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 Federal Erroneous Retirement Coverage Corrections Act (FERCCA) was enacted in September 2000 and designed to provide relief to federal civilian employees who were placed in the wrong federal retirement system for at least three years of service after Dec. 31, 1986.
Typically, FERCCA errors arise when a federal employee experiences a break in service, especially during the mid-1980s when the Federal Employees Retirement Systems (FERS) plan was created. In some cases, FERCCA has provided federal employees and annuitants placed in the wrong federal retirement system with the opportunity to choose between FERS and the offset provisions contained within the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS).
In order to determine if you are in the correct federal retirement plan, you need to know the type of appointment you have and your work history. Federal retirement rules governing retirement plan placement are complex and contain many exceptions that are hard to follow. If you find that you fit in any of the situations described below, you could be in the wrong federal retirement system. However, keep in mind that there are exceptions to the general rules.
If you currently have CSRS coverage, then you may be in the wrong plan if:
- You worked for the federal government before 1984, but not on a permanent basis;
- You left federal employment for more than a year at any time after 1983;
- You have a temporary appointment limited to a year or less, a term appointment, or an emergency indefinite appointment;
- You have no federal civilian employment before 1984; or
- You do not have a career or career conditional appointment and you work on an intermittent basis (see the work schedule block on your SF-50).
This is a sponsored post by Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate.
There were 34 new properties that came on the market in Reston this past week. In that same period 36 went under contract. Nice, solid activity especially since today is the first day of spring.
Here are a few of the properties that are new to the market this week.
12037 LAKE NEWPORT RD. 5BR, 3.5BA. List Price $739,500.00. Open Sunday
12099 EDGEMERE CIR. 3BR, 3.5 BA. List Price $570,000
1591 INLET CT. 3BR, 2.5 BA. List Price $525,000. Open Sunday
11417 GREAT MEADOW DR. 4BR, 3.5 BA. List Price $790,000. Open Sunday
10815 CROSS SCHOOL RD. 3BR, 3BA. List Price $695,000
1541 CHATHAM COLONY CT. 4BR, 2FB, 2HB. List Price $440,000
Click here for more information on Reston Real Estate.
Meet Stobust, this week’s Reston Pet of the Week. She is living out her golden years here in Reston. Here is what her owner, Emily, has to say:
I got Stobust when I was 5 years old — we found her outside a supermarket when she was less than a few weeks old. She has been by my side since day one. She recently turned 20 years old. Her days are very limited — but we are so lucky to still be able to shower her with love every day.
Stobust has a love for milk, ham, and canned cat food. She lays in front of the fire — or on top of any heated item — for as long as possible. During the summertime, she lays out on the front porch and cherishes the sun rays the beat down on her. If you let her, she will lay in your arms all day long.
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.
The spring market is here. This is the time of year when the most listings hit the market, so it is important to make sure your home is is top shape to sell quickly and for the best price.
I have covered some of the basics in this column before, but perhaps your home was not for sale back then. Here are some of my favorite (and proven) ways to shine in a competitive market.
Pretty On the Outside — Looks matter, and that begins outdoors. Take a good look at what is going on and make a list of little things that can give you the edge. Among them: clean gutters, plant fresh annuals, upgrade your front door hardware and repair rotting wood. Here are some more curb appeal tips.
Clean On The Inside — I mean white-glove level cleaning. Gleaming grout kind of cleaning. If things won’t get clean, it is time to get serious. Perhaps the tub grout should be replaced or the kitchen painted. A super clean and orderly home says “I have been well maintained.” A clean house reduces buyer anxiety.
Speaking of Painting — Fifty percent of homes I see are freshly painted. Showing a home is different than living in a home, so a nice, new neutral look will reach the most prospective buyers. This is one of the best things you can do to give your house a fresh, updated and ready-to-sell look.
