People

From Veterinarian to Art Photographer

The Art Guild of Clifton hosted its first art show of 2015 by highlighting the photographs of Jamie Netschert. Netschert started taking photographs as an undergraduate student at Weber State University where he received a degree in Zoology.

Mount Vernon's Robert A. Clark: World War II Navy Carrier Ace

Robert A. (Bob) Clark, 91, born Jan. 17, 1922, New York, N.Y., retired U.S. Navy carrier fighter ace and 48-year resident of Mount Vernon, died on Jan. 21, 2015, of pneumonia.

Pet Connection 2015

Adorable pet photos submitted by our readers.

Saving Sarge

Sarge, a 2-year-old brown tabby, was found recently by an exterminator in a crawl space of a foreclosed home. He is partially blind and deaf. A good Samaritan took him from the exterminator and rushed him to the veterinarian who then called a local cat rescue group, Helping Homeless Felines. "He was almost dead" said Val Garcia, president of the local rescue group. "I saw the vet records and can confirm the seriousness of his condition. I ended up fostering Sarge initially to help him heal."

Meet LuLu of Fairfax

Do you ever feel like your dog’s trying to tell you something? You might see these clues in body language, hear how a dog barks, or maybe your dog will get an object that represents what it wants, such as a leash.

Fairfax County Animal Shelter Gets Creative to Save Lives

Since 2013, Fairfax County has been the largest jurisdiction in the United States with a placement rate of animals above 90 percent. Last year alone, nearly 2,500 animals were adopted, which is nearly double the adoptions just two years earlier.

Finding Forever Families for Felines

Nonprofit helps Animal Shelters with overflow.

Jacquie Barker saw the problem with the normal animal rescue cycle. Ideally, animal rescue starts with the rescue, followed by a period of sheltering, and finally, adoption. But often rescue organizations’ efforts get stuck during the sheltering or fostering phase.

Herndon Village Network Hosts Wine Tasting

Herndon Village Network (HVN), a nonprofit organization in Herndon that will help to improve the lives of the 55+ seniors living in the community, hosted a Wine Tasting Fundraiser - an evening of wine, food, music and art on Feb. 15 at ArtSpace Herndon.

Microchip Reunites Pet With Owner

On the night of Wednesday, Jan. 28, a cat invited itself into the home of a McLean resident, bringing with it a mystery spanning several months and almost a hundred miles. An ODAHC client watched with awe as a friendly black cat with a white chest, or "Tuxedo" cat, walked in through her garage and made itself at home. When she saw that her visitor was sneezing, had an infection in both of its eyes, and was suffering from a recent puncture wound through its ear, the kind-hearted client knew she had to take action: she called and made an appointment.

Virginia Secretary of Trade and Commerce to Keynote Chamber Gala

The Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce announced that Maurice A. Jones, Virginia Secretary of Trade and Commerce, will keynote its Winter Gala and Board Installation on March 12, 2015 at the Gannett Conference Center (7959 Jones Branch Drive, McLean).

Helping on Deadline

Reston, Herndon, Great Falls and McLean reporter Ken Moore, of Potomac, with his 14-year-old tabby Trilke. "Don't forget to feed me on your way out to deadline!"

People and Pets Love Stories

t’s that time of year again! Nope, not a holiday - although perhaps it should be! It’s that anticipated edition when the Connection Newspapers celebrate the furry, or finned or feathered or scaled or clawed creatures that make themselves a cherished part of the family. Although Reston and Herndon probably number as many pets as people in their populations, sadly we’ve only got room to introduce you to a few – so here we go!

McLean Student’s Artwork Featured at the Smithsonian

High school senior would like to use art to help others.

Maya Chung, of McLean, a senior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST), is the youngest of 56 artists selected to have their art displayed in the “Artists at Work” exhibit at the Smithsonian’s Ripley Center in Washington, D.C. Chung’s black ink drawing titled “Redbay (Persea borbonia)” was inspired by a botanical sample collected in the museum’s butterfly garden, and is in the style of a scientific drawing.

Priceless Puppies, Future Service Dogs

Photographer Joan Brady of Great Falls volunteers with a nonprofit called paws4people.org which raises and trains service dogs, including psychiatric assistance dogs for veterans with PTSD and assistance dogs for children with disabilities. Brady documents the dogs from birth.

Celebrating Black History Month

This week in Reston.

The Connection