This week’s Pet of the Week is Sensational Sage, a Shiba Inu mix whose tail can never stop wagging.

Here’s what Safe Haven Puppy Rescue had to say about Sensational Sage:

Sage and his siblings Penny, Honey and Hickory are all friendly little pups whose tails never stop wagging. They’re just 9 weeks old and weigh 8 pounds or so. The online dog breed detector says Shiba Inu among other less likely breeds but these pups are clearly a delightful mix of many different breeds making them ALL AMERICAN mutt puppies!!! Any of these happy little pups will make their adopters terrific companions!!! Sage is up to date on her vaccinations and dewormings and carries an adoption fee of $389 which includes his microchip.

Are you and Sensational Sage the perfect match?

Meet Comical Coco, an adult chi mix, a 15-pound happy little guy who is reportedly great with other dogs and kids.

Here’s what Stone’s friends at Safe Haven Puppy Rescue had to say about him:

Meet Coco, a 4 year old chi mix who weighs about 15 pounds. This happy, friendly little guy will make his adopters a wonderful companion.

Coco is up to date on his shots, dewormings, and has been neutered. This beautiful little fella is going to be the apple of his new family’s eye so don’t delay in making this love muffin a member of your family!

So, what do you think. Are you and Comical Coco the perfect match?

This is an opinion column by Del. Ken Plum (D), who represents Reston in Virginia’s House of Delegates. It does not reflect the opinion of Reston Now.

When the final recount of votes in the two districts that were within a percentage point difference between the candidates are finally certified, it appears that in the House of Delegates the Republicans will have a 53 to 47 majority. Such a shift in partisan control is often referred to as “flipping the House” or “turning the House from blue to red.” Democrats who took control of the House in 2019 were not able to withstand the shifting winds as the string of Democratic governors was broken when former Governor Terry McAuliffe who had been out of office for a term as required by the State Constitution was not able to win a second term. Some have observed that the Virginia governorship election that is held the year after the presidential election is most often won by the candidate of the party opposite that of the president. The Youngkin win to be governor after the Biden win followed that pattern.

With the change in partisan control of the House of Delegates, members will find themselves having different roles. The Democratic Speaker of the House and the first woman and first Jewish person to be speaker will lose her position to a new speaker elected by the majority Republican caucus. At the time of writing this column the rumor is that Delegate Todd Gilbert who represents a part of the Shenandoah Valley will be the new speaker. The Speaker of the House has total control over appointing members to committees. Too often including in the recent past the practice has been to take members of the minority party off the key committees on which they may have had the most influence. The shuffling of members on committees has been a way for the majority to solidify its power.

The way in which the transition of power has been handled in the past by both parties has led to many inefficiencies in the legislative process. Rather than a continuous process responding to the needs of the Commonwealth there have been many fits and starts that delay needed legislative action.

Of course, the winning party always wants to assert its power. I understand that to the victors go the spoils. But much of what the legislature does should not be partisan. Virginians showed again in this election cycle that they are not clearly blue or red. No Democrat celebrated more than I did the transformative actions taken by the legislature over the past two years. Hopefully the new governor and the new House leadership will not throw out all that work and start over. We can build on those things for which there are areas of agreement.

I will be pleading with the new administration that we view the next several months as time to look at reforms in the process on which we can agree. We need not spend time on seeking revenge on those who have been in office in the past. The winners in such an approach will be the people of Virginia and not a single political party.

Before we head into a weekend, let’s take a look back at the biggest stories on the site in recent days.

1. BREAKING: Herndon MS lockdown lifted after fight between middle schoolers
2. New Outback Steakhouse on Elden Street to open next year
3. Herndon teen John Gluck takes his star turn on NBC’s “Ordinary Joe”
4. JUST IN: Silver Line Phase 2 has finally reached substantial completion
5. Silver Line Phase 2 work was completed this past weekend, completion date still unknown

If you have ideas on stories we should cover, email us at [email protected] or submit an anonymous tip. Photos from around the Reston and Herndon area are also welcome, with credit always given to the photographer.

Feel free to discuss these topics, your socially distanced weekend plans, or anything else that’s happening locally in the comments below.

Image via Google Maps

Before we head into a weekend, let’s take a look back at the biggest stories on the site in recent days.

