Thousands of Pounds of Trash Removed from Little Hunting Creek
This past weekend, Del. Scott Surovell held his fourth cleanup in the past 12 months of Little Hunting Creek in the Hybla Valley section of Fairfax County. The cleanup, in coordination with Friends of Little Hunting Creek and the 25th Annual Alice Ferguson’s Foundations Annual Potomac Watershed Cleanup, was led by Surovell at three different sites: Janna Lee Avenue Bridge, Creekside Village Apartments and Mount Vernon Shopping Plaza behind the Shoppers Food Warehouse and U.S. Post Office.
Man Shot and Killed by Police on Tuesday
Shortly before 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 9, police were called to a home in the 6600 block of Thurlton Drive in the Alexandria area of Fairfax County for the report of a possible suicidal subject, according to police. Officers from the Franconia Police District arrived and encountered a 37-year-old man.
Mixture of Victories and Disappointments in Legislature
Commentary
The General Assembly reconvened on Wednesday, April 3, to take up the Governor’s amendments and vetoes. HB 2313, the transportation bill, which caused so much debate during the session, came back with amendments which addressed concerns of constitutionality and reduced some of the burdensome fees that my constituents were displeased with.
Three Years Later: No Police Oversight Board
Beltrante continues to lobby for citizens panel.
Three years after forming the Citizens Coalition for Police Accountability, retired D.C. homicide detective Nicholas Beltrante and his organization have not realized their goal of getting the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to establish a citizen police oversight panel. The genesis of Beltrante’s effort was triggered In 2009 when David Masters, a Vietnam veteran, alleged to have stolen flowers from a Route 1 nursery, was shot and killed by Fairfax police after a car chase.
Meet New SFDC Executive Director
Edythe Frankel Kelleher appointed last month.
Edythe Frankel Kelleher, recently appointed executive director of the Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation, may be the first true “homegrown” executive director in a long line of staff director’s appointed in the past several years by the SFDC. Previous executive directors lived outside of Fairfax County.
Letter: Letters to the Editor-Who Is Responsible?
To the Editor: Congratulations to Walmart for its decision to put wheel locks on shopping carts, because they are expensive — nearly $100. But attempts to apply external pressure, and especially attempts at legislation to force Walmart to this action, is way out of line.
Mount Vernon Estate Moves Closer to Opening Indispensable Library
$40 million facility to open in September.
Drivers zooming along Mount Vernon Memorial Highway are seeing history in the making.
Nelly’s Needlers Carry on Tradition at Woodlawn
Nelly’s Needlers once again opened the tea room at Woodlawn Plantation for lunch during the annual needlework show last month. Hostesses directed visitors to open tables and took orders.
WPHS Art At Target Gallery
The Torpedo Factory Art Center’s Target Gallery presents an exhibition of work from the 2013 participants of the Friends of the Torpedo Factory Art Center’s Mentorship Program. In the Mentorship Program, a volunteer artist from the Torpedo Factory Artists Association is paired with an art student from West Potomac and T.C. Williams high schools.
Japanese Delegation Visits Health Club
A delegation of 24 fitness industry business leaders from Japan recently visited the Mount Vernon Athletic Club. A cover article in Club Business International magazine on October of 2012 featured Mount Vernon Athletic Club General Manager Aaron Volbrecht who described the leadership and growth that he achieved at the local tennis and fitness club.
SAR Presents Award to Kroesen
The George Washington Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) hosted a formal gala event at the Belle Haven Country Club on Jan. 26, 2013, to present the SAR's highest national award for public service to General Frederick J. Kroesen, Jr., U.S. Army (retired). The SAR Gold Good Citizenship Medal is awarded for outstanding and unusual patriotic achievement and service of national importance.
WPHS Students Excel at Regional Science Fair
The following students from West Potomac High school received honors at last month’s Regional Science Fair. Grand Prize Nominees: Madison Daley and Katherine Genuario (also took a first prize in Energy and Transportation); Lindsey Kibben (also took first prize in Physics and Astronomy).
Schools
School Notes
Email announcements to gazette@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Thursday at noon. Photos are welcome.
Operation Patriotic STEM at Ft. Belvoir ES
Marymount University makes science fun.
As stomp rockets flew through the air, balloons expanded, and electricity set hair standing on end, children at Ft. Belvoir Elementary School didn’t know which hands-on science activity to try first. They were participating in Operation Patriotic STEM, an evening of science activities organized by Marymount University.
Hybla Valley Elementary Celebrates Vernal Equinox
On the first day of spring, the Hybla Valley Elementary School community celebrated with an international festival at the school. All seven continents were feted. A Mariachi band, an Irish dance group along with student and family cultural performances drew crowds into the gym, the World Stage.