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Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ Newconers & Community Guide 2015-16 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com online at www.connectionnewspapers.comLocal Media Connection LLC

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Kwang Kim, of Alexandria, is one of manyphotographers who come to Green SpringGardens to capture what they see. Thepark welcomes nature photography hob-byists.

Newcomers &

Community Guide

Newcomers &

Community Guide2015-20162015-2016

2 ❖ Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ Newconers & Community Guide 2015-16 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

is produced by

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Community Guide content compiled byAbby Aldridge, Kara Coleman, Ashley Dietz,Neeka Eghbali, Emma Harris, Taylor Horner,

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& Community Guide

Newcomers

Newcomers & Community Guide

As your local, weekly newspaper,the Mount Vernon Gazette’s mis-sion is to deliver the local newsyou need, to try to make sense

of what is happening in your community,to gather information about the best thingsin and around your community, to advocatefor community good, to provide a forum fordialogue on local concerns, and to celebrateand record achievements, milestones andevents in the community and people’s lives.

Here in our Newcomers and CommunityGuide, we’ve included an expanded andupdated version of our award-winningInsider’s Guide to the Parks, plus informa-tion on local government, nonprofits andbusiness organizations, plus tips and tidbitsfrom the community.

We invite newcomers and long-time resi-dents alike to let us know how we’re doingand let us know what is going on in yourpart of the community. If you have ques-tions or ideas, send us an e-mail or call us,contact us on Facebook or send us a tweet.We invite you to send letters to the editoror to send an email with feedback aboutour coverage.

We want to know if someone in your fam-ily or your community published a book,started a business, became an Eagle Scout,raised money for a good cause, accom-plished some feat like running a marathon,supporting a cause or having art includedin an art show. We publish photos and notesabout personal milestones and communityevents, including births, engagements, wed-dings, anniversaries, awards and obituar-ies.

We are also interested in events at yourchurch, mosque, synagogue, communitycenter, pool, school, club, etc. Email us anote about the event, being sure to includewhen and where the photo was taken andthe names of all the people who are in aphoto. We also publish notes about newsand events from local businesses. Notesabout openings, new employees and anni-versaries are welcome. It is especially im-portant to us to let people know aboutevents ahead of time in our calendar ofevents. We appreciate getting notice at leasttwo weeks ahead of the event, and we en-courage photos.

The Mount Vernon Gazette is one of 15

papers published by the independent, lo-cally owned Local Media Connection LLC,serving the suburbs of Metropolitan Wash-ington in Northern Virginia and Potomac,Md.

Our flagship paper, the Alexandria Ga-zette Packet, is one of the oldest continu-ously publishing papers in the country, be-ginning publication in 1784.

The Connection Newspapers have wonhundreds of press awards in just the pastfew years, including the Virginia Press As-sociation Award for Journalistic Integrityand Community Service, Best in Show forour Insiders Guide to the Parks, first placefor our community guides, plus awards innews, art, business, special projects, sports,entertainment, design, photography andmuch more.

We have staff and contributors here at theConnection Newspapers with remarkabletalent and experience, far greater than onemight expect. We continue to publish 15distinct papers every week that serve theircommunities in distinct ways.

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About the Mount Vernon GazetteKeep in TouchLETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Email to

[email protected] or submitonline athttp://www.connectionnewspapers.com/contact/letter/

Delegate44th DistrictPaul Krizek (D)

[email protected]

Senator36th DistrictScott Surovell(D) [email protected] Foreman ®

[email protected]

Board of Supervisors Chairman*Sharon Bulova (D)

[email protected] Purves (R)

[email protected] Gail Parker (IG)

[email protected]

Clerk of CourtBettina Mary Lawton (D)

[email protected]*John Frey (R)Marisa Wissar (I)

[email protected]

Commonwealth’s Attorney*Raymond F Morrogh (D)

[email protected]

SupervisorMount Vernon DistrictDaniel Storck (D)

[email protected] Gandee (R)

[email protected]

School BoardMount Vernon DistrictKaren Corbett Sanders (I)

[email protected]. Anthony Stacy (I)

[email protected]

At-LargeRobert “Bob” Copeland (I)

[email protected] Fateh (I) [email protected] Hough (I)

[email protected] Jean-Jacques (I)

[email protected] Marchetti (I)

[email protected]*Ryan McElveen (I)

[email protected]*Ilryong Moon (I)

[email protected] Scarboro (I)

[email protected]*Theodore “Ted” Velkoff (I)

[email protected]

Sheriff*Stacey Kincaid (D)

[email protected] “B.A.” Wolfe (R)

[email protected]

Soil and Water ConservationDirector Northern VirginiaDistrict

Scott John Cameron (I)[email protected]

*George Lamb IV (I) [email protected] “Jerry” Peters, Jr (I)

[email protected] Pushor (I)

*denotes incumbent

Who Runs the CommunitySupervisorMount Vernon DistrictGerry Hyland (D)

School BoardMount Vernon DistrictDaniel Storck

DelegateScott Surovell (D-44)

SenatorLinda “Toddy” Puller (D-36)

AssociationsSean O’Connell, chairman, Mount

Vernon-Lee Chamber of CommerceHolly Dougherty, executive director,

Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Com-merce

Paul Schray, president, Mount VernonCivic Association

Preview of November Elections

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— Mary Kimm,

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@marykimm

Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ Newconers & Community Guide 2015-16 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com


By Tim Peterson

The Gazette

Towne Place Suites by MarriottBaywood Hotels is planning to break ground this fall on

a 92-room hotel in the Woodlawn area.

Penn Daw area of U.S. Route 1The former Penn Daw Plaza shopping center was rezoned

as part of a 2012 Comprehensive Plan amendment for thePenn Daw area and is set to be replaced by a mixed-usedevelopment. The development will feature 400 apart-ments, 41 townhomes and ground-level retail. The Shelby,a luxury apartment community at 6200 N Kings Highway,has already been built out by Insight Properties. The projectteam is hoping to break ground by the end of 2015

North Hill area33-acres along U.S. Rt. 1 by Lockheed Blvd.In March, members of the Fairfax County Redevelop-

ment and Housing authority voted in favor of moving for-ward with interim agreement to develop the remaining 33acres of North Hill. (Fifteen acres out of a 1981 land pur-chase have been developed as Woodley Hills Estates.) TheCommunity Housing Partners of Virginia and Philadelphia-based developer Pennrose partnership have proposed build-ing 329 multi-family apartments in two separate build-ings, 144 townhomes and leaving some space for a park.

The $180 million project to widen Route 1 from four tosix lanes, while also accommodating mass transit, bicyclesand walking, is expected to be completed in 2016.

“Embark Richmond Highway” transportationand land use planning team for Route 1, BusRapid Transit and Metro Expansion

The team is a collaboration of Fairfax County staff fromvarious departments and agencies working with a 13-mem-ber citizen advisory group to help coordinate communityinput. The next meeting is open to the public and sched-uled to take place Sep. 21 in the South County Govern-ment Center at 8 a.m.

