Reston Chamber Spotlight is a biweekly feature from Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce. Today’s spotlight is on Random Words Marketing Group, a creative services firm with offices at Plaza America. Speaking for them is CEO and President Laura Ramirez Drain.
Reston Now: Why did you decide to start your business in Reston?
Random Words: Because I have lived in Reston for more than 10 years, I have seen how much Reston has grown. Reston is a great place to do business. You can find opportunities everywhere without driving far away, so I decided that I would focus all my effort around Reston. My fist step was joined the Greater Reston Chamber, because I need to meet small business owners to offer my services.
Reston Now: What are the challenges and rewards of being a business owner?
RW: Challenges: Money Management –Having enough cash to cover the bills; Fatigue — The hours, the work and the constant pressure to perform wears on even the most passionate individuals; Financial Knowledge, There is so much you have to learn.
Rewards: You are your own boss; You mange your time; You develop your own goals
Reston Now: Name something about your business that most people don’t know?
RW: We can help to find the right words for the right people in Korean, Spanish and Chinese. We use your words and places in video, radio, print and social media with that you will be able to reach the communities that need you.
Reston Now: What is the unique value proposition your clients get when using your services?
RW: Random Words Marketing is a consulting business, we don’t sell products we sale solutions. We will partner with you to define your goals and then design and deliver customized marketing solutions that are right for you, from print to video. We will find the right market to implement the solution and we will help you to find the right customer for you.
This is a sponsored post by Elizabeth Arguelles, veterinarian and owner of Just Cats Clinic at Lake Anne Plaza.
One of the hardest things to accept as a pet parent is the undeniable reality that we will likely outlive our furry friends. Proper veterinary care can certainly help you get many long happy years with your kitty, but the difference in our average lifespans means that you will probably have to say goodbye to a beloved friend and part of your life.
For many, this can be as emotionally difficult and painful as losing a human member of the family. The resulting grief can be debilitating and can cause wider problems if not dealt with effectively.
Fortunately, there are strategies for coping with the death of a beloved pet. The first step is to better understand your own emotional response. There are five generally accepted stages that one passes through on the journey from the initial loss to a place of healing and recovery. Let’s look at each one a little more closely:
1. Shock, disbelief and denial: When a cat parent first loses a beloved friend, the enormity of the situation, the intense pain and the feeling of bereavement often overwhelm the person’s capacity to handle them. Refusing to believe or accept reality Read More
This week’s Reston Pet of the Week is Raven, a Boxer puppy. Here is what owner Chrystal has to say about her:
Raven is a 6 month old loving happy boxer mix. She is named after the Baltimore Ravens. Since she has been in our home, she has brought us closer together.
She loves children. She will greet them with smiles and wagging tail. She absolutely Loves “walking herself.”
Raven is silly, smart, protective, obedient, loving, a great cuddle buddy, laid back and gentle. She is a great swimmer and has the most silliest run (she thinks she’s a racehorse at times).
She likes to try new things and loves attention. She poses well for pictures.
Raven absolutely loves watching Spongebob. She goes everywhere we go.She is the only dog that I’ve had that hasn’t torn anything up. Raven is the biggest blessing in our lives. She likes when butterflies rest on her.
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.
Reston is full of hidden gems — it’s like a real life treasure hunt here! And The Wharf is one of them.
What makes The Wharf so unique? This community of townhomes surrounds a pair of ponds at the top of a hill AND the community overlooks Lake Audubon. Yes, this is a water lover’s paradise.
Reston architect Michael Oxman conceived of The Wharf in 1977.
“When I decided to become a townhouse developer for my own design, I looked first at some lakefront property,” he told a architectural magazine at the time. “Trouble is, only 20 percent of the townhouses on those sites are actually on the water. Those sell quickly, then there is often a long period trying to sell the off-water homes.”
This is not a problem in The Wharf.
The Cluster was finally built between 1981 and 1986, and is located on Timberhead Court off Glade Drive on Lake Audubon. The 55 cedar-sided, multi-level three- to-five-bedroom townhouses were designed and built to look like a New England fishing village. Most of the homes have garages.
