Budget Hearings Scheduled
The Town of Herndon is in the process of preparing the upcoming fiscal year 2006 budget, including the FY '06-11 capital improvement program (CIP). The Town Council and Planning Commission will be holding several work sessions and public hearings to give an opportunity for interested citizens to present ideas or issues for consideration while the budget is being developed. All public hearings are held in the Council Chambers; work sessions are held in the conference room, both located at 765 Lynn St.
A budget summary will be mailed to all Herndon residents during the first week in April, at which time it is anticipated that the complete recommended budget document will be available for public review. Information will be posted on the town's Web site, www.herndon-va.gov, as it becomes available. A copy of the proposed budget will be available for review at the Herndon Fortnightly Library.
The complete budget schedule is as follows:
* Monday, Jan. 24, 7:30 p.m., Planning Commission to discuss the CIP.
* Monday, Feb. 7, 7:30 p.m., Planning Commission public hearing on the CIP and Envisioned Future Statement.
* Tuesday, Feb. 8, 7:30 p.m., Town Council public hearing on FY 2006 budget and Core Ideology and Envisioned Future Statement.
* Monday, Feb. 28, 7 p.m., Planning Commission work session to discuss the CIP.
* Monday, March 7, 7:30 p.m., Planning Commission public hearing on the CIP.
* Tuesday, April 5, 7:30 p.m., Town Council work session to review proposed budget and CIP.
* Tuesday, April 12, 7:30 p.m., Town Council public hearing to allow public testimony on proposed budget and FY '06 portion of CIP.
* Tuesday, April 19, 7:30 p.m., Town Council work session to review proposed budget and FY '06 portion of CIP.
* Tuesday, April 26, 7:30 p.m., Town Council public hearing — consideration and adoption budget and entire CIP.
Montessori Plans Open House
The Montessori School of Herndon will be holding its annual open house Saturday, Jan. 29 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Faculty and staff will be available to give information about the Montessori method of education and about the enrollment process.
Affiliated with The American Montessori Society, the academic program starts at the age of two-and-a-half and continues through fifth grade. There are enrichment and extra-curricular activities available to students.
The school is accepting applications for the 2005 summer program as well as the 2005-06 school year. Deadline for applications is Feb. 18 and the first consideration will be given to those who have submitted their applications between Nov. 17 and Feb. 18 — applications received after the deadline will be placed on the waiting list. Half day morning and full day kindergarten programs always have more applicants than spaces available.
The school is located at 840 Dranesville Road in Herndon. For more information contact LeighAnn or Maribeth at 703-437-8229 or online at www.montessori-va.com.
ESP Play Auditions
The Elden Street Players, an all-volunteer community theater company, will hold auditions for Charles Ludlam's "The Mystery of Irma Vep," Jan. 22 and 23.
Winner of the OBIE and Drama Desk Awards in 1984, "The Mystery of Irma Vep" is a comedic parody of every gaslight romance and thriller since "Jane Eyre" and "The Hound of the Baskervilles."
What makes it even more challenging is that two actors portray all eight character roles.
Auditions will take place Jan. 22 and 23 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Industrial Strength Theatre, 269 Sunset Park Drive, in Herndon.
ESP is seeking to cast two versatile male actors with good comedic timing to play multiple roles including male and female. Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script and the possibility of improvisation.
Additional information can be found online at www.eldenstreetplayers.org or by calling 703-481-5930. Production dates are March 25 to April 16.
Montessori Tsunami Relief
The children and faculty of the Montessori School in Herndon are collecting donations this month to help the victims of the Tsunami disaster. Make checks payable to the American Red Cross Tsunami Response (ART-TS), and bring the checks to the school located at 840 Dranesville Road.
The school will forward the donations to the American Red Cross. For more information or directions call, 703-437-8707.
DES Named Parent Involvement School
Dranesville Elementary School has been certified as a Parent Involvement School of Excellence by the National Parent Teacher Association (NPTA).
The certification recognizes the schools that uphold the highest standards in parents, teachers, students, administrators and the community.
Dranesville joins nine other Fairfax County Public Schools in this certification.
To complete the certification process each school has to form a team consisting of the principal, teachers, parents, students and community representatives, complete a self-assessment packet and apply for one of two distinctions, Certificate of Excellence of Recognition of Commitment. More than 250 schools nationwide have earned the Certification of Excellence.
Elden Street Players: 'Henry V'
The Elden Street Players (ESP) will open William Shakespeare's "Henry V," their first play of 2005, Jan. 21 at 8 p.m.
Produced by Eileen Mulee and directed by David Sher, "Henry V" runs Jan. 21 - Feb. 12, playing at 8 p.m. every Friday and Saturday and once on Sunday, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 seniors/students and are available by calling 703-481-5930. Performances are held at the Industrial Strength Theatre, 269 Sunset Business Park Drive in Herndon.
Chamber January Meetings
Chamber 101: Wednesday, Jan. 19, noon, at ITT Technical Institute, 14420 Albemarle Point Place, Suite 100, Chantilly.
This monthly seminar teaches how to use Chamber events and programs effectively. Lunch and networking with 25-30 other businesses included. Free, but pre-registration required with Membership Manager Ellen Kaminsky 703-437-5556, ext. 102, e-mail membership@HerndonDullesChamber.org .
Monthly Mixer: Thursday, Jan. 20, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., at Hawthorne Suites, 467 Herndon Pkwy. Rates: $10/members, $15 non-members at the door. RSVP and info: 703-437-5556, ext. 100.
Networking Breakfast in Chantilly: Thursday, Jan. 27, 8 a.m., Holiday Inn Select-Dulles Expo Center. Speaker Thomas V. Luhn, CPA , principal at Bond Beebe, will discuss, "Why Every Small Business Needs to Plan." The program also features an organized "Power Networking" segment. RSVP to 703-437-5556, ext. 100. Rates: $15 members/$20 non-members who prepay 48 hours in advance; otherwise $20 at the door for all. All welcome.
Kiddie Open Gym at Center
Toddlers can enjoy tumbling, big wheel days, kiddie basketball and some pool time at the Herndon Community Center during Kiddie Open Gym.
Kiddie Gym is open every Tuesday and Thursday from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. starting Jan. 4 to Feb. 24 in the Herndon Community Center Gym. Fee is $4 per child per day and discounted passes are available. An adult must accompany children.
The Herndon Community Center is located at 814 Ferndale Avenue. For more information call 703-435-6868 or register online at www.herndon-va.gov.
Teen After-School Cinema
Teens ages 12 to 17 are invited to the Herndon Community Center for an afternoon of refreshments and a movie — all free.
Teen Cinema will be held every second and fourth Thursday at 2:30 p.m. during January, February and March.
All movies are rated PG or PG-13.
To find out the movie schedule or to be placed on a mailing list, call the Herndon Community Center at 703-435-6868. To register online, go to www.herndon-va.gov.
Herndon Festival Volunteers
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 subcommittee, 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 subcommittee should call 703-435-6800, Ext. 2120.
Town Calendar
Wednesday, Jan. 19, 7 p.m.
Architectural Review Board/Heritage Preservation Review Board work session.
Thursday, Jan. 20
Inauguration Day.
Fairfax County Public Schools Closed.
Monday, Jan. 24, 7 p.m.
Architectural Review Board/Heritage Preservation Review Board public hearing.
Planning Commission work session.
Tuesday, Jan. 25, 7:30 p.m.
Town Council public hearing.