Mount Vernon Snapshot: Warning
A sign set up Sept. 29 on Fort Hunt Road at Belle View Shopping Center warned residents of heavy rains expected.
Mount Vernon Letter: No Tax Relief With Meals Tax
Letter to the Editor
I am writing to oppose the Meals Tax Referendum. I attended a meeting last week in which the referendum was debated. Attendees included Mount Vernon Supervisor Dan Storck and Springfield Supervisor Pat Herrity.
Mount Vernon Letter: Property Taxes Shouldn’t Pay All
Letter to the Editor
By now, you’ve no doubt heard about the meals tax referendum Fairfax County voters will face this November.
Mount Vernon: Back to the Future
Original Mount Vernon High School reopens for teens after 30 years.
The Original Mount Vernon High School Gym is once again going to be used by teens, only this time as a part of the existing Teen Center at the South County Government Center. The gym is located across the road from the South County Government Center and completes the current Teen Center with a full-size gym and basketball courts.
Mount Vernon Musing: Heavy Metal George
There is a myth that George Washington's false teeth were made of wood. In this case, a myth is not as good as a mile. Woodn't you like to know the truth? Fact is, President Washington had several sets of teeth, made of various materials including ivory, gold and lead. And what does this tell us about George? First, he could clearly take a big bite out of the most difficult tasks. Second, he was clearly a man of very strong mettle, maybe even heavy metal (Do I hear Aerosmith playing in the background?). Plus, he had "endentured" servants.
Mount Vernon Snapshot: Fall Festival — Unleashed
Westgrove Pack, the community sponsors of the Westgrove Off Leash Dog Park, will celebrate the success of the park with a festival and fundraising launch on Nov. 5, 1-4 p.m., to which all dog enthusiasts — and those few who still need convincing — are invited.
Mount Vernon: Service To Celebrate Joshua Owusu’s Life
Joshua Owusu, a sixth grade student at Stratford Landing Elementary School lost his battle with brain cancer on Tuesday, Sept. 26. A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, Oct. 8, 11 a.m., at Aldersgate Church, 1301 Collingwood Drive. A reception will immediately follow in Wesley Hall. Burial will be in Mount Comfort Cemetery, 6600 S. Kings Highway at 2:30 p.m.
Mount Vernon: Dig Pink Rally
A Dig Pink Rally, supporting breast cancer research, is being sponsored by West Potomac High School Volleyball, 6500 Quander Road, at its Oct. 13 games against Mount Vernon: 5 p.m. (Freshman), 6 p.m. (JV), and 7:15 p.m. (Varsity). The rally will include a Memory/Honor Wall, bake sale, and a Ft. Hunt volleyball players serving contest. The volleyball teams welcome everyone to cheer on the local high school players and wear pink.
Alexandria Appetite: BurgerFi Sets Up Shop in Old Town
With its opening last week, local co-owners celebrate a homecoming.
Peer down the 100 block of North Pitt Street and it’s easy to spot a new neighbor. The erstwhile Pat Troy’s Ireland’s Own, shuttered for several years, now has new life in the form of the city’s first BurgerFi. Open since Sept. 26, the locally owned franchise has begun to generate quite a bit of foot traffic — and prelaunch interest, too, with would-be customers peeking in the front door in anticipation. But you haven’t missed a grand opening event, franchise co-owner David Landry says.
Mount Vernon: Quander Road School provides flexible, family-like special education experience
Within the first week of the 2016-2017 school year, teachers at the Quander Road School in Mount Vernon had already finished their jobs for five students. For that select group, they were ready to return to their base high school and transition back to a less restrictive educational experience.
Mount Vernon: West Potomac Freshman Verbally Commits to Auburn Softball
On a recent unofficial visit to Auburn University, West Potomac High School freshman Claire Davidson committed verbally to play softball at the college. At the end of the 2016 season, Auburn was the SEC conference champion and finished second in the NCAA national championship.
Mount Vernon Letter: Pay To Fix Meals Tax Brochure
Letter to the Editor
In my letter to the Gazette two weeks ago, I discussed a brochure sent to Fairfax County residents at the behest of the Board of Supervisors (BOS) discussing the Meals Tax Referendum and pointing out that the brochure only set forth reasons to support the Referendum and no reasons to oppose it.
Mount Vernon Letter: Meals Tax Or Slush Fund?
Letter to the Editor
Recent discussions of the proposed meals tax can be stated as three large problems.
Mount Vernon Letter: Costs of Capital Projects
Letter to the Editor
There are two capital projects in the Mount Vernon District being proposed for the upcoming Bond Referendum.
Mount Vernon Letter: Food for Thought
Letter to the Editor
The meals tax has come forward at this time as a possible way of providing much-needed income to the schools. Broadly speaking, the schools have cut budget for 10 years and held teacher salaries flat through most of that period. (I believe 2016 is the one exception to that trend thanks to the leadership of Karen Garza.) Now Fairfax County schools have larger class sizes and lower paid teachers than surrounding systems.
Mount Vernon: Strip Mall Transformation
Approval recommended for 375 residential units and 7,500 square feet of retail on 5 acres in place of aging strip.
Novus Property Holdings has been seeking to redevelop a 5.2 acre property in the Penn Daw Community at the intersection of Richmond HIghway and Fairview Drive for the past four years, said Sara Mariska, who represents the developer.
Fairfax County: Call for Civility in Schools’ LGBTQ Discussion
School board Board also receives Opening of Schools report, votes on challenged materials review committee.
Robert Rigby stood before the Fairfax County School Board on Sept. 22 wearing a red polo shirt, typically a sign of unity at board meetings among parents and community members who have opposed recent policy updates in the school system surrounding students who identify as transgender.
Mount Vernon: Hospital Praised as Community Anchor
Celebrating Community Day and 40th anniversary of Mount Vernon Hospital.
Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce and Inova Mount Vernon Hospital partnered to co-sponsor Community Day and the hospital’s 40th anniversary celebration on Saturday, Sept. 24. This is the fourth year the chamber sponsored a Community Day to recognize and celebrate local businesses, non-profits and Mount Vernon and Lee residents. Since Mount Vernon Hospital was planning to celebrate its 40th anniversary, the chamber decided to join celebrating Community Day simultaneously with Mount Vernon hospital.
Editorial: Independent Police Auditor Marks History
Kudos to Board of Supervisors for unanimous approval of independent police auditor; now on to the Civilian Review Panel.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted to create the position and office of independent police auditor on Tuesday, Sept. 20, creating the first civilian, independent oversight of law enforcement in Fairfax County. The unanimous vote demonstrated the board’s commitment to the ongoing process that began early in 2015 when Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova established the 32-member Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission.
Walk to Prevent Suicide
Walk supports survivors of suicide loss and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
The Out of the Darkness Walks are American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s largest fundraiser, producing millions for suicide prevention programs, and works to unite those who have been affected by suicide, and create communities that are “smart about mental health.”