This is a promoted post by the Neurology Center of Fairfax.

Busy medical practice located in Fairfax seeks FT LPN to assist doctors in managing care of patients.

Experience preferred, IV experience preferred. Direct patient contact responsibilities, requires strong computer skills for EMR responsibilities, ability to multitask and must have outstanding English language skills. Job requires full and independent mobility, and ability to stand for long periods of time. Monday through Friday. Excellent salary and benefits.

Email cover letter and resume to: [email protected] or fax to 703-940- 1497.

This week’s Reston Pet of the Week is Edie, an older cat looking for a forever home as her owner had to go into assisted living. Here is what the Feline Foundation of Greater Washington has to say about her:

Purrfect companion and videogame partner!

If love could be packaged, it would come wrapped in fur. Brown tabby and white fur, to be exact. And FFGW’s got it! Love = Spice Girl a/k/a Spicey a/k/a Edie, her current and favorite name.

Although her life has been long and rich already, Edie has plenty in reserve to share with you. Edie came into foster care when her dad, a long time FFGW volunteer, had to enter assisted living. She made the adjustment from a multicat household to being an only child as if born for the role.

Her foster mom is a graduate student, and, as you can see from the photo below, Edie is an excellent study partner. She is also a practitioner of meditation (or napping), and an avid player of feline video games. Most of all, Edie is a friendly, loving companion eager to open her heart to you, to climb into your lap and cuddle.

Edie doesn’t believe in calendars, and talk of her age bores her. But we do have to tell you that she has been examined by our vet from the tip of her pink nose to the last hair on the tip of her tail and been pronounced in excellent health.

Are you and Edie a match? If so, let us know and our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, will send you $100 in Becky’s Bucks, as well as some treats.

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 that is part of an occasional series by the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce. Today’s spotlight is on Koko FitClub, with locations at North Point Village Center and Fox Mill Center.

Reston Now: Why did you decide to start your business in Reston?

Koko: Koko FitClub is a nationwide individualized coaching training gym dedicated to changing lives through results-­driven fitness and nutrition. We work as a team to keep each client motivated every step of the way to fitness success. Reston was a perfect place to build a healthier, happier community!

RN: What are the challenges and rewards of being a business owner?

Koko: Without a doubt, the rewards are seen in the relationships we cultivate not only with our clients directly but with the broader community as well. Nothing is more rewarding than working with individuals to design their fitness plan, train them, adapt as they improve, and to keep them motivated throughout the whole process! Koko Nation feels like a friendly, supportive and encouraging family. Read More

This is a sponsored post by Anna Gibson, owner of AKG Design Studio and an award-winning, certified kitchen and bathroom designer. AKG Design Studio is a boutique design firm specializing in kitchen, bathroom designs and cabinetry sales. Contact her at 571-989-2541 or [email protected], and check out her work on Houzz; Pinterest; Facebook; and Twitter.

With Memorial Day weekend right around the corner, now is the perfect time to spruce up your outdoor living space. Nothing is more convenient then an outdoor kitchen: you can entertain your guests right in the backyard, without running inside to cook.

As shown in the my previous blog posts, today’s kitchen trends incorporate durable elements with personal taste. Whatever the size of your space, you can combine custom appliances and cabinets made out of elegant-yet-hardy materials with a variety of texture and plants to create a space where your guests will feel at home.

Space

Any size outdoor kitchen will be convenient and attractive if the space is laid out well. In a small yard, position a top-of-the-line grill opposite a cozy couch and weatherproof coffee table. If you’ve got room to grow, cabinets and countertops add storage and extend your prep space. The shape of an outdoor kitchen can be more creative, from an L shape to a wave. Follow the flow of your backyard’s current layout to maximize space.

Appliances​

The grill is a must-have. Your outdoor kitchen will also benefit from extras, like a warming drawer and a side burner for veggies. The popularity of outdoor kitchens Read More

This is a sponsored job post from Neurology Center of Fairfax.