The Parker at Huntington StationAdjacent to the Huntington Metro on Huntington Av-

enue.The decades-old VSE office building situated by the Hun-

tington Metro was torn down and is set to be replaced a390-unit, four-to-six-story residential development, as wellas a 15-story, 260,000 square foot office-retail building anda 150-room hotel. Rezoning and a site plan were approvedin 2012, and apartments and a parking garage are nearingcompletion. They are pre-leasing.

Lennar multi-family housing development“Huntington Crossing”

The project team has just applied for re-zoning for the6.3 acres site adjacent to the Huntington Metro and rightup against the water. The draft plan calls for five storiesand approximately 360 units, however hearings are notyet scheduled.

Wegmans at Hilltop Village CenterHilltop Village Center (corner of Telegraph Road and

Beulah Street)The long-awaited grocery experiencing destination

opened June 14 The 126,000-square-foot store includes afull-service “Pub” bar-restaurant.

Sources: District Supervisor Gerry Hyland (D-Mount Vernon) andland use aide, District Supervisor Jeff McKay (D-Lee) and land use aide,and Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation.

Commercial, Residential Projects Reshape Area“Embark RichmondHighway” to meet Sept. 21.

Image courtesy of the Southeast

Fairfax Development Corporation

The development in the former Penn Daw Plazashopping center is set to include 400 apart-ments and 41 townhomes.

A number of the units would be designated householdswith lower incomes.

New Fairfield Inn & Suites6421 U.S. Rt. 1The Hersha Group has finished with demolition of the

Fairview Motel and obtained construction permits to moveforward with a new 108-room development renamedFairfield Inn & Suites. Construction is moving forward.

Gold’s Gym7770 U.S. Route 1Once the site of Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore, Gold’s

is undergoing a $2 million expansion while continuing tooperate. No completion date has been released, howeverwork is finished on a new saltwater pool and constructionis nearly finished.

Widening of Richmond Highway Still Underway3.5 miles of U.S. Rt. 1 between Mount Vernon Memorial

Highway and Telegraph Road

Photo courtesy of the Southeast


Gold’s Gym TKTK $2 million expansion of itsU.S. Rt. 1 location.

Image courtesy of the Southeast


The Parker residential development is going upadjacent to the Huntington Metro station.

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From left, Bob Farr, Wegmans Virginia division manager; Jennifer Stickles, Wegmans marketing;Heather Gole, Wegmans Virginia human resources division manager; Mike Dempsey, AlexandriaWegmans store manager; Jo Natale, Wegmans vice president of media relations and LindaLovejoy, Wegmans community relations manager.



Dear Community Members:The Fairfax County Police De-

partment was established on July1, 1940 and today we have anauthorized strength of 1,372sworn law enforcement officerswho protect and serve the com-munities of the County. On aver-age, officers respond to over400,000 calls for service eachyear. As we engage with the com-munities we serve, we under-stand our profession must alwaysassess our services and constantlystrive to challenge each other tore-engineer how we deliver es-sential law enforcement servicesin a community that exceeds 1.1million residents. We are fortu-nate to have an engaged commu-nity which continues to assist usin preventing and fighting crime, increas-ing the culture of safety to preserve thesanctity of life for all, and keep pace withrapid urbanization.

Your Police Department proactively un-dertook an independent review of its useof force training, and related policies andprocedures. The review, conducted by thePolice Executive Research Forum, proposed71 enhancement recommendations. Thecore theme of change is adopting the phi-losophy of the sanctity of life in all we do.We have initiated policy changes and em-barked on many training programs whichembrace state-of-the-art decision makingmodels and best practices for de-escalationand escalation techniques and new initia-tives to safely interact and divert from jailthose suffering mental illness. Currently 43percent of our patrol officers are certifiedin Crisis Intervention Team training and all

recruits now re-ceive paralleltraining.

Other recentpolicy changes in-clude the con-cepts of beingable to hold andcontain events inorder to developsuccessful resolu-tions to each callfor service whenpossible.

In 2014, the Po-lice Departmentbegan a self-as-sessment processto align all of itspolicies and pro-cedures to com-

ply with several hundred national standardsestablished by the Commission on Accredi-tation for Law Enforcement Agencies. Theon-site assessment, required to obtain ac-credited status, is scheduled for early 2016and will be conducted by assessors fromoutside the Commonwealth of Virginia. TheDepartment continues to maintain its ac-credited status from the Virginia Law En-forcement Professional Standards Commis-sion.

During the last year the Department’ssocial media presence has continued to ex-pand in efforts toward sharing more infor-mation with the community. Recently theDepartment posted 10 years of officer-in-volved shooting case summaries and dataon our public web site. Our goal is to shareinformation on officer-involved shootingcases in order for the community to betterunderstand the investigative processes of

these events and to engage in dialogue onthese matters.

In 2013, the Department created a Chief’sCouncil on Diversity Recruitment. Its stra-tegic mission is to assist the Department toincrease the cultural diversity of the sworn,civilian, and volunteer workforce to betterreflect the diversity of the communities weserve. When visiting the Chief’s web site youcan view the diversity scorecard account-ability measure, read the Council’s strate-gic plan document, and learn about thevaried volunteer opportunities you can en-gage in with the Police Department.

Several community members have gra-ciously volunteered time from their busypersonal lives to establish and serve on aCommunities of Trust Committee which iscomprised of all public safety agencies andreports directly to the chairman of theCounty Board of Supervisors. This effortaligns well with recommendations from theTask Force on 21st Century Policing. Manyforums have been held throughout the com-munity and numerous initiatives are in de-velopment to increase public engagementwith the community to build upon mutualtrust.

The Police Department, along with theCommunity Services Board, other publicsafety agencies, and mental health advo-cates have partnered to develop additionalcrisis intervention programs, including adrop off center which will provide a viablejail diversion alternative for those in men-tal health crisis. We look forward to achiev-ing this critical strategic goal.

In recent years a majority of our homi-cides have been domestic related. On July1, 2015, the Fairfax County Police Depart-ment launched a Lethality Assessment Pro-gram in which all patrol officers have been

trained to administer an assessment to pro-vide resources to victims of domestic vio-lence which are available 24/7. This pro-gram truly demonstrates engagement withmany partners who share our goal in in-creasing services and eliminating domesticviolence.

In early 2015 another community engage-ment endeavor was launched with the cre-ation of the Ad Hoc Police Policy and Prac-tices Commission. This Commission is com-prised of five sub-committees which areconducting reviews of the Police Depart-ment as related to use of force; communi-cations; recruitment, diversity, and appli-cant vetting; and independent oversight andinvestigations. The Commission will makerecommendations to the Board of Supervi-sors this fall. The Police Department ishighly engaged with all of the communitymembers serving on the Commission andwe look forward to positive change recom-mendations to better serve all of FairfaxCounty.

The Police Department values technologyadvances and we are migrating to a newrecords management system to assist allpersonnel in achieving an intelligence ledcommunity policing model. The Depart-ment is also preparing to institute an elec-tronic summons system for issuing trafficand criminal violations. Our patrol cruisersare equipped with in-car video recordingdevices and we are exploring the viabilityof body worn cameras with communitystakeholders.