1. New hot chicken spot opening in Herndon next month
2. Herndon teen John Gluck takes his star turn on NBC’s “Ordinary Joe”
3. Local tech company relocating headquarters to Reston Town Center
4. Halley Rise development looks to move forward on timber office
5. Major construction at Innovation Center South continues for senior facility

If you have ideas on stories we should cover, email us at [email protected] or submit an anonymous tip. Photos from around the Reston and Herndon area are also welcome, with credit always given to the photographer.

Feel free to discuss these topics, your socially distanced weekend plans, or anything else that’s happening locally in the comments below.

Photo via Facebook/Hangry Joe’s

Before we head into a weekend, let’s take a look back at the biggest stories on the site in recent days.

1. Herndon teen John Gluck takes his star turn on NBC’s “Ordinary Joe”
2. Affordable homes near Dulles airport set for 2023 completion
3. Work on a new pedestrian bridge over Wiehle Avenue to begin next summer
4. Herndon slated to use $500K from some property owners for development study
5. Reston Town Center specialty treat shops in need of workers

If you have ideas on stories we should cover, email us at [email protected] or submit an anonymous tip. Photos from around the Reston and Herndon area are also welcome, with credit always given to the photographer.

Feel free to discuss these topics, your socially distanced weekend plans, or anything else that’s happening locally in the comments below.

Image via handout/Comstock

Before we head into a weekend, let’s take a look back at the biggest stories on the site in recent days.

1. Pet of the Week: Bear who, after living outside for 8 years, is looking for lots of snuggles
2. The Town of Herndon needs $5 million for delayed downtown Herndon project
3. Herndon teen John Gluck takes his star turn on NBC’s “Ordinary Joe”
4. Columbus Day 2021: What’s closed and open today
5. Lake Anne residents raise concerns over contentious board elections to county

If you have ideas on stories we should cover, email us at [email protected] or submit an anonymous tip. Photos from around the Reston and Herndon area are also welcome, with credit always given to the photographer.

Feel free to discuss these topics, your socially distanced weekend plans, or anything else that’s happening locally in the comments below.

Image via handout/Comstock

Meet Morris, Reston’s latest Pet of the Week. This big guy may look macho, but he’s really a gentle sweetheart.

Here’s what his friends at Fancy Cats Rescue Team had to say about him:

Morris looks like a burly macho man, but he’s really a lover boy. You can pick him up and cuddle with him; he will sit on your lap and make biscuits. In short, he’s an absolute sweetheart!

In addition to hanging out with people, he also loves to play with cat teasers. He came to us from the Tri-County Animal Shelter.

Are you and Morris the perfect match?

Before we head off into another weekend with COVID-19 abound, let’s take a look back at the biggest stories on Reston Now in recent days.

1. UPDATE: Motorcyclist killed in Herndon crash
2. Herndon teen John Gluck takes his star turn on NBC’s “Ordinary Joe”
3. Two Reston Gateway skyscrapers reach ‘substantial completion’
4. The Town of Herndon needs $5 million for delayed downtown Herndon project
5. Plans for north section of Isaac Newton Square move forward

If you have ideas on stories we should cover, email us at [email protected] or submit an anonymous tip.

Feel free to discuss these topics, your social distancing plans, or anything else that’s happening locally in the comments below.

After eight years of living alone outside, Bear is eager to be part of a family. He loves to snuggle, lie in the sun and play with stuffed animals.

Here’s what Bear and his friends at Puppy Paws Rescue had to say about him:

Hi! I’m Bear! I’m a 9-year-old dog with a youthful, playful personality who will win you over with my snuggle skills. If there were cuddle championships, everyone would need to watch out!

I have three favorite hobbies: my daily walks where I get to sniff all the things, my snuggle sessions (I will straight up launch myself into that couch) and, of course, dinnertime. I have a little extra heft, or “love” as my foster family calls it. I’ve been working it off, but it makes for even better snuggles. Did I mention how good I am at cuddling?

I would fit best in a house with other dogs, or by myself (as long as I have company). I am very tolerant and have no aggression. I think kids are great, I’m awesome with strangersm, and I don’t really bark — I love everyone.

