West Potomac Academy Students Produce Fashion Show
In the Springbank auditorium on Friday, May 4, West Potomac High School students were practicing their steps on the runway, lights and sound were checked, back in wardrobe, dressers were waiting for the models and changes, make-up was being applied in the band room as the preparations for the spring fashion show were near complete. This year’s show, Runway Ready “Catwalk to Concept,” featured student designs: Pink Paradise, Street Intentions, My Bougie Baby, Vintage Appeal and Masked Elegance. Guest designers included Nam Nguyen and the Ugglee Collection.
Letter: Ways To Restore Dyke Marsh
To the Editor: This week, the National Park Service (NPS) held a public meeting to discuss four optional courses of action concerning the erosion of Dyke Marsh. The Marsh is a tidal marsh where the brackish waters of the Potomac River ebb and flow with the tide, covering land at high tide and exposing land at low tide. While Dyke Marsh is a relatively large example of a tidal marsh, numerous other examples abound in the Potomac River and its tributaries. The main distinction is that Dyke Marsh is located within a national park, the George Washington National Historic Parkway Park. This introduces the prospect of using federal funding to restore it.
Letter: Thank You To Community
To the Editor: The Mount Vernon Evening Lions Club thanks the Mount Vernon community for its generous donations at our White Cane Day which was held at the Belle View Safeway on Saturday, April 28. All money will be used for sight projects. Please drop off any used eyeglasses or hearing aides at the recycle boxes located in local libraries. For questions, contact Andrea Corsillo at 703-960-4973.
Letter: How To Measure Excellence
For the past several years around the May timeframe, the Mount Vernon Gazette has published a nice picture of the Waynewood Elementary School principal, who — along with a teacher — is receiving an Academic Excellence Award from Dan Storck (see last week's edition of the Gazette). While I think it's great that Waynewood receives this award year after year after year, I wonder what type of message that sends to the other hard-working school administrators and teachers in the area who cannot compete with Waynewood's "success" on many levels.
Letter: Keep Larger Perspective
To the Editor: A mega issue is playing out under the guise of a mini issue in northern Mount Vernon district.
When a Child Goes Missing
Annually in Virginia over 1,000 children are reported as missing.
What started as a missing child report on April 27 has since been resolved by the Mount Vernon police. On Friday, May 4, the police determined that the 12-year-old girl is in the custody of a family member. The investigation is ongoing but no charges have been placed at this time.
Help ‘Stamp Out Hunger’ This Saturday
Postal carriers to collect donated food.
Among the letter carriers across the nation collecting food donations this Saturday, May 12, for the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is Mount Vernon’s postal carrier David Yip who delivers mail along Fort Hunt Road.
Auction To Benefit Club Programs, Projects
Join Belvoir Officers' Spouses' Club on “Military Spouse Appreciation Day” with a “Caring for our Community Dinner and Auction.” Items on the auction block, called by a professional auctioneer, include a football signed by the NFL's Mannings - Eli, Peyton and Archie, along with its certificate of authenticity, a pearl necklace, a stay at the Hollywood Casino, Pink Bicycle Tea Room, Wine Tasting tours and picnic parties at several local wineries, a man's Officina del Tempo Watch, roundtrip New York City bus tickets and theater tickets to several shows, Dandy Cruise Ship four-course dinner cruise for two, Stonewall Resort’s two-night stay for two, Hunting Hawk Golf Club greens fees, Lazy Susan Dinner Theatre, Olde Towne Pet Resort three-night stay and spa bath for a canine or feline family member, a season pass to the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, and other items. The evening will also feature entertainment by guitarist Stan Hamrick of the Potomac Jazz Project.
Park Improvements at Mount Eagle Park
Residents and local officials will gather on Saturday, May 12, at 10 a.m. to celebrate the completion of improvements at Mount Eagle Park. The 12-acre park recently received a new playground, pavilion and sand volleyball court. A brief ceremony to be held at the pavilion will mark the occasion. Mount Eagle Park is located at 5919 North Kings Highway, Alexandria.
Driver Arrested In Hit and Run
Detectives have seized the suspect vehicle believed to be involved in what has been determined to be a fatal case of road rage. The driver of that vehicle is a 32-year-old resident on John Paul Drive in Alexandria, who has been arrested and charged with felony hit and run. The suspect vehicle is a black, 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer and was located in southwest Washington, D.C.
Mount Vernon Crime Report May 8
Activities reported by the Mt. Vernon police department through May 4.
Presidential Visit to Washington-Lee
President Barack Obama made his first visit to Washington-Lee High School on Friday, May 4.
Northern Virginia Bill Signing Puts Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence in Spotlight
A rare moment of bipartisanship between Republican governor and Democratic legislators.
Strangulation will be punished more aggressively to combat violence against women. Campus police will work with other police agencies to crack down on domestic violence of unmarried couples. And the telephone number for a human trafficking hotline will be placed in the restrooms at strip clubs across Virginia.
Mount Vernon Boys’ Soccer Approaching No. 1 Seed
Majors receive wake-up call from loss to Chantilly.
The Mount Vernon boys' soccer team has responded well to its first loss of the season.
The Best Seats Outside the House
Local designers offer tips for creating a spectacular patio or deck.
Warm weather means more time spent lounging by the pool or grilling on the patio. A winter-worn outdoor space can make popular warm weather pastimes less than appealing. Creating a space that provides both comfort and style can be a daunting undertaking. Local designers are offering suggestions for creating a luxurious retreat fit for relaxing or outdoor entertaining.
Housing Discrimination Alert
Officials step up education, outreach efforts to reach immigrant communities about "fair housing" rights.
Housing discrimination cases have been on the rise in Fairfax County in the past few years. And the Office of Human Rights and Equity Programs (OHREP), the agency that enforces fair housing laws in the county, is shining a spotlight on the problem through seminars for housing providers, realtors, community groups and other interested parties. "Sadly, housing discrimination is alive and well and we’ve seen an uptick in complaints during the past six years," said Kenneth Saunders, executive director of OHREP.
Editorial: Transparency, Technology and Tolls
With E-Z Pass transponder on the windshield, you should know what you're about to pay; whatever it is, it's going up.
Despite the high number of drivers in Northern Virginia who already have an E-Z Pass transponder, when the HOT-Lanes open on the Beltway, there will be pressure for many more drivers to subscribe.
Column: “I’m Fine”
Mostly. All things considered, and as a stage IV (terminal) lung cancer patient, it’s impossible – for me, to not consider all things.
Renaming Field Honors Lt. Col. Gary F. Smith
Friends and family gathered Saturday, April 28 at Field #5 at Grist Mill Park for the renaming of the field in honor of Lt. Colonel Gary F. Smith (ret.).
Responding to Natural Disasters
West Potomac High School students from Frances Coffey’s Advanced Placement Human Geography class were treated to a visit from Cathi Hoefler and Steven Keating from the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency recently. Hoefler and Keating discussed the importance of using data to better predict and respond to natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina and the 2011 earthquake off the coast of Japan and tsunami. Students asked questions about how relief efforts are influenced by geography. The speakers also discussed how understanding cultural values and norms is important in military efforts worldwide.