What really makes The Wharf special, though, is the ponds. These delicately balanced living ecosystems are not runoff ponds like other Reston lakes. They are more similar to mountaintop lakes since they are not contaminated from fertilizer and waste running off with rainwater.
Two freshwater wells provide water to the ponds. You will find blue-gill sunfish and large mouth bass in a ratio of ten sunfish to one bass. The sunfish eat mosquito larvae, and the bass keep the sunfish population under control.
In a place renowned for access to nature, The Wharf stands out. This is a neighborhood for people who love water and want to be close 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.
President Barack Obama recently proposed a salary increase for millions of American employees by proposing to expand the scope of overtime rules under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
The proposed rule issued by the U.S. Department of Labor would raise the overtime salary threshold–which is currently $23,700–to as much as $50,400. As a result, the salary level for non-exempt employees would double under the new overtime rule if they work more than 40 hours a week. This new overtime rule would present a significant change in overtime requirements for employers and employees.
One of the reasons for the change is that the current overtime rules provide employers significant leeway to classify employees as “managerial” and, therefore, exempt them from time-and-a-half overtime compensation. The President took the action under the FLSA, which was enacted in 1938 and last updated in 2004, through a proposed change in regulations by the U.S. Department of Labor.
This type of regulatory change does not require Congressional action and will likely be in effect in 2016 when the rule is finalized. The public can comment on the proposed rule up until September 4, 2015.
In the past, the FLSA salary threshold did not account for inflation. One of the goals of the proposed rule is to establish procedures for automatically updating salary levels in the future.
The new overtime change will mean that a significant portion of employees will now be eligible for overtime compensation for the first time. For more information on the new proposed rule, view the U.S. Department of Labor’s fact sheet.
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 week’s Reston Pet of the Week is Tiger Baby, a male cat who needs a home. Here is what the folks at Fancy Cats Rescue Team have to say about him.
Tiger Baby is a very sweet boy, about 2 years old. He wants to play with other cats, so he would love a home with some kitty siblings! He loves wet food, catnip mice, and string toys. He likes being held and petted.
He uses a sisal /carpet combo scratching post. He likes to climb and is still very much a kitten. He does some play biting sometimes, but it does not hurt, it is very playful. He is a very striking boy.
If you are interested in adopting, please fill out an application and a representative will get back to you shortly to answer any questions you may have. The application can be found here on Fancy Cats’ web site.
To promote our adult cats during this busy kitten season, all adult cats have a reduced adoption fee of $75 through July, and the fee for seniors (7+) is waived.
If you and Tiger Baby are a match, let us know and we will put you in touch with our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, who will send you 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.
The following post is written and sponsored by Erickson Living
As a caregiver, you’re navigating difficult decisions on a daily basis as your loved one faces changes in health and capability. Caring for someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease can be particularly draining, physically and emotionally.
If you’re struggling to meet your family member’s evolving needs, ask yourself these three questions to help determine if it’s time to consider a memory care facility.
Have your loved one’s health needs advanced beyond your capabilities?
Your family member’s medical care may become increasingly complex, making it difficult for you to keep up with their needs. Physical and mental ailments related to advancing stages of dementia and Alzheimer’s — including sleep disturbances, depression, and incontinence — complicate the already delicate care routines you’ve established.
Your loved one may exhibit unusual and inappropriate behaviors, including verbal and physical aggression. Often, the anger can be inadvertently directed toward the caregiver, creating frustration and resentment. Are these physical and emotional challenges beyond your abilities?
Is your loved one safe in their current home environment?
There is a significant chance that your family member will wander away from your home, even in the time it takes you to make a trip to the restroom. Ask yourself if your home is secure enough to prevent this from happening, as it may become more frequent.
You may also be concerned that your loved one will expose themselves to danger attempting to use household appliances, or they may simply have difficulty getting around the house due to troubles with balance or reliance on a walker or wheelchair. Are you prepared for emergencies, including fires and injuries?
