Teens Charged in Fire
<bt>Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department fire investigators charged three juvenile males, Wednesday, Nov. 24 with setting a fire capable of spreading (Class 6 felony), for burning or destroying property valued over $200 (Class 4 felony), and unlawfully destroying, defacing, damaging or removing property over $1,000 (Class 6).
The arrests are in connection with several fires set at 3210 Kinross Circle, Oak Hill Elementary School on Saturday, Nov. 20. The fire caused damages totaling approximately $6,000. The juveniles are 14 and 15 years of age.
Class 6 felonies can convey a term of imprisonment of not less than one year nor more than five years, or in the discretion of the jury or the court trying the case without a jury, confinement in jail for not more than 12 months and a fine of not more than $2,500, either or both.
Class 4 felonies can convey a term of imprisonment of not less than two years nor more than 10 years and, subject to subdivision, a fine of not more than $100,000.
The three youths are from the Herndon and Chantilly areas and have been released to their parents.
<sh>Towne Square Singers
<bt>The Herndon Towne Square Singers will perform, "Winterlude, a Season of the Heart," at the Industrial Strength Theatre Friday, Dec. 3 and Saturday, Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 5 at 2 p.m. Admission is $9 for adults, $7 seniors and children. Industrial Strength Theatre is located at 269 Sunset Park Drive.
<sh>Herndon Homes Tour
<bt>The 19th annual Herndon Homes Tour will be Saturday, Dec. 4, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and will showcase an array of homes that reflect the town's history from it's inception until the 20th century.
Featured on this year's tour is Elwardstone, built in 1876 by Herndon's first mayor, Isaiah Bready, a small Victorian home built 22 years later as well as a charming 1930s home that was featured eight years ago in the Warner Brothers film "Contact" staring Jodie Foster and Matthew McConaughey.
The tour, sponsored by the Herndon Historical Society, was created to increase interest in and awareness of the importance of Herndon's older buildings and to focus the public's attention on Herndon as a special place to live.
Tickets are on sale now until Friday, Dec. 3 at Herndon Florist, Inc. and the Herndon-Dulles Visitors Center. Advance tickets are $12, tickets the day of are $15 and available 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Herndon Depot Museum, 717 Lynn Street.
<sh>Herndon Holiday Tree Lighting
<bt>The town's Holiday Tree Lighting & Sing-along sponsored by the Herndon Dulles Chamber of Commerce will be held Saturday, Dec. 4, at 5 p.m. at the Town Hall Square, Elden and Lynn Streets.Ê
<sh>Lessons in Gingerbread Building
On Saturday, Dec. 4, at 11 a.m., area children will perfect their gingerbread skills at the Hilton Washington Dulles. Registered participants will be taught professional skills by the HiltonÕs award-winning pastry chef, Steve Miller. Chef Miller will go over the basics of gingerbread house creating, as well as share special expert techniques. Each child will take home their own house, recipes and the skills of a trained pastry chef.
On display at the Hilton Washington Dulles will be Chef MillerÕs own gingerbread village. This village, a 20 feet by 20 feet display, includes completely edible, hand-made structures.
<sh>Helping AD/HD Students
<bt>Learn about the latest practices used to help children with AD/HD Monday, Dec. 6, from 7 - 8:30 p.m. at Educational Connections. The workshop will feature the latest material from the 2004 CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficits/Hyperactivity Disorder) National Conference, and will focus on the implications of AD/HD at home and in the classroom and how parents can help their children become more successfull and independent learners.
Ann Dolin, a private tutor and founder of Educational Connections, Inc. will host the event at her office at 12801 Worldgate Drive, fifth floor in the conference room. RSVP five days prior by calling 703-264-7400 or by sending an email to ann@educational-connections.com. The cost of the workshop is $20 due on or before the RSVP date. The classes benefit children of all ages, materials will be provided and refreshments will be served.
<sh>Town Council Special Session
<bt>The Town Council will hold a special strategy session Tuesday, Dec. 7, at 6:30 p.m. before the scheduled 7:30 p.m. work session to discuss fiscal year 2006 budget goals and objectives.
<sh>Woman Killed in Auto Accident
<bt>A 48-year-old Herndon area woman was killed in a single car crash, according to the Fairfax County Police. At 9:03 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 21, Jinghaua Chi, of Autumn Crest Court, was driving on Lawyers Road prior to Soapstone Drive in the Reston area. She allegedly drove into a tree and her car flipped over. She was dead at the scene. Wet conditions may have played a role in the crash. This is the 55th fatality in Fairfax County this year.
<sh>Herndon Dulles Chamber of Commerce 101
<bt>Learn how to maximize the benefits of being a member of the Herndon Dulles Chamber of Commerce, Wednesday, Dec. 15. The event, geared toward new and prospective members, begins at noon and will be held at the ITT Technical Institute, 14420 Albermarle Pointe Place, Suite 100 in Chantilly. Free, but please RSVP to Membership Manger Ellen Kaminsky 703-437-5556, ext. 102, or e-mail membership@HerndonDullesChamber.org.
<sh>Chamber December Mixer
<bt>The Herndon Dulles Chamber of Commerce monthy mixer will be held, Thursday, Dec. 16, 5:30 Ñ 7:30 p.m., at St. JosephÕs Events Hall, 750 Peachtree St. This mixer will showcase local non-profit organizations and offer the opportunity for business and organization personnel to learn how numerous organizations can enhance the quality of life in a community, as well as make business contacts. Refreshments provided. Entrance fee, $5/$15 at the door members/nonmembers. RSVP and info: 703-437-5556, ext. 100. Access a map online at ww.herndondulleschamber.org.
