Computer Clubhouse For Young Techies
Mount Vernon children in underserved areas learn technology skills.
The Computer Clubhouse at Gum Springs Community Center offers about 150 underserved children in the Mount Vernon area the chance to learn cutting-edge software and computer skills, filmmaking, blogging, Podcasts and robotics.
Costco Prepares For Opening
Mount Vernon store to employ 200-plus and form local partnerships.
The new Costco is opening along Route 1 in Mount Vernon on Thursday, Aug. 8. The 140,000-square-foot warehouse club will employ more than 200 people, which brings the total number of Costco stores to 632 nationwide. Construction crews, vendors, landscapers, and store employees have been working around the clock for 13 weeks preparing for the grand opening, which included a VIP Open House Party on Wednesday evening.
School Notes
Bridget Thompson has been selected to receive a $1,500 college scholarship from the Military Children Program. Thompson took part in various school and community activities including environmental club, cross country, swimming, and band. She plans to attend The College of William and Mary.
The Median Has No Message
Political signs banished from roadsides as campaign season heats up.
Some people call them flowers of democracy. Others call them weeds of political pollution. Whatever one thinks of the campaign signs and placards that appear along the roads of Fairfax County, expect to see a lot fewer of them. Last month, county officials launched a new program in which nonviolent inmates at the county jail hit the streets four days a week to remove illegal signs. With apologies to Marshall McLuhan, the message is no longer in the median. Anger and resentment has been rising over the issue of roadside political signs for years, and campaigns frequently go to war with each other to see which side can plant or steal or deface the largest number of placards. Unlike Prince William County, which had an agreement with the Virginia Department of Transportation that allows the local government to collect the signs and fine violators, Fairfax was caught in a bind. Part of the Virginia code made it illegal for the county to remove the signs in Fairfax County until after an election.
How It’s Done
George Washington erected a stone gristmill in 1771 to increase production of flour and cornmeal and to be able to export high quality flour to the West Indies, England, and Europe. In 1797, Washington's Scottish farm manager James Anderson encouraged him to build a whiskey distillery adjacent to the gristmill. The distillery was the largest in America, producing 11,000 gallons of whiskey in 1799, making it one of the most successful economic enterprises at Mount Vernon. Demonstrations of the mill are given by millers in early-American attire from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entrance to the site is included in admission to George Washington's Mount Vernon. Admission to the Distillery & Gristmill is also sold separately for $5 for adults, $2 for youth ages 6-11, and free for children 5 and under.
Letter to the Editor: Refrain from Judgment
Two weeks ago, my letter was published in the Gazette criticizing Del. Scott Surovell (D-44) for the posting on his blog in which he called upon Gov. Robert McDonnell to resign in light of the allegations concerning gifts he received from the CEO of a Virginia company. In my letter, I took no position concerning the morality of the situation, only concentrating on the fact that the investigation was not complete and on the inference that Delegate Surovell's comments were politically partisan in nature.
Letter to the Editor: Pedestrian Unfriendly
Costco seems to have designed its new store at Richmond Highway and Sherwood Hall Lane for somewhere reachable only by auto, with high blank walls facing the street and the building's front facing its parking lot. The entrance is as far as possible from the nearest road. But there's a group of townhouses a hundred feet away, and a dense community with over 100 homes along the back edge of the Costco property. Across Richmond Highway is an apartment community surrounded by the houses of Gum Springs. I would guess that there are several thousand people living within easy walking distance of the store.
New County Police Chief Named
Supervisors appoint Lt. Col. Edwin C. Roessler Jr.
Effective Tuesday morning Aug. 6, a Centreville resident, Lt. Col. Edwin C. Roessler Jr., became Fairfax County’s new chief of police. He was appointed July 30 by the county Board of Supervisors.
Mount Vernon Graduate Belanger to Play Goalie at American
Belanger helped Mount Vernon win the 2013 state championship team.
Candidates Agree on Amendment for Voting Rights, Disagree on Executive Order
Restoration of civil rights on the agenda for next governor.
Should nonviolent felons have their right to vote automatically restored? What exactly is a nonviolent felony? What kind of process can be considered automatic?
Opportunity Neighborhood
Organization celebrates first anniversary with bus tour.