Is your health at risk?
Caregivers experience high levels of stress on a daily basis. Be honest with yourself–have you noticed any decline in your physical health while caring for your loved one? Are you more anxious, exhausted, or irritable than normal? Do you have trouble concentrating?
Because your family member relies on you for care, your quality of life directly affects theirs. If you can’t maintain your own good health, you may be doing them a disservice.
A continuing care retirement community like Ashby Ponds in Ashburn, Virginia, can provide a solution to these and other concerns. Ashby Ponds offers independent living residences along with higher levels of care on the same campus.
With the assistance of a dedicated staff, your family member’s day-to-day life will be safer, simpler, and more fulfilled. The physicians and senior health specialists at Ashby Ponds create an individual care plan for every resident, which can greatly benefit their quality of life.
Most importantly, you’ll enjoy peace of mind knowing that your loved one is receiving the personalized health care of the highest quality.
Call 1-888-820-9623 today to schedule a personal tour of Ashby Ponds and learn more about memory care. You can also visit EricksonLiving.com to request a free brochure.
Reston Chamber Spotlight is a regular feature sponsored by the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce. Today’s spotlight is on Realtor Epi Pitre of Move With Epi.
RN: Why did you decide to start your business in Reston?
EP: I decided to start my business here in Reston because Reston is an exciting place to live! There are so many great opportunities here. Reston is changing, buzzing and fresh. We now have Metro, a direct way into the heart of DC.
From a Realtor’s perspective, Reston is an absolute gem. There really is something for everyone — from quiet lakeside living to the urban feel of the Reston Town Center and everything in between.
RN: What are the challenges and rewards of being a business owner?
EP: Being a business owner or self-employed definitely has its rewards. The fact that you’re a business owner or self-employed probably means that you’re doing something you love.
However, I will say that it is probably going to be the hardest dollar you’ve ever earned. The hours are long and you have to be focused, goal oriented and hold yourself accountable. It’s important to have a solid business plan and to periodically evaluate your own performance.
There is also the financial uncertainty, especially in the first few years, that can cause you to rethink this path. With that being said, I assure you that hard work truly does pay off. The ultimate reward of having a successful business is being independent and in control of how you chose to spend your time personal and business.
RN: Name something about your business that most people don’t know.
EP: Often, buyers don’t want to sign the “exclusive right to represent” contract and don’t quite understand why we are asking them to do so. I’ve been asked many times by potential clients to just show them homes and if they find one they like, then they would work with me. Read More
This is a sponsored post by Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate.
Even with a holiday week last week, we managed to get 29 houses sold in Reston.
Home prices in this group of newly sold listings ranged from $1,650,000 for a Midtown condo to $188,000 for a Northgate Square condo. Average days on market was down to 21, an improvement of just over seven days.
Here are some of the most expensive and least expensive houses that sold in Reston this past week.
1400 NORTHGATE SQ #21A. 1BR, 1 BA. List Price: $188,750. Sold Price: $188,000.
11990 MARKET ST #1412. 3BR, 3BA. List Price: $1,650,000. Sold Price: $1,650,000.
2037 ROYAL FERN CT #21B. 2BR, 1BA. List Price: $208,000. Sold Price: $201,000.
2003 UPPER LAKE DR. 4BR, 3.5 BA. List Price: $850,000. Sold Price: $850,000. Seller Subsidy $5,000.
1203 BISHOPSGATE WAY. 7BR, 6.5 BA. List Price: $1,450,000. Sold Price: $1,500,000.
12154 PURPLE SAGE CT. 3BR, 1.5BA. List Price: $340,000. Sold Price: $340,000. Seller Subsidy: $4,350.
This is a sponsored post by veterinarian Elizabeth Arguelles, owner of Just Cats Clinic at Lake Anne Plaza.
Introducing a new cat into your home if you already have another kitty can be challenging. But with patience and hard work, you can have a multi-cat household that’s not only rewarding for you, but for your new kitty crew as well!
