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Reston
Helen Thomas to be guest at Chez Nous Salon
In 17th- and 18th-century Paris, the word "salon" conjured up a more refined image than it does today. Typically, intellectual, social, political or cultural elites -- artists, writers, statesmen -- gathered to discuss and cultivate their appreciation for erudite topics in the home of an inspiring hostess.
Najwa Saad of Reston is such a hostess. Thanks to her background in international business and her extensive travel, Saad has a high regard for unusual topics and people of eclectic tastes and interests. Once a month she plays host to Chez Nous Reston Salon for "an evening of intellectual entertainment in a convivial atmosphere," she says.
Next Wednesday, Saad's guest will be Helen Thomas, veteran White House correspondent, who will talk about her new book, "Listen Up, Mr. President: Everything You Always Wanted Your President to Know and Do." The salon starts at 7 p.m. with a full buffet dinner complemented with a wine bar. Thomas' presentation and discussion will follow from 8 to 10 p.m.
For Saad, food is a key element of the salon. "I love to entertain," she says. "Hospitality and the food part are important to me." She prepares much of the meal herself, she says, and serves it "on real plates with real linen napkins and real wine glasses."
The cost of the Nov. 18 salon is $45 in advance, $60 at the door. Seating is limited to 75, so Saad asks that reservations be made by Friday. For reservations and directions, e-mail her at Najwa@NMSEnterprises.com.
Spring registration at NOVA
Registration for the spring semester at Northern Virginia Community College begins next Monday. Students are encouraged to register early for the best selection of courses.
Students can secure their classes now and defer tuition payment until Dec. 18. Anyone who registers after Dec. 18 must pay tuition before 5 p.m. on the next business day.
The online registration system is available 24 hours a day at www.nvcc.edu. Students may get personal assistance at NOVA's six campuses in Alexandria, Annandale, Loudoun, Manassas, Springfield and Woodbridge.
NOVA's 16-week spring semester begins Jan. 11. Two eight-week sessions, starting Jan. 11 and March 15, are also available. The eight-week sessions cover the same material and award the same credits as the 16-week courses.
For more information, call 703-323-3000.
Holiday craft show in Fairfax City
Fairfax City will play host to its annual Holiday Craft Show on Nov. 21, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Nov. 22, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Fairfax High School, 3501 Rebel Run.
This is the 23rd year for the event, which started as a small show but has grown to be a premium arts-and-crafts festival, organizers said.
Creations come from all over the nation to be displayed and sold at the event.
Admission is $5 per day or $8 for a two-day pass. There is no charge for children under 18 years.
For more information, visit the city's Web site at www.fairfaxva.gov.
Antiques show to be held this weekend
Pappabello Shows will present this year's McLean Antiques Show & Sale on Saturday and Sunday at the McLean Community Center, 1234 Ingleside Ave. The event will feature 55 antique dealers, fine French cuisine, New and Old World antiques, decorative accessories, furniture, folk art, porcelains, silver, paintings, prints, lines, Oriental carpets and runs, a glass repair service and more.
Hours are Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the James C. Macdonald Arts Scholarship Fund.
Admission is $7. For more information, go to www.pappabello.com.
Festival of Lights and Carols planned
Fairfax City residents will get their first chance to ring in the holiday season during the Festival of Lights and Carols on Dec. 5, at the Old Town Hall and Kitty Pozer Garden, 3999 University Drive, Fairfax.
The event includes lunch with Santa, beginning at 11:30 a.m., 12:15 p.m. and 1 p.m. at Old Town Hall. Admission is $5 per child. Tickets for the event are now on sale at the city's Department of Parks & Recreation office, 10455 Armstrong St., and Green Acres Center, 4401 Sideburn Road.
In addition, the festival will feature a Christmas tree lighting beginning at 5 p.m. in the Kitty Pozer Garden next to Old Town Hall. Caroling and bell ringing with the Jubil-Aires and Good News Ringers will be held from 5 to 6 p.m.
For more information, contact Parks & Recreation at 703-385-7858 or visit www.fairfaxva.gov.
Meeting focuses on town's history
Vienna officials are encouraging residents to attend a "Vienna at Your Service" meeting Tuesday, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at Vienna Presbyterian Church, 124 Park St. N.E. Historian Mayo Stuntz will talk about the church's "little chapel," which was built in 1874.
Vienna at Your Service was designed to give residents the opportunity to learn more about their community. Participants are asked to register with the Vienna Parks and Recreation Department. For more information, call 703-255-6360.
Bike advisory committee to meet in Vienna
The newly formed Vienna Bicycle Advisory Committee will meet at 8 p.m. Nov. 19, in the lower level conference room at Town Hall, 127 Center St. South. All interested residents are welcome to attend. For more information, call 703-255-6300.
Vehicle decals on sale
Vehicle decals for 2010 are now on sale. All vehicles garaged in Herndon are required to display a decal by Sunday. New resident applications for decals are available on the town's Web site at www.herndon-va.gov. These applications can be either delivered or mailed to the town's Revenue Division at 777 Lynn St., Herndon, VA 20172. For more information, call 703-435-6813 or e-mail revenue@herndon-va.us.
Decals are $20 for passenger cars and trucks and $10 for motorcycles. Larger vehicles and recreational vehicles have different prices.
Downtown Herndon offers planning sessions
The town will hold public information sessions Nov. 18 and 19 on plans for a new development concept for downtown Herndon.
In October, a design firm selected by town officials met with members of the public to gather input to help illustrate a plan for the downtown. Next week's meetings give residents an opportunity to review plans and provide feedback to the design team.
The meetings are scheduled as follows:
-Nov. 18, 777 Lynn St.
Open Studio: 9 to 11 a.m., 2 to 3 p.m., informal visits by the public to observe work in progress.
Open House: 6 to 8 p.m., to view draft concepts and ask questions of the design team.
-Nov. 19, 765 Lynn St., in the Mary Ingram Council Chambers
Begins at 7 p.m. Residents and local property and business owners are invited to weigh in on the design plans so far.
For more information, visit the town's Web site at www.herndon-va.gov.