the hike and bike trail will begin its "Spring Clean Up."
Items will be picked up curbside. All materials must be visible from the road and unobstructed by vehicles or other large items.
If regular pick-up day falls at the end of one of the clean-up weeks, the materials may not be picked up until the following week if there is a particularly high volume of items to be picked up throughout the town.
All items must be placed at curbside by 7 a.m. on the regular pick up day during the scheduled clean up week. Materials placed for pick up at any other time will not be collected.
Residents south of the hike and bike trail will participate the week starting April 11.
A limited amount of building materials (approximately one cubic yard, lengths not exceeding four feet) including plumbing fixtures; automobile parts, weighing under 50 pounds (including tires); furniture, appliances and bulky items will be collected at no charge during this period.
For more information regarding acceptable types of debris and the required disposing dimensions or acceptable amounts of building materials, call the Department of Public Works, 703-435-6853.
Yard waste is not collected. Place yard waste in Kraft paper bags and place them curbside on your scheduled refuse day.
In cooperation with the town's recycling policy, separate recyclable materials. Place all items at curbside by 7 a.m. on the regularly scheduled pick-up day.
Unacceptable items: auto parts in excess of 50-pounds, large quantities of building materials. These can be taken to Lorton Landfill, 9850 Furnace Road, Lorton. Call 703-690-1703 for disposal costs.
Paint thinner, oil, gasoline, pesticides, herbicides, and other flammable materials are not considered acceptable. These items can be disposed of at the following locations: I-66 Transfer Station, 4618 West Ox Road, 703-246-3937; I-95 Lorton Landfill, 9850 Furnace Road, 703-690-1703.
Propane tanks can be disposed of at the 1-66 Transfer Station. There is no charge for this service.
For more information regarding Spring Clean-up, call the Department of Public Works at 703-435-6853.
Assistance League Benefit
Assistance League of Northern Virginia, an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization, presents its annual benefit Great Escapes. The spring benefit, will feature wine tasting, Northern Italian cuisine and a silent auction, to raise funds for Operation School Bell and Operation Hugs.
Great Escapes will be held at Dante's Ristorante, 1148 Walker Road, Great Falls, Sunday, April 10 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wine tasting will be presented by The Wine Seller located in Herndon.
Silent auction items include trips to Clearwater Beach, Fla.; Hilton Head, S.C., and the Savannah, Ga. Historic District; infield box seat tickets to a Washington Nationals game; golf packages at area country clubs; fitness center and spa packages; bed and breakfast accommodations, and fine dining. Silent auction bidding will take place from 4-6 p.m. Tickets are $75 per person. For reservations, call 703- 860-0412 or 703-914-2882 by April 5.
Chamber March Events
Networking Breakfast in Chantilly: Sponsored by Millennium Bank and the Connection Newspapers Thursday, March 24, 8 to 9:30 a.m., at Holiday Inn Select-Dulles Expo Center. An executive of Cavalier Telephone will share information about growing a business. For the "Power Networking" segment, a regular feature, bring 40 business cards. Register online at www.HerndonDullesChamber.org or call 571-323-5300, or info@herndondulleschamber.org. Rates: $20/25 at the door.
Good Neighbor Nominations
The Town of Herndon and the Cultivating Community Committee are seeking nominations for the Good Neighbor Award by March 25.
The purpose of this award is to recognize those people who go beyond the call of duty to act as good neighbors in their respective neighborhoods: the neighbor who helps others with repairs or who takes care of common property needs; the neighbor who looks over property while others are away; the neighbor who looks after children and pets; the neighbor who helps out in a crisis; the neighbor who commits helpful or charitable acts toward other neighbors; the neighbor who participates in volunteer activities and who does special things to make the neighborhood a better place.
The winner will receive recognition by Town Council at a public meeting in April. Eligibility for the Good Neighbor Award includes:
* Must be a resident of Herndon.
* Act(s) for which the person is nominated must not be performed as an element of paid employment.
* Contributions to the neighborhood may have occurred over the course of many years, but the judges will give special consideration to recent good deeds.
Residents may nominate a family member, friend or neighbor who makes noteworthy contributions to improve the quality of life in their neighborhood.
To nominate an individual for the award, please attach to a nomination form a description of why you believe that person exemplifies the qualities of a good neighbor. In 300 words or less, answer the question: "What makes this person a good neighbor?" Some of these qualities may include:
* Contributions to the community beyond the scope of normal citizen responsibilities.
* Concern for their neighbors' well-being or overall quality of life in their neighborhood. This concern may be demonstrated by care of property, helpful or charitable acts toward neighbors or participation in committees or volunteer activities that contribute to positive changes in the neighborhood.