Growing medical office locations in Reston and Fairfax, seeks full-time patient service professional for patient, clinical and administrative responsibilities. Requires ability to multi-task, computer skills, polished people skills, superior English language skills, mobility, ability to work in teams and independently.

Must have at least one year of experience in customer service field, ideally in medical healthcare. Great salary and benefits. Advancement opportunities possible. Work Monday through Friday in the daytime.

Email cover letter and resume to: [email protected] or fax to 703-940-1497.

This week’s Pet of the Week is Max, a 10-year-old, 75-pound Labrador Retriever who has a happy forever home in Reston.

Here is what his owner Michael has to say about him:

Dad told mom the last thing we need in our house is a dog. The next day mom brought home Max. Dad was angry for about ten minutes. But now the neighbors say Dad and Max are inseparable since they hardly ever see one without the other.

Dad says Max is the best dog in the universe mainly because Max will get dad’s slippers from his bedroom and his newspapers from the end of the driveway. Max will even get his leash without Dad asking!

Max keeps us safe from deer, groundhogs, and foxes. Kitty likes it best when Max chases off the foxes. Dad says Max puts the fear of Dog into them.  Max’s favorite things to do are dinner, breakfast, swimming, and just hanging and being handsome. Dad also likes Max because he will always go on walks even if it’s 11 degrees outside or raining and 35.

It’s true that for many people the last thing they need in their house is a dog. Dogs just can’t be left alone. But some people who could take care of a dog, don’t even know what they are missing. Just ask Dad!

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 by Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate. It does not reflect the opinion of Reston Now.

Although I live on Lake Anne, I am more than willing to admit that the two lakes in South Reston are beautiful.

Lake Audubon and Lake Thoreau dominate the landscape of South Lakes. On spring and summer days, you will see people canoeing or lounging on their lake barges. You’ll also see plenty of people enjoying the Reston Association pathways that circle the lakes.

If you want to live on a lake in South Reston, here are some neighborhoods to consider.

Cedar Cove Cluster

All of the 66 townhomes in Cedar Cove Cluster have lack access and about 20 percent of the homes are direct lakefront property.

These lovely cedar-sided, three-story homes have three or four bedrooms, as well as one-car garages. The cluster was built between 1980 and 1989 and is located off South Lakes Drive.

This family-friendly neighborhood on Lake Audubon boasts a large playground for the children and is close to schools.

Walking through Cedar Cove Cluster on a beautiful day with a gentle breeze rustling the many trees, you feel a bit like you’re at a resort. This neighborhood is the ideal in lakeside living. If you see one of these homes come on the market, jump on it!

Lakewinds

Lakewinds Cluster is situated on shore of Lake Thoreau. The charming townhomes are located with in walking distance of South Lakes Village Center, and are a short drive to the Dulles Toll Road and Reston Metro Station. Read More

This is a sponsored post by Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate.

It’s been a busy spring market in Reston. We have a lot of houses — there are 330 active listings.

That’s more inventory than we’ve had in quite a while. Things are active; there are 189 pending contracts and 136 properties sold in the past 30 days. That leaves us with a 2.4 -months supply of homes. Days on market is still slightly long, with the average Reston home on the market for 42 days.

Here are a few of the recent sales.

11990 Market St #2101. 2BR, 3BA. List Price: $1,600,000. Sold Price: $1,600,000.

11603 VANTAGE HILL RD #C. 3BR, 2BA. List Price: $195,000. Sold Price: $211,000.

1926 UPPER LAKE DR. 4BR, 3BA. List Price: $1,300,000. Sold Price: $1,150,000.

2313 FREETOWN CT #2B. 2BR, 1BA. List Price: $155,000. Sold Price: $155,000. Seller Subsidy: $5,000.

12128 CHANCERY STATION. 3BR, 3.5BA. List Price: $724,500. Sold Price: $710,000. Seller Subsidy: $6,000.

1629 PARKCREST CIR #101. 1BR, 1BA. List Price” $189,900. Sold Price: $186,500. Seller Subsidy: $5,400.

This week’s Reston Pet of the Week is Johnson, an older guy who needs a forever home.