Bust Clutter — Reduce the “stuff” in your closets by half. Temporarily rent a storage locker if necessary. Even better, have a neutral party come over and help you go through the “save, donate, trash” process. This will help you emotionally detach from some of the things you are saving and get you to realize you might not miss them when you move to your new home.
For more tips on getting your home ready, see this previous column on Reston Now. Visit Reston Real Estate for complete listing and other real estate information.
There were 19 homes that went from Pending to Sold this past week. The sales ranged in price from $725,000 to $199,000, with an average list price of $414,255 and were on the market for an average of 44 days before going under contract.
In that same period, 22 houses went from Active to Pending with an average days on market of just 25.
Total number of home for sale in Reston is 227 — or just under a three-month supply of inventory. None of this is a surprise as we’re fully into our spring market and things in Reston are busy!
Here are a few of the homes that sold this week in Reston:
2103 Thomas View Road. 4BR, 2.5BA. List Price: $609,900. Sold Price: $616,000. Seller Subsidy: $0
2125 Golf Course Drive. 3BR, 2.5BA. List Price: $369,500. Sold Price: $365,000. Seller Subsidy: $5,500
1347 Garden Wall Circle. #612. 2BR, 1BA. List Price: $255,000. Sold Price: $255,000. Seller Subsidy: $3,500
11408E Gate Hill Place #117. 2BR, 2BA. List Price: $405,000. Sold Price $309,000. Seller Subsidy: $5,000
1439 Greenmont Court. 2BR, 2.5BA. List Price: $399,950. Sold Price: $399,950. Seller Subsidy: $7,500
12000 Market Street. #189. 3BR, 2BA. List Price: $529,000. Sold Price: $518,000. Seller Subsidy: $0
Visit Reston Real Estate for more listing and sales information.
This is a sponsored post by veterinarian Elizabeth Arguelles of Just Cats Clinic at Lake Anne Plaza.
Whether you have been a cat parent for years or are just introducing a new kitty to your home, it is worth taking a few minutes to make sure your house is a safe and secure environment for its feline inhabitants.
Household cleaners, beauty products, some plants and flowers, and even certain foods — all of which are found in most homes — can be dangerous or even fatal to cats if ingested. Fortunately, a little foresight and prevention can go a long way toward keeping your kitty away from potential dangers.
Here are some ways to “cat-proof” your house and make sure your furry feline stays happy and healthy:
Common household supplies and both over-the-counter and prescription medicines need to be stored in such a way that your cat can’t get into them. If you drop any pills on the floor, pick them up immediately. Store your medications in a cupboard or cabinet, because childproof containers are not necessarily “chew-proof!” Putting childproof latches on those doors will also keep your cat from investigating, chewing or even licking anything dangerous.
Many household plants and flowers are toxic to cats, with lilies being the most dangerous. Avoid bringing lilies of any kind into your home because even a small amount ingested can be fatal. Even though other plants and flowers are less toxic, some varieties can still cause vomiting or diarrhea if your cat eats them. For this reason, it is best to keep any plants and flowers out of your kitty’s reach. Or better yet, replace them with cat-friendly plants like catnip or “cat grass.”
Keep breakable objects out your cat’s reach. As we all know, our kitties love exploring and jumping on tables, cabinets and bookshelves. They have been known to “accidentally” break some of the fragile items resting in those spots. Broken glass or ceramic can also pose a danger to the cat if it walks or chews on the fragments. If you’re not able to move stuff out of your feline friend’s way, there are ways to encourage it to jump elsewhere. For example, make sure your cat has a cat tree or shelving that they can walk on instead. Scratching posts and pads are other options for deterring your kitty from jumping on the furniture.
Unplug exposed electrical cords when you are not using them. Some cats love to chew on electrical cords, especially those attached to Christmas lights. This behavior can expose your kitty to a nasty shock. To avoid this, you can cover your cords with a protector or coat them with a non-toxic spray from the pet store.