To learn more about the Fairfax CountyPolice Department, please visit

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police/Welcome to Fairfax County, a great place

to live, work, play and grow old.— Chief Edwin C. Roessler Jr.

Welcome from Fairfax County Police Chief Roessler

Chief Edwin C.Roessler Jr.

Dear Mount Vernon residents,My name is Gerry Hyland and I

have served as the Mount VernonDistrict supervisor for 28 years. Iwelcome you to the Mount VernonDistrict which is the best districtin all of Fairfax County because ofthe wonderful people and the re-sources we have here.

Mount Vernon is blessed to haveall the infrastructure necessary toserve its citizens to include recre-ation centers, parks, trails, the bestfarmers’ markets in Fairfax County,the INOVA Mount Vernon Hospi-tal which ranks in the top 10 hos-pitals in the metropolitan area,just to name a few.

The function of your supervisor and staffis to provide assistance in your dealing withFairfax County, such as stormwater manage-ment, zoning issues, human service prob-lems. We act as a liaison with permittingquestions and transportation issues wheninvolving the Virginia Department of Trans-

portation. The bot-tom line is: If youneed help with thecounty, you needto call thesupervisor’s officeand we will re-spond to you andassist with whatyou have re-quested.

As to what wehave here in theMount Vernon Dis-trict, we haveG e o r g eWashington’s won-

derful Mount Vernon Estate, which is themost notable historical site in the county.In addition, on the Woodlawn Estate prop-erty we have the Pope Leigh House, an ex-ample of Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture,and the Arcadia Center which has a dem-onstration garden used to teach people howto farm and enjoy agriculture. Then there

is Gunston Hall, home of George Mason,the author of the Bill of Rights, located onMason Neck where we also have a FederalReserve, a state park and a regional park.Then there is the Workhouse Arts Centerlocated on the historic D.C. prison property;also located there is the championship Lau-rel Hill 18-hole public golf course. Then wehave two recreation centers — one locatednear the Belle View Shopping Center andthe other located across from Mount VernonHigh School; two off leash dog parks, oneat West Grove on Ft. Hunt Road and one atGrist Mill Park located on Route 235. And,my favorite, Wegman’s Grocery, is locatedat the end of Jeff Todd Way and TelegraphRoad. (I love to cook.)

Finally, it is my strong belief that for gov-ernment to work, it must be bottom up ver-sus top down and that means citizens’ in-put on issues that concerns their quality oflife must be communicated to their super-visor. In that respect, we have civic associa-tions, neighborhood watch, the MountVernon Civic Council Association, South

County Federation (located in Lorton) andan active Mount Vernon Lee Chamber ofCommerce, Ventures in Community, a col-laboration of churches in the Mount Vernoncommunity, Southeast Health Planning TaskForce, and numerous boards and commis-sions which have representatives appointedfrom the Mount Vernon District. As yoursupervisor, I strongly encourage you to par-ticipate individually or join those organiza-tions so that your voice will be heard —resulting in decisions made by FairfaxCounty government that will benefit fromyour input and will represent your best in-terest.

Again, I welcome you to the MountVernon community and sincerely hope youenjoy an eclectic community that truly hassomething for all the people.

It has been a pleasure and honor to rep-resent you as your Mount Vernon Districtsupervisor.

Yours in Public Service,

Gerry Hyland

Welcome to the Best District in Fairfax County



Animal Welfare Leagueof Alexandria

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria(AWLA) is responsible for ani-mal services in the City of Al-exandria, and also trains dogs,operates an animal shelter andprovides humane educationclasses for children. According

to Megan Webb, Executive Director ofAWLA, the group has 27 full- and part-timestaffers and over 150 volunteers.

AWLA takes in animals that have beenrescued by the city, as well as animals thathave been surrendered by their owners. Inthe year 2013, AWLA adopted out 1,041pets to families.

AWLA cares for wild as well as domesticanimals, from deer to possums to raccoons.The group also works closely with local vetclinics, who provide medical services to sickor injured animals who need care beforethey are ready for adoption. Opportunitiesto foster puppies and kittens are also avail-able through AWLA. For more informationor to learn how to volunteer with AWLA,visit www.alexandriaanimals.org, or call703-838-4774.

Fairfax County Animal ShelterThe Fairfax County Animal Shelter

(FCAS) estimates that between 4,000 and5,000 small animals come through its doorseach year, according to its website. The shel-ter deals primarily with dogs and cats, butalso other small animals like rabbits and

birds. A foster program is available throughFCAS for the care of dogs and cats, andfamilies who wish to be part of the fosterprogram must go through a training ses-sion before taking animals into their homes.Other volunteer opportunities with the shel-ter range from telephone assistant to petgroomer and bather to cat socializer. Poten-tial volunteers may submit an online appli-cation at fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter,and must attend a volunteer orientation. Forinformation on volunteering or adopting apet, visit the website or call 703-830-1100.

Humane Society of Fairfax CountyThe Humane Society of Fairfax County

(HSFC) has a main office in Fairfax and afarm in Centreville. The farm is home tohorses as well as nearly 30 dogs, accordingto HSFC Corresponding Secretary MarleneHammer. A full-time manager lives at thefarm to take care of the animals there.

The HSFC’s main office is also home tothe cats available for adoption through thegroup. Rather than being housed in crates,the cats are allowed to roam around inrooms at the shelter.

The Humane Society operates almost en-tirely on a volunteer basis. Aside from shel-tering animals, they offer a pet food pantryas a service to the community and operatea thrift shop next door to the Fairfax loca-tion. Aside from one paid staff member, allproceeds from sales at the thrift shop gotoward the shelter’s operating costs. Visitwww.hsfc.org or call 703-385-7387.

Serving

Animals


National ParksGF Great Falls National Park

9200 Old Dominion Drive, McLeanwww.nps.gov/grfaGreat Falls Park is open daily from 7 a.m. until dark. The Visitor Center

and bookstore are open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily, springthrough fall seasons. Picnic, hike along the Potomac River.Swimming and wading in the Potomac are prohibited.

GW George Washington Memorial Parkway

www.nps.gov/gwmp703-289-2500The GW Parkway includes more than 25

sites, ranging from historic homes towildlife preserves. Join a ranger for a freeprogram or explore sites independently. Some parksites, including Turkey Run Park, TheodoreRoosevelt Island, Great Falls Park, etc., close atdark. The Parkway itself remains open 24 hoursa day to vehicle traffic.

WTWolf Trap National Park

for the Performing Arts1551 Trap Road, Viennawww.nps.gov/wotr/The only national park dedicated to

presenting the performing arts.From May through September,multiple amphitheaters in the parkpresent musicals, dance, opera, jazz,and popular and country music. Explorethe park without the crowds from October- April. The Barns at Wolf Trap offer indoorentertainment through the winter months.

State Park

pool. The park alsofeatures a deluxe miniaturegolf course, a nine-stationbatting cage, picnic shelters, anda special events pavilion.