Here is what the people at Homeward Trails Animal Rescue have to say about the hound/Lab mix:

Johnson is an awesome 50 lb. hound/lab mix dog. He is outgoing and friendly and happy to make friends with children, dogs and cats.

He’s a mature boy — not quite 9 years old — but full of life. He’s a bouncy boy who is calm in the house but loves walks. Johnson is an enthusiastic, happy boy. He is housetrained. He is not a fan of the crate — he prefers to find a nice spot to hang out in the home.

Johnson would be happy in a home with other dogs or as an only dog. He’s lived with cats as well as with dogs. He’s really gentle with children.

Johnson’s fantastic personality saved his life. Johnson was found as a stray and brought to a rural shelter. Being a mature and larger-size hound normally would have weighed heavily against his odds of getting out of the shelter alive. But Johnson quickly won the hearts of the shelter staff who make it their mission to save this charming, good natured and friendly gent.

Johnson is now eagerly looking forward to finding his new home. He hopes to find a home where he won’t be alone too much — he loves human companionship.

Johnson is in a foster home and is eagerly waiting to find his forever home.

Johnson’s adoption fee is $275. Please fill out an HT adoption questionnaire if you are interested.

Are you and Johnson a match? If so, let us know and our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, will send you $100 in Becky’s Bucks, as well as some treats.

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 by Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate.

You’re almost there — it’s closing day on your new home.

As exciting as that is, you aren’t done yet. You will need to do one last, very important step in the final walkthrough.

While it’s a great opportunity to visualize where to hang your favorite paintings, there is more to it than that. This is your last chance to make sure there are no deal-breaking problems. Whether it’s as simple as realizing screens are missing from the windows or as serious as major water damage in the basement, this is the last chance you have to have the previous owners fix it. And in my years as an agent, I have seen it all; and in rare instances, the deal has fallen through as a result.

Six Tips for a Productive Final Walkthrough

1. Make sure they items that convey are there. If you think the washing machine or the stained glass window are yours, make sure they’re still there during the walkthrough. Your purchase agreement should list everything that conveys, so there shouldn’t be any surprises. But double check it. I’ve seen sellers remove something because they forgot it conveyed.

2. Conversely, if something is supposed to be gone, make sure it’s gone! Assume that anything you see around is still going to be there when you move in. If you don’t want it, make sure the sellers take it away. I’ve seen people try to leave broken furniture and all sorts of things.

3. Make sure the seller has completed any repairs. The purchase agreement should list what items the seller is supposed to repair. Ask for receipts if the repair isn’t something you would necessarily notice on the walkthrough.

4. Make sure there is no new damage. This can be as simple as a scratch in floor from moving furniture out to a broken pipe (yep, I’ve seen that on walk through). You’ll want to discuss costs of repairs for these things at the closing and negotiate the repair costs.

5. Make sure everything works! Chances are, when you first saw your dream house, you were so excited you didn’t methodically walk room to room and test every light switch, close every door, latch every window, and turn on every appliance. It’s not too late. Things break between home inspections and closings, and it’s not fun to discover that after you’ve purchased the house. Make sure you have copies of warranties and owner’s manuals for appliances.

6. Fixing What’s Broken. Keep a list of everything you’ve found on the final walkthrough. Your agent will help you negotiate getting these items fixed/replaced/corrected with the seller.

Once your walk through is complete and there are no deal breakers, do a happy dance to celebrate your new home!

This is a sponsored post by Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate.

