Meet Salty Fig and Sweet Lemon, two kittens who are looking for a home together.

Here is what the people at Little Buddies Adoption & Humane Society have to say about them:

Salty Fig (black and white) and Sweet Lemon (orange) were rescued and brought to us in a coffee can. These little boys are the friendliest kittens in the world! They provide their foster Mom with nonstop laughs and love.

Salty Fig and Sweet Lemon are incredibly bonded. They would make the most wonderful addition to any family. They have such an amazing capacity for love and playfulness. They would be the happiest kittens if you would spend your days holding them, playing with them, and snuggling with them.

If you’re interested in meeting these little darlings, a private visit can be arranged. Contact us at [email protected] Thank you!

Are you and these kitties a match? If so, let us know and our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, will send you some 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.

Most of the Reston condominiums built in the 1970s look nondescript from the outside. There is no way around it — they are boxy and plain. But for some, if you take the time to go inside, you will be pleasantly surprised. Vantage Hill is a wonderful example of this.

Vantage Hill sits on 15 beautifully wooded acres that have been designated a Backyard Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. That’s 15 acres for 152 units or, more than 4,000 square feet per unit.

And then there are the spacious interiors. These may be condominiums, but that doesn’t mean you have to give up space. The units are generally two or three bedrooms with generous floor plans, ample closets and spacious kitchens.

One of the beautiful things about these older condominiums many of them have been updated — new kitchens, new bathrooms, and new flooring. It’s the best of both worlds — the solid construction and beautiful landscape of the 70s with the beautiful interiors and modern designs of today.

There are four Vantage Hill condos for sale ranging from 2BR, 1.5 Baths for $185,000 to a 3 BR, 2 Bath unit for $225,000.

Utilities are included in the condo fees. Vantage Hill is located between Reston Town Center and Lake Anne Village Center, with an easy walk to either. It’s about a five-minute walk to Lake Anne Elementary School. Older children attend Langston Hughes Middle School and South Lakes High School.

Photo: Remodeled kitchen in Vantage Hill unit on market.

This is a sponsored post by Dr. Elizabeth Arguelles, veterinarian and owner of Just Cats Clinic at Lake Anne Plaza. 

Though most cats take care of cleaning themselves, there are some simple things you can do to help keep your cat’s fur healthy, clean and free of tangles or mats.

Most cat breeds have smooth outer coats of “protective hairs” and a fine undercoat of soft hairs that give additional insulation. Some cats shed a lot of those outer hairs, while others lose relatively little.

But regardless of how much fur they shed, all felines benefit from regular brushing to remove loose hairs and dead skin cells. This process helps ensure that their coats stay clean and free of external parasites, and also distributes natural skin oils along the hair shafts.

Regular brushing has other benefits for both your kitty and the other residents of your home. For example, removing loose fur and dander will ensure that your cat swallows a lot less hair while grooming with its tongue. This can mean fewer hairballs coughed up on your carpets! Humans with mild cat allergies will also have a better living situation because daily brushing can help reduce the amount of allergens in the air.

How often should you brush your cat?

It is best to brush your cat’s coat every day to make sure that no tangles or clumps develop. Pay particular attention to the areas that your kitty has trouble reaching with its tongue (e.g. under the armpits and behind the ears) and where clumps tend to develop (e.g. the backs of the legs, the belly and the rump).

Regularly checking your cat’s coat and skin will also have the side benefit of improving your chances of detecting any unusual lumps, bumps or areas of sensitivity on your cat’s body at an early stage.

Read More

This week’s Reston Pet of the Week is Anna, a Maltese/Poodle mix who could use a loving home.

Here is what her people at Caring Hearts Rescue have to say about her:

Named after a Disney Princess, Anna was found wandering the streets alone and ended up in a rural Virginia shelter.

She is an 8-year year old Maltese/Poodle mix and weighs a mere nine pounds. She has wiggled right into the hearts of everyone she has met. The transporters and vet staff were quite smitten with her. Her foster mom writes, “Oh my goodness, is this girl ever sweet! Not a mean bone in her body! She is a total love bug.”

Anna is quiet and a little shy but warms up very quickly to her humans. She is content being by your side or sitting on your lap. She dances around in circles when it is time to eat…but eats like the classy little lady she is.

She is very pretty, with big brown eyes and silky soft white hair.

Anna recently had her spay surgery and a complete dental and is in tip-top shape. Like most rescue dogs, Anna is getting a refresher course on house-training. She does fine with the other dogs in her foster home.

Are you and Anna a match? If so, let us know and our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, will send you some 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.

Labor Day weekend — the last hurrah before summer officially ends. We celebrate the holiday in style here in Reston with the annual Lake Anne Jazz & Blues Festival — one of my absolute favorite events of the whole year. If you’re new to Reston, or have never made it down to Lake Anne for this event, make sure to put it on your calendar.

