Herndon Robberies
Herndon Police responded to the W&OD Trail between Grace and Center streets for reports of a robbery Friday, Nov. 10. Around 9:30 p.m., a 51-year-old Herndon man reported that he was approached by two subjects, one armed with a handgun. The man reported he was robbed of an undisclosed amount of money. The first subject was described as a black male, 18 to 22 years old, short black hair, about 5-foot, 10-inches tall with a medium-to-athletic build. He was wearing light colored pants and a dark colored top. The second subject was described as a black male, 18 to 22 years old, short hair, approximately 6-foot, 3-inches tall, with an athletic build. He was wearing dark colored pants and a dark colored jacket.
On Nov. 13 at 9:05 p.m., the Herndon Police responded to the 500 block of Florida Avenue for another robbery. A 26-year-old man of Herndon reported that he was approached by two armed subjects and robbed of an undisclosed amount of money. The subjects fit the same description of the Nov. 10 robbery, although the first subject was described as 180-pounds, and was wearing black reflective sunglasses and a black hooded sweatshirt. The second subject was also described as 180-pounds and was wearing a light colored hooded sweatshirt. Anyone with information about either robbery is asked to call the Herndon Police at 703-435-6846.
Herndon Downtown Alliance Kick Off
The newly formed Herndon Downtown Alliance is scheduled to kick off its membership drive Friday, Nov. 18 at 7:30 a.m. at The Tortilla Factory Restaurant, 648 Elden St., in Herndon. The new member event will feature presentations by town planners Dana Heiberg and Kay Robertson updating the status of construction and zoning rewrite projects in downtown. All business and property owners in downtown Herndon are encouraged to attend as well as anyone interested in the future of downtown Herndon. Charter memberships will be offered for firms and individuals who join before Jan. 1, 2006. Membership applications will be available at the meeting and at www.HerndonDowntownAlliance.org, under "Get Involved." Full voting membership is limited to businesses and landowners in the defined area of downtown, with associate (non-voting) membership open to any business or individual. A continental breakfast will be provided by The Tortilla Factory and Great Harvest Bread Company.
General Nutrition Center Vitamin Drive
Two locally owned Herndon General Nutrition Centers are sponsoring a children's vitamin drive to benefit the Herndon Free Clinic. Fox Mill and Franklin Farm GNC owner Grace Wolf will match every box of regularly priced children's multivitamins purchased for donation to the Herndon Free Clinic with another box. Shoppers can leave their business card marked "Herndon Free Clinic" or a note with their purchase and GNC will deliver all donated and purchased vitamins to the Herndon Free Clinic. Both store locations are also accepting small cash donations to purchase additional children's vitamins at cost for the Herndon Free Clinic. Shoppers can make their purchases and donations until Dec. 23 at both Herndon GNC locations. Call Wolf at 703-860-1993 or Herndon Free Clinic executive director, Mary Jane Jobe, at 571-261-5262.
Collecting Blankets
Residents with old towels, blankets or toys appropriate for animals laying around the house can donate the items to Herndon middle schooler Erin Rider. Currently working on a school service project, Rider is collecting the items for the Friends of Homeless Animals. Call Rider or her mother, Kara Rider, at 703-437-7850 to coordinate a time to drop off items or to schedule a time to pick up items. All items should be donated by Dec. 10.
Herndon Company Receives Funding
Secure Elements, a Herndon-based information and technology security firm, recently received $3 million in venture capital funding.
As a recipient of the funding, Secure Elements becomes one of eight Fairfax County-based IT companies to receive venture capital investments in the third quarter, totaling $70.7 million, according to the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority. Through the first three quarters of this year, 39 Fairfax County companies have received $254.8 million in venture funding.
Fairfax County companies have received almost $4 billion in private equity funding since the FCEDA began its Capital Attraction Program in 1997. This program links entrepreneurs with possible funding sources. More than 30 venture capital firms and organizations have offices in Fairfax County — the highest concentration in the Washington area.
This business growth helps Fairfax County fund public services such as the public school system and library, public safety, social services and park systems that improve the quality of life.
Herndon Chamber Event
The Herndon Dulles Chamber of Commerce is providing a way to meet representatives of local nonprofit organizations face-to-face Thursday, Nov. 17, at an evening mixer at Embassy Suites hotel from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The location is 13341 Woodland Park Drive in Herndon. The event brings individuals together who are displaying information about their nonprofit organizations, as well as local business people in a relaxed, after-business-hours mode. Representatives of organizations like Special Olympics Virginia, American Red Cross, Herndon Free Clinic, Express Care and several more will be on hand to explain how their projects improve the quality of life of so many people. All are welcome and have the option to register at the door. Register in advance at www.HerndonDullesChamber.org, call 571-323-5300 or send an e-mail to info@herndondulleschamber.org.
Herndon CEO Recognized
James Madison University recognized three
of its own recently with alumni awards for professional
achievement and service to the university.
Kenneth R. Bartee, a 1983 graduate, was a co-recipient of the Inez Graybeal Roop Distinguished Alumni Service Award for 2005. Bartee is president and chief executive officer of McDonald Bradley Inc., an information technology consulting firm in Herndon, that recently received the 2005 Greater Washington Government Award for Small Contractor of the Year. Bartee has mentored students, worked with student teams on real-world projects, hired graduates and interns and provided JMU faculty with many professional development opportunities. In 2004, he helped to establish a $250,000 scholarship fund in JMU's business college. Named for a 1935 Madison graduate, the Roop award recognizes alumni for their dedication and volunteer commitment to the university and its alumni association.
Herndon High School Book Fair
The Herndon High School Library/Media Center is sponsoring a book fair fund-raiser at the Reston Barnes & Noble Bookstore Nov. 17-19, from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. By purchasing books, music, DVDs, gifts, magazines, using the vouchers during those dates, Barnes & Noble will make a cash donation to the library of up to 25 percent of total purchases. Vouchers will be available in the Herndon High School main office, in the Herndon High media center and from Herndon High English teachers. If you forget your vouchers, just ask the cashier. Reston Barnes & Noble is located near Reston Town Center in The Spectrum Center, 1851 Fountain Drive, Reston, 703-437-9490.
Teen After-school Program
Teenagers 12 to 17 are invited to the Herndon Community Center for an afternoon of refreshments and a movie — free. Teen Cinema is held the second and fourth Thursday of every month from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. All movies are rated PG or PG-13.
* Nov. 24: No movie/Thanksgiving holiday
* Dec. 8: "Fat Albert"
* Dec. 22: "Coach Carter"
To find out what's playing, to be placed on a mailing list or to register, call the Herndon Community Center at 703-435-6868.
Town Calendar
Leaf Collection north of the bike trail.
Thursday, Nov. 17, 7:30 p.m.
Board of Zoning Appeals
Saturday, Nov. 19
LINK Holiday Gift Baskets, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Trinity Presbyterian Church
Thanksgiving Golf Tournament, 9 a.m., Herndon Centennial Golf Course
Turkey Trot 5K race, 4 p.m., Herndon Community Center
Herndon Lights Up the Holidays, 5 to 8 p.m., Worldgate Center
Neighborhood College Alumni Group, 7 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 21, 7 p.m.
Architectural Review Board/Heritage Preservation Review Board public hearing
Planning Commission work session
Tuesday, Nov. 22, 7:30 p.m.
Town Council public hearing