This is a sponsored column by attorneys John Berry and Kimberly Berry of Berry & Berry, PLLC, an employment and labor law firm located in Northern Virginia that specializes in federal employee, security clearance, retirement and private sector employee matters.
By John V. Berry, Esq.
If you hold or are seeking a security clearance, and you own or work in the ever-growing marijuana industry, you are likely to have difficulties obtaining or keeping a security clearance.
We have been counseling clients about this issue since at least 2010. This principle also applies to individuals that work part-time or are otherwise involved in marijuana-related businesses.
Owning stock or working for a marijuana enterprise is a reportable clearance activity when holding a security clearance and can lead to the loss of a security clearance or in one obtaining a clearance. The current marijuana policy comes from the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), by way of an October 2014 memorandum which explains current government policy.
Investments in marijuana-related companies can constitute involvement in illegal drug activities. This can be the case even where the individual does not directly choose their individual stocks and even in states where marijuana businesses are completely legal. The federal government’s current view is that an individual has a duty to know about their investments and to be knowledgeable about federal drug laws.
2014 Memorandum and Other Federal Directives
The 2014 memorandum led to Security Executive Agent Directive (SEAD) 4 in June of 2017 which provides the current basis for not granting or revoking a security clearance based on drug involvement, including investments in marijuana under Guideline H:
- Conditions that could raise a security concern and may be disqualifying include:
. . .
(c) illegal possession of a controlled substance, including cultivation, processing, manufacture, purchase, sale, or distribution; or possession of drug paraphernalia;
. . . .
Marijuana stocks have been touted as the new Amazon investment, according to a number of articles. However, the problem is that until the federal government changes federal drug laws or creates a caveat for marijuana businesses, individuals that invest or otherwise become involved in marijuana investments can put their security clearance (and career) at risk.
We have seen a lot of confusion on this issue since at least 2012 when a number of states started legalizing the use of marijuana. We have represented many clearance holders who have traveled to Colorado or elsewhere, where marijuana is legal, to simply try it. In some of these cases, the experimentation has cost the individual their security clearance.
It is advisable that individuals seeking to hold or obtain a security clearance refrain from investing in marijuana stocks until federal law changes. Eventually, we believe that the federal government will change their position on this issue, but for the moment investing in companies or stocks that are involved in the dispensing of marijuana can cause one to lose a security clearance.
Conclusion
If you are in need of security clearance representation, please contact our office at 703-668-0070 or through our contact page to schedule a consultation. Please also visit and like us on Facebook or Twitter.
Since 1982 The Fur Factory has been grooming the Reston region’s canines.
Even Dawn Caicedo, the Reston resident who has owned the shop since 2005, can’t imagine how many dogs — and how much fur — have been shorn in the Tall Oaks Village Center shop, both in her previous location at the center and her new location in the recently remodeled retail building at 12054 North Shore Drive.
The number of satisfied clients — both human and otherwise — are legion, and the confidence in the groomers comes from the years of experience each has put into the craft. The groomer at the Fur Factory with the least amount of time in the trade has 83 dog years of beautifying just about any breed to their credit (that’s 15 “human” years).
The Fur Factory experience begins with a shampoo bath — oatmeal, medicated, hypoallergenic and others — before towel and blow drying (depending on the desired look). The finishing includes brushing, combing, de-shedding (when needed), nail trim and sanitary trims.
Others will want the full haircut, and the Fur Factory’s experienced staff of certified groomers is skilled in the standard look for all breeds, as well as happily following the styling from a photograph.
A community staple, The Fur Factory is located in Reston’s Tall Oaks development and is one of the most valued amenities of the neighborhood. The Fur Factory’s early hours (7:30 a.m., Tuesday to Friday; 8 a.m. Saturdays) accommodate many dog owners’ schedules.
Tall Oaks Village Center is undergoing an exciting transformation as Stanley Martin Homes plans a mix of residential developments that will include townhomes and condominiums, as well as a landscaped plaza which will provide a central community gathering place between the residential area and retail offerings.
Additionally, the recently renovated commercial and retail buildings offer several new and unoccupied professional office and retail suites that are available for lease from 1,290 to 5,430 square feet.
Located less than one mile from the Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station, Tall Oaks Center is conveniently situated in North Reston, at the intersection of Wielhe Avenue and North Shore Drive.
