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. They write biweekly on RestonNow.
Finding and hiring a lawyer regarding a stressful and difficult employment issue can be quite overwhelming and intimidating for most people. There are many things to consider when looking for the right lawyer to handle your employment matter. The below guidelines may be helpful if you are looking to hire an employment lawyer for the first time.
Obtain legal advice early. If you wait too long to obtain legal advice or assistance with an employment issue, you may hurt your chances to amicably or effectively resolve the matter. The earlier you seek legal help, the more likely you are to avoid a more complicated and costly legal problem down the road.
Research the lawyer. When you are looking for the right employment lawyer, make sure to visit the employment lawyer’s or law firm’s website and review the attorney profiles. You’ll likely find useful information just by browsing the website’s attorney biographies, practice areas, and resource sections.
The lawyer’s website may also lead you to additional resources and will hopefully demonstrate that the employment lawyer has the requisite knowledge and experience in employment law. Of course, the website may not be the only or best resource regarding a particular employment lawyer, but researching the website is a good start and will likely lead you to one or two potential lawyers with whom to make an initial inquiry.
Provide a clear and concise written chronology of your case before the initial consultation. You’ll get more out of your consultation with an employment lawyer if you are able to provide the lawyer with a clear and concise written chronology or timeline of your matter prior to your initial consultation. Remember to include any relevant documentation that you may have. Read More
This is a sponsored post by veterinarian Elizabeth Arguelles, owner of Just Cats Clinic at Lake Anne Plaza. She writes weekly on Reston Now.
Most cats typically have one healthy bowel movement a day, so if your cat suddenly stops going “number two” for a couple of days, that may be an indication that he or she is constipated.
Constipation is a condition in which a cat’s bowels become blocked, making its movements less frequent and more difficult. It is one of the most common health problems that can affect a cat’s digestive system. This is especially true for middle-aged and older felines.
Though constipation can often be relieved by simply loosening the dry, hardened stool that is blocking your cat’s colon, the condition can also indicate a more serious underlying health problem. For this reason, you should talk your vet if you notice any signs that your cat is constipated.
Even when the cause is relatively benign, there is a danger that the colon will become packed with large amounts of stool if left untreated. This can result in the swelling of your cat’s colon and lead to the loss of the colon’s motility. And the bottom line is that whatever the cause, constipation is painful to your cat and needs to be addressed quickly.
What are the signs that your cat is suffering from constipation?
- Small, dry, hard stools that may be spotted with in mucous or blood
- Straining or wincing in pain when trying to use the litter box
- Frequent and frantic trips to the bathroom that still do not result in a bowel movement
- Loss of appetite
- Signs of abdominal discomfort
- Lack of grooming
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
What causes constipation? Read More
This is a sponsored column by Cindy Beyer, ASID,NCIDQ. Beyer is a Reston-based interior designer and Reston Now Best Reston Business Award winner. Find her online at www.CindyLBeyer.com.
Many of my clients are now in the process of downsizing. I wanted to share with you some ideas to take into consideration when downsizing to a smaller home.
Understand Your New Floor Plan — Before you give everything away, take into consideration what you will need in your new, smaller home. Secure a floor plan of the new place and look at the rooms to furnish. I ask my clients to get a 1/4″ plan of the new place so we can review options regarding the location of existing furniture pieces in new rooms.
Unless your tastes have changed entirely, there is a good chance you are going to reuse most of your furniture pieces. If you have a favorite chair used in the family room but now will use it in your living room, remember it can be recovered to match whatever is going in that room. Once you have allocated all your needed furniture, you can then give away the rest.
Window Treatments — Most good window coverings are custom designed and cannot be used again. The rare occasion would be drapery treatments. If your new window is almost the same width, then it would be possible to rehang them in the new place. The rod could be hung a bit higher or lower, or they can possibly be reworked by the window covering workroom. I advise my clients to have their drapery dry cleaned before sending them out for a refitting.
Lighting — I advise my clients to take their favorite chandeliers when relocating, as they are probably the most expensive fixtures in the home. This will require an electrician to disconnect the fixture and a qualified mover to package and crate up the fixture. Don’t be afraid to use your chandelier in different rooms such as the family room, bedroom or kitchen. You will have to add or delete the links or have it rewired if you are hanging it in a different space. Also don’t be afraid to reuse your lamps in different rooms or add a new shade in a different shape and texture and viola you have a new lamp. Sconces can also be removed.
