Hadeed Holds 7th Annual Coat Drive
Nov. 17 collection to benefit ChildHelp.
This year's drive will be held Saturday, Nov. 17 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 3206 Duke Street. Donors can schedule coat donation pick-ups from Nov. 1 to Nov. 17 by calling the Hadeed Carpet offices at 703-836-1111.
Reston Residents Meet to Prepare for the Next Storm
On Saturday, Nov. 3, just days after Hurricane Sandy hit our region, Reston residents engaged in a dialogue at a forum titled “Is Your Neighborhood Ready for the Next Big Storm,” held at Reston Community Center Lake Anne. The event was organized by Reston for a Lifetime with the support of Reston Community Center and Reston Citizens Association to help create awareness and a dialogue before the first big snowstorm hits our region.
Shop 'Til You Drop
Score Black Friday steals and deals locally.
Coordinated by the Shop Local Alexandria project and the Old Town Boutique District, more than 50 of Alexandria's independently owned shops will be participating in this year's Black Friday promotion.
Reston Holiday Parade Set for Nov. 23
Reston Town Center presents the 22nd annual Reston Holiday Parade on Friday, Nov. 23 at 11 a.m. to launch the festive season with Macy’s-style balloons, musicians, dancers, antique cars, and more. This one-of-a-kind, one-hour parade along Market Street will also welcome the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus in a horse-drawn carriage. The Reston Holiday Parade is held rain or shine, and since 1991 it has been an annual tradition on the day after Thanksgiving. The full day’s schedule is listed below, and more information is available at www.restontowncenter.com/holidays.
Letter: Volunteers Make Democracy Work
During my last canvassing on Nov. 5, I met a young female canvasser who truly exhibited outstanding determination in participating in the Get-Out-To-Vote effort of the Obama campaign. I spoke to Natalie Erdossy, and learned that Natalie brought her three very young children along during the canvassing, and that her husband was doing a second tour in Afghanistan with the State Department. She said that she was recruited by her neighbor Ellen Graves and she wanted to do her part. What I find so outstanding is that she was driven by a purpose greater that her immediate personal comfort.
Commentary: Reflections on the Elections
“Oh, no!” many may exclaim at the idea of hearing any more about the elections. But I believe it is instructive for the future to consider what happened and why. As residents of a battleground state, Virginians were inundated with telephone calls, television ads and slick mailers. Interestingly, the guys who spent the most money did not win. Virginia is a state that had just a few years ago elected Republicans to its top three statewide offices, majorities in the House and Senate, and eight of its 11 congressional representatives. Yet President Obama won the state handily. And former Governor Tim Kaine won a seat in the U.S. Senate even though 30 million in outside dollars were spent against him. How can this happen? Some of my thoughts on the question follow.
Column: Elections 2012—Role of Big Bucks Going Forward
Happy post-election to you all. Before I return to our discussion of our flawed election process and the role of the big bucks, I want to congratulate a good friend and fellow Restonian. Aaron Williams recently resigned after three years as director of the Peace Corps, one of America’s finest organizations. When this Reston resident, a former PC Voluneer himself, took over the Corps, it faced some major issues.
Looking for Gift Ideas?
The 2012 T.C. Williams Holiday Craft Fair will feature 45 vendors offering a variety of gift ideas.
Herndon, Reston Honor Veterans
American Legion hosts Veterans Day Observance.
“The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. Let us observe two full minutes of silence.” With those words, David Kirby, commander of Herndon-Reston American Legion Wayne M. Kidwell Post 184, opened the 2012 Veterans Day observance, addressing veterans, active duty members, town dignitaries and respectful citizens gathered on the green behind the Herndon Municipal Center. The commander was, of course, referring to 11 a.m., Nov. 11, 1918—the date and hour when hostilities on the Western Front of World War I officially came to an end. Originally celebrated as “Armistice Day” to remember those fallen in combat during that war, what we now call Veterans Day has evolved to honor those who made that ultimate sacrifice, and to thank all who have served and continue to do so.
You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby
March 4 is a great day. That’s the day, back in 1970, when Willa* moved from Jamaica to the States, following many of her friends who had done so in the ‘60s. First living in Fairfax, Willa and her husband moved to northwest D.C. after he joined her here in 1976.
Making a Difference
ACT for Alexandria (ACT) joins community foundations across the country in celebrating National Community Foundations Week Nov. 12-18 to recognize our role in promoting charitable giving and engagement to build a stronger Alexandria.
Week in Herndon
Town of Herndon government offices and services will be impacted by the Thanksgiving holiday as follows: Town Offices—Closed Thursday, Nov. 22 and Friday, Nov. 23 Refuse Collection—No refuse collected Thursday, Nov. 22. Refuse normally collected on Thursday will be collected Friday, Nov. 23. Herndon Community Center—Closed Thursday, Nov. 22; Open Friday, Nov. 23, 8 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Herndon Centennial Golf Course—Open Thursday, Nov. 22, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and Friday, Nov. 23, 8 a.m.-dark.
Obituary: Mabel Elizabeth Vannoy Bruce, 84, of Herndon, Dies
Mabel Elizabeth Vannoy Bruce, age 84, of Herndon, died Monday, Nov. 5. Bruce was the wife of the late Horace Dalton Bruce, mother of Horace Dalton Bruce Jr. (Mary Beth) of S.C., Jerry Ann Sajeski (William) of Manassas, Va., Michael Albert Bruce (Toni) of Bowie, Md., and of the late Linda Sue Bruce Erwin. She was also survived by seven grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren, other relatives and friends.
Herndon Cheer Team Wins State Championship
Goff along with assistant coaches Emma Collie, Suzanne Mansfield, Deven Song, Anna Seymour and Hayden Little led Herndon to win three District Titles, one Regional Title, and the 2012 State Championships. Collie and Mansfield are also retiring this year.
Lake Braddock Girls Capture State XC Title
Girls’ Chase wins 2nd individual title, boys’ Tuck places 2nd.
Lake Braddock senior Sophie Chase won her second consecutive AAA state cross country title on Nov. 10 at Great Meadow.
Langley Volleyball Team Bounces Back from Early Defeat
Saxons finished runner-up in Northern Region.
The Langley volleyball team finished Northern Region runner-up.
Oakton Girls’ X-Country Finishes State Runner-Up
Girls’ Klimkiewicz, boys’ Stoney earn individual all-state honors.
The Oakton cross country program had two individuals earn all-state honors at the VHSL state meet on Nov. 10 at Great Meadow.
Oakton Football Advances to Region Semifinals
No. 7 Cougars knock off No. 2 Lake Braddock.
The Oakton football team beat Lake Braddock on Nov. 9 to advance to the Northern Region semifinals.
Week in Vienna
Church Street Holiday Stroll Set for Nov. 26
The annual Holiday Stroll on Vienna’s historic Church Street will be held on Monday, Nov. 26, from 6 to 9 p.m. Church Street will be closed between Lawyers Road and Mill Street, and visitors are invited to stroll amid the sights and sounds of the holiday season and visit merchants along the way.
Give a Gift, Share a Gift
The season of sharing and gift-giving is upon us. The malls and chain stores scream “sale” and mass-produced merchandise, made in other countries, flies off the shelves. This year, why not seek out the unique, the one-of-a-kind gifts sold in places that offer personalized, welcoming service, the kind of place where the owners and staff are truly happy to see you.