For Tall Oaks Village Center office or retail space leasing information, call Ty Hausch at 703-272-2680 or send an email to [email protected]. The Fur Factory is located at 12054 North Shore Drive, Suite 100D, in Reston. To schedule an appointment, call 703-437-7794 or send an email to [email protected].
Meet Sheldon, a male Shepherd mix puppy available for adoption locally.
Here is what Sheldon has to say about himself:
My name is Sheldon, my siblings and I are 8 weeks old and weigh about 8lbs each.
The shelter staff has taught us all about furever homes and we would really like to find some furever homes of our very own. We are looking for homes where we would have a family who loves us and will take us on long walks or let us run around in the backyard.
Some toys, a soft bed to sleep on, and lots of belly rubs would also be much appreciated. My new owner will be asked to have their vet neuter me when I am a little older as it’s very important for helping to keep puppies like me off the street and out of shelters.
Are you and Sheldon a match? If so, let us know and our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, will send you some treats and prizes.
Want your pet to be considered for the Reston Pet of the Week?
Email [email protected] with a 2-3 paragraph bio and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos of your pet. Each week’s winner receives a sample of dog or cat treats from our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, along with $100 in Becky’s Bucks.
Becky’s Pet Care, the winner of three Angie’s List Super Service Awards and the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters’ 2013 Business of the Year, provides professional dog walking and pet sitting services in Reston and Northern Virginia.
Meet Lamp, a white and brown female kitten available for adoption locally.
Here is what her friends at Fancy Cats Rescue Team have to say about her:
Lamp loves to play with her siblings, run around the house and eat treats. Yes, she is VERY food motivated!
She will tolerate about anything as long as you give her a tasty treat afterwards. Her little kitty motor doesn’t seem to have an “off” position.
She purrs and purrs when her people are around. If it even seems like you are heading her way or about to pet her, she jumps to her feet and meets you with a headbutt. She absolutely loves her people and shows it with loud purrs, headbutts and snuggles.
Are you and Lamp a match? If so, let us know and our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, will send you some treats and prizes.
Want your pet to be considered for the Reston Pet of the Week?
Email [email protected] with a 2-3 paragraph bio and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos of your pet. Each week’s winner receives a sample of dog or cat treats from our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, along with $100 in Becky’s Bucks.
Becky’s Pet Care, the winner of three Angie’s List Super Service Awards and the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters’ 2013 Business of the Year, provides professional dog walking and pet sitting services in Reston and Northern Virginia.
Amazon.com is famous for what cybersecurity expert Frederic Lemieux calls its “known resilience” to cyberattack.
But there have been breeches recently, and we can expect the tech giant to become an even more inviting target in the future. “As Amazon is growing, it will have more of these risks,” says Lemieux, Ph.D., faculty director of Georgetown University’s master’s programs in Applied Intelligence and Cybersecurity Risk Management.
Here, in conversation with Assistant Dean Joshua Meredith, Lemieux also predicts that when Amazon builds a new headquarters in Crystal City, Va., it will suck up much of the region’s cybersecurity talent. And that will make it harder for the federal government and smaller business to compete for skilled workers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vaM-REwsgM&feature=youtu.be
This is a sponsored post by Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate.
We’re finally starting to see a little more inventory coming on the market in.
There are 124 fully active properties on the market in Reston and, as of today 11 properties in a Coming Soon status. That’s up, not by much, but at least increasing as we move into the spring.
The past 30 days saw good activity even with the very limited inventory. 96 properties went under contract and 36 properties sold; predictably the number of days that a property is staying on the market is getting shorter as activity goes up.
Here are some of the new properties hitting the market:
This is a sponsored column by attorneys John Berry and Kimberly Berry of Berry & Berry, PLLC, an employment and labor law firm located in Northern Virginia that specializes in federal employee, security clearance, retirement and private sector employee matters.
By John V. Berry, Esq. and Melissa L. Watkins, Esq.
Federal employees, whether part-time or full-time, with a qualifying disability are entitled to reasonable accommodations.
Reasonable accommodations are changes in the work environment or in the way things are done in the workplace to assist disabled individuals in participating fully in the employment environment. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has a nice article on the subject here.
Examples of potential reasonable accommodations:
- Making existing facilities accessible
- Job restructuring
- Part-time or modified work schedules
- Use of leave
- Acquiring or modifying equipment
- Changing tests, training materials or policies
- Providing qualified readers or interpreters
- Reassignment to a vacant position
- Accommodations to access benefits and privileges of employment. Examples of benefits and privileges of employment include training, services, credit unions, cafeterias, lounges, gymnasiums, auditoriums, transportation and parties or other social functions.
