Seniors Porter, Jeanpierre to Participate in All-Star Game
Suburban Classic will be held Sunday, March 23 at Oakton.
Mount Vernon seniors Samantha Porter and De'Ja "DJ" Jeanpierre will participate in Sunday's all-star game.
Commentary: Let’s Be Fair about Route 1
As we’re about to see the Route 1 widening project get underway, it’s worth a review of what brought the need to widen the road in the first place. Contrary to what some of us are given to understand, Fort Belvoir’s growth under the Base Realignment and Closure did not bring about the need to widen Route 1. It did, however, play a critical role in getting the project funded.
Landfill Decision Deferred to April 3
Group to discuss a compromise is now underway.
On March 13, the Fairfax County Planning Commission was set to make a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors on whether EnviroSolutions should be permitted to continue dumping construction debris at their landfill in Lorton until 2040. However, at that meeting, the Planning Commission deferred the decision to April 3 in order for a group to be established to discuss the issues at stake between those on both sides of the debate.
Gartlan Center to Open March 27
CSB integrates primary and behavioral health care at Gartlan Center.
According to a 2006 study, people with a serious mental illness, on average, die 25 years earlier than the rest of the population. The study, conducted by the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors, found that about 60 percent of these deaths were due to conditions like cardiovascular and pulmonary disease.
Obituary: Adrian Eugene Miller
Adrian Eugene Miller, 75, of Lake Monticello, died on Thursday, March 13, 2014 at Hospice House in Charlottesville. Born on April 2, 1938 in Alexandria, he was the son of the late Clancie Hope Hamilton Miller and David M. Miller. He was also predeceased by his brother Richard M. Miller.After eight years in the National Guard as a Spec4, he worked for 37 years as an insurance agent and manager for Peoples Life Insurance, now Monumental Life. In 2002, he and his wife retired to Lake Monticello, after working and raising their family in the Alexandria area. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, and belonged to many clubs including the Gold Hounds, of which he was treasurer.
‘Anne of Green Gables’ Opens Friday
Aldersgate Church Community Theatre presents the Alexandria premiere of “Anne of Green Gables.” Relive all of the memorable events and characters from the in L.M. Montgomery’s enduring tale about an orphan, Anne Shirley — “Anne with an ‘e’” — who dreams big and leads with her heart. From her first encounter with Marilla, her austere guardian, to her thrilling graduation from Queen's Academy, we experience all the tragedies and triumphs that mark Anne's growth from adolescence to early adulthood: her friendship with Diana, her feuds with Gilbert, her adoration of Matthew, the mistaken wine bottle, the cake disaster, the broken leg, the scholastic achievements, and the saving of Green Gables. Whether the playgoer is an old “kindred spirit” of Anne's or meeting her for the first time, audiences will fall in love with one of literature's most unforgettable characters.
Letter to the Editor: Frustrating Focus
To the Editor: I read with interest the recent commentary submitted by Del. Scott Surovell in the March 13-19 edition of the Mount Vernon Gazette. I was enlightened, frustrated and saddened by the 20 point commentary written by Delegate Surovell. While many of the 20 items Mr. Surovell discussed were noteworthy and reflected sound logic and value to Virginia citizens, several of the 20 items saddened and frustrated me. In item 9 Mr. Surovell complained about not being successful in removing the Virginia ban on same sex marriage. In short why is our legislative time and money being wasted on such an issue? Gay marriage is offensive and in no way can legislative time and effort and resources be justified in dealing with nothing more than politically correct activity to please a few when so many other pressing issues face our state and our country.
Letter to the Editor: Stop Higher Taxes Now
To the Editor: Speak up now or face higher Fairfax County real estate taxes. After April 29, it will be too late because the Board of Supervisors is making final decisions on the FY 2015 budget that includes property tax rate.By now you should have received the Fairfax County Department of Tax Administration (DTA) tax assessment notices for 2014. They show that assessments have increased over last year for most homeowners. According to county information, County-wide assessment values for 2014 have increased 6.54 percent and a typical household will see their real estate taxes increase by $331.67 over last year. Of course some will pay more because their tax assessment increased more than for the average household and if the current tax rate of $1.085 per $100 of assessed value is not reduced.
Letter to the Editor: Negative Impacts
To the Editor: Re: “Green Energy or Closed Landfill,” March 13. I wish EnviroSolutions’ plans for the Lorton landfill meant Green Energy for Fairfax County. Unfortunately and disappointingly, after vigorous research and investigation, the Mt. Vernon Council has learned that their proposal largely means increased methane pollution for our air, negative impacts on recycling construction and demolition debris (CDD), the likely killing of eagles, and the greening of ESI’s wallets
Editorial: Income Gap Alive and Well
Statistics make life in the area sound idyllic, but many families are left out in the land of plenty.
