This is a sponsored post by Dr. Elizabeth Arguelles, veterinarian and owner of Just Cats Clinic at Lake Anne Plaza. It does not reflect the opinion of Reston Now.
Just like humans, cats can suffer from a variety of heart conditions ranging in severity from benign to life threatening. One of the most common conditions found in cats are heart murmurs. Not all heart murmurs are severe, but it’s important to have your cat evaluated by your veterinarian to determine the best treatment plan for your cat’s particular condition.
What is a heart murmur?
A heart murmur occurs when the blood flow in the heart becomes turbulent. It can be heard when a stethoscope is placed near the heart by your veterinarian. Many heart murmurs are benign, but not always and can indicate further heart disease or structural issues.
Many kittens display a murmur around the age of 6-8 weeks but then “outgrow” within a few months. Adult cats can also get intermittent heart murmurs when their stress levels are elevated. Once the feline relaxes again, the condition disappears.
What are the different types of heart murmurs?
There are three broad categories of murmurs: systolic, diastolic and continuous. Systolic murmurs occur when the heart muscle contracts, whereas diastolic murmurs happen when the heart muscle relaxes between beats. Continuous murmurs persist throughout the cardiac cycle.
Heart murmurs are then further classified according to several other characteristics, such as their location and loudness. With regard to the latter, they are graded on the following scale:
- Grade I – The murmur is barely audible and may only be heard intermittently. It is usually in one location in the chest.
- Grade II – The murmur is soft but can be heard easily with a stethoscope.
- Grade III – The loudness is at an intermediate level. Most murmurs that result from the mechanics of blood circulation are at least Grade III.
- Grade IV – This is a loud murmur that radiates widely and can be heard everywhere that the heartbeat is audible. It can also be felt when the chest is touched in the area of the heart. In cardiac terms, this is called a “thrill.”
- Grade V – The murmur is very loud but still only audible with a stethoscope. The vibration is strong enough to be felt through the cat’s chest wall.
The loudness of the murmur reflects the amount of turbulence that is present in the heart, but it is important to note that it does not always directly correlate with the severity of any underlying diseases.
What are the symptoms of heart murmurs?
Read More
This is a sponsored post by Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate. It does not reflect the opinion of Reston Now.
Sixteen new listings hit the market this week in Reston, so there is a little something for everyone on a home search.
Here are a couple of interesting listings new to the market:
11113 Watermans Drive. 4 BR, 3 BA TH. List Price: $529,900
11150 Turnbridge Lane. 4 BR, 3.5 BA SFH. List Price: $699,900
11615 Stoneview Square. 3 BR, 2 BA Condo. List Price: $185,000
11617 Windbluff Court. 2 BR, 2 BA Condo. List Price: $254,800
2007 Sarazen Place. 4 BR, 3 BA TH. List Price: $475,000
Meet Sonny, a 3-year-old yellow lab who is looking for a new home. Here is what his foster family and the people at Lab Rescue of LRCP in Fairfax have to say about him:
Sonny is a 3.5-year-old neutered yellow male. He is a handsome, young active dog who likes to get outside to stretch his legs and play. He is very friendly and enjoys being petted. He likes to retrieve and brings it back but sometimes takes the long way.
He needs a home with a fenced yard and an active family that will play with him every day. He is good with other dogs but no cat history. He pulls a bit on lead at first but is better with an Easy Walk Harness.
He loves to play outside but then he can’t wait to come inside and play with the soft toys. He likes to hoard them in his crate. He has no problems going in to the crate and taking a nap. He likes the attention of people! He enjoys being rubbed behind the ears and on his chest. And of course, like most labs, he is very food-driven. He eats fast and takes treats very well.
Are you and Sonny a match? If so, let us know and our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, will send you a sample of dog treats and $100 in Becky’s Bucks.
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.
Reston is special. I know I say it all the time, and it’s true. The way everything in this community works together creates a sense of balance and belonging is something you feel when you move into any one of the beautiful clusters or neighborhoods of Reston.
Award-winning director Rebekah Winger-Jabi, a Restonian, has captured the feel of Reston in her new movie, Another Way of Living, the Story of Reston VA.
I am thrilled the movie is premiering this weekend at the Virginia Film Festival. Show time is 11 a.m. at The Southern at the Downtown Mall. Tickets are $10, and you can buy them here.
About the Movie
“I knew I was happy, but I didn’t understand that my childhood experience had been carefully crafted by planners and developers.” — Rebekah Winger-Jabi, Director/Producer/Editor
Wingert-Jabi’s story is similar to the stories I hear from people who grew up in Reston, moved away, and then came back to raiser their own families.
When Wingert-Jabi was a teenager, her family left Reston to move to a traditional suburb. On the movie website, she recalls how surprised she was when this “American dream” didn’t pan out. She felt isolated and disconnected. She had to drive to a park to experience nature and the community wasn’t nearly as economically or racially diverse as it was in Reston.