A federal agency does not have to eliminate a fundamental duty of the position or lower production standards in the reasonable accommodation process, but the agency may have to provide an accommodation to enable a disabled employee to satisfy the duty or meet the standard if it is reasonable.
Reasonable accommodations must not be unduly burdensome (feasible or plausible), effective in meeting the needs of the disabled individual and they cannot cause undue hardship (significant difficulty or expense) for the agency.
Agencies are not required to provide the exact accommodation that is requested but the accommodation provided must be effective in meeting the needs of the federal employee.
Example of Reasonable Accommodation — A federal employee has an eye disability that makes it difficult for the employee to read small font on a standard computer. The employee requests a computer software tool that magnifies font sizes to make documents easier to read.
This accommodation is reasonable because it is a common-sense solution to remove a workplace barrier when the job can be effectively performed with a larger font size. This accommodation is effective because it addresses the employee’s eyesight disability and enables him/her to perform the job duties. The accommodation does not cause undue hardship because the software is easy to obtain and the cost is minimal to the agency.
Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation
In order to obtain a reasonable accommodation a disabled employee must inform the agency that an accommodation is needed. The request for an accommodation can be made at any time during employment. The process for requesting a reasonable accommodation is very informal and usually occurs through conversations between the employee and the agency.
The request does not have to be in writing, but it is recommended that something in writing be provided for the purposes of record keeping. Agencies may also have a designated form that is provided to federal employees making a reasonable accommodation request. An agency may not cause unnecessary delay in responding to a request for accommodation.
An agency’s failure to participate in a dialogue (otherwise known as the “interactive process”) about accommodation after a request is made or the causing of undue delay could result in liability for failure to provide a reasonable accommodation.
Generally, a federal employee requesting a reasonable accommodation is not required to submit medical evidence. However, in certain instances, an agency may require reasonable documentation to verify the disability and the type of accommodation that is necessary.
The agency is not allowed to require any more documentation than what is necessary to establish a disability and that the disability necessitates a reasonable accommodation. Agencies may not demand documentation when the disability and the need for reasonable accommodation are obvious.
It is very important for federal employees in need of a reasonable accommodation that they seek the advice of an attorney regarding their request in order to ensure compliance with agency-specific procedures.
Legal representation can also be beneficial in addressing reasonable accommodations as they relate to adverse employment actions or termination.
Our law firm represents federal employees seeking reasonable accommodations and in other federal retirement matters.
Conclusion
If you are in need of federal employee retirement law representation, please contact our office at 703-668-0070 or through our contact page to schedule a consultation. Please also visit and like us on Facebook or Twitter.
Meet Lillian, a black Labrador Retriever puppy who is available for adoption locally.
Here is what Lillian has to say about herself:
I am a young girl at just about 8 weeks and I current weigh 7 pounds. I am looking for a furever family who would like to bring my fluffy self home.
It would be great if my new family would take me on walks or let me run around in a fenced in yard. I would also love some toys to play with and a nice warm bed to sleep on if its not too much to ask.
As I am still a young girl I will likely do well in just about any type of home, be it as an only child or as a canine sibling to human, canine, and maybe even kitty siblings.
Are you and Lillian a match? If so, let us know and our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, will send you some treats and prizes.
Want your pet to be considered for the Reston Pet of the Week?
Email [email protected] with a 2-3 paragraph bio and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos of your pet. Each week’s winner receives a sample of dog or cat treats from our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, along with $100 in Becky’s Bucks.
Becky’s Pet Care, the winner of three Angie’s List Super Service Awards and the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters’ 2013 Business of the Year, provides professional dog walking and pet sitting services in Reston and Northern Virginia.
This is a sponsored post from Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate. For a more complete picture of home sales in your neighborhood, contact her on Reston Real Estate.
Bentana Woods is one of those Reston neighborhoods that makes you forget you live in a bustling urban area.
Built in1972 by Bennett of Virginia, this community is located in the Tall Oaks section of Reston, Virginia — about 1 mile from the Wiehle Metro Station, a quick walk into Lake Fairfax Park and short drive to Reston Town Center or Lake Anne Plaza. The location is fantastic, which makes the fact that these townhouses are charming and well-designed even better.