In fact, the Lake Anne Jazz & Blues Festival is so much fun, it’s going to be an entire week this year. The fun starts Aug. 30 and culminates on Saturday, Sept. 5. And the best part is it is free. Fun for the whole family, this festival showcases talented local emerging artists and national jazz performers. Not only will there be great music, the Lake Anne merchants are featuring specials and there will be a fun featured film as part of the ongoing Summer Film Festival series.

Ready for a week of great music? Here is the full list of activities:

• Aug. 30 (sundown) – Summer Film Festival Series Movie “Jazz on a Summer’s Day” (1959 Classic)
• Sept. 1 (7-10 p.m.) – The Red Tree Solo (Café Montmartre)
• Sept. 1 (8 p.m.) – Jazz Trivia Night (Kalypso’s Sports Tavern)
• Sept. 1 (6-9 p.m.) – Mykle Lyons Trio (Plaza)
• Sept. 2 (8-10 p.m.) – The Caterpillars Duet (Café Montmartre)
• Sept. 2 (9:30 p.m.) – Jazz Karaoke Night (Kalypso’s Sports Tavern)
• Sept. 3 (7-9 p.m.) – Take A Break Concert Series featuring the Chris Vadala Quartet (Plaza)
• Sept. 4 (7:30-10:30 p.m.) – Cabernet (Café Montmartre)
• Sept. 4 (6:30-8:30 p.m.) — The Jason Kearse Trio (Plaza)

September 5 Jazz & Blues Festival Line Up

• 1 p.m. Ted Garber
•  2 p.m. Cissa Paz
•  3 p.m. Integriti Reeves4 p.m. Nia Olabesi
• 5 p.m. Mykle Lyons
• 6 p.m. Texas Chainsaw
• 7 p.m. Adrian Duke (Headliner)
• 9:30 p.m. Post Festival Late Night with Sam Gunderson (Kalypso’s Sports Tavern)

Don’t forget about the merchants. Here are some of the specials you can expect:

• Chesapeake Chocolates: Special Edition chocolate musical notes and instruments. Wine Tasting Sept. 3 from 5:30 to 7:30p.m.
• Reston’s Used Book Shop: 50 percent off all books about music
• Small Change Kids Consignment Shop: Melissa & Doug musical toys 50% off
• The Reston Museum: Music sale on local jazz performers Beverly Cosham, Menda Ahart and Felicia Crowley

But that’s only until Saturday, you say. You are right. So on Labor Day, head down the road to Herndon for the annual Herndon Labor Day Festival! It’s Monday, Sept. 7, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the Herndon Town Green (777 Lynn Street, Herndon, VA 20170).

There will be tastings of Virginia wines and craft beers, great music, a craft show, sponsor gallery, and food vendors. The Herndon Parks and Recreation Department and the Herndon Woman’s Club produce this fun event.

Admission and information

• Wine, Craft Brew Tastings and Entertainment – $20
  (ID required to purchase tastings)
• Concert only or designated driver – $5
• Extra beer tastings – $2 per ticket
• Cash only at gate
• Children 12 and under free
• No pets allowed
• Wine and craft brew tasting and selling of open containers ends at 4 p.m.

It’s a few weeks away, but enjoy your last official weekend of summer. I know I’m looking forward to it!

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.

The Fairfax County government has a policy to ensure that all its employees observe the standards of conduct, code of ethics, and other workplace rules. Department heads and supervisors must treat all employees in a fair and equitable manner, inform employees of rules governing conduct and discipline, and investigate and administer appropriate disciplinary action if necessary.

Disciplinary actions can range from warnings to dismissals. According to Fairfax County Personnel regulations, disciplinary action “will be taken only for good cause and after careful review of allegations with a goal, where appropriate, of correcting problem situation . . . and must be taken when warranted to promote the efficiency of the Fairfax County service.”

Investigation

When an employee commits an offense, the first step is for the department head or supervisor to investigate the alleged employee offense and obtain complete facts. Depending on the severity of the offense, the investigation may be detailed and conducted by a Fairfax County investigator or it can be short and conducted by the employee’s supervisor. The investigation may or may not include an interview of the employee.

Proposed Disciplinary Action

If the offense warrants a disciplinary action, a formal advance notice letter will be issued to the employee following the investigation. The letter will specify in sufficient detail the factual basis for the proposed disciplinary action, a listing of any previous offenses, and the employee’s right to respond, which is usually within five business days from receipt of the letter. The severity of the disciplinary action will be determined by the significance of the employee’s offense. Chapter 16 of the Fairfax County regulations provides the range of potential disciplinary actions for employees.