Opportunity Neighborhood, a group that helps children succeed in school and life, celebrated its first anniversary with an 11-stop bus tour targeting Mount Vernon schools and neighborhoods along Route 1. The tour highlighted the areas that are served by the organization which supports young people from “cradle to college to career.” The tour started at the South County Government Center, which houses Human Services agencies in Fairfax County.
Classes Offer Liquified-Fun
Mount Vernon RECenter offers 13 water aerobics classes.
For people with joint or arthritis problems, the gentle resistance that water aerobics provides is the perfect remedy for fun and exercise.
Editorial: Protect Children, Animals in Hot Summer Weather
In light of recent incidents around the region, Fairfax County is reminding people of dangers involving children and hot cars. The combination of summer heat and humidity can mean life-threatening conditions for children left in vehicles or other unsuitable environments, even for short time periods. Here’s advice from the Kids and Cars organization:
Obituary: Claude 'Buzzie' Harris
Rotarian, former Little League commissioner dies at 81.
It was 1957 when Claude “Buzzie” Harris first laid eyes on Nancy Cooper at a party at George Washington University.
Editorial: Identity Tips
Review Credit Reports and Avoid Ripoffs
Fairfax County police offer the following tips regarding identity theft and fraud: * Review credit reports annually; Experian: Fraud/credit history, 888-397-3742; Trans Union: Fraud, 800-680-7289; Credit history, 800-888-4213; Equifax: Fraud, 800-525-6285; Credit report, 800-685-1111. Go to www.annualcreditreport.com. * Opt out of receiving pre-approved, credit-card applications by calling 888-567-8688. * Monitor credit cards and bank accounts online for early fraud detection. * Don’t mail bills from home; use electronic banking, if possible. * Victims of identity theft should get a police report and secure a seven-year fraud alert or a credit freeze. * People 70 and older should contact the credit bureaus and obtain a credit freeze, even if they’re not currently identity-theft victims. * Never wire money to strangers online; these requests are scams.
Opinion: Enjoy Tax Holiday, Donate School Supplies
Good timing to help those in need.
It is debatable whether recurring tax holidays for different seasonal needs are good policy. But since this weekend is Virginia’s tax holiday on school supplies and clothing, it makes sense to take advantage of the savings, and to spread the wealth around. The savings are more significant this year with the new sales tax increases in effect as of July 1.
Commentary: Update on Route 1 Transit Study
The Route 1 Transit Study is necessary to obtain long-term federal funding for much needed enhanced mass transit services to the Route 1 corridor. This study will evaluate alternative modes of transit to include ferries, bus rapid transit, light rail and perhaps the expansion of metro eventually.
People Notes
Elizabeth Rives, daughter of John and Betsy Rives of Mount Vernon, has been chosen as a state finalist in the National American Miss Virginia Pageant. Elizabeth will be participating in the Junior Teen 13 – 15 age division, at the Hyatt Regency Reston hotel in Reston on July 29, along with other young women from across Virginia. The winner of the pageant will receive a $1,000 cash award, the official crown and banner, a bouquet of roses, and air transportation to compete in the National Pageant in California where she will receive a complimentary tour of Hollywood and two V.I.P. tickets to Disneyland. Elizabeth, 14, will be a freshman at Bishop Ireton High School this fall. She is active in her school and community, including being a member of the National Junior Honor Society, and participating in many sports, music, and theater programs. Sponsors for her pageant bid include McGinley, Elsberg & Hutcheson P.L.C., Mount Vernon Athletic Club, Chevys Fresh Mex and Topsy Social Analytics.
Letter to the Editor: Moral and Ethical Issue
A Letter to the Editor in the Mount Vernon Gazette (July 18 – “Investigation Not Complete”) strongly criticized Del. Scott Surovell (D-44) for his comments on his blog calling for the resignation of Gov. Bob McDonnell.
Mount Vernon Bulletin
Genealogical Society Meeting. 1 p.m. at Hollin Hall Senior Center, 1500 Shenandoah Road. The meeting will take place in room 112 and will feature a presentation by Christine Rose entitled “Bounty Land Records to Help Solve that Problem.” Call 703-866-2478 or visit www.mvgenealogy.org.