Will my Rug Fit the New Space? — It is likely your favorite rugs can be worked into your new home space. Most carpets range from 5 x 7, 7 x 9, 8 x 10, 11×13, or 10 x 12. If you have a large area rug, other than an oriental without boarders, it can be cut down.
Make sure to send your carpets out to be cleaned and reinstalled in your new place with new padding. If you have pets, then I strongly advise replacing your padding, because that is where pet odors originate. Please do not place your nice oriental rug on top of wall-to-wall carpet. That is big NO-NO and is one of my all-time pet peeves.
If you need any professional design help, please feel free to contact me at [email protected] or visit my web site.
This week’s Pet of the Week is Bash, a tabby who lives in Reston. Here is what his owner, Andrea, says about him:
Bash, our 1-year-old orange tabby, is a shy but energetic cat.
He got his name from being the most bashful of the litter when he was adopted. His foster mom wasn’t sure how well he would tolerate strangers at his first adoption event at 12 weeks old, but he warmed up to my husband pretty quickly.
Bash’s hobbies include looking out the window, napping on his favorite blue blanket, and distracting his mom from her homework. He also likes to get in his exercise by randomly sprinting up and down the stairs and by chasing any toy with feathers.
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 from Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate.
It was a slow week for home sale closings — only four Reston properties went from pending to sold.
Meanwhile, there are 94 pending home sales and 298 active residential listings, leaving us with a steady three-to-four-month supply of homes.
Here are the four properties that settled last week in Reston.
- 2288 COCQUINA DR. 3BR, 3 BA. Listed Price: $379,900. Sold Price: $375,000. Seller Subsidy: $11,250
- 10724 CROSS SCHOOL RD. 3BR,3.5 BA. Listed Price: $775,000. Sold Price: $765,000. Seller Subsidy: $5,000
- 1324 QUAIL RIDGE DR. 6BR, 3.5 BA. Listed Price: $779,000. Sold Price: $775,000. Seller Subsidy: $4,500
- 2140 GLENCOURSE LN. 3BR 2.5 BA. Listed Price: $433,900. Sold Price: $434,000. Seller Subsidy: $3,000
This is a sponsored post by veterinarian Elizabeth Arguelles, owner of Just Cats Clinic at Lake Anne Plaza. She writes weekly on Reston Now.
Once you’ve determined your cat has allergies, what’s next? In this week’s article, we’ll talk about options to help treat your cat’s specific allergies, and not just treat the symptoms. By treating the root cause, you can help your cat start to feel better and even improve their quality of life. Effective treatments include immunotherapy and environmental control.
Just to review, when your cat is allergic to something, it means that its immune system has become sensitive to that substance. Common allergens can include dust mites, storage mites, fleas, pollen, cleaning agents and plants.
What is immunotherapy?
One of the best and most effective ways to treat allergies is immunotherapy. In fact, many veterinarians believe it’s the only true way to treat the condition because it targets the root causes instead of just treating the symptoms.
Immunotherapy works by gradually changing the immune system’s reaction to the allergens. It works by increasing the amounts and concentrations of the allergies with each dose administered. Immunotherapy can be given as subcutaneous injections or as oral drops.
How does the vet determine what allergies your cat has?
Determining what your cat is allergic to is best assessed through the environmental allergy panel we’ve discussed in previous articles. The blood work specifically measures the allergen specific IgE to determine which environmental components your cat is sensitive to. Just like with people, skin testing and exposure to allergens can be done in cats, but typically the blood sample is easier for your furry friend and typically more accurate. Read More
This is a sponsored article from Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate.
This week in Reston 28 new properties came on the market and 27 became newly PENDING–so pretty much we’re staying even. We have a total of 291 active listings for sale.
Here are a few of the new listings for sale in Reston this week.
1715 BLUE FLINT CT. 3BR 3.5 BA. $549,000
2123 OWLS COVE LN. 3BR 2 BA. $739,000
11069 SAFFOLD WAY. 4BR 2 FB/2 HB. $449,000
11576 WOODHOLLOW CT. 3BR 3.5 BA. $400,000
This is a sponsored column by Jessica Storm, ACSM Health/Fitness Specialist and NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist. Jessica is the owner of Storm Fitness – A Personal Training and Nutrition Company based in Reston.