CHCarlyle House Historic

Park121 N. Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314www.nvrpa.org/park/carlyle_house_historic_park/703-549-2997The historic Carlyle House was completed in 1753

by British merchant John Carlyle for his bride,Sarah Fairfax of Belvoir, member of one of themost prestigious families in colonial Virginia.Their home quickly became a center of socialand political life in Alexandria and gained afoothold in history when British GeneralBraddock made the mansion his headquarters in1755. On the National Register of HistoricPlaces, Carlyle House is architecturally unique inAlexandria as the only stone, 18th-centuryPalladian-style house. Daily tours of the house,programs for schoolchildren, special events,exhibits and lectures explore the life and timesof John Carlyle in pre-Revolutionary Alexandria.The site may be rented in the evenings forprivate functions and weddings.

FHFountainhead Regional Park

7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Stationwww.nvrpa.org/park/fountainhead/703-250-9124The observation deck of the Marina Building at

Fountainhead commands a spectacular view ofthe widest point of the Occoquan Reservoir.Summer activities include catfish tournaments,children’s fishing tournament, paddleboat toursand more.

HOHemlock Overlook Regional Park

13220 Yates Ford Road, Cliftonwww.nvrpa.org/park/hemlock_overlook/800-877-0954; 571-281-3556;Hemlock Overlook Regional Park offers a variety of

outdoor and environmental education. Programsat Hemlock Overlook are open to the public andgroups by reservation. Only the hiking and horse

trails maybe usedwithout priorarrangement.

MBGMeadowlark

Botanical Gardens9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court,

Viennawww.nvrpa.org/park/

meadowlark_botanical_gardens/703-255-3631This 95-acre complex of large

ornamental display gardens andunique native plant collections isopen year round and includewalking trails, lakes, more than 20varieties of cherry trees, irises, peonies, anextensive shade garden, native wildflowers,gazebos, birds, butterflies, seasonal blooms andfoliage. The Atrium’s indoor tropical gardensetting is a popular meeting, reception, weddingand workshop location. Interpretive displaysaccompany a restored 18th-century cabin.

OROccoquan Regional Park

9751 Ox Road, Lortonwww.nvrpa.org/park/occoquan/703-690-2121This park offers 400 acres of recreational space and

a touch of the past with its historic brick kilnsand the Turning Point Suffragist Memorial. Parklands, trails and associated waters are part ofthe Fairfax Cross-County Trail. Kayak rentals.One hour Tour Boat Rides on the OccoquanRiver to Belmont Bay and back. OfferedSaturdays noon-5 p.m., Sunday 1- 8 p.m., April2 through Nov. 27. $10 adults, $5 children 12and under, under age 4 are free.

PBPohick Bay

Regional Park &Pirates Cove

Waterpark6501 Pohick Bay Drive,Lortonwww.nvrpa.org/park/pohick_bay/www.piratescovepohick.com703-339-6102

Pohick Bay is located on thePotomac River, 25 miles south of the

nation’s capital. The boat launch facility isone of only three public access points to thePotomac River in northern Virginia. Pohick Bayoffers canoes, kayaks, paddle boats and jonboats for rent on the weekends, as well as familyand group camping, hiking, picnic areas and alarge play area for children. The park offers oneof the largest, outdoor freeform pools on theeast coast. Pohick Bay Regional Park, located onMason Neck Pennisula is an ecologically fragileland that shelters an abundance of wildlife,including the bald eagle. Pirates Cove Waterparkis located at Pohick Bay Regional Park. Visitorscan cool off under the 300-gallon dumpingbucket, fire the water cannons and splash downthe waterslide or search for buried treasure atBuccaneer Beach sand play area. Pirates Cove

An Insider’s Guide to

Major Parks in the AreaParks

MN Mason Neck State Park

7301 High Point Rd. Lortonwww.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/

mas.shtml#703-339-2385 or 703-339-2380 (visitor center)[email protected] park’s visitor center was expanded in 2010 to

include a new exhibit room, gift shop andmeeting room. There are several exhibits in thecenter, and with a view of Belmont Bay. Visitorcenter staff can answer questions and provideinformation on park trails, facilities and localpoints of interest. Pond study, bird watching,canoe trips, nature walks and talks, and GPSadventures are just a few of the excitingprograms offered by park rangers.

Regional ParksBR

Bull Run Marina Regional Park &Atlantis Waterpark7700 Bull Run Drive, Centrevillewww.nvrpa.org/park/bull_run/www.atlantisbullrun.com/703-631-0552Main park open all year for picnicking, hiking and

family camping. Bull Run Public ShootingCenter open all year. Group Camping open dailyJan. 7 though Nov. 11. Mini and disc golf openApril through October. Hours vary. AtlantisWaterpark features pools, a giant dumpingbucket, waterslides, and fun-filled activities forall ages. Atlantis is open from Memorial Dayweekend through Labor Day, and is a member ofthe Northern Virginia Regional Park Authorityfamily of Waterparks. Neptune Reef snack barsells food, beverages and sweets.

CRCameron Run Regional Park/Great

Waves Waterpark4001 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandriawww.nvrpa.org/park/cameron_run/www.greatwaveswaterpark.com/703-960-0767Cameron Run Regional Park offers a variety of

recreation facilities in an urban area, includingGreat Waves Water Park. Catch a wave in thewave pool, twist and turn down four-story waterslides, take a plunge down speed slides, playwith friends in the shallow waters of the play

Sources: National Park Service, Northern Vir-ginia Regional Park Authority, Virginia StateParks and Fairfax County Park Authority. Mapcourtesy of Fairfax County Park Authority. De-signed & compiled by Jean Card and LaurenceFoong. Photos by Renée Ruggles.

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also features picnic pavilions, a deck for sunningand playing, as well as plenty of shade.Captain’s Galley snack bar features food,beverages and sweets. Pirates Cove is open fromMemorial Day weekend through Labor Day.

PBPohick Bay Golf Course

10301 Gunston Road, Lortonwww.nvrpa.org/park/pohick_bay_golf_course703-339-8585This scenic golf course is located on the Mason

Neck Peninsula in Lorton. Pohick Bay’s practicefacility features a driving range with practiceputting and chipping greens, and lessons fromPGA pros. A full-service pro shop features anarray of name-brand golf clubs, equipment andapparel. Other services include club making,custom club fitting, regripping, reshafting andtournament coordinating.

POPotomac Overlook Regional Park &

Nature Center2845 Marcey Road, Arlington, VA 22207www.nvrpa.org/park/potomac_overlook/703-528-5406On the Potomac Palisades in north Arlington,

Potomac Overlook offers 70 acres of peacefulwoodland, trails, educational gardens, a smallpicnic area and a Nature Center. The NatureCenter features brand new exhibits called the“Energerium,” offering visitors a fun andaccessible way to learn energy basics and waysthey can help create sustainable energysolutions. The Nature Center also houses liveanimals and natural history exhibits.

SRSandy Run Regional Park

10450 Van Thompson Road, Fairfax Stationwww.nvrpa.org/park/sandy_run/703-690-4392The park is open to the public for the purpose of

education, training, practice, and racing forcompetitive and recreational sculling androwing. Only shells and other boats authorizedby the Northern Virginia Regional ParkAuthority may be launched from the docks orshoreline of Sandy Run. Sandy Run offers afacility for team training and competition forOlympic, college, high school and club canoe,kayak and crew athletes.

