Letter to the Editor: Educate Drivers About Bicyclists
To the Editor: Bike Lanes on King Street are unsafe but even more, they are unnecessary.They are unnecessary because: 1. There are alternate safe paths for bicyclists to the metro and Old Town. 2. Those few bicyclists who use this route have a direct route to the Metro and beyond using the vehicle lanes on King Street.
Letter to the Editor: Conscientious Employee
To the Editor: Virginia Hospital Center excels in many medical arenas and is a stand-out in the region. However, aside from its outstanding medical reputation and recent glowing achievement of the hard earned Magnet Nursing status, it appears the hospital leaves no stone unturned when it comes to excellence. The Starbucks located in the lobby of the hospital is a well-attended gathering hole for popular drinks and good pastries. As a true lover of lattes, I am a frequent customer when I visit the hospital or adjacent medical offices.
Diabetes Research
Jake and his mother Jennifer Reilly, a dietitian, attended the 4th annual Type 1 Diabetes Research Summit on Saturday. March 1.
Spring Fling at Swanson Middle School
The PTA at Swanson Middle School held its 2nd annual Spring Fling on Saturday, March 15, in the school gym. The juried arts and crafts show and sale featured jewelry, paintings, quilts, knitted items, birdhouses made from gourds, hand-painted glassware, vintage cards and more.
Letter to the Editor: Parking in District 1
To the Editor: In his letter of Feb. 22, Nate Macek offers a questionable set of recommendations on parking in Old Town, which begins with the faulty assumption equating Old Town’s street grid with that of Clarendon and the District. Referencing a Google map of Old Town and Clarendon shows extremely different systems, and simply citing “the District” is like comparing Old Town to Nebraska.
Stratford Landing Hosts Annual Science and Engineering Fair
Stratford Landing Elementary School students presented 304 projects at the annual Science and Engineering Fair on Tuesday, Feb. 25. Students displayed and explained their investigations to 25 visiting experts from West Potomac High School and the Geological Society of America. All of the visiting experts engage in teaching and studying advanced biology, chemistry, geology, and physics.
How Best To Restore Dyke Marsh?
The draft Dyke Marsh Restoration Plan and Long-Term Management Plan/ Environmental Impact Statement is available for public comment until March 18. The National Park Service presented three options for the restoration and long-term management of Dyke Marsh at a public meeting on Feb. 26. NPS is recommending alternative C, which would restore up to 245 acres of wetland. This alternative allows for Dyke Marsh to be restored as much as possible, using hydrologic restoration. In October 2013, the U.S. Department of the Interior announced that Dyke Marsh would receive $25 million for restoration.
Beyer Wins Mount Vernon Democrats’ Straw Poll
Former ambassador Donald Beyer won the first straw poll battle for the outgoing U.S. Rep. Jim Moran’s 8th district seat on Saturday night, March 1 with 25 percent of the vote (105 votes). Community leader Lavern Chatman came in second with 20 percent of the vote, and Del. Patrick Hope of Arlington received 19 percent. 419 of those in attendance coast their votes in the primary straw poll and about 470 Democratic activists attended the event. Bruce Shuttleworth did not attend because of a previous engagement.
Brief: Six Republicans Will Compete For 10th District Nomination
On March 1, the 10th District Republican Committee released the names of the candidates for their nomination for Congress. Six candidates filed by the deadline, said 10th District GOP Chairman John Whitbeck in a release. ”We ... feel like we are in an excellent position to hold the 10th District Congressional seat in November regardless of who the Democrats nominate.
Slates Set for Primary Elections
The filing deadline for candidates who plan to run for their party’s nominations was Feb. 25, and many races for local and state offices are now set. The Primary Election is scheduled for June 24. Currently there are no elected Republicans from Montgomery County, so in many cases the winners of the Democratic primary on June 24 will be the likely winner in November. Here is a list of candidates in some offices representing the Potomac area.
Signature Stages ‘Beaches’
Signature Theatre is presenting the musical “Beaches” about a 40-year friendship based on the 1988 movie starring Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey, now through March 30.
Schools Present Choral Concert
Centreville High and Liberty Middle schools will unite in song to present a Spring Choral Concert, next Thursday, March 13, at 7:30 p.m. The free concert will be held in the Centreville High auditorium. Afterward, the audience is invited to join the performers for a reception in the lobby.“It’s some of the most beautiful music they’ve studied all year,” said Centreville Choral Director Lynne Babcock. “It really shows off their musical skill and talents.”Liberty’s 90-person choir, under the direction of Nancy Hayes, will be singing first. The students will perform “The Bells,” “S’Vivon” and “Kyrie.”“I’m so happy that our students can share a concert together,” said Hayes. “This way, the middle-school students are hearing the high-school choirs at their very best. And hopefully, it will inspire them to continue singing in choir when they get to Centreville High.”Centreville will showcase 125 singers in six choirs, each performing separately.
Welcoming New Animal Services and Adoption Center
Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett, County Council President Craig Rice, Council members Phil Andrews, Nancy Navarro, and Montgomery County Police Chief J. Thomas Manger celebrated the completion of the new Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center at a preview opening reception on Friday evening, Feb. 28, it was standing room only as visitors toured the new space.
MVHS Hosts History Day Competition
On March 1 at Mount Vernon High School the National History Day Competition took place.
Letter to the Editor: Divided MVCCA
To the Editor: Last week, the MVCCA suffered a mini-implosion resulting from the controversial request by Furnace Associates, Inc. for a Special Exemption Amendment (SEA) permitting them to continue operating a landfill in the Lorton area until the year 2040, 22 years beyond the deadline imposed by the current Special Exemption. At last Wednesday's MVCCA's Council meeting, a resolution originating from its Environment & Recreation (E&R) Committee was debated and passed, after a contentious debate, by the slim margin of 10-9. The resolution was in opposition to the proposed SEA. Noteworthy to me is the fact that the MVCCA resolution makes no mention whatsoever of the position of the South County Federation (SCF) in opposition to the proposed SEA. During my brief time as chairman of the MVCCA's Planning & Zoning (P&Z) Committee, it was my strict policy to defer to the wishes of the SCF concerning any land use issues on lands in the South County area where its residents were most directly impacted. The MVCCA's continuing paternalistic attitude toward the SCF and its member associations and residents significantly reduces the MVCCA's influence concerning such issues. This needs to change.
Commentary: One Week Left for General Assembly
We have one more week before the General Assembly Session is scheduled to adjourn, and pressure is mounting to finish our work. On Friday, live on WTOP, Governor McAuliffe signed legislation repealing the $64 per year Hybrid Tax and mandating refunds to everyone who paid. I am pleased that we will no longer be taxing virtuous conduct and that the wishes of 7,700 Virginians expressed in the petition I circulated with Sen. Adam Ebbin were honored. Closing the healthcare coverage gap or the Medicaid expansion continues to dominate the discussion in Richmond.
Celebrating the Birthday Of Dr. Seuss
Teachers and students came dressed as their favorite storybook characters on Feb. 28.
News Brief: Honor Band
The following West Potomac High School students successfully auditioned into the all district honor bands.
WFCM Seeks Contributions
Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM) believes people in the community can provide hope for local families facing financial hardships. Toward that end, it’s launching its annual Bread and Water fundraising campaign.For any four-week period they choose between March and June, businesses, churches and other groups wishing to participate will receive water bottles to fill with coins, cash or checks (made payable to WFCM). Even a small amount of spare change — when added to all the other donations received — can assist WFCM in making a big difference in the lives of those whom it helps.
Classified Advertising March 5, 2014
Read the latest ads here!