That experience inspired her to find out what made Reston special and look at the people behind the design. And that led to the movie.
What Wingert-Jabi learned is that Reston’s founder Robert Simon (1914-2015) had a vision for American life — one where people valued community, nature, and social equity. Reston was his vision realized, a suburban town that integrated citizens across racial, economic, and religious divides.
The movie explores the challenges of making a vision like this a reality (such as the fact investors fired Simon three years after Reston was launched) and how it became an international sensation. Spoiler alert: Simon retired to Reston, became a community activist, and lived a fulfilling life in the place he envisioned.
Enjoy the film. Better yet, move to Reston and enjoy this amazing community and everything it has to offer.
Editor’s note: The film will also screen Nov. 19 at Reston Community Center, but tickets are sold out. Watch for future showings.
This is a sponsored column by attorneys John Berry and Kimberly Berry of Berry & Berry, PLLC, an employment and labor law firm located in Reston Town Center that specializes in federal employee, security clearance, retirement, and private sector employee matters.
Being terminated from employment can be very devastating, especially when it is completely unexpected. Most often, employees allow their emotions to get the best of them and become angry upon receiving notice of termination from their employer. However, it is very important for employees to try to handle a termination the right way. Here are five tips to consider if you are being terminated:
- Handle Termination Day with Grace: This is by far the most important tip and usually one of the most difficult to do. Individuals who cannot keep their emotions in check often end up in a much worse situation than those who gather their belongings and leave quietly. For example, if an individual makes a scene when they are terminated, the employer may exaggerate the situation and call the police. Furthermore, leaving in a pleasant manner makes it much easier to settle a wrongful termination case with the employer later. By doing so, it also reduces the possibility that the employer will challenge the former employee’s attempt to obtain unemployment compensation or cause a problem if the former employee later applies for a security clearance or another employment position.
- Don‘t Take Employer Materials: Individuals should be very careful not to take proprietary employer materials, physical items, or other types of employer documents or digital materials without permission when leaving employment. As a defense, an employer can claim that the former employee stole materials or proprietary data if the former employee later files a wrongful termination claim.
- Don‘t Sign Agreements Presented on Termination Date: Employers will often try to limit their liability by presenting agreements to employees they are terminating. Such agreements might offer a week’s pay in exchange for extinguishing all of the employee’s rights. Given the emotional trauma of being terminated, individuals should never sign a binding agreement as they are being terminated. Before signing such an agreement, it is very important to have an attorney review it. Once such an agreement has been signed, it is very difficult to take any type of legal action later.
- Consult With an Attorney if Wrongful Termination Issues Arise: Not all terminations are wrongful. However, if an individual believes that he or she was wrongfully or illegally terminated and is concerned with his or rights, he or she should seek legal advice from an employment attorney in a timely manner since many employment rights are time sensitive.
- Find a Reference: If a former supervisor will not serve as a reference, try to seek others, such as former supervisors or coworkers, who no longer work for the former employer. Having employment references will vastly improve one’s chances of quickly obtaining new employment. Even if an individual has been terminated, having someone available who can speak to his or her work ability can help mitigate the damage of the termination.
It may seem like the end of the world when one is terminated, but in the vast majority of employment cases that we see individuals bounce back and obtain new employment relatively soon. Many of our former clients contact us a year or so after being terminated and tell us that they are in a better place of employment and are much happier. The odds of this happening will increase when a termination is handled with grace.
We represent employees in federal employment matters nationwide, as well as private and public sector employees in employment matters in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland. If you need assistance with an employment law issue, please contact our office at (703) 668-0070 or at www.berrylegal.com to schedule a consultation. Please also visit and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BerryBerryPllc.
This is a sponsored post by Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate. It does not reflect the opinion of Reston Now.
There were 27 new listings that hit the Reston market this week. The inventory hits all the price points and styles: from a condo for well under $200,000 to a well-appointed townhouse at Reston Town Center. For complete listings or to do a customs search visit my website.
2416 Alsop Court. 3 BR, 2 BA TH. List Price: $369,999
12014 Edgemere Circle. 3 BR, 3.5 BA TH. List Price: $537,500
1933 Red Lion Court. 3 Br, 2 BA SFH. List Price: $465,000
12197 Chancery Station. 3 BR, 3 BA TH. List Price: $740,000
11521 Newbridge Court. 3 BR, 3.5 BA TH. List Price: $450,000
2313 Freetown Court. 1 BR, 1 BA Condo. List Price: $159,900
11991 Sentinel Point Court. 3 BR, 2 FB, 2 HB TH. List Price: $464,900
11776 Stratford House Place. 2 Br, 2 BA Condo. List Price: $749,000
Meet Ted, this week’s Reston Pet of the Week.