Bentana Woods is actually two separate clusters — Bentana Woods Cluster has 48 homes while Bentana Woods West has 108 homes. More than 50% of the neighborhood lands are common areas with open grass, tot lots and stands of trees — trees that the National Wildlife Federation has certified as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat.
The townhomes feature 3 to 4 bedrooms with about 1,700 square feet of living space.
It will be interesting to see the new construction come up in the location of the old Tall Oaks Shopping Center. I think it will bring some positive exposure to this wonderful neighborhood.
If you want to be close to the action, but feel like you’re living in a National park, Bentana Woods is the Reston neighborhood for you!
Meet Bella, a female Boxer who is available for adoption locally.
Here is what her friends at Boxer Rescue and Adoption have to say about her:
Bella is a sweet, quiet, well behaved Boxer. She prefers a home that crowns her Queen, where she won’t have to share your attention with any other pet.
She is a very easy keeper and a love of a girl. She is housebroken, pleasant and quiet. Bella would love a home of her very own.
Are you and Bella a match? If so, let us know and our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, will send you some treats and prizes.
Want your pet to be considered for the Reston Pet of the Week?
Email [email protected] with a 2-3 paragraph bio and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos of your pet. Each week’s winner receives a sample of dog or cat treats from our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, along with $100 in Becky’s Bucks.
Becky’s Pet Care, the winner of three Angie’s List Super Service Awards and the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters’ 2013 Business of the Year, provides professional dog walking and pet sitting services in Reston and Northern Virginia.
This is a sponsored post from Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate. For a more complete picture of home sales in your neighborhood, contact her on Reston Real Estate.
In May of 1966 when the Lake Anne Village Center was dedicated it was like a scene out of “Mad Men” with its modern architecture and edgy hip vibe.
The Plaza architects, Whittlesey & Conklin hired a graphics design firm out of New York, Chermayeff and Geismer, (now Chermayeff, Geismar & Haviv) to create an advertising package for the Plaza storefronts. While the goal was advertising, the results spoke of the pop art aesthetic of the time and reflected Bob Simons wish for whimsical artwork on the Plaza.
Sadly, most of the icons have been lost to time, or have been modified to reflect the current business. The Reston’s Used Book Shop pillar sign was originally a giant barber pole! The last of the icons resided on Lakeside Pharmacy, in business for 44 years before owner Larry Cohen retired.
When two new businesses moved into the old Pharmacy space a new store front was created to provide more glass storefront. The icons were donated to the Reston Historic Trust & Museum in order to preserve them. The icons have been cleaned up, preserved and are ready to be installed on the Plaza as part of a permanent exhibit that highlights the history of the Plaza.
The museum is doing a fund raiser to pay for the permanent installation of the icon exhibit. The exhibit will be installed in the wide pass-through that leads up to Chimney House, next to Singh Thai.
The goal is to raise $15,000; they’ve got a ways to go but are hopeful that with help from the community they can get there soon. I hope you’ll consider a contribution to preserve a piece of our history.
By Nicola Caul Shelley, Synergy Design & Construction
With so many approaches to remodeling, it can be confusing for homeowners to know not only where to start but also what to expect in the process.
Sometimes, we receive calls asking for “free estimates” straight away. There are a number of reasons why the contractors you speak to may not offer free estimates for an extensive remodel, and here’s why:
- It’s impossible for any contractor to know how much your final project is going to cost without seeing your space, knowing the level of finishes you want and doing due diligence up front. Many initial “free estimates” are merely top-of-the-head thinking based on standard finishes without knowing what’s going on behind your walls or under your floor. This can lead to sticker shock down the line when what you really wanted and the number your contractor initially gave you don’t match up.
- Great design takes time and money. Measuring, conceptual plans, elevations, design options and revisions all add up. Just as you wouldn’t expect free website design or free consulting services, remodelers provide professional Architectural and Interior Design services that cost money.
- Going through a detailed design process first allows you to get to a more realistic budget/cost which will save you money in the long run. No-one wants to be continuously change ordered once the Kitchen has been demolished and you have no choice but to pay more to get the project done. A detailed design process up front stops those “wasn’t expecting that” moments and blown budgets once demolition starts.
This month’s renovation features the transformation of the Main level of a contemporary lakefront home right here in Reston. As with all of our clients, we partnered together to go through a detailed design process at the beginning of the project to come up with a design that perfectly matched the homeowner’s wish list.
