Mount Vernon HomeLifeStyle

Storms Leave 2 Dead, Power Out

At least two dead in Fairfax; 285,000 residents still without power after Friday night’s hurricane force winds.

Winds of more than 70 miles per hour swept through Fairfax County Friday night. Power went out as the storm blew into the area around 10:30 p.m. with hurricane force winds sounding like a freight train. The sound made some residents think a tornado was upon them, and many took refuge in basements.

First County Shelter Becoming ‘Residences at Mondloch’

Mondloch House undergoes renovation, will include 20 affordable housing units.

Fairfax County’s focus on ending homelessness took a step forward this month when the county began renovating its first ever homeless shelter - Mondloch House - to increase housing opportunities for single adults.

Mount Vernon Home Sales: May, 2012

wIn May 2012, 131 homes sold between $965,000-$97,500 in the Mount Vernon area.

Mount Vernon Home Sales in May, 2012

Serving the Muse and the Community

Peter Lattu turns to poetry and volunteering.

How to fill the void after the dog dies: That was the dilemma facing Peter Lattu. For several years, Lattu had taken his border collie on three long walks a day. But many empty hours stretched before the Alexandria resident when the dog was gone. "I needed things to do," said Lattu.

Planning Delays Vote on Dog Park

The Fairfax County Planning Commission voted May 31 to defer a final vote on the proposed Interim Off Leash Dog Park (OLDA) for Westgrove Park until July 19.

Supporting Arcadia Center

The Garden Club of Waynewood recently donated $500 to Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food. Marjie Morris, president, Garden Club of Waynewood presented the donation to Maureen Moodie, farm director, Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food and Agriculture at Woodlawn. Presented at the garden club's recent flower show, the donation is part of the Garden Club of Waynewood's 50th anniversary activities and ongoing commitment and service to the community. The Garden Club of Waynewood meets the third Thursday of the month, September to June, at 10:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall of Plymouth Haven Baptist Church, 8532 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria. Guests and new members are welcome. Contact Katherine Hoffman 703-549-4245.

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.

Mount Vernon Gazette