Here is what the folks at The Humane Society of Fairfax County have to say about him:
Your BFF has just arrived.
Ted is the perfect pal you’ve been waiting for. He’s a cute year-and-a-half old Shepherd hound mix with floppy years and a black and tan coat.
Ted has the sweetest personality and almost does flips just to get your attention for some petting time. He is great with other dogs, is very gentle and at only 40 pounds is the perfect medium size companion.
A Very Sweet Boy Is Here Just For You!
Are you and Ted a match? If so, let us know and our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, will send you a sample of dog treats and $100 in Becky’s Bucks.
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.
Reston architectural aficionados know that Reston architect Ken Bonner built the first house in Reston — a detached single-family house on Stirrup Road in South Reston. In a Fairfax Times article, Bonner recalled having to transport a portable generator to the building site because there were no power lines yet. This was back in 1964.
Integrating a human living space into nature in an environmentally sensitive way was Bonner’s passion, and a trademark of any Bonner home is using natural sunlight and preserving trees.
Ken built about 65 homes, including my first home in Reston on Buttermilk Lane in the Uplands neighborhood. It backed up to beautiful, treed lot with a creek at the bottom of the backyard. It was a fantastic place to raise our family.
What is lesser known in Reston is that Ken also designed townhome communities. Among them, Colts Neck Cluster. This community is comprised of 60 townhouses in South Reston, near the intersection of Colts Neck Road and South Lakes Drive. Escalante Court is off South Lakes Drive and next to the South Lakes Drive Park. Greywing Court is off Colts Neck Road.
Built in 1972-1973, these contemporary townhomes are three levels with cedar siding exteriors. The 1,600 to 2,000 square feet homes feel much larger because of Ken’s attention to every detail.
The Colts Neck community is close to the Reston National Golf Course and the Hunters Woods Village Center Shopping Center. It is also within two miles of the Reston East Metro station.
These lovely homes are not only perfect for anyone looking for well-designed, contemporary architecture in a close-knit, townhome community; they represent a piece of what makes Reston such a great place to live.
This is a sponsored post by Dr. Elizabeth Arguelles, veterinarian and owner of Just Cats Clinic at Lake Anne Plaza. It does not reflect the opinion of Reston Now.
Constipation is one of the most common health issues associated with a cat’s digestive system. Though it usually doesn’t cause lasting harm, constipation is uncomfortable and needs to be addressed as soon as possible. It can also be a symptom of more serious underlying health issues.
If left untreated, constipation can even turn into obstipation, a condition in which the cat loses the ability to empty its colon on its own. It’s important to recognize the signs and understand the causes so you and your veterinarian can address your cat’s constipation and provide the best treatment plan.
What causes constipation?
Constipation happens when dry, hardened stool collects in a cat’s rectum and blocks the material behind it from exiting. It is more often seen in middle-aged or older cats, but younger felines can also get it. Some of the most common causes include:
- Hairballs (especially in longhaired cats)
- Pelvic injuries that result in a narrowed pelvic canal
- Ingestion of foreign bodies
- Obesity
- Unidentified causes
- Megacolon
- Pain medications such as opioids
Megacolon is a term used to describe dilated and weak colon. It is both a cause and result of constipation. When a cat’s colon becomes distended with dry, hardened fecal matter over a longer period of time, the organ’s muscles weaken and its ability to contract reduces. This tends to lead to more constipation in the future.
This is a sponsored post by Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate. It does not reflect the opinion of Reston Now.
Even though it is not typically high season — that comes in the spring — there are plenty of new real estate listings that hit the market in Reston this week.
Here’s a look at some of the best:
11186 Longwood Grove Drive. 5 BR, 4.5 BA SFH. List price: $969,000
1851 Stratford Park Place. #402. 2 BR, 2 BA Condo. List price: $599,900
1321 Gatesmeadow Way. 4 BR, 3.5 BA SFH. List price: $899,900
1330 Dasher Lane. 4 BR, 3.5 BA SFH. List price: $800,000
11678 Mediterranean Court. 3 BR, 2.5 BA TH. List price: $549,900
12038 Edgemere Circle. 4 BR, 3.5 BA TH. List price: $545,000
2409 Albot Road. 3 BR, 2.5 BA TH. List Price: $375,000
1715 Ascot Way #C. 2 BR, 2 BA Condo. List Price: $274,900
Meet Amanda, a domestic longhair adult cat who is in need of a home.
Here is what the people at Fancy Cats Rescue Team have to say about her:
Amanda is a real class clown at our adoption center. She loves attention of any kind, and really enjoys interacting with people.
She loves to play, is a natural climber (a tall cat tree is a must) and is quite chatty too.
She can be temperamental with other cats, and we would say a male would work best if you are considering her as a companion.
Are you and Amanda a match? If so, let us know and our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, will send you a sample of dog treats and $100 in Becky’s Bucks.