The busy spring market is fully underway. Here’s a look at some of the homes that sold in the last two weeks in Reston:

12001 Talesin Place, #34. 1 BR, 1 BA Condo. Sold price: $214,900

11027 Saffold Way. 4 BR, 3.5 BA TH. Sold price: $360,000

11477 Washington Plaza W. 4 BR, 2.5 BA TH. Sold price: $574,000

1830 Fountain Drive, #1505. 3 BR, 3.5 BA Condo. Sold price: $1,525,000

11102 Lakespray Way. 3 BR, 3.5 BA TH. Sold price: $587,500

10819 Cross School Road. 4 BR, 2.5 BA SFH. Sold price: $635,000

2621 Steeplechase Drive, 5 BR, 3 BA SFH. Sold price: $610,000

11991 Sentinel Point Court. 3 BR, 2.5 BA TH. Sold price: $450,000

11515 Wild Hawthorn Court. 4 BR, 3.5 BA TH. Sold price: $525,000

1519 North Point Court. 3 BR, 2 BA Condo. Sold price: $338,000

11421 Hollow Timber Court. 3 BR, 3 BA TH. Sold price: $610,000

To see more homes for sale, visit my website.

This is a sponsored post by Anna Gibson, owner of AKG Design Studio and an award-winning, certified kitchen and bathroom designer. AKG Design Studio is a boutique design firm specializing in kitchen, bathroom designs and cabinetry sales. Contact her at 571-989-2541 or [email protected], and check out her work on Houzz; Pinterest; Facebook; and Twitter.

In my last post, we explored the super kitchen, cabinets and styles. Today we look at the color trends, appliances and countertops to see where kitchen design is heading this year.

Notice that each trend connects to the other elements in the kitchen. The super kitchen removes walls and opens space, bringing the dining room in the kitchen, affecting the design style and function of cabinets. Let’s see how colors, appliances and countertops round up the final touches.

Colors — Gray, white and soft colors will continue to dominate the trends in 2016. Glidden and Benjamin Moore have both named off-white hues the color of 2016. Additionally, Behr and Sherwin-Williams have off-white in their 2016 color trends.

In 2015, gray hit the market strong as it fits right there in the middle, the gray zone, between the white, light and the dark. In 2016, gray is maturing with lots more shades, grain and texture. Read More

Meet River, an older dog who is this week’s Reston Pet of the Week. Here is what his friends at Homeward Trails Animal Rescue have to say about him:

River is an adorable male lab mix. Our best guess the mix includes American Bulldog. He’s estimated to be about 7 years old.

River is a gentle giant, weighing in at 70 lbs., thogh he probably could stand to shed a pound or two. River is as sweet as sweet gets. His favorite thing is belly rubs and relaxing.

As he’s an older gentleman, he’s pretty calm but he still enjoys playing with his toys! He likes to play catch with a ball and he knows basic commands like sit, come, stay. He is house trained. He’s a wonderful boy and he gets along well with other dogs and seems fine with cats.

This nice boy somehow lost his home — he was brought to a rural shelter as a stray.

River’s adoption fee is $300. If you are interested please visit Homeward Trails to fill out an adoption form at email it to [email protected]. You can also request to meet a Homeless Trail animal at an adoption event HT holds every Saturday and Sunday at the at the Homeward Trails Adoption Center, 11116 Fairfax Station Road, Fairfax Station.

Are you and River a match? If so, let us know and our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, will send you $100 in Becky’s Bucks, as well as some treats.

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 by Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate. It does not reflect the opinion of Reston Now.

We love our lakes in Reston, and we love the being near all of the amenities Reston has to offer.

The Lake Newport area of North Reston delivers both — whether you want a Contemporary or Colonial single family home, a spacious patio home, or even a condo.

Whatever style of home you want, your neighborhood focal point is Lake Newport, a 12-acre man-made lake built in 1981. On any beautiful day, you’ll find residents canoeing and fishing in the lake or using the walking path that loops the lake and takes you on a tour of the neighborhood.

The Lake Newport neighborhood is fairly large. It is divided into several smaller sub-neighborhoods. Townhomes and patio homes can be found at Hemingway, while large, luxurious single-family homes are located in the Newport, Greenwich Point, Belcastle, Newport Shores, and Newport Cove neighborhoods.

Read More