I am a big dufus who can sometimes forget just how strong I am, and I would not want to knock down your little ones, so a home with adults or older kids might be best. I’ve never been around cats (but have never shown aggression toward them), and on two occasions I was frightened by a loud, small dog I saw at a distance.

If you’ve made it this far (of course you have, I’m the best), here is my backstory: I lived outside, penned up, with no family of my own for over eight years. I’ve been living with my foster family for a few months, and I’ve learned that I absolutely love stuffed animals, soft doggy beds, sunning myself and walks, but now all I want is my own family and stability.

Could Bear be the cuddle bug for your home?

Before we head into a weekend, let’s take a look back at the biggest stories on the site in recent days.

1. From dish washer to owner, local immigrant brings pizza spot to Reston
2. Former youth minister from Reston church faces unlawful filming charges
3. Herndon teen John Gluck takes his star turn on NBC’s “Ordinary Joe”
4. Nearing completion, local officials frustrated by Silver Line Phase 2’s constant delays and missed deadlines
5. Another tenant will leave The Spectrum by the end of the year

If you have ideas on stories we should cover, email us at [email protected] or submit an anonymous tip. Photos from around the Reston and Herndon area are also welcome, with credit always given to the photographer.

Feel free to discuss these topics, your socially distanced weekend plans, or anything else that’s happening locally in the comments below.

In the market for a job? Whether you’re looking for a part-time gig or full-time role, there are plenty of openings around Reston.

We scoured job boards and company sites to find new opportunities. Companies hiring locally include Salesforce, Whole Foods Market, Deloitte and CACI.

Take a look:

1. Veterinary assistant — Banfield Pet Hospital
2. Patient financial counselor — Reston Hospital Center
3. Director, growth and development — CACI
4. Data scientist — Sparks Group
5. Bakery team member (part-time) — Whole Foods Market
6. Global IT communication specialist — Software AG
7. Technical account executive, health insurance — Salesforce
8. Signature research analyst — KBR
9. Customer service consultant — Promotional Solutions Inc.
10. Financial management consultant — Deloitte
11. Manager on duty at Reston Town Center Ice Skating Pavilion — Rink Management Services Corporation
12. Registrar PRN — StoneSprings Hospital Center
13. Activities assistant — Sunrise Senior Living
14. Buyer specialist — NCI Information Systems

Are you a business owner or manager who’s hiring? Get your opening in front of more local job seekers with our featured Job of the Day posts. Reach out to [email protected] or give us a call at 703-348-0583 for more details.

Sure, some homes are going for over asking price, but that doesn’t mean others aren’t seeing a price cut.

In the past 30 days, 48 Reston homes were reduced in price, according to Homesnap.

A few of the most recent price reductions include:

• 12164 Tryton Way
  3 BD/3.5 BA townhouse
  Reduced: $55,000
  Now: $999,900
• 1408 Hemingway Court
  5 BD/3.5 BA single-family home
  Reduced: $44,000
  Now: $855,000
• 11776 Stratford House Place #407
  2 BD/2 BA condo
  Reduced: $35,000
  Now: $705,000
• 1668 Valencia Way
  3 BD/3.5 BA townhouse
  Reduced: $10,000
  Now: $489,000
• 1952 Belmont Ridge Court
  2 BD/1.5 BA townhouse
  Reduced: $15,000
  Now: $399,900

Image via Google Maps

Meet Stone, an affectionate and active senior cat who loves to get pets on his rather robust tummy.

Here’s what Stone’s friends at Fancy Cats Rescue Team had to say about him:

Gotta love dem chonky boys. Stone is 15 pounds of love, fun and pure hamminess. He loves striking silly and super stinking cute poses so that you will give him attention and hopefully rub his copious tummy! An all around great guy, he is also an excellent litter box and scratch post user. Stone’s mom used to foster cats, so with a proper intro, this mellow dude will make a nice companion to another cat.

Given his age and stout physique, you’d think Stone lounges around a lot. Not really! He is actually prone to doing a couple of laps around the apartment before bedtime and absolutely loves to play fetch with hairbands. While 11-year-old Stone has been the perfect cat for years, his mom’s health issue is necessitating rehoming.

Email [email protected] for more information on Stone.

So what do you think, Sly, could this cat be your Family Stone?