Working out but not getting the results you want?
It really isn’t a secret and it really isn’t your fault that you aren’t achieving or seeing the results you desire with your current fitness program. You just need a fresh perspective.
We can often be our own worst enemy when carrying out our fitness routine. Here are the top five traps we see with some of our clients.
Lack Of Consistency in Your Workouts. What is most important is that you do some type of exercise five to six days per week on a consistent basis. This trumps intensity.
All too often, I hear about people starting intense workout programs and going hard for three or four months and then completely burning themselves out because the program is unsustainable. It’s the same as going on a crazy, restricted diet that you know you can’t sustain for the long haul. Be consistent with both your workouts and your eating. Seek the help of a professional to find a balance and middle ground if you are struggling in this area.
Not Understanding Your Body Type and the Specific Exercises it Needs. Finding the right combination of fitness programing is not as simple as it may seem.
I think videos and group classes are great, but they’re not for everyone and they certainly won’t produce the same results for everyone. Everybody is different and needs individualized programing.
For example, I have clients that bulk in the thighs very quickly and it’s not a “look” they are after. I have a very customized routine for these types of individuals and I actually make sure to avoid weighted squats and lunges for these body types. Read More
This week’s Reston Pets of the Week are three rescue dogs adopted by Christina and Josh. Here is what they say about their quirky troop of dogs:
We have thee pups, who we like to call our “misfits.” All three are rescues.
Jersey (the brown one — aka JZ, Jerz, big guy) is the sweetest teddy bear. He’s a 92-pound, blind, Australian shepherd mix. Sadly, he’s getting old and prefers to spend his days sleeping. His favorite treat is “bacon,” which is actually ice cubes.
Chewy (the black one — aka monkey, bug, sneezers) is our snuggliest pup. He’s a 45ish-pound lab mix who has been kicking cancer’ss butt. He’s the oldest, but is quite spunky, and entirely too goofy. Goes crazy over bananas!
Jorja (the white one — aka Jorjina, Pants) is the smartest of the bunch. She’s a 40ish-pound terrier mix, and she’s always on alert. She thinks the world revolves around her, but it’s easy to fall in love with her. She loves trying to chase squirrels up trees!
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 Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate.
Is there any better way to spend a crisp fall evening than out on the deck, sipping a lovely glass of wine (or craft beer)?
Many Restonians don’t think so. And neither does Rande Jenus, owner of The Wine Cabinet specialty wine and gourmet store in Reston’s North Point Village Center. That’s why he sells the perfect wines for any occasion — whether you’re enjoying an evening on the deck or hosting a special dinner party.
Rande believes there is a place between the big box stores and the small wine shops where good value, excellent knowledge, and discerning selection meet with professional business management to create shops of extraordinary taste and ambiance. The Wine Cabinet is proof of this.
Everyone at The Wine Cabinet is committed to creating a comfortable experience for every customer. You don’t need to know anything about wines to come out with the perfect bottle as the knowledgeable staff enjoys helping you find the right wine for your event (and budget).
If wine isn’t what you want, the craft beer selection should do the trick. The Wine Cabinet’s customer contract says it all: We place great value in the selection of wines, food and giftware and have a good wine at the right price for every budget and every palate.
The Wine Cabinet has become a gathering place for people who love fine wines, craft beers, cooking demonstrations, and culinary tools.
There is always some fun event happening–all the more reason to come back time and again! You will see Rande and his staff out in the community too–they are a small, local businesscompletely committed to the Reston/Fairfax community.
Whether you are a wine lover or not, stop into The Wine Cabinet. It is always an enjoyable experience…and you’ll always find some treasure to bring home.
This is a sponsored post from Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate.
Reston saw a good jump in the number of houses that went from Pending to Sold this past week with 22 houses successfully getting to the settlement table.
Inventory has dropped slightly to 290 properties for sale in Reston. There are 85 pending home sales; and an inventory of just over three months.
Here are a few of the homes that sold this week.
