Herndon High Staff Recognized
Ten members of Herndon High School's faculty were named in this year's edition of "Who's Who Among America's Teachers, 2004/2005." This is a prestigious award because it means each person was recognized for educational excellence by their community. Recipients of the award include: music teacher Chris Cunningham; English teachers Yolanda Brooks, Janice Jewell, Gregory Nelson and Connie Casserly; math teachers Dixie Mayall and Catherine Bobzien; art teacher Leslie Casey; social studies teacher Sara Cranford; and foreign language instructor Melissa Peroutseas.
Additionally, Herndon High also had three teachers achieve National Board Certification recently. These teachers include social studies teachers Sara Cranford, Yasmin Petras and Chris Smith. National Board Certification is a symbol of professional teaching excellence. The certificate will attest that a teacher was judged by their peers as one who is accomplished, makes sound professional judgments about students' best interests and acts effectively on those judgments. Cranford, Petras and Smith join eight current staff members already certified.
Thanksgiving Day Shooting
The Herndon Police reported several shots fired Thanksgiving Day at approximately 1:52 p.m. in the 1000 block of Knight Lane. The police have no leads on who fired the shots that struck two homes or why they were fired, said Sgt. Darcy Burns, Herndon Police. No one was injured. Police are requesting that anyone with additional information contact the department at 703-435-6846.
Sentenced to 10 Years
Mohammed A. Bajwa, 39, of Herndon, was sentenced on Nov. 29 for operating an unlicensed money transmitting business and committing wire fraud in connection with a personal mortgage refinancing application, according to a press release from Rod J. Rosenstein, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland.
Bajwa was sentenced to 10 years in prison and five years of supervised release.
Between 1999 and August 2002, Bajwa caused more than $6 million to be transmitted to overseas banks in Pakistan and other countries without obtaining the proper license from the Virginia State Corporation Commission, according to the release.
Bajwa, who was ordered to forfeit his Herndon home and $3.5 million in cash, was convicted in April 2005 for immigration fraud and was sentenced to two years in prison.
Leaf Collection Extended
Due to the extended stay of leaves this year the Town of Herndon’s leaf collection program has been extended. Leaves will now be collected until the last leaves fall or a large snowstorm arrives. Although town calendars state that leaf collection is done the first four weeks of November, in the best interest of the town and its residents, the collection will be extended. Leaves can be raked loose to the curb, but must not block drainage ditches or roadways. Leaf pick-ups will be done on an as needed basis. For more information regarding the Town’s leaf collection program, call 703-435-6853.
Storm Water Management Program
Prepare waste for trash day with these helpful hints: Please place yard waste and trash curbside by 7 a.m. on the scheduled trash pickup day, but not more than 24 hours prior to that day.
To prepare yard waste, cut brush, branches and tree limbs into 4-foot lengths and then tie into bundles that do not weigh more than 50 pounds.
Grass clippings, shrub clippings, weeds and leaves must be placed in 30-gallon Kraft, recyclable bags that can be purchased at a grocery or home improvement store.
To save time and money, place grass clippings on the lawn to help reduce the need for fertilizer or compost them in a yard. In November, leaves are collected on streets based on location. Leaves can be raked loose to the curb, but must not block drainage ditches or roadways. For more information regarding the Town’s storm water management program, call 703-435-6853.
Two Arrested for Theft
After attempting to purchase items with a stolen credit card at Footlocker in Herndon, two suspects were arrested and charged last week with credit card fraud, credit card forgery and identity theft.
Jimmie M. McCray, 21, of Reston and another suspect, a 17-year-old male with no fixed address, tried to buy merchandise at the store on Tuesday, Nov. 22, around 7:46 p.m., according to a police report. Herndon Police arrived on the scene after receiving a call that two suspects had attempted to use a stolen credit card. When police arrived, the suspects had left the store, but police located them in a stolen vehicle, said the report.
Due to stolen property located in the vehicle, other jurisdictions continue to investigate McCray and the 17-year-old.
McCray was transported to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center and is being held without bond. He was also served with felony warrants out of Fairfax County for robbery, malicious wounding and grand larceny.
The 17-year-old suspect is also being held at Fairfax County Juvenile Detention Center.
Tennis Tournament Results
The Herndon Parks and Recreation Department men's Round Robin Doubles Tournament was held last week at Bready Park Indoor Tennis Center.
Mike Frawley of Herndon and his partner Jeff Tabelon of Burke defeated Frank Alvarado of Reston and Murali Gunasekaran of Sterling in the finals 6-1, 7-6 (7-5). A total of 10 teams (20 players) competed in two five-team divisions. The two finalist teams played six matches. For more information on the Indoor Tennis Center or programs offered by the Herndon Parks and Recreation Department, call 703-787-7300 or visit http://herndon-va.gov.
Dessert Concert Series, Dec. 2
The VOCE Chamber Singers are scheduled to be the next performers of St. Timothy's Episcopal Church's dessert concert series. The concert, which takes place on Friday, Dec. 2, at 8 p.m., will include a Christmas Cantata by Daniel Pinkham and highlight popular and classical holiday music from around the globe. Voce, a voice chorus now in its 11th season is recognized as one of the Washington, D.C. area's premier chamber choral groups.
This holiday season, give the gift of music with tickets to St. Timothy's Christmas Concert. Contact Peter Waggoner at St. Timothy's, 703-437-3790 ext. 16; call VOCE at 703-277-7772; or e-mail at VoceVa@hotmail.com. St. Tim's is located at 432 Van Buren St.
Live Nativity at Southview Baptist
Southview Baptist Church is celebrating the holiday season with a "Living Nativity," complete with sheep, goats, donkeys and a camel, on Friday, Dec. 2 and Saturday, Dec. 3 from 7-9 p.m. Southview Baptist Church is located at Reston Parkway and Fox Mill Road. Call 703-860-8800.
Holiday Shop at St. Timothy's
St. Timothy's Episcopal Church Annual Holiday Shop featuring crafts and small business vendors is open Saturday, Dec. 3, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Enjoy holiday shopping with a wide variety of gifts for everyone without the hustle, bustle and hassle of shopping malls and overcrowded stores. St. Timothy's is located at 432 Van Buren St. Visit www.saint-timothys.org.
Clearview Holiday Fair, Dec. 2
Clearview Elementary is having a Holiday Craft Fair, Friday, Dec. 2, from 6 to 8 p.m. Vendors interested in selling at the fair are encouraged to sign up. For more information, call 703-318-7852. Clearview is located at 12635 Builders Road in Herndon.
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 open second and fourth Thursday of every month from 2:30-4:30 p.m. All movies are rated PG or PG-13.
* 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 on-going.
Thursday, Dec. 1, 7 p.m.
Herndon Community Association Coalition Meeting
Friday, Dec. 2, 7:30 p.m.
Towne Square Singers concert, Industrial Strength Theatre
Saturday, Dec. 3
20th Annual Herndon Homes Tour, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Lighting of Town Christmas Tree and Holiday Sing-Along, Town Hall Square, 5 p.m.
Towne Square Singers concert, Industrial Strength Theatre, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 4, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Annual Holiday Arts and Crafts show, Herndon Community Center
Towne Square Singers concert, Industrial Strength Theatre, 2 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 5
Deadline for payment of second half of 2005 Real Estate taxes
Planning Commission public hearing, 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m.
Town Council work session
Wednesday, Dec. 7
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day