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.
The dogs of Reston had so much fun at the first annual Howl-O-Ween party last year, they begged the Lake Anne Merchants to do it again. And you know how persuasive the pups can be when they turn those puppy dog eyes on you.
So come to Lake Anne Plaza on Saturday, Oct. 31 and show us just how flashy Fido can be in the pet parade.
The competition for best costume is pretty fierce, but we’re sure the tails will be wagging. And we have tons of fun animal games for dogs and children alike. Having so much fun you don’t want to go home? No worries: stay after for Yappy Hour at Lake Anne Plaza restaurants! What better way to spend Halloween?
The best part — you will be home in time to greet the adorable human trick-or-treaters that come knocking on your door.
The event is from 1 to 3 p.m., with the pet costume parade commencing at 1:30 p.m. There will also be a live DJ, games for pets and humans, as well as tricks, treats and prizes from merchants.
Meet Oakley, this week’s Reston Pet of the Week. Oakley is a German Shepherd and Lab mix who needs a new home. Here is what the people at
Virginia German Shepherd Rescue, Inc. have to say about him:
Oakley may be small in stature but he has a big personality. He is the perfect companion; a diamond in the “ruff,” and it won’t take much to polish him up.
He has a great mixture of playful and laid back. He loves his toys and carries one around most of the time. He loves to run and is a great jumper (I think he would do great in agility) and can easily clear a three-foot fence from a sit, so he will need to have at least a five-foot fence to ensure that a squirrel or bird don’t entice him to leave the yard. Oakley gets along with other dogs and dog savvy cats. He would do best in a house with another active dog.
Oakley does have a sensitive tummy, which we believe to be a food allergy, however we are working with a vet to find the right food and as of this moment, he is doing great. His new family will need to ensure that Oakley maintains the correct diet to stay healthy and happy!
If you are approved to adopt and interested in Oakley, email [email protected].
Are you and Oakley a match? If so, let us know and our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, will send you a sample of dog treats and $100 in Becky’s Bucks.
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.
Walk through the front doors a Governour’s Square townhome in Reston and you will feel like you’ve walked into a Southern Plantation home. You won’t believe that these homes are only about 1,600 square feet — they feel much too spacious and airy to be so small.
These lovely colonial-style townhomes in North Reston were developed in 1968. They are three-level homes with exterior brick construction and about 1,600 square feet of living space. The central common area is a great place for children and dogs to play, and the nearby Reston Association paths are perfect for those who like to walk or run.
The original floorplans were closed concepts–as was the style in the late 1960s. But over the years, some of the owners have remodeled these homes to open them up. In either case, these townhomes are beautiful and comfortable. This year’s Home Tour will feature a Governour’s Square home that has had a spectacular remodel.
This small community of townhouses is on the Lake Anne side of Reston. They are less than a 10-minute walk to Reston Town Center, and close to the Wiehle Metro station.
The neighborhood is also within a few miles of Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Giant, Mom’s Organic Market, and Harris Teeter (Restonians love have choices when it comes to grocery stores).
For those with young children, Governour’s Square is also a quick walk to Lake Anne Elementary School.
Reston Chamber Spotlight is a feature by members of the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce. It does not reflect the opinion of Reston Now. Today’s spotlights is on Mary Williams, managing partner of The Alternative Board West Fairfax-Alexandria, a business advisory service.
Reston Now: Why did you decide to start your business in Reston?
MW: Reston is a dynamic business environment populated with many businesses that fit nicely with our Ideal Customer Profile
RN: What are the challenges and rewards of being a business owner?
MW: Business owners have many challenges and rewards. Challenges — having an understanding of all components of running a successful business; i.e., wearing multiple hats and playing multiple roles.
Rewards — Providing value to our clients and enjoying their success.
RN: Name something about your business that most people don’t know.
MW: Most people don’t know about the detailed experience and expertise in Sales and Sales Leadership that The Alternative Board (TAB) offers.
RN: What unique value do you offer your clients?
MW: The value of leveraging the expertise and knowledge of fellow business owners through TAB Peer Advisory Boards.
RN: Describe a typical day as the business owner.
MW: Working on client issues and opportunities and serving as their Trusted Advisor
RN: How has the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce helped your business grow?
Being part of the Greater Reston Chamber has been very rewarding including exposure to other dynamic business owners (several who have been clients). This exposure has been accomplished through several channels including; networking, presentation participation in the Educational Series, Committee involvement, and personal introductions.
RN: What is the quote that best describes your business?
MW: “Shared Wisdom for Bottom Line Success”
RN: What is your advice to someone who is thinking about owning a business?
MW: Be passionate about your business and have a well-thought out written plan. Once you have developed your well thought out written plan, be sure that you have designated people that will help you focus, stay on track, and hold you accountable!