Decision

Following the employee’s response to the proposed disciplinary action, the department head will make a final decision on the issuance of the formal disciplinary actions of a suspension, dismissal, or demotion. If employees feel that they have been treated unfairly, they have a right to grieve the final decision if it results in a suspension, dismissal, or demotion. The grievance procedure is outlined in Chapter 17 of the Fairfax County regulations.

We represent Fairfax County government employees in labor and employment matters. If you need legal assistance, 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 week’s Reston Pet of the Week is Laney, a hound mix who is in need of a home. Here is what the folks at the Humane Society of Fairfax County  have to say about her:

Laney is a combination of the sweet breeds we call the hound mixes. Maybe some Beagle, maybe a little Spaniel and possibly some Lab tossed in. Whatever the mix is she is a cutie and super sweet.

She came to us starved and unloved. She was born last December and is a cute color of brindle and white and weighs about 20 lbs. She will be a small-to-medium size dog when full grown.

She’s playful and ready for lots of action. She loves attention from all age people and other dogs. Come and meet Laney to see if she is your match and you are hers.

Are you and Laney a match? If so, let us know and our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, will send you some 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.

When developers were envisioning the “last remaining parcel of land in the prestigious Reston community of Lake Anne,” they knew plans had better be great.

Designed in the last 1980s by Berkus Group Architects, a company well known for producing environmentally sensitive designs, and developed by Miller & Smith, Orchard Green Cluster is, indeed, a great design.

Backing into the trails that lead to Lake Anne and situated across the street from the Hook Road recreational area, Orchard Green Cluster is in prime spot for active Restonians.

Built in 1983, these 50 townhomes come in four floor plans. They range in size from 1900 square feet to 2700 square feet.

Some of the homes have garages, while other have carports and some have fireplaces, which are great on cold winter nights. All are well designed with ample space to grow and change as needed.

Orchard Green is in walking distance to Lake Anne Plaza and Reston Town Center. It is also accessible to all the major roadways that take you wherever you want to go.

Children attend Lake Anne Elementary, Langston Hughes Middle School, South Lakes High School.

Visit Reston Real Estate to see a great Orchard Green home that’s on the market today.

This is a sponsored post by Elizabeth Arguelles, veterinarian and owner of Just Cats Clinic at Lake Anne Plaza. 

One of the most popular questions cat veterinarians hear is can my cat see color? Though for years it was widely believed that cats were color blind, recent research indicates cats have the ability to detect color. While our eyes are able to detect a broad range of different colors, cats view color on a much smaller spectrum.

Where does the ability to see colors come from?

The retina contains two types of cells that allow us (or our feline friends) to see: rods and cones. Rods signal to the brain when any light waves reach the retina, regardless of their color. Cones, on the other hand, fire when lights of specific wavelengths (i.e. different colors) hit the eye. Some cones signal when blue light comes in contact with the retina, others respond to red light and a third variety fires when green light is detected.

How do cat and human eyes perceive color differently?

Because space on the retina is limited, more rods necessarily mean less cones and vice versa. Because cats have evolved to hunt in darker environments, their eyes are packed with considerably more rods than cones. As a result, they can seemingly “see in the dark” and detect the slightest motion, but their perception of colors is relatively poor. One study indicated, for example, that felines can only see blues and grays, while another concluded that they are also able to detect yellows.

The relative lack of cones also makes cats less sensitive to changes in the brightness or vibrancy of a color. They may not be able to distinguish, for example, between light blue and dark blue.

Humans, on the other hand, have to be able to function in both low-light and bright environments, so our eyes have evolved to contain ten times as many cones as those of our furry friends. Our night vision is worse, but we can see a full rainbow’s worth of color during the day.

How else are cat and human eyes different?

Evolutionary forces have also changed how well felines and humans can focus on objects at different distances. Because cats are closer to the ground and have more acute senses of sound and smell, focusing sharply on objects at distances greater than 50 yards away has never been a priority. As a result, they are somewhat nearsighted compared to us. Felines can detect things in the distance, but those objects tend to appear blurry.

What does all of this mean?

Though your kitty’s ability to detect and perceive color is largely unimportant with regard to its health and wellbeing, knowing about its sensory abilities can help you create a more enjoyable living space for your feline friend.

For more information please visit our Feline Health Library at: www.justcatsclinic.com.

Meet Cuddles, our Reston Pet of the Week. Cuddles is an older male cat in need of a home.

Here is what the people at Reston’s Little Buddies Adoption and Humane Society have to say about him:

Never was there a more handsome cat than Cuddles. Just look at all that gorgeous, silky orange and white fur.

Also, never was there a more affectionate cat. He is a total lap cat.

Because of allergies, his previous family with whom he lived for his entire life up to now, had to give him up. They say that Cuddles is cute and very well-behaved.

He loves toys. Cuddles is nine years old.

Are you and Cuddles a match? If so, Contact Little Buddies. Then let us know and our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, will send you some 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 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.