<sh>Celtic Holiday Celebration
<bt>Hammered dulcimer player and Irish instrumentalist, Maggie Sansone, will perform Friday, Dec. 17 at 8 p.m. at the Industrial Strength Theatre located at 269 in the Sunset Business Park in Herndon.
This holiday concert will also feature Lisa Moscatiello, a vocalist and guitarist, Sue Richards on Celtic harp and Fred Leider on cello.
Sansone is an author of hammered dulcimer music books and founder and CEO of Maggie's Music record label which features over 40 recordings distributed worldwide. She has eight recordings and is a seven-time WAMMIE winner for "record label of the year." Sansone has performed on stages from National Geographic and the Kennedy Center Concert hall to a variety of festivals. Admission is $9 in advance and $10 at the door for adults; $7 in advance and $8 at the door for children 12 and under.
<sh>Town E-mail Change
<bt>The Town of Herndon's domain name has changed from town.herndon.va.us to herndon-va.gov. Although the town's Web site can be accessed by either domain name, the new domain name must be used to send email to town staff beginning Dec. 1. For example, to reach John Doe the e-mail would be sent to john.doe@herndon-va.gov. For more information, call the Department of Information Technology at 703-435-6800 ext. 4357.
<sh>Pardoned Turkeys Arrive
<bt>The presidential turkey and his back-up arrived at Kidwell Farm in Frying Pan Park after White House pardoning ceremonies Wednesday, Nov. 17. The presidential turkey and his back-up, named via a nationwide contest as Biscuits and Gravy respectively, were presented to the White House by the National Turkey Federation for the presidentÕs annual Thanksgiving message to the nation. President George W. Bush pardoned this yearÕs turkeys who will live out the remainder of their lives at the Herndon farm, a local tradition since 1989.
The presentation of turkeys to the president of the United States dates back to the Lincoln administration but the ceremony was started in the 1940s during the Truman administration. President Truman exonerated the bird and a holiday tradition was created.
These two will join last yearÕs bird, Stars who continues to enjoy his golden years. The birds generally have a short retirement since the turkeys arrive at the farm past their prime and at the outer edge of their life expectancy. The turkeys often weigh upwards of 50 pounds and are a big attraction to area school children who visit regularly. Farm staff works to make these residents comfortable and welcome in the ÒPresidential Suite,Ó a red wooden shed surrounded by a generous fenced pen.
The park is located at 2709 West Ox Road in Herndon. For more information about Frying Pan Park, call 703-437-9101.
<sh>Herndon Festival Volunteers
<bt>Volunteers are needed for the Herndon Festival planning and entertainment committees. Interested members of the community and civic groups from throughout the town are invited to assist the Herndon Parks and Recreation Department in the planning and execution of the 25th annual Herndon Festival to be held June 2 - 5, 2005.
Volunteers are also needed to serve on the Entertainment sub-committee, which will meet once or twice to consider possible performers and make suggestions to the festival executive committee.
For more information about the planning committee call the Herndon Community Center at 703-435-6800, ext. 2123. Those interested in the Entertainment sub-committee should call 703-435-6800, ext. 2120.
<sh>Construction To Affect Elden Street
<bt>Construction work required for the completion of the new Safeway on Elden Street between Grant Street and Post Drive is under way. One lane heading eastbound will be eliminated for approximately 60 days. Traffic will be slowed, but should flow smoothly. Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes to avoid delays. For more information, contact Hardaway Construction at 1-540-295-5768.
<sh>Sewer Reconstruction Project
<bt>A contractor for the Town of Herndon will be repairing the sewer system at the locations listed below. Restoration is necessary to meet current standards and eliminate maintenance problems.
The construction will take place with advance notice to all businesses and residences that will be affected. Effort will be made to complete this project with minimum inconvenience to residents, businesses and motorists.
For more information, call the Department of Public Works at 703-435-6860 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., weekdays.
Sewer reconstruction locations are: Elden Street between Van Buren Street and after Herndon Parkway; Charlton Place -- all; Dranesville Road between Madison Forest Drive and Fillmore Street; Missouri Avenue between Alabama Drive and Stuart Court; Stuart Court -- all; Virginia Avenue -- all; Cordell Way -- all; Reneau Way -- all; Tamarack Way -- all.
<sh>Senior Cinema at Center
<bt>Seniors can enjoy an afternoon of refreshments and a movie for free. Senior Cinema will be held every first and third Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Herndon Community Center. All movies are rated PG or PG-13.
Senior Cinema schedule is:
* Dec. 2: Dr. Seuss's "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," starring Jim Carrey.
* Dec. 16: "A Christmas Story."
For more information, call 703-435-6868 or register on-line at www.herndon-va.gov. The Herndon Community Center is located at 814 Ferndale Avenue.
<sh>Town Calendar
<bt>Thursday, Dec. 2
Herndon Community Association Coatlition, 7 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 3
Towne Square Singers Concert, Insdustrial Strength Theatre, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 4
19th Annual Herndon Homes Tour, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Lighting of Town Christmas Tree and Chamber of Commerce Sing-A-Long, Town Hall Square, 5 p.m.
Town Square Singers Concert, Industrial Strength Theatre, 7: 30 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 5
Holiday Arts & Crafts Show, Community Center, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Towne Square Singers Concert, Industrial Strength Theatre, 2 p.m.
Deadline for payment of second half of 2004 Real Estate taxes.
Monday, Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m.
Planning Commission public hearing.
Tuesday, Dec. 7
Hanukkah Begins.
Pearl Harbor Rememberance Day.
Town Council special strategy session, 6: 30 p.m.
Town Council work session, 7:30 p.m.