Make sure that drapery and blind cords remain out of reach. Cats love to play and bat around strings, but they can inadvertently strangle themselves if they wind the cord around its neck or choke on the plastic pull if they swallow it.
Always check refrigerators, freezers, dresser drawers, closets, washers and dryers before closing their doors. We all know how stealthy cats can be, and you might not notice your cat sneaking past you to find a quiet, dark place to sleep.
Keep the toilet lid down. Cats sometimes look for sources of water other than what’s in their water dish. In their quest to find new sources, they can end up venturing into the toilet. This could result in a very wet and unhappy cat.
These few easy little tweaks can help keep your cat happy and safe in your home.
If you have any questions or concerns about whether something is dangerous, please always consult your veterinarian. For more information please visit our Feline Health Library at: www.justcatsclinic.com.
This is a sponsored post by Reston interior designer Cindy Beyer, a Reston Now Best Reston Business winner.
By this time of year, we are all feeling cooped up after a very long, long winter. All of us can’t wait to open up the house to the spring and summer warm winds.
Now it is time to invite springtime into your home. The first thing to do: Fill your vases with fresh tulips, irises, daffodils, gerbera daisies, lilies, etc.
It does not matter what vase you use, the more original the better. Try different glass vases and urns filled with stones or glass marbles or just plain water. Small lemons and limes in the bottom of the vase can also add punch and color. At this point of the BLAH winter, who cares? To keep your cut flowers looking fresh, remember to change the water every day and every few days give them a fresh cut.
Did you know you can even buy fresh flowers at Home Depot? Send the hubby there for some fertilizer, you never know what you are going to get.
The next thing you can do is to bring out the summer linens (if you change for summer or winter, I do not). There is nothing like crisp white bed sheets and towels, maybe with a yellow or lime chartreuse accent pillowcases and hand towels. The big color this year is chartreuse, so anything in the green/ yellow or yellow/green will do. Don’t forget to add bright yellows and bright oranges to the mix.
Think nature…Spring nature. Enough of the grey and white, we will address those colors next December. It is also time to retire the winter door wreath for a new spring wreath. Remember that your new purchase may be shared with the robin family just waiting for a new home. Therefore, it is a good idea to get one you can hose off after nesting season.
Also remember to bring out your spring planters and pot them with frostproof spring flowers such as pansies.
It is a good time to think about your outdoor furniture and if you need to replace those worn-out cushions. Contact your furniture manufacturer for replacement options or google some local fabricators. Remember to use a Sunbrella type fabric with mold-resistant cushion foam. Spruce your seating up with bright outdoor pillows available mostly anywhere.
If your outside deck needs help and you can’t replace or refinish it, just throw a bright indoor/outdoor area rug to brighten it up. Now is the time to order.
Happy spring. If you want spring design tips visit me at [email protected].
This week’s Reston Pet of the Week is Angus, a human-sized Great Dane.
Here is what owners Kara and Chris have to say about their pet:
Meet Angus, our 2-year-old Great Dane. We brought him home when he was eight weeks old and 25 pounds. Now he is a whopping 130 pounds. He is a great big goofball and still acts like a puppy. He is so entertaining to have around the house and always makes us laugh at his antics.
His favorite things are destroying toys, sitting on laps, chasing sticks, catching snowballs, playing in the snow and swimming. Most of the time he is just a big couch potato though and loves snuggling on the couch. He typically takes over an entire side of our sectional couch. If you want to sit on the floor, watch out because he will come and plop all 130 pounds on you because he thinks he is a lap dog.
Angus is so good with our 2-month-old daughter. He is always going to her swing or crib to check on her and loves licking her head. We love him to pieces and he is such a sweetheart. He has been such a blessing in our lives and can’t imagine life without him.
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.
Restonians love their lakeside living, and Chadds Ford Cluster is one of the many lakeside townhome communities in South Reston.
This neighborhood of 57 brick-and-siding townhouses is located off Ridge Heights Road on Lake Thoreau — about half of those are direct lakefront properties.