The most important tip is to take things slowly. When bringing a new cat into your home, patience is critical. It may take two cats eight to twelve months to grow accustomed to each other, so introduce them gradually and do not rush.
Before you pick up your new cat, prepare a place in your home like a larger bathroom or separate bedroom with bedding, food, water, litter box and toys. Also make sure to spray Feliway or place Feliway diffusers around your home to help with the transition. Place your new cat in the separate room. This allows your new cat to adjust to the new surroundings and your current kitties to adjust to the smells and sounds of the new family member.
Make sure to give meals, treats, and playtime near the door that separates them. This will help them get used to each other at meal times and to associate good things with each other. Read More
Meet Bro, a male Lab/Shepherd mix who is looking for a home. Here is what Pet Connect Rescue has to say about him:
Bro is a one-year-old Lab/Shepherd mix who weighs 47 pounds. Bro is a playful boy who would love a yard to romp in, kids to play fetch with and someone to take him on long walks or hikes.
Bro plays well with other dogs and greets everyone with a wagging tail. This fun-loving boy would make a spectacular addition to an active family! Bro is neutered, up-to-date on vaccines and preventatives and eager to find a family to love.
The adoption fee for this dog is $295, which includes routine vetting and spay/neuter.
To complete an online application, please click here, then email Crystal at [email protected].
If you and Bro are a match, let us know and we will put you in touch with our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, who will send you 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.
Did you know that fireworks retailers sold $369.4 million fireworks in 2012 and fireworks wholesalers sold $508.1 million? Yes, we Americans LOVE our July 4th fireworks shows. And no place is this more evident than the Washington, DC metro area.
As you plan your Independence Day celebrations, think about which fireworks show you want to watch. You can stay local in Reston, head into the city or out to the country. You have many choices!
The fireworks on the National Mall are perhaps some of the most spectacular, and you can get wonderful views of them from various spots around the city. Venture down to the National Mall or hang out at the Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima) in Arlington, near the Rosslyn Metro station. Or stop at the roadside areas areas on the GW Parkwawy along the Virginia side of the Potomac River.
Of course, you don’t need to go into DC to see great fireworks. We’ve got our own right here in Reston at Lake Fairfax Park (1400 Lake Fairfax Dr.). Fireworks begin around 9:15 p.m. Admission is free.
Here is a list of other Independence Day fireworks near Reston:
Herndon: Bready Park, Herndon Community Center, 814 Ferndale Ave. Face painting, balloon sculpturing, bingo and crafts begin at 6:30 p.m. Music at 7 p.m. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
Fairfax: Fairfax City, Independence Day Parade through the downtown area beginning at 10 a.m. Musical entertainment begins at 7 p.m. at Fairfax High School with a spectacular fireworks display at dark.
Falls Church: George Mason High School, 7124 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church. Live music will start at 7 p.m. followed by fireworks at 9:20 p.m.
Leesburg: Ida Lee Park, Rt. 15 (King Street) and Ida Lee Drive, Leesburg, Virginia. Gates open at 6 p.m. Fireworks around 9:30 p.m.
McLean: Langley High School, 6520 Georgetown Pike, McLean. Grounds open at 8 p.m., fireworks at 9:15 p.m. Free admission and parking. Shuttle buses will be available from St. John’s Lutheran Church (on Douglass St. and Georgetown Pike) and the McLean Community Center.
Vienna: Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry Street SE. Arts and crafts, food, live music, vendors, and games. Celebrations start at 11 a.m. Fireworks at 9:15 p.m. at Southside Park on Ross Dr.
Have a great July 4th!
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.
Employees are entitled to all of their previously earned wages, even if they are terminated. However, for various reasons employers sometimes attempt to avoid paying the last paycheck to a former employee. The nonpayment of wages can cause significant hardship for an employee and can be a costly mistake for an employer. Fortunately, there are several laws and regulations that govern issues related to the nonpayment of wages.
