Agility Cats Perform at National Cat Show
Reston woman’s Abyssinian cats are famous for athletic prowess.
Cat trainer and breeder Lisa-Maria Padilla, 52, of Reston, appeared with her blue Abyssinian cats at the National Capital Cat Show at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly over the weekend, Sept. 7-8.
Life Time Athletic Opens in Reston
New gym brings jobs, promotes fitness in Reston
Life Time Athletic Reston held an official opening ceremony on the evening of Sept. 12. The grand opening ceremony was open to the public, and several local dignitaries attended, including Robert "Bob" Simon, Jr., founder of Reston. Life Time Athletics staff from the Reston store and other locations including Centreville were also on site to attend to the large number of visitors.
Reston Teen Serves Up Recipes the Italian Way
Ben Gaiarin, a 16-year-old Reston native and student at South Lakes High School, explores Italian cuisine.
Imagine yourself savoring all the flavors of Europe; the cheeses and breads of Switzerland, the bratwurst and schnitzel of Germany, the pastries of France, the pastas and pizzas of Italy and the classic dishes of countries like England, Spain, Austria and Hungary.
Lake Anne Interim Agreement Approved
Board of Supervisors hopes project will serve as revitalization catalyst.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved an interim agreement for the redevelopment of the Crescent Apartments, which are located in the Lake Anne Commercial Revitalization District. The 16.5-acre site contains 181 affordable housing units.
Sport and Health Hosts Concussion Forum
Former NFL players, doctors discuss diagnosis and care for athletes.
Worldgate Sport&Health Clubs hosted a forum for local parents and coaches Tuesday, Sept. 10 to discuss proper diagnosis and care for athletes with suspected concussions.
Festival on the Square Returns Oct. 27
The 5th annual Festival on the Square is Sunday, Oct. 27 from noon until 4 p.m. at Reston Heights, 11750 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston. In addition to hosting the Cornerstones (formerly Reston Interfaith) Help the Homeless Community Walk, Festival on the Square offers a full afternoon of free family fun including live entertainment, a petting zoo, a hay maze, trackless train rides, face painting, moon bounce, giant slide, children’s activities, trick-or-treating, plus the Z Car Club’s Judging and People’s Choice Award.
Commentary: Voter Suppression
As fundamental as the right to vote is to a democratic republic, free and open access to voting continues to be a contentious issue. From the earliest days of our nation’s history when only white male landowners could vote to recent history when the Voting Rights Act was intended to ensure that voter registration processes were open and fair, there have been expansions of the suffrage followed by efforts at retrenchment. While the Emancipation Proclamation may have freed the slaves, African Americans and other minorities have seen a steady stream of legislation and intimidation to keep them from voting.
Week in Herndon
Woodland Park Crossing to Host HarvestFest
Woodland Park Crossing presents the third annual HarvestFest, a fun fall-themed family event on Saturday, Sept. 28 from noon until 4 p.m. All are welcome to enjoy free entertainment, including a giant walking scarecrow, a juggling unicyclist, DJ music, and free activities such as face painting, glitter tattoos, pumpkin painting, fitness demos, prizes and more. Participating Woodland Park Crossing merchants and restaurants will offer giveaways and samplings at their booths, and Finnegan’s is hosting tastings of food and fall brews on their patio. Fitness demos will be presented by LA Boxing and Down Dog Yoga. Select HarvestFest proceeds will benefit local charities.
Seniors Spell in Bee, Expert Youth Speller Moderates
Herndon Senior Center hosted 200-plus senior attendees from 15 senior communities and 22 contestants on Sept. 11 in a spelling bee to remember. Lori Anne Madison, 7, the youngest ever participant in the Scripps National Spelling Bee from 2012, gave a presentation and assisted in word calling. The overall winner was Ruth Siegerson of Falcon's Landing.
A Playful Homage to Hitchcock
“The 39 Steps” opens at NextStop Theatre, Fairfax's newest professional theater.
"Hitchcock meets hilarity" is the way cast member Nick Rose describes "The 39 Steps," the first production of Fairfax County's newest professional theater company, NextStop Theatre in Herndon.
Record Crowds, Record Fundraising in Dulles Day Plane Pull
More than $226,000 raised for Special Olympics Virginia.
A record-breaking crowd—more than 16,000—turned out for the Sept. 14 Dulles Day Festival and Plane Pull at Dulles International Airport. In its 21st year, the event is a fundraiser for Special Olympics Virginia, pitting teams of 25 against one another to see who can pull an 82-ton, 164,000-pound airplane the fastest. Seventy teams registered to participate in the event, raising over $226,000—a record amount for the event. A new addition to the festivities this year was an early morning 5K on the Dulles runway, in which 2,000 runners participated. A highlight of the afternoon was the arrival of an FA2 fighter attack sea harrier jet, which demonstrated its vertical take off and landing capabilities to a rapt crowd.