11300 SUNDIAL CT #902. 2BR, 2.5BA , Original List Price, $269,000. Sold Price, $257,000
1209 WEATHERSTONE CT. 3BR 2FB, 2 HB. Original List Price, $550,000. Sold Price, $540,000. Seller Subsidy, $6,000
11990 MARKET ST #1404. 2BR, 2BA. Original List Price, $620,000. Sold Price $578,000
12350 LIMA LN. 3BR, 3BA. Original List Price, $647,000. Sold Price, $590,000
11613 WINDBLUFF CT #9B1. 3BR, 2.5 BA. Original List, $310,000. Sold Price, $300,000. Seller Subsidy, $7,000
11406 FAIRWAY DR. 3BR 2.5 BA. Original List $529,900, Sold Price $531,500. Seller Subsidy, $ 1,600
12016 TALIESIN PL #24. 1BR, 1 BA. Original List, $299,000. Sold Price, $287,500. Seller Subsidy, $10,000
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. They write biweekly on RestonNow.
Until recently, in Virginia and in most other jurisdictions, there were very few, if any, protections from discrimination in the workplace due to an employee’s sexual orientation.
Typically, an individual could be subject to termination from employment based on sexual orientation discrimination without any recourse. The courts tended to readily dismiss such cases or not acknowledge them as valid claims. While the current protections are not where they need to be, the laws in this area and the individuals that interpret them have started to change. Below are the most recent changes to sexual orientation discrimination laws and enforcement.
Active EEOC Enforcement: The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has decided to take a proactive approach to and actively prosecute sexual orientation discrimination complaints. Due to the limitations in existing federal law under the Civil Rights Act in pursuing complaints based solely on sexual orientation, the EEOC has taken the approach that many forms of sexual orientation discrimination also constitute sexual harassment or sex discrimination. As such, the EEOC has pursued cases involving sexual stereotyping and gender identity. For example:
- Comments or rumors about an employee being gay can be severe enough to constitute sexual harassment.
- Innuendos about an employee’s sexuality and “feminine voice” can constitute sex discrimination.
- Comments or stereotypes that men should only marry women can constitute sex discrimination.
Changes by Presidential Executive Order: On July 21, 2014, President Obama amended Executive Order 11478, which has a significant effect on a number of Northern Virginia companies that have federal government contracts over $10,000.
The changes to the Executive Order bars federal contractors, subcontractors, and construction employers working on federally assisted construction projects from engaging in discrimination in employment on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
The specific rules for processing such cases and enforcing the new changes to the Executive Order are being developed by the Department of Labor. Read More
This is a sponsored column by Cindy Beyer, ASID,NCIDQ. Beyer is a Reston-based interior designer and Reston Now Best Reston Business Award winner. Find her online at www.CindyLBeyer.com.
Many people ask me questions about various design subjects. Here are some of the most common:
What size chandelier should you use?
Size of chandeliers: A good guide for sizing the chandelier is half the size of the tabletop. For instance, if your table width is 48″, then the diameter of the chandelier should be 24″. If you have a 60″ diameter table, then the diameter should be 30″. Remember, this is just a general rule of thumb.
How high do you mount your chandelier?
A good rule is 2-1/2″ -3″ for each foot. If your ceiling height is 8 feet, then the height of your fixture should be about 24″. For a 10′ ceiling, your fixture should be about 25-30″. Mounting over the table is also a question I am often asked. I like to tell my clients that 30″from the table top is perfect.
What is the proper rug size to use in a room?
How far should area rugs be away from the wall? If you want to cover most of the room to create a larger sitting area, then place the area rugs from 6 inches to 2 feet from the wall. I like to place all of the furniture on the rug with the back edges of the legs touching the edge of the carpet. This way I do not have half of the legs on and half off.
However, if you are using an existing carpet and have a larger sitting area, then make sure you build up under the leg of the furniture on the floor to equal the height of the carpet and pad. I very often will custom size my rug to fit the space.
What size rug do I use under the dining room table?
I use a general rule of thumb to have the carpet extend at least 24-36″ from the edge of the table. This way your dining chairs will stay on the carpet.
Can I paint my ceiling a color?
Many clients ask me if it is proper to paint the ceilings anything other color than white. I say, never paint it white.
If you must paint it light, I suggest Benjamin Moore’s Linen White. If you are using a wall color from a color card and want to stay in the same family, I suggest either going up the card or down the card for the ceiling color.