The cluster was built between 1978 and 1980, and each three-level home has two to four bedrooms. All homes have at least two assigned parking spaces. For those who enjoy boating or rafting, Chadd’s Ford Cluster owns and maintains two docks for the residents and guests to use and enjoy.
Any day the weather is nice, you’ll see people making the most of living on lovely Lake Thoreau. For those who like leisurely walks or runs, the Reston Association paths run through the cluster. It is a beautiful, short walk to South Lakes Village Center for dining and shopping.
For families, Chadds Ford Cluster is walking distance to South Lakes High School, Langston Hughes Middle School, and Terraset Elementary School.
This is the kind of neighborhood where you can see the residents’ pride in the beautifully manicured landscaping. The cluster association sponsors several social gatherings each year, adding to the warm community feel.
Give it a visit, and you’ll see what I mean. This is a wonderful neighborhood.
Chamber Spotlight is a feature from the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce. Reston Now will spotlight the chamber’s local businesses and business leaders on a regular basis. Today’s spotlight is on Bite Me Cancer, a nonprofit run by Sharon, Michael and Nikki Ferraro.
Why did you decide to start your business in Reston? Bite Me Cancer is run out of our home office in Chantilly. As a small growing nonprofit, we have to keep costs low. We spend a lot of time in Reston, so we feel many times like we live and work in Reston.
What are the challenges and rewards of being a business owner? All three of us consider ourselves the business owners (Michael, Sharon and Nikki Ferraro) since we are the co-founders of Bite Me Cancer. Being a business owner as many rewards and some challenges.
Rewards include: making a direct difference with our own beliefs and goals, flexible schedule, quicker decisions, able to shift priorities quickly, having complete ownership of the direction andsuccess/failure.
The challenges: flexible schedule can be a challenge because it’s very easy to work more hours and can be harder to step away from the work, most of the time need to wear many hats and so need to keep up with skills needed for the business, sometimes don’t have the “experts” available.
Name something about your business that most people don’t know? Bite Me Cancer’s name came from our daughter (Nikki, founder and cancer survivor) saying “Bite me, Dad” when he thought he came up 
with a great name for her new Relay for Life team (a week after being diagnosed) and she thought his choice for the name was silly. As soon as she said “Bite me, Dad” we all looked at each other and she said “Bite Me Cancer?” The name was born for the team, and five months later it became the name of her foundation.
What is the unique value proposition your clients know when using your services? Donors and volunteers to Bite Me Cancer know that we run an honest and efficient nonprofit where over 90-92% of the dollars goes directly to program goals of the foundation. They know that we care deeply about helping cancer survivors, and they know that we are available almost 24 hours/day if they need to reach us.
Describe a typical day as the business owner? For Bite Me Cancer, there are many activities going on through our five committees and our board of directors. So as a business owner, there is a lot of coordination of the needs with our volunteers, making sure they are following through, having questions answered, etc. Also, there are emails and calls that come in that need responses. Read More
Join us Saturday, March 14, from noon to 4:00 pm and Sunday, March 15, from noon to 3:00 pm, at the region’s most innovative luxury apartment community, Harrison at Reston Town Center, for our Grand Opening event.
During this celebration, we will be giving extensive tours featuring our indoor lap pool, spectacular culinary center, expansive health & fitness center, executive business center, fully outfitted game room, SkyClub with virtual golf, and all four of our furnished models, plus an exclusive penthouse preview.
The Harrison’s Grand Opening is guaranteed to provide a remarkable experience for everyone! From ceremonies to fitness classes, mixology demonstrations to food and wine tastings, our community welcomes you to attend all of our Grand Opening weekend affairs.
Saturday, March 14 events include:
Noon – 1:00 p.m.
The Harrison’s Official Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Our restaurant-quality culinary center welcomes head chef Nate Waugaman, from José Andrés’ America Eats Tavern, who will prepare jambalaya for guests to enjoy.