UHUpton Hill Regional Park & Ocean

Dunes Waterpark6060 Wilson Blvd., Arlingtonwww.nvrpa.org/park/upton_hill/www.oceanduneswaterpark.com/703-534-3437 or [email protected] Hill Regional Park offers visitors a wooded

oasis in the heart of the most densely populatedarea of Northern Virginia. A large outdoorwater-park complex is a sparkling attraction in

this wooded, urban park, which straddles theboundary line between Arlington and Fairfaxcounties. The deluxe miniature golf courseboasts one of the longest mini golf holes in theworld; the batting cages include nine baseballand softball cages. The park is open every dayfor hiking, picnicking, playing on theplayground and enjoying the outdoors. Locatedwithin Upton Hill Regional Park, Ocean Dunesis loaded with fun features for adults andchildren.

Arts CenterLAC Workhouse Arts Center

9601 Ox Road, Lortonwww.lortonarts.org703-584-2900The Workhouse Arts Center consists of seven studio

buildings, the main galleries and the recentlyopened Youth Arts Center. Visitors areencouraged to interact with artists. In additionto visual arts, the Workhouse Arts Center ishome to performing arts, including theater, filminstitute, musical and dance performances. Theeducation department supports both the visualand performing arts, offering classes andworkshops in a variety of disciplines. Futureplans for the Workhouse include an eventcenter, amphitheater, Workhouse Theatre,restaurants, apartments, music barn andgarden/horticultural area. Other buildings onsite, yet to be renovated, may provide for otheractivities such as a visitors center, a blacksmithshop, theatre scene shops and rehearsal space.

Major FairfaxCounty ParksBLP Burke Lake Park & Golf Course

7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Stationvolleyball, driving range, 18 hole, par 3, minigolf,

trails, playground, campgrounds, fishing883.4 acres, multiple resource park

CJP Clemyjontri Park

6317 Georgetown Pike, McLeanfitness, picnic areas and playgrounds18.6 acres, special purpose park

ELP Ellanor C. Lawrence Park

5040 Walney Road, Chantillybaseballl, soccer/football (unlit), basketball (unlit),

community center, nature center, amphitheater,trails

650 acres, multiple resource park

FPF Frying Pan Farm Park

2717 West Ox Road, Herndonhistoric structure, biking/equestrian/hiking trails,

open areas, playground135.3 acres, multiple resource park

GSG Green Spring Gardens

4603 Green Spring Road, AlexandriaCommunity Center, historic structure, biking/hiking

trails, open areas, gardens30.9 acres, special purpose park

HPP Hidden Pond Park

8511 Greeley Boulevard, Springfieldtennis (lit), nature center, amphitheater, hiking/

nature trails, playground, fishing25.6 acres, community park

HMP Huntley Meadows Park

3701 Lockheed Boulevard, Alexandrianature center, historic structure, biking/hiking/

nature trails, observation tower, boardwalk1444.8 acres, natural resource park

LAP Lake Accotink Park

7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfieldbasketball, volleyball, minigolf, trails, picnic448.1 acres, multiple resource park

LFP Lake Fairfax Park

1400 Lake Fairfax Drive, Restonsoftball (lit), soccer/football (unlit), amphitheater,

carousel,campground, tour boat, picnic shelters479 acres, multiple resource park

FRA Lee District Park

6601 Telegraph Road, Franconiasoftball, soccer/football, tennis, basketball,

volleyball, trails, treehouse, sprayground,accessible playground

138 acres, district park

MDP Mason District Park

6621 Columbia Pike, Annandalesoftball (lit), soccer/football (unlit/lit), basketball

(lit), tennis (lit), shuffleboard, dog park,amphitheater, biking/hiking/fitness

121.2 acres, district park

NWP Nottoway Park

9537 Courthouse Road, Viennabaseball (lit), soccer/football (lit),basketball (lit),

tennis (lit), trails, picnic90.9 acres, district park

RBP Riverbend Park

8700 Potomac Hill Street, Great Fallsnature center, historic structure, biking/equestrian/

hiking trails, picnic areas, craftroom411.2 acres, multiple resource park

SRN Scotts Run Nature Preserve

7400 Georgetown Pike, McLeanhistoric structure, historic/hiking/nature trails,

fishing384.3 acres, natural resource park

SRD South Run District

7550 Reservation Drive, Springfieldbaseball, soccer/football, basketball, tennis,

recenter, equestrian, playground, swimming196 acres, district park

WFP Wakefield Park & RECenter

8100 Braddock Road, Annandalesoftball, soccer/football, basketball, tennis,

recenter, biking, fitness trail, skate park292.6 acres, multiple resource park

A pair of bald eagles were spotted from one of theMason Neck’s bird blinds. On Saturdays, manyprograms are offered at the park, including EagleWatch and Ranger at the Blind, offer an opportunityto get questions answered and look for eagles withan experienced pair of eyes. Park Naturalist NancyHouser points out a pair of eagles, off in the dis-tance, to Kyle R., visiting from North Dakota. Ac-cording to Houser, about 60 eagles are currentlymaking their home in the park.

The Ratcliffs, of Rockville, came out to enjoy a familybike ride. Cycling is a popular activity along the park-way.

On Sunday evenings, the community gathers in thepavilion, to enjoy a summer concert series, sponsoredby the Friends of Fort Hunt Park.

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Map Number Park NameAddress, CityProperty Class

1 Lorton9518 Richmond Highway, AlexandriaNeighborhood Park

2 Springfield Forest6400 Kalmia Street, SpringfieldNeighborhood Park

3 Franconia6432 Bowie Drive, SpringfieldCommunity Park

4 Lee High6501 Deepford Street, SpringfieldCommunity Park

5 Monticello Woods6444 Northanna Drive, SpringfieldCommunity Park

6 Trailside6000 Trailside Drive, SpringfieldCommunity Park

7 Loisdale7419 Loisdale Road, SpringfieldNeighborhood Park

8 Lynbrook6005 Augusta Drive, SpringfieldNeighborhood Park

9 Hooes Road7233 Hooes Road, SpringfieldCommunity Park

16 Flag Run7620 Elgar Street, SpringfieldNeighborhood Park

17 Leewood7111 Woodland Drive, SpringfieldNeighborhood Park

18 Deerlick6821 Braddock Road, SpringfieldCommunity Park

19 Edsall6845 Edsall Road, SpringfieldCommunity Park

20 North Springfield7025 Leesville Boulevard, SpringfieldNeighborhood Park

21 Royal Ridge7417 Floyd Avenue, SpringfieldCommunity Park

22 Carrleigh Parkway8020 Carrleigh Prkwy, SpringfieldNeighborhood Park

23 Cardinal Forest6121 Roxbury Avenue, SpringfieldCommunity Park

24 Hunter Village7700 Jansen Drive, SpringfieldCommunity Park

25 Hidden Pond8511 Greeley Boulevard, Springfield

ParksA Guide to Fairfax County Parks in the

Springfield & Mount Vernon areas

Photos by Renée Ruggles

Featuring Green Spring Gardens

10 Springvale6508 Spring Road, SpringfieldCommunity Park

11 Lake Accotink7500 Accotink Park Road, SpringfieldMultiple Resource Park

12 Brookfield7417 Floyd Avenue, SpringfieldCommunity Park

13 Byron Avenue6500 Byron Avenue, SpringfieldCommunity Park

14 Hooes Road School Site7336 Hooes Road, SpringfieldCommunity Park

15 Kings Park8717 Trafalgar Ct., SpringfieldCommunity Park

The historichouse at GreenSpring wasbuilt in 1784by John Moss.Inside, visitorswill find an artexhibit, a giftshop, and twotea rooms. Thetea rooms canbe reservedfor privateevents andtastings.