An employer generally should pay an employee’s paycheck by the next pay period. Some state laws vary on this issue, but failure to make prompt payment can violate a number of wage and overtime laws such as the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The Virginia Code § 40.1-29 provides that final payments to a terminated employee should be made on or before the employee would have normally been paid had the employee not been terminated. The Virginia Code imposes civil and criminal penalties for nonpayment of wages by an employer. The Virginia Code further prohibits employers from deducting portions of a final payment without the former employee’s consent with the exception of standard taxes and withholdings.
States vary on the issue of whether an employee is entitled to receive accrued vacation or sick leave upon an employee’s departure. Virginia has taken the approach that fringe benefits such as vacation/annual/holiday leave, sick leave or severance pay are not required to be paid out by a former employer under the law. In addition, employers may establish any policy or no policy regarding fringe benefits at the termination of an employee.
If an employee in Virginia is confronted with nonpayment of final wage issues, the employee can contact the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry. The Virginia Department of Labor and Industry may assist an employee in obtaining payment of final wages after the employee files a complaint, but it does not handle claims for wages over the amount of $15,000. If the payment of lost wages also involves unpaid overtime, the United States Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division may be contacted and an investigation may be initiated for FLSA overtime violations by the former employer. Additionally, the failure to pay both wages and overtime can be pursued in court.
We represent employees in federal employment matters nationwide, and 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’s been a strange few weeks in Reston Real Estate. Moving into summer the market seemed to throw on the breaks — calls to other agent confirmed that it wasn’t just my listings that were not being shown. I don’t know if it was the crush of end of school year activities or what but it felt like the air had come out of the balloon!
The numbers tell a slightly different story: June saw 104 houses sold with an average days on market of 31. We have 370 active listings, which gives us 3.5 months’ worth of housing inventory.
We have 131 Pending transactions, whose average days on market is 41. So the market is moving slower, but it is moving. Sellers should anticipate a longer time to get their property under contract but things are still selling. Generally, activity has been picking back up. Hopefully that trend will continue as we move through the summer.
Here are a few of the houses in Reston that recently sold:
1617 INLET CT. 4BR, 2.5 BA. List Price: $695,000. Sold Price: $675,000.
1451 ALDENHAM LN. 5BR, 3.5 BA. List Price: $599,000. Sold Price: $601,014.
11599 NEWPORT COVE LN. 3BR, 2 BA. List Price: $695,000. Sold Price: $695,000.
1363 HERITAGE OAK WAY. 3BR, 2 FB, 2 HB. List Price: $514,900. Sold Price: $514,900. Seller Subsidy: $6,500.
12228 QUORN LN. 4BR, 3 BA. List Price: $697,000. Sold Price: $697,000.
2221 WAKEROBIN LN. 4BR 3.5 BA. List Price: $639,800. Sold Price: $639,800. Seller Subsidy: $1,500.
For more real estate information, visit our website or Facebook page.
Meet Custis, a 2-year-old Basset/Beagle mix who is searching for his forever home.
Here is what the folks at Homeward Trails Animal Rescue have to say about him:
Custis is a happy male Basset/Beagle mix who is only two years old. He is about 30 lbs. Custis is shy with new people but warms up quickly and bonds well to his human. He really loves dogs and his personality REALLY comes out when he gets to play with other dogs! He is a very sweet and quiet little guy who would love to find his forever home.
Custis will do better in a suburban environment with less city noise as he finds this stressful. He needs a patient person who is able to help him gain confidence.
Custis is in temporary boarding and needs a foster. Most importantly, he would love to find his forever home.
The adoption fee for this dog is $300. This fee INCLUDES spay/neuter and microchip. If the animal you are adopting is not already spayed/neutered, you will be required to sign a contract legally obligating you to have the animal altered. .
If you are interested in adopting this dog, please fill out our dog adoption questionnaire and e-mail it to [email protected]. You can find the adoption questionnaire on Homeward Trails’ website.
If you and Custis are a match, let us know and we will put you in touch with our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, who will send you 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.