Some of my favorite ceiling colors are: Benjamin Moore’ North Shore Green, Woodland White, Sand Dunes and Healing Aloe in the blue and green family.
I also do not mind a faux painted sky in a bedroom. Don’t be afraid of also using a darker color on the ceiling. Think outside of the box, and you will be pleasantly surprised. I just finished having my family room ceiling painted Benjamin Moore’s Baked Pretzel. It turned out fantastic. Always make sure you use a flat finish on your ceilings, unless you are doing something special like Venetian Plaster or a high gloss for a trendy effect.
Please visit my website at www.cindylbeyer.com If you have any design questions, please feel free to email me at: [email protected].
This is a sponsored post by veterinarian Elizabeth Arguelles, owner of Just Cats Clinic at Lake Anne Plaza. She writes weekly on Reston Now.
Food allergies are fairly common in cats, and it’s suggested that about 10 percent of all feline allergies are caused by food. Only flea and environmental allergens are known to cause more reactions. While many food allergies or intolerances present with typical gastrointestinal symptoms, many cause skin related reactions like itching and scratching.
Food allergies can show up in cats as young as five months old and in those as old as 12. Typically allergies will start when the cat is between the ages of two and six.
The most common foods that cause allergies in cats are chicken, fish, corn, wheat and soy. Though allergies to beef, pork, dairy products and eggs are not as common, cats can still develop adverse reactions to those items. Cats can become overly sensitive to the foods that they are most frequently fed.
Symptoms:
It can important to distinguish between a food intolerance and food allergies. Symptoms vary for both but the symptoms of an allergic reaction are typically more severe including:
- A very itchy rash on the head, neck or back
- Unexplained hair loss
- Excessive grooming creating bald spots or sores
- Red and inflamed ears
- Chin acne
In addition to these symptoms, other common symptoms of food allergies and food intolerances are:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea or soft stools
- Weight loss
Diagnosis:
As in the case of environmental allergies, many of these symptoms could also be caused by other factors. Your veterinarian will likely discuss diagnostics including lab work to rule out other underlying diseases or conditions.
Once your vet has determined that there are no other potential causes, he or she will usually recommend feeding your cat a prescription protein or hydrolyzed diet for 12 weeks without any flavored medication or treats.
Hydrolyzed diets are those in which proteins and carbohydrates are broken down into such small particles that they no longer trigger allergies. They are specifically called “hydrolyzed protein” diets. Limited protein diets are diets that feature only select novel proteins that aren’t as familiar to your cat like duck, venison, or rabbit. However many of these diets still contain other potential allergens like corn, wheat or soy.
Your vet might also run a food allergy blood panel that can test for common food allergies, but veterinarians will frequently recommend the trial diet instead. While opinion of the accuracy of food allergy blood panels vary amongst veterinarians, it can be beneficial in some cases. Typically, it is more cost effective to try the diet trials.
The goal in diet elimination trials is to find a food that your cat not only likes and will eat regularly, but one that does not cause any reaction. Diet elimination trials take dedication from the owner and the cat to ensure no other treats, flavors, or foods are introduced during the period. Even the smallest crumb can potentially cause a reaction.
Cats suffering from food allergies or intolerances typically do very well once the allergens are removed from the diet.
Next week, we will talk about another allergy treatment option: immunotherapy shots or oral drops.
This week’s Reston Pet of the Week is Gordie (named for Gordie Howe but his hockey-loving owners. Here is what owner Leslie has to say about her mixed breed.
Gordie Howe (yes, just like the legendary Red Wings hockey player) will be four in December and lives in Reston Town Center. He’s a Schnauzer-mutt — we suspect part poodle — who was found and adopted as a pup through Lucky Dog Rescue, a wonderful rescue group out of DC.
Gordie’s favorite things include walks around the neighborhood to say hello to all his canine friends, getting loads of attention from pedestrians and the employees at the Apple store, and the Baron Cameron Dog Park, where he is so happy to run with the other dogs that he refuses to play catch with his humans.
A master of disguise, when Gordie gets haircuts he looks like a totally different dog. He hates wearing clothes, but tolerates his coat because he hates getting wet in the rain or snow even more.
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.