Community Park26 West Springfield6805 Caneel Street, SpringfieldNeighborhood Park

27 West Springfield Village6910 Loudoun Lane, SpringfieldNeighborhood Park

28 Rolling Forest7019 Flax Street, SpringfieldNeighborhood Park

29 Cherry Run7001 Cottontail Court, SpringfieldNeighborhood Park

30 South Run District7550 Reservation Drive, SpringfieldDistrict Park

31 Huntsman9150 Dorothy Lane, SpringfieldCommunity Park

32 Rolling Wood School Site7511 Chancellor Way, SpringfieldCommunity Park

33 Chapel Acres7900 Giles Street, SpringfieldNeighborhood Park

34 Saratoga8121 North Umberland Rd, SpringfieldCommunity Park35 Loftridge5549 Janelle Street, AlexandriaCommunity Park

36 Burgundy5516 Norton Road, AlexandriaNeighborhood Park

37 Heritage Hill5744 Telegraph Road, AlexandriaNeighborhood Park

38 Jefferson Manor2909 Farmington Drive, AlexandriaCommunity Park

39 Huntington2121 Fairfax Terrace, AlexandriaCommunity Park

40 Farrington Avenue2213 Farrington Avenue, AlexandriaNeighborhood Park

41 Mt. Eagle5919 North Kings Highway, AlexandriaCommunity Park

42 South Kings Forest4505 Lantern Place, AlexandriaNeighborhood Park

43 Stoneybrooke3900 Stoneybrooke Drive, AlexandriaCommunity Park

44 Groveton Heights3429 Clayborne Avenue, AlexandriaCommunity Park

45 Huntley Historic6918 Harrison Lane, AlexandriaNatural Resource Park

46 Lenclair6625 Lenclair Street, AlexandriaNeighborhood Park

47 Bucknell Manor2223 Beacon Hill Road, AlexandriaCommunity Park

48 Hybla Valley3431 Lockheed Boulevard, AlexandriaNeighborhood Park

49 Huntley Meadows3701 Lockheed Boulevard, AlexandriaNatural Resource Park

50 Hollin Meadows7603 Elba Road, AlexandriaCommunity Park

51 Martin Luther King Jr8115 Fordson Road, AlexandriaCommunity Park

52 Stephen S. FosterIntermediate School Site

2500 Parkers Lane, AlexandriaCommunity Park

53 Belle Haven6036 Grove Drive, AlexandriaCommunity Park

54 Fort Willard Circle6625 Fort Willard Circle, AlexandriaNeighborhood Park

55 Mount Vernon District2017 Belle View Boulevard, AlexandriaMultiple Resource Park

56 Westgrove6801 Fort Hunt Road, AlexandriaCommunity Park

57 White Oaks7100 Devonshire Road, AlexandriaNeighborhood Park

58 Gilbert S. McCutcheon7509 Fort Hunt Road, AlexandriaCommunity Park

59 Hollin Hall School Site1500 Shenandoah Road, AlexandriaCommunity Park60 Kirk2206 Collingwood Road, AlexandriaNeighborhood Park

61 Williamsburg Manor2213 Collingwood Road, AlexandriaCommunity Park

62 Collingwood8200 West Boulevard Drive, AlexandriaCommunity Park

63 Carl Sandburg School Site8428 Fort Hunt Road, AlexandriaCommunity Park

64 Stratford Landing2301 Stirrup Lane, AlexandriaNeighborhood Park

65 Fort Hunt8822 Linton Lane, AlexandriaCommunity Park

66 Muddy Hole Farm7941 Kidd Street, AlexandriaCommunity Park67 Mount Vernon Woods4014 Fielding Street, AlexandriaCommunity Park

68 George Washington8426 Old Mount Vernon Road, Alexan-

driaSpecial Purpose Park

69 Walt Whitman School Site8333 Richmond Highway, AlexandriaCommunity Park

70 Mount Zephyr8601 Richmond Avenue, AlexandriaNeighborhood Park

71 Washington Mill4341 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy,

AlexandriaCommunity Park

72 Grist Mill4710 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy,

AlexandriaDistrict Park

73 Vernon Heights8225 Central Avenue, AlexandriaNeighborhood Park

74 Bush Hill5417a Waycross Drive, AlexandriaNeighborhood Park

75 Mark Twain5920 Larpin Lane, AlexandriaCommunity Park

76 Clermont School Site4100 Franconia Road, AlexandriaCommunity Park

77 Franconia Forest6013 Bitternut Road, AlexandriaNeighborhood Park

78 Ridgeview4111 Duvawn Street, AlexandriaCommunity Park

79 Wilton Woods School Site3701 Franconia Road, AlexandriaNeighborhood Park

80 Tara Village6417 Joyce Road, AlexandriaNeighborhood Park

81 Virginia Hills School Site6520 Diana Lane, AlexandriaNeighborhood Park

82 Manchester Lakes6775 Beulah Street, AlexandriaCommunity Park

83 Greendale Golf Course6700 Telegraph Road, AlexandriaSpecial Purpose Park

84 Lee District6601 Telegraph Road,FranconiaDistrict Park

85 Dowden Terrace5616 Bradley Boulevard, AlexandriaCommunity Park

86 Glasgow3935 Arcadia Road, AlexandriaNeighborhood Park

87 Parklawn6454 Lincolnia Road, AlexandriaCommunity Park

88 Glen Hills6090 Larstan Drive, AlexandriaNeighborhood Park

89 Heywood Glen6210 Larstan Drive, AlexandriaNeighborhood Park

90 Pinecrest Golf Course6600 Little River Turnpike, AlexandriaSpecial Purpose Park

91 Green Spring Gardens4603 Green Spring Road, AlexandriaSpecial Purpose Park

92 Bren Mar6324 Edsall Road, AlexandriaCommunity Park

93 Backlick Run5590 First Statesman Lane, AlexandriaCommunity Park

94 Beulah7119 Beulah Street, AlexandriaCommunity Park

95 Amberleigh7516 Beulah Street, AlexandriaCommunity Park

96 Hayfield7611 Hayfield Road, AlexandriaCommunity Park

97 Wickford7331a Wickford Drive, AlexandriaNeighborhood Park

Guests filled the Education Center to watch the dueling floral designerscreate arrangements from the same flowers and greenery, withoutbeing able to see each other’s work. The building also houses a 3,000volume horticultural library and a gift shop. Classes for children andadults are held year round.

