Real Estate and Reston, VA: Virginia: Herndon

The third largest jackpot ever awarded by the Virginia Lottery $107 Million,  was publicly claimed yesterday, 8/10/11, by Brian McCarthy,25, of McLean, Virginia. He purchased the ticket in July at the Giant Food Store on Elden Street in Herndon, Virginia.

McCarthy stopped to get money from the ATM machine at the Giant and purchased a Lotto ticket at the same time, since the pot had grown to over $100 million. He didn't play any special numbers; he let the machine choose.

The following day, McCarthy saw that WTOP, a local news radio station, had posted on Facebook that the local ticket was purchased at the Giant store where he had purchased his ticket. He dug it out and realized that he had the winning ticket!

Since finding out that he won, Mr. McCarthy has made generous donations to two (of my favorite)  local Herndon Organizations (he grew up in Herndon): Herndon  Optimist Club and Herndon-Reston FISH, Inc.

According to a Washington Post article, McCarthy, 'was an account manager for a soft drink company before he hit the jackpot.' I hope that he finds that winning this amazing jackpot brings him much happiness!

It is that time of year again...pack the chairs and head out for a Friday night of music under the stars in Herndon, Virginia.

The Friday Night Live Concert Series takes place each Friday night on the Town Green in Downtown Herndon. There is plentiful parking and it is also just off the W&OD trail if you would prefer to walk, run or bike to the venue.

The concert series began on May 6 and is currently in full swing.  You can bring chairs and blankets, but pets and beverage containers are not allowed, so leave Fido and that bottle of wine at home (and the water bottle, too). There is food and beverage for sale within the concert area.

The weekly concerts are a favorite of both Herndon/Reston locals and music lovers from around the area. It is a great place to run into friends and a fun place to meet up with people who share a love of music and the outdoors.

The schedule can be found at Friday Night Live Schedule.

Kick back and enjoy friends, food and music at this delightful weekly music event!

This weekend is the Herndon Festival in downtown, Herndon, Virginia. I wrote about the festival and the schedule of events in my post, Herndon Festival (Herndon, Virginia) Begins Tonight, 6/3/11. One thing I did not include was the surprise 'flash mob' that happened this weekend at the festival. I always love a good 'flash mob,' and the element of surprise is one of the things that make them so much fun! Here is a video of the one that 'broke out' this weekend at the Herndon Festival.

Thanks to the Herndon Patch for their coverage of this fun event! Flash Mob Takes Over Herndon Festival.

One of our communities most beloved family activities is the annual Herndon Festival. This is the 31st yer for the festival, which includes Carnival Rides, games, an arts-and-crafts show, special activities for the kids, and three different stages featuring entertainment. It takes place in the heart of downtown Herndon. The festival begins tonight, 6/2/11, and runs through Sunday, 6/5/11. The Festival Schedule details when things will take place.

There will be Fireworks kicking off the festival on Thursday night at 9:30 p.m.. There will be a second Fireworks display on Saturday night at 9:30 p.m.

The entertainment is varied and will take place all weekend. Check out the Entertainment Schedule to find out when your favorite performers will be playing or performing.

Sunday morning is the annual 10K/5K Races & Fitness Expo. Race registration is currently taking place and packet pick-up is set for Saturday. For more informaiton, go to the Race Information Page.

Throughout the town of Herndon, you can find parking with easy shuttle bus access to the festival. Speaking from experience, this is the way to go. We often park at Herndon High School and take the shuttle over. There is also parking available at Worldgate, right off of the Dulles Toll Road. Parking at the site of the festival is extremely limited. More information about getting to the Festival and where to park when you get there,  can be found at Festival Parking and Directions.

The weather should be beautiful for this weekend, so make plans to get out and enjoy some great food, fun rides, challenging games and fantastic entertainment at the Herndon Festival!

Tonight the Herndon High Boys Lacrosse (Herndon, Virginia) team will play their first game in the Northern Region Lacrosse Tournament. They will face off against Yorktown High, Arlington, Virginia, at Yorktown. Despite the forecast of rainy weather, the game will go on since Yorktown has a turf field.

Herndon High School plays in the Concorde District which is one of the most competitive districts in both the region and the state.  Hopefully, the high level of competition that the boys have, so far, played will serve them well as they move into Regional Competition.

The HHS boys are being coached by Coached by Dave Bagetta, in his first year of his 2nd tenure as Boys Lacrosse coach at Herndon High School.

Herndon High Boys Lacrosse has seen great improvement this year and they have an opportunity to progress in the Region with a win tonight. Yorktown will be trying to be the first team from their league to advance to the region semi-finals. It should be a great game.

The game takes place tonight at 7:00 p.m. at Yorktown High School, 5200 Yorktown Blvd,Arlington, VA 22207.

Go Herndon Hornets! I will be at the game  and hope to see a lot of Herndon fans cheering on the boys. Don't forget to wear your RED!

This is the last week for regular season for Herndon High School Boys Varsity Soccer, (of Herndon, Virginia) and they kept their 1st place position in the Concorde District. They finished the season with a 5-0 District Record and an 11-0 overall record.

Last night, I had a chance to attend the Herndon High vs. Langley High game. Both teams were first place in their districts and have been battling it out all year to be seen as the 'best in the State.'  The game finished tied 2 all.  It was very exciting, with nearly as many people in attendance as is usually seen at a Herndon High Friday night football game.

Next week, Herndon moves on to District Tournament Play. The scheudle hasn't yet been posted, but there are games scheduled to be played on 5/16, 5/18 and 5/20.

If you can get out to see any of the tournament play, you won't be disappointed!  The soccer that we saw last night was awesome!

Best of luck to the Fighting Hornets Boy's Soccer Team (and all the Spring Sports)  as they head into the District Tournament!

I love to support my local small business people and so I wanted to tell you about Herndon Reston Transmission.

Located at 595 Grove Street in Herndon, VA 20170, just across from the Herndon Post Office, is a wonderful family-owned place to take your vehicle.

My brother recommended that I go there when I was looking for some help with an unusual problem with my car. They were so helpful, took the time to talk with me, and fixed me right up! I am the one in our family that does most of the car maintenance,  and it is has not always been easy to find shops that treat me with the respect I deserve as the one who 'understands cars' (they often think my husband should talk to them and occasionally, and reluctantly, I will have him call just to get things done). This shop was completely different.

If you like to support the local small business economy and are looking for a place that will help you to care for your car with a smile and enthusiasm, you should give Randy or Ted Hartman at Herndon Reston Transmission a call. You can reach them at 703-435-6222.

I love their tagline, too: 'We Get Your Shift Together!'

One of my all-time favorite organizations, The Herndon High School Girls' Lacrosse Team is holding a fund-raiser...

A Mattress Sale!

• All sizes available!!! Pillow-top, Orthopedic and Memory Foam Sets!
•  Prices starting at $199 for a complete set!!
•  All items are BRAND NEW with Factory Warranties!
•  All are Name Brands like: Restonic, Southerland, and more!
•  Bed Frames & Mattress Protectors Available!
•  Delivery Available!
•  Cash, Checks and Credit Cards Accepted!

Profits Go Directly to the Team

50% OFF RETAIL!

When: Saturday, January 29, 10:00am to 5:00pm

Where: Herndon High School

IF YOU NEED A MATTRESS SET NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY, UP TO 50% OFF RETAIL!

If you have needed to replace your mattress, move the baby from a crib to a bed, or furnish the guest room, this could be an easy and affordable way to support this fantastic team.

Go Hornets!