On July 21, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed a new anti-discrimination bill. The bill, referred to as the Federal Employee Antidiscrimination Act of 2015, H.R. 1557, enhances existing discrimination laws. The protections proposed by the bill largely focus on federal agency and supervisor accountability involving discrimination of federal employees in the workplace.

If the bill becomes law, it would require that each federal agency restructure its operations so that the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) program head reports directly to the agency head. Federal agencies would also be required to post notices on their agency’s website of any adverse findings of discrimination made against the agency for at least one year.

In addition, the new law would require an agency to notify the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) regarding whether it has taken disciplinary action against an employee found to have engaged in discrimination or retaliation. The new law would further require that the EEOC refer any federal employees who are found guilty of committing discrimination or retaliation to the U.S. Office of Special Counsel for disciplinary action.

A finding of discrimination against a supervisor does not often result in disciplinary action against the supervisor. Therefore, these new reporting and disclosure requirements would likely motivate agencies to take more disciplinary action against supervisors.

Lastly, the new law would prohibit non-disclosure agreements that prevent a federal employee from disclosing wrongdoing involving whistleblower matters to Congress, an Inspector General, or the U.S. Office of Special Counsel. Federal agencies typically insist on these types of non-disclosure clauses in their settlement agreements with federal employees. However, the new law would certainly end this practice.

Since the Act passed in the House 403-0, there is a strong likelihood that it will pass in the Senate and become law. It was received in the Senate on July 22, and has been referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

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.

Meet Gidget, this week’s Pet of the Week who needs a home.

Here is what her people at Lab Rescue of LRCP have to say about her:

Gidget is a 2-year-old spayed chocolate female. She is a very sweet girl that loves her older, smaller canine brother. She always wants to play. She just gives so much love.

She will let you know when she needs to go outside to potty by barking. She is crate trained and potty trained. Gidget is unknown around cats and is approved for kids 10 and up.

Gidget weighs 57 pounds and is up to date on shots. This dog is approved for homes with adults and/or kids ages 10 and up.

This dog is available for adoption from Lab Rescue LRCP. The rescue has about 50 dogs available for adoption at any given time.

If you are interested in adopting, please visit www.lab-rescue.org and complete an adoption application. Within a few days of submitting an application you will hear from an Adoption Coordinator who will guide you through the adoption process.

An adoption fee is charged to cover the cost of veterinary care and a house check is required.

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.

As a real estate agent and a lover of mom-and-pop businesses, I love it when I see young entrepreneurs making creative decisions to help them realize their dreams.

That is one of two reasons why I love The Boutique Bakeshop. You just have to look at the pictures of some of their cakes and desserts to know the other reason I love them.

Yes, they are not based in Reston but are very close by at 336 Elden St. in Herndon. You have to head that way if you’re going to Trader Joe’s or Mom’s Organic Market anyway, so you might as well stop in for a treat.

Aside from the amazing sweets, why do I think they are creative? Because the Boutique Bakeshop is a baker’s collective comprised of five very small businesses: Stephanie the Baker, Sweets by e, Sugar Pig Wholesale Sweets, The Itty-Bitty cake company, and Beau Monde Bakers.

Commercial real estate is very expensive, and none of these small businesses would be able to afford the rent alone — that’s a lot of cupcakes and pastries! But together, they can share a commercial kitchen, practice their art, be inspired by their peers, and showcase their talents through the public bakeshop. It’s a quadruple win. Read more about the inspiration for this collective here.

The small retail bakery in the storefront is a stroke of genius — it lets people try out the bakers’ treats before buying a whole cake (or whatever else is on the menu). They’ve got a comfy couch, a few tables, and good coffee. What more could you want? But don’t trust me. Go visit them today!

Photo courtesy of The Boutique Bakeshop website.

This is a promoted post from Metro.

Metro’s Silver Line is turning one.

Join us at the Wiehle-Reston station as we celebrate with a big screen family movie night under the stars! Bring your friends. Bring your kids.

We will be showing Despicable Me. The fun begins at 6:15 p.m., and the movie starts at 8:45 p.m.

And don’t forget some cozy blankets and chairs. We’ll even have free popcorn on hand to make this a true theater experience. Food will be available for purchase, though you’re welcome to bring your own goodies, too. Please, just no glass bottles/containers, alcohol or cooking on Metro property.

The show will go on — rain or shine. If mother nature throws a fit, we’ve got an indoor space ready to go. But fingers crossed it’s a warm and starry summer night.

Here’s what you need to know:

WHAT

Silver Line Birthday Celebration & Movie Night

WHERE

The Plaza @ Wiehle-Reston Metro station

11389 Reston Station Blvd.

Reston, VA 20190

WHEN

Sunday, July 26

6:00 p.m. (event)

8:45 p.m. (movie)