2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
During this hour, Ferraiolo Fitness’ highly accredited instructors will conduct a P90X® class in The Harrison’s state-of-the-art health & fitness center.
3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Mixed signature cocktails will be served in our spacious culinary center lounge. All drinks will be hand-crafted by the professional bartenders of Jackson’s.
Sunday, March 15 events include:
Noon – 1:00 p.m.
The Harrison has invited a surprise local chef to cook guests an appetizing dish in our top-of-the-line culinary center.
1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Ferraiolo Fitness instructors will be leading a spin class in our private spin studio, located in our health & fitness center.
2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Our culinary center’s elegant dining area will host The Tasting Room Wine Bar & Shop as they pair perfectly aged wines and cheeses for our guests to savor.
Throughout the entire event, there will be food and beverage stations available for our guests’ pleasure. In addition, tours will be conducted every 15 minutes, providing countless opportunities to be enthralled by all our luxury apartment community has to offer.
We hope you will join us for a Grand Opening like none other — to be first, be awed, be a part of revolutionary living and live Harrison. Be sure to register now!
Photos courtesy of The Harrison
This is a sponsored post by Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate.
There were 10 properties in Reston went from Pending to Sold last week.
That’s fewer than I had anticipated given how much activity the market has been showing. In that same period, 30 properties went under contract. The weekly sold numbers should begin to climb as properties work their way through the contract process.
Here are the houses that sold this past week.
11630 Ivystone Court #3A1. 3BR, 2.5BA. List Price $355,000. Sold Price $339,000. Seller Subsidy $7,400
11128 Glade Drive. 3BR, 2.5 BA. List Price $529,000. Sold Price $525,000. Seller Subsidy $8,000
11966 Heathcote Court. 3BR, 2.5BA. List Price $379,000. Sold Price $375,000.Seller Subsidy $4,000
11627 Stoneview Square. #21-C. 3BR, 2BA. List Price $199,000. Sold Price $197,000. Seller Subsidy $1,000
1305 Windleaf Drive. #G. 2BR, 2BA. List Price $335,000. Sold Price $325,000
11069 Saffold Way. 4BR, 2FB, 2 HB. List Price, $434,000. Sold Price $430,000. Seller Subsidy $10,750
1598 Poplar Grove Drive. 2BR, 1.5BA. List Price $346,950. Sold Price $344,950. Seller Subsidy $0
12025 New Dominion Parkway. #LL103 2BR, 2 BA. List Price $645,000. Sold Price $615,000. Seller Subsidy $0
11928 Barrel Cooper Court. 4BR, 3.5BA. List Price $375,000. Sold Price $375,000. Seller Subsidy $11,000
2192 Glencourse Lane. 3BR, 3.5BA. List Price $445,000. Sold Price $443,000. Seller Subsidy $0
Visit Reston Real Estate for more info on homes for sale in Reston.
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.
Several states have recently passed laws legalizing the use of certain drugs, such as marijuana, for either recreational or medical use.
Officials in the District of Columbia recently passed a law that legalized the limited possession and cultivation of marijuana by adults 21 and older.
Virginia has been less accepting of any change to its existing drug laws as a number of similar drug legalization bills have met significant opposition.
Maryland has proposed a bill that would legalize, tax, and regulate marijuana for adults 21 and over, which remains in a state house committee.
In light of recent changes to state laws legalizing certain drug use, employees and employers alike are questioning how these changes will affect the employer’s ability to continue to require drug testing in the workplace and potentially terminate or discipline an employee for positive drug test results. However, many employers still continue to test employees for illegal drug use.
While some jurisdictions have legalized the use of certain drugs, they have not yet updated their laws to prohibit testing for legalized drugs. For instance, a D.C. employer can still test its employees for marijuana use despite laws that now legalize marijuana use in the District. Although D.C. has proposed new laws to place some limits on drug screening for marijuana use in the workplace, such proposals are still in progress. As a result, employers in D.C. are essentially permitted to continue their existing drug testing requirements without making exceptions for the recent legalization of marijuana use in the District.
