MVHS Hosts History Day Competition
On March 1 at Mount Vernon High School the National History Day Competition took place.
Learning about State Government
Del. Scott Surovell hosted the fourth annual Amundson Institute — named after its founder former Del. Kris Amundson which offers student leaders in the 44th District the opportunity to learn about state government first hand. The group included Regine Victoria, junior at Mount Vernon High School; Colleen Grady, senior at West Potomac High School; Dorothy Bowerfind, junior at West Potomac High School; Nia White, junior at West Potomac High School, and Carla Castro Claure, senior at Edison High School.
Celebrating the Birthday Of Dr. Seuss
Teachers and students came dressed as their favorite storybook characters on Feb. 28.
Students Selected for the 2014 All-Virginia Band
The following West Potomac High School students were selected for the 2014 All-Virginia Band, Patrick Rhoads, alto saxophone; Kendell Haywood, percussion, and Erika Larsen, flute.
The Carl Sandburg Middle School Science Olympiad Team
The Carl Sandburg Middle School Science Olympiad team participated in the regional competition in Charlottesville on Saturday, Feb. 22. The two teams that participated placed 5th overall in the middle school division.
Board Advertises Higher Tax Rate
Rate gives board flexibility, options in determining final budget.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted 8-2 Tuesday to advertise a higher real estate tax rate that could add about $100 to annual tax bills, which will be on top of the $332 county homeowners will see this year as a result of higher real estate assessments. Setting the advertised tax rate formally begins the two-month public process to adopt the Fiscal Year 2015 budget, and the rate represents the maximum potential tax rate for FY2015.
Virginia Laws Help Local Governments Conceal 911 Calls from Public
Police agencies refuse to release audio from 911 calls, prompting questions about transparency.
When city officials in Alexandria released the audio of a 911 call in a high-profile murder case, many people interpreted the move as a step forward for transparency in a commonwealth known for opaque government.
Pedestrian Killed On Richmond highway
William Godfrey Jr., 68, of Alexandria was struck as he crossed Richmond Highway near the Backlick Road intersection on Feb. 20. A 58-year-old woman driving a Honda Civic struck Godfrey as she was traveling north on Richmond Highway. Godfrey was pronounced dead at the scene. Alcohol may have been a factor on the part of the pedestrian, police said.According to Fairfax County’s pedestrian safety information website, 10-20 people on average are killed every year, with another 300 injured. In 2012, there were 201 pedestrians involved in accidents in Fairfax County, according to the Fairfax County Police Department. As of July 2013, there were 98 pedestrians involved in crashes. In June 2013, a pedestrian crossing two lanes of still traffic Richmond Highway was hit by a marked police car traveling in the southbound left turning lanes. According to police, the 60-year-old Alexandria man was not in a crosswalk. The man received non-life threatening injuries. Fairfax County operates a Fairfax County Pedestrian Program. The following information is advice given from their Pedestrian Safety portion of the website at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fcdot/pedestrian/pedsafety.htm
Woodlawn Needlework Exhibit Starts March 1
Woodlawn, a site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, will showcase the work of skilled needlers from across the country, including objects created by First Ladies and First Family members, during the site’s annual needlework show that begins on Saturday, March 1. “After celebrating the 50th anniversary of the needlework show last year, we wanted to do something special that would build on that excitement and success this year,” said John Riley, interim director of Woodlawn. “This year’s program will feature a blend of contemporary and historic needlework that is as impressive in its craftsmanship as it is in its historical significance.” In addition to hundreds of high quality needlework items on display throughout the Woodlawn mansion, the work of First Families on loan for the special exhibit, “Needlework and the White House: A First Family Tradition,” includes a rug by Barbara Bush, napkins embroidered by Edith Roosevelt, and Dolley Madison’s pin cushion. Visitors will also see needlework ornaments from the 1991 White House holiday display.
Seeing How Slaves Lived
In observance of African American History Month, Mount Vernon Estate offers a Slave Life specialty tour once a day throughout the month of February. The tour provides insight into the lives and contributions of the slaves who built and operated the plantation home of George and Martha Washington. The tour includes living quarters, working gardens as well as reproduction clothing, tools, furniture, cookware, ceramics, and children’s toys of the many enslaved individuals who lived there. Inclusion of the slave quarters provides a complete history of what life was like on the plantation; both those who owned it as well as those who toiled there. While there, visitors may run into the last serving valet to the late General Washington, Christopher Sheels (portrayed by Jonathan Wood). He walks the plantation as one of the important people from Washington’s world. More than 300 slaves “contributed heavily to the success of Mount Vernon,” Wood said. Seeing a live actor portray the character of one of the enslaved individuals guides visitors toward an understanding that Washington, while a great national hero, was also a conflicted individual. “General Washington did not free his slaves until his death” and the display of the slave quarters is a “part of telling his whole story,” Wood added.
Grand Champions
On Feb. 22, at Gar-Field's Dance Invitational in Woodbridge, the Carl Sandburg Middle School Dance Team competed in the middle school category against local dance teams from Fairfax County Public Schools and Prince William County Schools.
The Mardula Pet Parade
Francis and Susan J. Mardula of Alexandria have volunteered for 21 years at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. Susan Mardula writes: Our lives have truly been enriched by the animals we have adopted over the years and by the wonderful animal caring people we met through our volunteer work.When my husband and I first met, we each had pets with “S” names. We continued the tradition over the years.
Mount Vernon Pets
’The Mount Vernon Gazette presents it's winter/spring pet edition, featuring readers' pet photos.
Money on the Shelves: Jurisdictions Take Variety of Approaches to Funding Libraries
Some have recovered from the recession, others are still struggling.
What is the future of the neighborhood library?
Schools’ Band Director Honored
Jane Morgan, the band director at Stratford Landing Elementary School and Waynewood Elementary School, has been named the 2013-14 Elementary Band Director of the Year by the Fairfax County Band Directors Association. Morgan has been teaching band at Stratford Landing since 1999, and said she has learned a great deal from her students. It is her students that have brought her the most joy in her position, Morgan said. “It’s great to see what the kids accomplish and how far they go,” Morgan said. “They just keep me fresh every day.” Morgan has also taught middle and high school students.