Northern Virginia is a place of wonder and plenty. So says the New York Times this past week in, "Income Gap Meet the Longevity Gap," (March 15, 2014).
No Know. No Problem.
I felt a bit of a dope this week when, after reading last week’s column, "Whew!", multiple friends called to inquire specifically as to the "Tony-the-Tiger Great" news I wrote that I received from my oncologist, and I couldn’t answer them in any detail: shrinkage, less fluid, "partial stable remission"? Nothing. And though I tried to get my oncologist to explain to me exactly what was so encouraging about this most recent CT Scan – compared to the one I took three months ago (as opposed to the one I had nine months ago which was mistakenly compared to this most recent scan and resulted in the "Some better, some worse. I’ll explain more on Friday" e-mail I received from my doctor and talked about in "Whew!") – I was rebuffed. Rebuffed in the best possible way: being told instead how great I was doing, how great my lab results were (for this most recent pre-chemotherapy) and how I could live a long time like this (presumably continuing to be infused with Alimta) – it was almost disconcerting; especially when you consider the original e-mail assessment we received and our less-than-positive interpretation of it. Moreover, the oncologist’s exuberance and smiling countenance, along with his offer of a congratulatory handshake led me away from the missing facts and immediately into these new-found feelings.
How To Prepare for New SAT
Local experts say working hard in class is the best way to be successful.
Linda Mitchell and her 15-year-old daughter, Alexis, say they don’t really know what to expect when Alexis sits for the SAT college admissions exam in 2016, but they’re not too worried at this point. Two years is a long time.
Commentary: Will Supervisors Honor Compact with the Community?
Former publisher of the Chronicle Newspapers A move by EnviroSolutions in South County, including Lorton and parts of Fairfax Station and Springfield, to extend the life of its construction debris landfill by 22 years and dramatically increase the facility’s size has led to a growing controversy. The core issue is whether residents can trust the Board of Supervisors to honor and enforce the terms of a past agreement that was made between a corporation, the local community, and the Board of Supervisors.
Art Educators, Galleries Celebrate Youth Art Month
Experts say art can teach valuable life skills.
Brightly colored self-portraits, landscapes dotted with spring flowers and hand-carved sculptures fill a gallery at the McLean Project for the Arts in McLean. All of the art was created by local school children. Meanwhile, in Alexandria, parents and tots dip their fingers in glue, clay and paint to create collages, sculptures and paintings.
Letter to the Editor: MVCCA Opposes ESI’s Request
To the Editor: An article in last week’s Gazette (“Green Energy or a Closed Landfill”) seemed to miss the purpose of EnviroSolutions’ (ESI) request for a Special Exception Amendment, which is to substantially expand the capacity of the Lorton construction and demolition debris (CDD) landfill and extend operations for 22 years. The Mount Vernon Council of Citizens’ Associations’ Environment and Recreation Committee, which I chair, was asked to review this application by ESI’s representative, Conrad Mehan. We worked closely with colleagues in the South County Federation (which opposes the SEA request) and with ESI, and conducted our own research to understand this complex and contentious case. Majorities of MVCCA Environment and Recreation and Planning and Zoning Committees voted to support a resolution opposing ESI’s request, which was adopted by the full Council on Feb. 26 (see www.mvcca.org/Resolutions/res-J-2014-01.pdf ).
Letter to the Editor: Unacceptable For 2014
To the Editor: The article on March 13 regarding extending and expanding the construction debris landfill at Lorton raises yet again the question of why Fairfax County is even considering revising the current deal, which calls for the landfill to cease operations in 2018.
Commentary: U.S. 1 Version 2.0: Public Hearing Next Week
On Wednesday, March 26, at 6 p.m., the second public hearing regarding the U.S. 1 Multimodal Transit Alternative Analysis Study will take place at the South County Government Center. The study was funded by a $2 million budget amendment secured by Sen. Toddy Puller and I last session and is being administered by Virginia’s Department of Rail and Public Transit. It is probably the most important study for the future of our area to ever take place. The purpose of the study is to consider all factors clearly define the key transportation needs for our community, consider a range of multimodal transportation solutions to address the needs, and arrive at a recommended program of transportation improvements and accompanying land uses to lay the groundwork for development in our area through the year 2035.
Happily Ever After
MVCCT presents “Once Upon A Mattress.”
Hans Christian Andersen's classic fairytale, "The Princess and the Pea," comes to the stage as a musical comedy in the Mount Vernon Children’s Community Theater spring production “Once Upon a Mattress.”
Classified Advertising March 19. 2014
Read the latest ads here!
Tips to Get Your Home Ready for Spring
Experts suggest a yearly spring maintenance check-up.
With warmer weather just around the corner, it’s time to focus on your home.