Nominations must be made prior to March 25. Forms are available on the Town of Herndon Web site, www.herndon-va.gov — click on What's New. Forms are also available at the Herndon Municipal Center and the Neighborhood Resource Center. For more information, call 703-435-6800, Ext. 2010.
Yard of the Month Returns
The Yard of the Month Competition is starting earlier this year, with the first round of nominations due by April 15. The yards will then be judged during the last two weeks in April.
Residents can nominate their own yard or a neighbor's yard, but the yard must be within the Town of Herndon. Only front yards will be judged. Winners will be selected for May, June, July and October. They will receive a $100 gift certificate to 4Meadows Farms and recognition in the media and by Town Council. Each month, both a single family house and a townhouse will be awarded Yard of the Month.
Yards will be judged on the following criteria:
* Yard is free of trash and clutter.
* Grass (if applicable) is healthy, mowed, generally free of bare spots and weeds, and properly edged.
* Trees and shrubs are neatly and correctly pruned and in good condition.
* Mulch (including rock mulch, hardwood, etc.) is displayed in a neat and orderly manner.
* Flowers and other vegetation are well landscaped and make good use of color.
* Garden methods or other decorative materials such as logs, short fences, etc. are in good condition and neatly placed.
* Walkways and steps are clean and free of mold, stains or weeds.
* Overall appearance of the yard is well-balanced and aesthetically pleasing.
To obtain Yard of the Month nomination forms, go to the Town's web site at and click on "What's New" then "Yard of the Month Awards." Or contact Robin Runser at 703-435-6800 ext. 2010 or by email at robin.runser@herndon-va.gov.
Summer Concert Series
The Summer Concert Series features 12 free public concerts on Herndon's Municipal Town Green. This summer tradition attracts an audience of approximately 7,000 over three months. This year's series will feature many new faces on the regional music scene in addition to some tried and true favorites. It also offers an opportunity to feature promotional tie-ins with local businesses. Sponsorship offers an excellent opportunity to hand out discount coupons, hold a product sampling, or enjoy a summer night on the lawn with clients and employees.
This year in addition to a sponsorship of $300 for one nightly concert, sponsorship of "Super Thursday" is also available, which includes the popular Children's Series held in conjunction with the Farmers' Market in front of the Train Depot. For an additional $150, the sponsor will receive the extra benefit of "Super Thursday" with increased visibility through signage and advertising. Sponsorship packages can be obtained by contacting Holly Popple at holly.popple@herndon-va.gov or calling 703-435-6800, ext. 2120.
Herndon Festival Vendors Needed
The Herndon Parks and Recreation Department is actively soliciting vendors for the 2005 Herndon Festival K9/2K Doggie Expo, taking place Saturday, June 4, from 9:30 a.m. to noon.
Acceptance into the event is limited with priority given to local businesses and residents. The selection of vendors will be at the discretion of the Herndon Parks and Recreation Department.
Booth fees are as follows:
* Private Business:
Early Bird, Feb. 1-March 31: $50
Regular, April 1-31: $75
Late, May 1-28: $100
* Nonprofit Organizations:
Early Bird/Regular, Feb. 1-April 31: $25
Late, May 1-28: $50
For more information, call the Herndon Community Center at 703-435-6800, Ext. 2109 or e-mail Kimberly.Wood@herndon-va.gov for an application.
Budget Hearings Scheduled
The Town of Herndon is in the process of preparing the upcoming fiscal year 2006 budget, including the FY '06-11 capital improvement program (CIP). The Town Council and Planning Commission will be holding several work sessions and public hearings to give an opportunity for interested citizens to present ideas or issues for consideration while the budget is being developed. All public hearings are held in the Council Chambers; work sessions are held in the conference room, both located at 765 Lynn St.
A budget summary will be mailed to all Herndon residents during the first week in April, at which time it is anticipated that the complete recommended budget document will be available for public review. Information will be posted on the town's Web site, www.herndon-va.gov, as it becomes available. A copy of the proposed budget will be available for review at the Herndon Fortnightly Library.
The complete budget schedule is as follows:
* Tuesday, April 5, 7:30 p.m., Town Council work session to review proposed budget and CIP.
* Tuesday, April 12, 7:30 p.m., Town Council public hearing to allow public testimony on proposed budget and FY '06 portion of CIP.
* Tuesday, April 19, 7:30 p.m., Town Council work session to review proposed budget and FY '06 portion of CIP.
* Tuesday, April 26, 7:30 p.m., Town Council public hearing — consideration and adoption budget and entire CIP.