Herndon Parks and Recreation Wins Awards for Marketing
Approximately 450 delegates from Virginia gathered in early September for the 59th annual conference of the Virginia Recreation and Park Society, which was held in Williamsburg. The conference is a learning exchange and provides an opportunity for recreation and park professionals to collaborate and ultimately improve the delivery of parks and recreation services. A highlight of each conference is a presentation of awards. This year Herndon Parks and Recreation had two items, which were selected in the 25,000 and less population category:
Artistic Talents Unlocked
Stimulating “The Pitmen Painters” at 1st stage.
"When and Where" 1st Stage presents "The Pitmen Painters" at 1524 Spring Hill Road, Tysons Corner. Performances: Now thru Oct. 13: Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets: General admission: $27. Seniors $22. Students and Military $15. Visit: www.1ststagetysons.org or 703-854-1856. Note: Appropriate for ages 12 and up. Note: Want to know: http://www.ashingtongroup.co.uk/home.html.
Week in Vienna
Arrest Made in Homicide in the Vienna Area
Police are investigating an overnight homicide that occurred outside the Residence Inn, located at 8616 Westwood Center Drive. Officers were called to the location around 2 a.m. on Sept. 15 for the report of a person who was shot. They located the victim on the sidewalk and began efforts to resuscitate him; however, he was pronounced dead at the scene with injuries to the upper body.
Rauner Receives a Lifetime Achievement Award
Sharon Stakes, Executive Vice President of The Business Bank, announced that Harold C. Rauner, President/CEO of The Business Bank was honored with Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Lifetime Achievement Award on Sept. 6, 2013 at the Westin Washington Dulles Hotel and Resort in Herndon. Harry Rauner is a graduate of George Mason University, where he received both Undergraduate and Master’s degrees in Business Administration with a major in Finance and Real Estate. He began his banking career at the McLean Bank in 1974, where he held various positions to include Senior Vice President of Loan Administration and Commercial Loan Officer. He left McLean Bank in early 1987 to organize the Heritage Bank of Northern Virginia where he served as President, CEO and Director. Rauner left Heritage Bank to join The Business Bank in late 1994 where he assumed his current positions.
Environmental Peace Makers to Visit Unity of Fairfax in Oakton
Few bodies of water in the world are as revered, as fought over, or as polluted as the lower Jordan River, whose vital waters are shared by Israelis, Jordanians and Palestinians. Yet this river of historic conflict has become a symbol of peaceful cooperation, largely through the efforts of Friends of the Earth Middle East (FOEME), a unique, award-winning, tri-national organization that unites Jordanians, Palestinians, and Israelis around one very simple idea: the peaceful stewardship of the Earth. On Monday, Sept. 30, these gentlemen, who were named Heroes of the Environment by Time magazine, will be making a rare visit to the U.S., stopping in Oakton to speak to faith communities to raise awareness, build political momentum, and share their reasons for hope with Americans possessing strong spiritual ties to the Holy Land. They will be appearing at churches, mosques, synagogues and houses of worship in the Washington area from Sept. 27 to Oct. 5, followed by events in Chicago and New York.
When Food Is the Enemy
Pair of moms work to raise money for research into their sons' rare disorder.
For a small but growing number of parents, having a child who's a finicky eater would be a dream come true.
Vienna Commemorates ‘A Day to Remember’
Town, American Legion Post 180, pay tribute to lives lost on September 11, 2001.
On a hot and humid September 11, 2013, people in Vienna—as they did in towns and cities across America—reflected on the horrific terrorist attack that altered the lives of Americans from that date forward 12 years ago. More than 3,000 innocent human beings lost their lives when jetliners slammed into the World Trade Center twin towers, the Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania. Patriot Day pays tribute to lives lost, lives impacted and to the living who put themselves in harm's way to protect the nation.
Vienna Youth Football Season Kicks Off
There’s pro football, college football, high school football … and then, there’s VYI football. On a crisp fall day, it’s a long-time Vienna Saturday tradition. And now, Fairfax County’s youth football season is in full swing.
Historic Church Gets New Roof
The historic Antioch Christian Church is getting a new roof. The structure getting the new roof was built 1902-1903. Antioch Christian church is located at 1860 Beulah Road in Vienna. The church services include: Starting Point Contemporary worship - 9:30 a.m.; Classic/Traditional worship - 11 a.m.; Sunday School Bible Study- 9:30 a..m. and 11 a.m.