Housing Market: ‘Sell and Buy’
Sustained low interest rates and rising prices have energized the marketplace.
The local real estate market is thriving, with Realtors reporting multiple offers on homes in some areas and dwindling inventory of homes for sale. At least two things are contributing to this change in the market. First, interest rates have been in the basement: Freddie Mac reported a 30-year fixed-rate of 3.57 percent for March this year, as opposed to 3.95 percent in March 2012 and 4.84 percent in 2011 (for reference, March 2005 was 5.93 percent).
Picking Up 474 Bags of Trash
Friends of Little Hunting Creek help clean up local waterway.
For the 11th year, Friends of Little Hunting Creek, led by its president Betsy Martin, and a group of 191 volunteers, picked up 474 bags of trash and recyclables, 43 tires, 19 shopping carts and other items such as sofas, traffic cones, air conditioner, bed springs, bike, kitchen sink, and more.
Hollin Meadows Celebrates Earth Day
Girl Scouts held a used book sale and also added the last few boxes of this season’s cookies on the table at the annual Earth Day celebration at Hollin Meadows Math and Science Focus School on Saturday, April 20.
Trying To Save Part of School
Residents ask school system to save part of building.
The planned renovation of Woodlawn Elementary School has become a topic of discussion between Fairfax County Public Schools staff members and local elected officials. At the heart of the discussion is the school system’s proposed renovations to the school.
Good Sheperd
Good Shepherd Housing & Family Services BEL13VE Gala nets more than $218,000 toward mission of reducing homelessness and promoting self sufficiency
Mount Vernon Home Sales: March, 2013
In March 2013, 108 homes sold between $1,325,000-$56,820 in the Mount Vernon area.
Mount Vernon Home Sales: March, 2013
Jensen To Lead Drills at MVAC
Murphy Jensen, 1993 French Open Doubles Tennis Champion, and coach of the WWT Washington Kastles, will be at the Mount Vernon Athletic Club on Friday, April 26 at 6 p.m.
Local Volunteers on Trail Patrol
National Park Service sponsors Mount Vernon Trail Patrol Volunteer Program to supplement trail safety.
For those thinking of using the Mount Vernon Parkway trails but are concerned of possible security risks or accidents that may, a Trail Patrol volunteer program offers an added sense of security and confidence. Local volunteers supplement the U.S. National Park Service’s park ranger presence by patrolling the area and offering advice, help, and a secure presence throughout the trails of the Mount Vernon parkway.
Opening Day for Alexandria Potomac Little League
Celebrating 10 years, players, coaches and volunteers held opening day ceremonies at Bucknell Elementary School on Saturday morning, April 13. This year’s sponsors include: AES, Beyer Subaru, Blackberry, BSN Sports, Sick’s Sporting Goods, Dick’s Trophies, Don Beyer Volvo, Dutzman Family, First Command Financial Services, Fort Hunt Body & Sol, Giant Foods, Holden & Sons, Hughes Orthodontics, Irish Plumber, Larson Orthodontics, Memory Makers, Mercedes-Benz of Alexandria, Ourisman of Virginia, RAM Technologies and TAS-Corp.
Walking for Cystic Fibrosis
More than 35 students walked on Saturday morning, April 13, at West Potomac High School to raise money and awareness as part of the “Great Strides” fundraiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
‘Young Frankenstein’ To Open April 25
Beyond the Page Theatre Company of West Potomac High School presents “The New Mel Brook’s Musical ‘Young Frankenstein’” at 7 p.m. on April 25.
Poetry MV 4/17/2013
By Asher Ager 5th Grade Hollin Meadows ES Birds, animals, weeds, and all other beings, Spring approaches, though that might not seem now, All the beasts, plants, towers, flowers, and things, Can feel the warmth seeping through cold winter’s gown, Inofficially marking the new spring, The very official holiday will still cling, The answer to global warming is clear, We must step up and take charge of the day, Grab a took may it be shovel; or spade If you want to help this is the way, With any effort changes will be made, One of the enjoyable holidays, Earth Day is fun let it stay as it may.
New Class, Old Divisions
Demographic data for T.J. class of 2017 show lack of diversity at governor's school.
Even as federal regulators look into a civil-rights complaint about the lack of diversity at Thomas Jefferson School for Science and Technology, recently released demographics show that the number of black and Latino students is dropping. According to a report released last week by Fairfax County Public Schools, 8 percent of students who apply are Hispanic while only 3 percent of those who are accepted are Hispanic.
Poetry
My daughter died today. Dear Patsy who was but seventeen, Another piece of my heart broken and dissolved in tears I clasped her precious hand and thought I would not survive this time My babies, Daniel, and too many others . . . Then I felt your hand on my shoulder, A reminder you shared my grief, and I was not alone. Your quiet, wordless strength gave me comfort, And I smiled up at you through my sorrow.
Schools
School Notes
Email announcements to gazette@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Thursday at noon. Photos are welcome. Mount Vernon High School has been awarded a state grant titled the 21st Century Learning Community Grant which will enable the school to begin an after-school program benefiting many students.