In addition to the kitchen, butler’s pantry and family room, we remodeled the laundry room and mudroom into functional spaces for a busy sports-enthused family and created a much more modern feel to the entire main level more in keeping with the contemporary architecture of this beautiful home.
Learn more about our approach and listen to our clients tell you in their own words Why Us. Ready to take the next step in your remodel? We’re always happy to hear from you and discuss your project. Get in touch!
This is a sponsored column by attorneys John Berry and Kimberly Berry of Berry & Berry, PLLC, an employment and labor law firm located in Northern Virginia that specializes in federal employee, security clearance, retirement and private sector employee matters.
By Kimberly H. Berry, Esq.
The Federal workforce is presently undergoing significant changes in size and scope.
In some instances, this has led to the Federal government providing incentives for Federal employees to retire early. Federal agencies that are undergoing substantial organizational changes such as reorganization, reduction in force, reshaping or downsizing can be given the option to offer federal employees voluntary early retirement based on the Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA). OPM provides guidance on VERA here.
The purpose of VERA is to help agencies complete the necessary organizational change with minimal disruption to the workforce and make it possible for federal employees to receive an immediate annuity payment years before they would be eligible.
The voluntary early retirement provisions are the same under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).
Requirements for Early Retirement
In order to be eligible to retire under VERA, a federal employee must usually meet the following requirements:
- Meet the VERA minimum age and service requirements set by statutes in the U.S. Code for CSRS and FERS employees (i.e., the employee has completed at least 20 years of creditable service and is at least 50 years of age or has completed at least 25 years of creditable service regardless of age).
- Have been continuously employed by the agency for at least 31 days before the date that the agency initially requested the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) approval of VERA.
- Hold a position that is not a time-limited appointment.
- Have not received a final removal decision based upon misconduct or unacceptable performance.
- Hold a position covered by the agency’s VERA authority or program.
- Retire under the VERA option during the agency’s VERA acceptance period.
It is very important for federal employees considering a VERA offer or whether one is available to seek the advice of an attorney regarding their retirement issues prior to initiating the VERA process.
Our law firm represents federal employees that are considering early retirement and in other federal retirement matters.
Conclusion
If you are in need of federal employee retirement law representation, please contact our office at 703-668-0070 or through our contact page to schedule a consultation. Please also visit and like us on Facebook or Twitter.
This is a sponsored post by Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate.
Inventory is holding steady with new homes coming on the market at about the same rate that they’re going under contract.
There are currently 117 houses on the market in Reston which is about 2 months’ worth of inventory. Spring is just around the corner and should bring with it a lot of new housing inventory, but will also bring out more buyers.
In my last Just Listed Sold blog post a reader commented that they thought the prices indicated a “Bubble” in the housing market — the unspoken threat being that surely a “burst” would soon to follow.
The market is moving at a pretty brisk pace but prices are not escalating at a rapid rate. Home value appreciation in Reston last year was at right around 5% which is slightly ahead of the historical norm of 4% for housing as an asset.
This better than average gain is offset by the fact that the Reston market has been a little flat for the past several years and has only recently begun to perk up, in part fueled by new construction around the metro. I don’t think there’s any indication of a housing market “Bubble.”
Here are a few of the new houses to hit the market in the past week:
Meet Penguin, a black and white/tuxedo male kitten available for adoption locally.
Here is what his friends at Fancy Cats Rescue Team have to say about him:
Penguin is an energetic cat who likes to climb, run around, play with toys, and give kisses. Unlike most cats, he is curious about water.
He will stick his paws on the humidifier and relish the steam, and he will keep you company as you brush your teeth.
Penguin loves to have his tummy rubbed and his chest scratched, and he purrs happily when he is petted. Penguin gets along well with other cats, but he would also be happy to have lots of attention from a human companion.
Are you and Penguin a match? If so, let us know and our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, will send you some treats and prizes.
Want your pet to be considered for the Reston Pet of the Week?
Email [email protected] with a 2-3 paragraph bio and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos of your pet. Each week’s winner receives a sample of dog or cat treats from our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, along with $100 in Becky’s Bucks.
Becky’s Pet Care, the winner of three Angie’s List Super Service Awards and the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters’ 2013 Business of the Year, provides professional dog walking and pet sitting services in Reston and Northern Virginia.
