At Ribbon-Cutting
Military Child Education Coalition board member Patricia Shinseki distributes MCEC coins to Mount Vernon High School students.
Lessons in having faith and letting go
It’s shocking how quickly it has become normal — and even “just right” — to have 10 dogs living in my house.
100 New Citizens Sworn In
Congressman Connolly, Chairman Bulova, Delegate Keam participate in naturalization ceremony in Fairfax.
The new citizens, accompanied by many family members, filled the Government Center's auditorium for the naturalization ceremony held by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Congressman Connolly, Chairman Bulova and Delegate Keam addressed the group, each describing in their words what it meant to be an American.
Military Notes
News and notes on Mount Vernon natives in the military.
Ruth Harvey Retires
Hollin Hall gas station owner and co-founder.
Fifty-two years ago Leon and Ruth Harvey opened the Hollin Hall Gas Station for business. Now, after more than a half century “Ruth” or “Mrs. Harvey” as many know her, has retired and moved out of the only home in which she ever lived in the Fort Hunt community and into the Paul Spring Retirement Center just a few minutes from the station at the corner of Fort Hunt and Shenandoah Road.
Working To Help Ex-Offenders
Probation office reintegrates ex-offenders into the community.
On average, 2,100 adult offenders are on supervised probation in Fairfax County at any given time. The office that manages these offenders is headed up by Tracy Lavely, a veteran of the Department of Corrections who has worked in the field of adult probation and parole since 1989.
Editorial: Remembering on Memorial Day
The sacrifices of those who died in war.
1st Lt. Robert J. Hess, 26, of the Kings Park West neighborhood of Fairfax, was killed by enemy fire on April 23, 2013 in Pul-E-Alam, Afghanistan. Hess was known as “RJ” and graduated from Robinson Secondary School in 2005, where he played football, lacrosse and was the captain of the swim team. He was a U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter pilot who deployed to Afghanistan on April 11, 2013. His family remembers his sense of humor and his natural leadership ability.
Sara's Head Shaving Birthday Party
Sara Raffel's little brother Ryan lost his battle with AML, a form of leukemia, on Aug. 11, 2012 — less than a year after diagnosis and just two days before his 6th birthday.
Women Mean Business
In the two months since the much-hyped and dreaded sequester took effect, the daily economic forecast has been almost as painful as the slow grinding of bureaucratic wheels. But here’s some good economic news, especially for aspiring female entrepreneurs: the numbers are in your favor.
Fredona Gartlan Dies
A life dedicated to helping the needy.
Fredona Manderfield Gartlan, a longtime advocate for those suffering from mental illness, died April 22, 2013 at her home in Mason Neck. She was 85 and had suffered in recent years from Alzheimer’s Disease. The cause of death was an apparent heart attack.
Letter: Prepare for Park Meeting
To the Editor: The Westgrove Park Off-Leash Dog Area (OLDA) has been the subject of numerous articles and letters in the Gazette over the past two years. Last November, the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) agreed to establish the OLDA on an interim basis pending the outcome of the Master Planning process.
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.
Good Sheperd
Good Shepherd Housing & Family Services BEL13VE Gala nets more than $218,000 toward mission of reducing homelessness and promoting self sufficiency
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.