Column: Expand Early Voting Now in NOVA
The success of early voting in the 2016 Presidential Election reaffirms my conclusion from visiting 12,000 homes last year — Virginia should expand early voting.
Facing Addiction, Tools in Fairfax County
The following information was provided by the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board.
The Surgeon General released the first-ever report on Facing Addiction in America on Thursday, Nov. 17.
Editorial: Every day can be “small business day” in Reston
There is a joy to participating in community traditions and celebrations during the holidays, from walking along a sidewalk with the streets decked out for the holidays, to shopping in local stores, to being greeted by someone likely to be the owner of the store, to finding gifts that are not mass-produced.

Reston: ‘Wild’ Chinese Lantern Festival Illuminates NoVa
Over 800 hand-made lanterns have been shipped from southern China to northern Virginia for the Chinese Lantern Festival at Roer’s Zoofari, the old Reston Zoo, in Vienna. All the lanterns in the festival are life-sized or oversized animals that stand at heights as tall as 55 feet, says George Zhao, spokesperson for the festival.

Reston: Seahawks Advance to Region Semifinals
South Lakes (11-1) to face Lake Braddock (11-1), the top-ranked team in the state.
With less than two minutes to play, it appeared the Seahawks had made an improbable comeback to advance to the region semifinals. After falling behind 14-0, they had scored three unanswered touchdowns. But the Wildcats pulled off a miraculous 75-yard flea-flicker bomb for a score with 1:25 remaining, stunning South Lakes and pulling Centreville to within 22-20.

Reston: Paying Traffic Tickets with Canned Food Donations?
Reston-based company StandUnited is petitioning the Fairfax County Police Department to allow people to pay their parking tickets with canned food donations for one week during the holidays.

The Nutcracker Ballet in Herndon
The Classical Ballet Theatre in Herndon presents its condensed Children's Series Nutcracker.
The Classical Ballet Theatre in Herndon presented its Children's Series Nutcracker, a condensed version of the popular holiday classic. The ballet is based on E.T.A. Hoffman's story, "The Nutcracker and the House King." Next weekend, the Classical Ballet Theatre will perform Saturday, Nov. 26 and Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016, at the Ernst Community Cultural Center at the NVCC Annandale Campus, located at 8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale.

Herndon: Viewpoints A Thanksgiving Tradition Continues Strong at Herndon Elementary
What are you thankful for?
“The police are very supportive of the school and community as a whole,” says Nancy Cassidy, an office assistant in the main office of the elementary school. “I think they’re very good at community outreach.” She says police officers come every Friday to help pack bags for the school’s Weekend Backpack Program, a program that provides children in need with nutritious, easy-to-prepare food at times when school resources are unavailable, such as weekends and during school vacations. “The kids love seeing them,” Cassidy says.

Herndon Turkey Trot Race a Success
Some 858 runners participate in pre-Thanksgiving tradition at Herndon Community Center.
The first-place male winner was James Luehrs, 23, of Reston, who finished with a time of 16:16. He is Herndon High School's cross country and distance track coach. Some 858 runners participated in The Turkey Trot 5K Race sponsored by the Herndon Parks and Recreation Department on Saturday, Nov. 19 at the Herndon Community Center. The race wound around the Herndon Centennial Golf Course.

Herndon Receives First Application for ‘Metro’ Area Redevelopment
Stanley Martin Homes wants to build 64 new townhomes at 625 Herndon Parkway.
Stanley Martin Homes wants to build 64 new townhomes at 625 Herndon Parkway. This is the first redevelopment requested for the Herndon Transit-Oriented Core, roughly 38 acres of land immediately north of the new metrorail station that is being constructed in Herndon on the Silver line.

Herndon: Citizen Committee Rejects Cellphone Tower Next to Crossfield Elementary
Committee Denies Cell Tower Application
On Tuesday, Nov. 15, the Hunter Mill District Land Use Committee voted 3-2 to deny an application to build a cellphone tower on Crossfield Elementary School property on Fox Mill Road in Herndon. "This is about money, not anything else,” says Griffin, who is a father of a fourth grader who attends the elementary school.Milestone Communications towers on county school properties has generated more than $13 million of income over the last 20 years for the school system, says Forkas. The proposed tower would generate approximately $40,000 of revenue a year for the school system once at least three carriers agree to use the tower, he says.
Fairfax County: Commonwealth’s Attorney Begins Review of FCPD Report on Deputy-Involved INOVA Shooting
Commonwealth’s Attorney Ray Morrogh said he has received the completed criminal investigation from Fairfax County Police into the Aug. 15 fatal shooting of Yovani Amaya Gomez, 29, by Fairfax County Sheriff’s Deputy MDS Patrick McPartlin outside Inova Fairfax Hospital.

Fairfax County: Planning Commission Delays Vote on Farm Alcohol Zoning Amendment
The Fairfax County Planning Commission has deferred action on a zoning ordinance amendment that would affect the establishment and expansion of farm breweries, distilleries and wineries in the county.
Fairfax County: FCPS Testing Water Quality in Schools
Drinking water at 40 public schools in Fairfax County has been tested for safety, a release from FCPS said.

Fairfax County: School Board Formalizes Search for New Superintendent
Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYA) has been contracted by Fairfax County Public Schools to search for a new school system superintendent. Dr. Karen Garza announced on Sept. 19 she would be leaving that role to become president and CEO of the Columbus-based education organization Battelle for Kids.

Thinking Beyond Serving Meals
Experts advise finding age-appropriate ways for children to give back.
During this season of giving thanks, opportunities for expressions of gratitude can seem ubiquitous.
Easing Election Fears
Local therapists say acknowledging, reassuring are keys to easing anxiety.
On the morning after what was possibly the most adversarial election in recent history, psychologist Carolyn Lorente, Ph.D. felt an urge to send a text message to her two teenaged children.
Springfield Home Sales: October, 2016
In October, 2016, 146 Springfield homes sold between $810,000-$160,000.
Springfield Home Sales: October, 2016
Reston Home Sales: October, 2016
In October, 2016, 93 Reston homes sold between $1,259,000-$152,000.
Reston Home Sales: October, 2016

Roberta Thole Presents ‘Then and Now’ at Reston Art Gallery & Studios
Roberta Thole's contemporary and abstract works visually contain times past and present, with imagery and ideas of Greco-Roman antiquity. Known for her use of copper and fresco, her canvases are richly textured with geometric and architectural elements resembling ancient walls and ruins, resulting in a range of timeless, complex works. “Then and Now” is on exhibit now through Dec. 1. All are welcome to visit the working studio to see the display during weekend gallery hours, or by appointment, or by chance at Reston Art Gallery & Studios, 11400 Washington Plaza, Reston.