The federal government has taken the position that the use of illegal drugs, even in states that have legalized the use of certain drugs, still violates federal law. As a result, drug use, even where approved by state law, can result in a security concern being raised and/or the potential denial of a security clearance for federal employees and government contractors. In addition, a security clearance holder can be penalized for associating with other individuals engaging in drug use, even if the other individuals have engaged in state-legalized drug use.
Our law firm represents and advises employees on employment-related 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 is a sponsored post by veterinarian Elizabeth Arguelles of Just Cats Clinic at Lake Anne Plaza.
Traveling with your furry feline, whether for vacation or due to a move, can be stressful for everyone involved. But with a few helpful tips, traveling with your cat can be a more enjoyable experience for you and hopefully create less anxiety for your cat.
Car trips: Car travel can actually be easier for you and your feline friend for long trips. While generally speaking a lot of cats don’t like being in the car, you are able to control their comfort and environment more than you are with air travel. Here are a few tips for making the trip more pleasant:
For your and its safety, keep your cat in its carrier at all times. A panicky cat loose in the car can potentially cause an accident. Wiping the inside of the carrier with artificial pheromones such as Feliway might help make being confined easier on your kitty. If it’s a longer car trip — think more than 6 hours — you can try using a small dog crate or pet pop up tent in your back seat to allow room for a litter box and more comfortable bedding.
Put the carrier in the back seat of the car. If an airbag goes off while the carrier is in the front seat, it could injure your feline friend.
Secure the carrier properly by wrapping a seat beat around the front to minimize shifting or falling.
Do not let your cat stick its heads out the window. Such behavior is extremely risky, as your kitty can jump out when the car is stopped, can be injured by debris, or can get sick when hot or cold air is forced into its lungs.
Let your feline friend out for walks/rest stops, but only if it accepts being put on a leash. Do not let it roam free in unfamiliar places.
Never leave your cat alone in the car. A car can heat up very quickly in the summer and drop below freezing in the winter, and both can cause irreversible damage to your cat. And you might also be issuing an unspoken invitation to pet thieves!
Plane trips: Though traveling by car is always preferable to flying, there are times when a plane trip is unavoidable. If you find yourself in such a situation, here are some tips to make air travel safer for your cat:
If you are allowed, ALWAYS opt to bring your cat in the cabin with you. Flying in the cargo hold can dangerous due to stress, as well as the abnormal temperatures and air pressures. In addition, many felines get lost or injured during the loading and unloading process. Putting your cat down below also limits your travel options, as certain times of year are too hot or too cold to allow animals to be put in cargo. Fortunately, most airlines will allow you to travel with your cat on board for an additional fee.
Be sure to call the airline well in advance to reserve a spot. Only a limited number of animals are generally allowed in the cabin on each flight. Read More
This is a sponsored post by Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate.
In spite of the snow and ice, 16 new properties came on to the Reston real estate market in the last week.
The total number of homes for sale has dropped to 199 — an inventory of about three months. These numbers push the market slightly in favor of the sellers, but finding the right crossroads of price and condition are still critical when bringing a property to the market.
Here are a few of the new listings this week.
12025 New Dominion Pkwy. #301. 3BR, 2BA. $1,299,900
1560 Regatta Lane. 4BR, 3.5BA, $869,000
11340 Links Drive. 3BRm 2.5BA. $419,800; Open Sunday
11866 Saint Trinians Court. 3BR, 3.5 BA. $409,000
1520 North Point Drive. #2. 3BR, 2BA. $355,000; Open Sunday
11553 Underoak Court. 3BR, 2FB, 2HB. $359,900; Open Sunday
Visit Reston Real Estate for more listings and real estate information.