Pat Shoop, a volunteer for the past nine years, offers Amarantha Flachssome lemon with her tea. The Flachs family, of Alexandria, registered forone of the park’s programs that includes a traditional English tea in theone of the historic home’s tea rooms.

Green Spring Gardens is a 31-acre park located in Alexan-dria. The park has something to offer everyone. Beyondthe gardens, it is a historic site, with trails, streams, aneducation center, gift shops, tea rooms, plant shop, andthe assistance of Master Gardeners. Approximately 20demonstration gardens create an outdoor classroomenvironment for visitors of all ages.



Compiled by Nina Raneses

and Duncan Hoag

“Proximity to the river. Belle Haven Ma-rina is fun to go kayaking. Huntley Meadowsis fun for walking and Cosmopolitan Grill isgreat for eating.”

— Kara O’Connell

“The best thing is nature. Waking up witha five point buck on the lawn, seeing baldeagles on the drive to work, staring downfoxes and squirrels on morning runs, andhaving baby birds hatch on your lamp post.”

— Sandra Darville

“Geography. The land here is flat and itmakes it easier to see the beautiful colors ofthe sunrise and sunset.”

— Augusto Lejano

“I love how much there is to do here. We’reso close to D.C. and there’s so many coolmuseums and places to eat and honestly it’sjust so much fun.” -

— Peter Skudlarek

“[Alexandria] is like the perfect city. Youhave everything nearby, you have museums,you have the river, you have parks, and the-atre … you have everything.”

— Marcela Nader

Mount Vernon At Home2501 Sherwood Lane. Looking for a way to make

a difference in the Mount Vernon community?Consider Mount Vernon At Home, a non-profit or-ganization that relies on volunteer time and talentas it assists older adults to age in place in theirhomes. Its volunteers provide that extra help thatmake aging in place easier for seniors in their ownneighborhood.

Volunteers are needed for local transportation tomedical and personal appointments, errands, andgrocery store trips; light handyman chores andhome technology to name just a few. No minimumnumber of volunteer hours are required.

Call Mount Vernon At Home at 703-303-4060 oremail [email protected] to learnmore. Visit www.mountvernonathome.org.

Boys and Girls Clubs ofGreater WashingtonFairfax Area

5901 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church. Aims to helpyouth become confident, civic-minded, responsibleadults through programs focused on education/career development, health and life skills, leader-ship, the arts, sports and recreation, andmentoring. Call 703-304-8631 or visitwww.bgcgw.org/fairfax/.

Mount VernonRecreation Center

2017 Belle View Blvd. A fitness center with a 25-meter heated indoor pool with poolside spa, a

beach area with play features, locker rooms withshowers and sauna, Fitness Center with Cybex VR2equipment, pro shop items for sale, dance room,multi-purpose rooms and a year-round 200 foot by85 foot indoor ice arena. Call 703-768-3224 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/rec/mvrec.htm.

Christian Relief Services8301 Richmond Hightway, Suite 900. Incorpo-

rated in 1985, in Virginia, through partnership with14 agencies, Christian Relief Services offers up to24 months of transitional housing, case manage-ment and supportive services for homeless people.Around the country, operates the affordable hous-ing units. Call 703-317-9086 or visitwww.christianrelief.org.

Good Shepherd Housingand Family Services

8305-17B Richmond Highway. The goal of GoodShepherd, created in 1974, is to help bring an endto homelessness while promoting the self-suffi-ciency of homeless individuals with programs incounseling, grant services and housing locationassistance. Call 703-768-9494 or visitwww.goodhousing.org.

New Hope HousingFounded in 1977, New Hope Housing is an

award-winning nonprofit agency in Northern Vir-ginia committed to finding creative and lastingsolutions to end the cycle of homelessness by of-fering homeless men, women, and children theservices they need to change their lives and suc-ceed.

Each year, New Hope Housing serves more than

1,500 people in outreach, shelter, and housingprograms. Call 703-799-2293 orwww.newhopehousing.org to volunteer or learnmore.

United CommunityMinistries (UCM)

7511 Fordson Road. Founded in 1969 as agrassroots movement to assist low-income familiesand individuals living along the Route One Corri-dor, UCM provides four different housing programsas well as a Workforce Development Center to helpprepare people for moving forward with their jobs.Call 703-768-7106 or visit www.ucmagency.org.

Progreso Literacy andCitizenship Center

A program of United Community Ministries,Progreso empowers immigrants to improve thequality of their lives and of their communitiesthrough education, immigration services, and lead-ership development. Visit www.ucmagency.org/progreso-center-for-literacy—citizenship.html.

Mount VernonRotary Club

The club works to provide educational scholar-ships, educate the next generation to motivatethem to pursue world peace, and to simply careabout human needs and be willing to take steps tohelp meet them.

Visit www.localrotaryclub.com/MountVernonVirginiarotaryclub.

Viewpoints

“What do you likemost about livinghere?”

By Glenda C. Booth

President, Friends of

Dyke Marsh

Thousands of driverswhiz through aMount Vernon jewelevery day, harried

commuters and soccer parentszipping through a national parkand a rare, freshwater, tidal,vanishing wetland. Few stop towatch a Halloween pennantdragonfly patrol the waters, abald eagle eviscerate a fish,planthopper bugs suck sap orswamp mallow blossoms opento the sun.

The George Washington Me-morial Parkway splices throughthe Dyke Marsh Wildlife Pre-serve in northern Mount Vernonalong the Potomac River shore-line. It is the “nearest thing toprimeval wilderness” in theWashington area, wrote Louis J.Halle in 1947 when he bikedfrom the city at dawn to watchthe wetland awaken. It was oneof largest tidal, freshwatermarshes in the Washington areaand one of largest tidal, fresh-water, temperate, climax, river-ine, narrow-leafed cattail in the NationalPark Service (NPS) system.

Congress added the 485-acre preserve tothe national park system in 1959 “so that

fish and wildlife development and theirpreservation as wetland wildlife habitatshall be paramount.”

Dyke Marsh has 300 known species of

plants, 6,000 arthropods, 38 fish, 16 rep-tiles, 14 amphibians and over 230 birds.Parts of it are 2,000 years old.

The wetland once stretched to over 200

acres, but it has shriveled to a60-acre, fragile remnant. Ero-sion eats away almost two acresa year, at an accelerating ratewhich means it will be gone in20 years, concluded the U.S.Geological Survey (USGS).

Dredging from 1940 to 1972that hauled away almost half ofthe marsh destabilized thewhole system, changing it “froma semi-stable net depositionalenvironment into a strongly ero-sional one,” reported USGS.

Dyke Marsh is getting hit fromall sides. On the west side, un-controlled, mucky sedimentflows into the marsh like lavaduring storms and turns themarsh orange.

Dyke Marsh has endured yearsof excavation, dumping, pollu-tion, invasive species, poaching,illegal bow fishing, hunting, run-off, off-leash dogs and endlesstrash.

The good news: NPS is design-ing a restoration plan and hassome funding.

Fairfax County has a plan tofix the gush of sediment pour-ing in from the west. Funds areneeded.

Newcomers and old timers can enjoysome of Dyke Marsh’s wonders and helpsave this special place. Visit www.fodm.orgto learn more.

Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve, a Watery Wonderland

The Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve

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Serving the Community


Dealers

★ Mount Vernon Antique Center ★8101 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria

703-619-5100www.mtvantiques.com

Discover the secret source of many collectors, dealers,decorators and shoppers with “good eyes” and great taste.

Followus onFacebook &Twitter

2015/2016 SEASON

SEP. 5 – 26, 2015 ▲

OCT. 24 – NOV. 14, 2015 ▲

DEC. 4 – 20, 2015 ▲

JAN. 16 – FEB. 6, 2016 ▲

FEB. 27 – MAR. 19, 2016 ▲

APR. 23 – MAY 14, 2016 ▲

JUN. 4 – 25, 2016 ▲

305 S. Washington StreetOld Town Alexandria703.548.9338Trattoria-Dafranco.com

• Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs…3-Course Dinner w/Wine $39.95• Mondays…Italian Class• Tuesdays…Flamenco show with Carlo of Andalusia• Fridays…Daryl Ott on the Piano w/Franco• Saturdays…David Redskin on the Piano w/Franco

Authentic Roman Cuisinein a traditional Italian setting

Live Opera…Every Month

DAILYLUNCH

SPECIAL$9.95

Next Opera Night is August 30th

Trattoria da FrancoTrattoria da FrancoOld Town Alexandria Restaurant

PATIOSEATING

AVAILABLE

lostdogandcatrescue.org

lost (adj): 1. unable to findthe way. 2. not appreciatedor understood. 3. no longer

owned or known

AdoptDonate

Volunteer

Award-WinningAward-

Winning

E-mail [email protected] for more information.

Newspapers & Online703-778-9431

www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

SPECIAL CONNECTIONS CALENDARAdvertising Deadlines are the previous Thursday unless noted.

SEPTEMBERLabor Day is Sept. 79/9/2015......HomeLifeStyle Pullout – Real Estate & New Homes9/16/2015...A+ Camps & Schools Back to School, Open Houses9/23/2015...........................Fall Fun, Food, Arts & Entertainment9/30/2015..........................Professional Profiles & Your Business

in the Community

Newcomers Guide

Mount Vernon-LeeChamber ofCommerce

6821 Richmond Highway. The cham-ber serves over 425 businesses in theMount Vernon and Lee districts. Call703-360-6925 or visit www.mtvernon-leechamber.org.

Southeast FairfaxDevelopmentCorporation(SFDC)

6677 Richmond Highway, SecondFloor. SFDC is a nonprofit organizationdedicated to promoting the redevelop-ment and revitalization of RichmondHighway/U.S. Route 1 from I-495 toFort Belvoir. In the past 32 years, SFDChas helped direct nearly $2 billion ofprivate investment to the RichmondHighway corridor. Call 703-360-5008 orvisit www.sfdc.org.

Mount VernonCouncil of CitizensAssociation

MVCCA is a nonpartisan, nonprofitorganization of citizens’ associations inthe Mount Vernon Magisterial District ofFairfax County which represents andpromote the interests of its member as-sociations with eight standingcommittees including Budget and Fi-nance, Consumer Affairs, Education,Environment and Recreation, Healthand Human Services, Planning and Zon-ing, Public Safety and Transportation.Visit www.mvcca.org.

Pakistan AmericanBusinessAssociation Inc.(PABA)

9302 Old Keene Mill Road, Suite B,Burke. PABA is a non-profit, bilateraltrade association that promotes businessopportunities between Pakistan and theUnited States of America, and nurturesleadership skills within the PakistaniAmerican business community. Call703-627-1500 or visit

www.pabausa.org.

Northern VirginiaBlack Chamber ofCommerce.

The Alexandria-based organizationprovides resources to black-owned busi-nesses in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax,Loudoun, and Prince William counties.Visit www.northernvirginiabcc.org

Hispanic Chamberof Commerce ofNorthern Virginia

Located in Herndon, the organizationserves businesses lead by and those thatwork with the Hispanic community inthe area. Visit www.hccnva.org.

Asian AmericanChamber ofCommerce

8300 Boone Blvd., Suite 450. Locatedin Tysons, it offers programs to Asianand Pacific business communities in theregion. Call 703-752-6292 or visitwww.asian-americanchamber.org.

U.S. LebaneseChamber ofCommerce

A privately held business associationfounded in 2010 offering networkingand resources to Lebanese Americans.Call 703-761-4949.

Afghan AmericanChamber ofCommerce (AACC)

8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 103,McLean. AACC provides resources tomembers through business advice, con-ferences, seminars, networking events,publications and other avenues tostimulate U.S.-Afghanistan business andinvestment; also, sector-based WorkingGroups seek to reduce impediments tobusiness and market progress for mem-bers. Call 703-442-5005 or visitwww.a-acc.org/.

Business Organizations


September 2015ONGOINGWine in the Water Park. Every

Friday in September, beginning Sept.4. 6-10 p.m. Crystal City Water Park,1750 Crystal Drive. Combines sipsand sounds to create an outdoorevent featuring interesting winevarietals and music in theneighborhood’s signature Crystal CityWater Park. Visit crystalcity.org formore.

FRIDAY/SEPT. 4Big Chalk Draw 2015. 8-10 a.m. at

St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church, 8531Riverside Road. School suppliesdonations are welcome at this chalkart community event. Free. Call 703-360-4220 or visitwww.staidansepiscopal.com.

SATURDAY/SEPT. 1225th Annual Rosslyn Jazz Festival.

1-7 p.m. Gateway Park, 1300 LeeHighway, Arlington. Artists toheadline the festival include TheFunk Ark, Sonny Knight and theLakers, Debo Band and The DirtyDozen Brass Band. Checkwww.rosslynva.org/culture#eventsfor updates.

Memorial 5K. 6 p.m. in Crystal City,Arlington. Honors the victims,firefighters, and public safety whoresponded on Sept. 11, 2001. $35,$40 entry fee.www.www.arlington911race.com/.

SEPT. 12-2533rd Annual Senior Olympics.

Various times at various locations.Participants over 50 years old willparticipate in track and field,swimming, diving, tennis, tabletennis, golf, miniature golf, ten pinbowling, Wii bowling, scrabble,duplicate bridge, cribbage, Mexicantrain dominoes, pickleball,racquetball, handball, volleyball,badminton, bocce, eight ball pool,cycling, horseshoes, yo-yo tricks,American style Mah Jongg, 5K run

and more. Admission varies based onevent. Visit www.nvso.us.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY/SEPT. 19-20Colonial Market And Fair. 9 a.m.-5

p.m. at George Washington’s MountVernon, 3200 Mount VernonHighway. Visit the 18th century atthis colonial celebration featuringcrafting demonstrations, puppetshows, military drills, and traditionalfood and music. Tickets are $9-17.Children age 5 and under are free.Visit www.mountvernon.org.

King Street Art Festival. Saturday,10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-5p.m., 480 King St. In its 13th year, thefestival features art displays, artgiveaways and sales and live music.Free. Visitwww.VisitAlexandriaVA.com/artfest.

Scottish Highlander Festival. 10a.m.-2:15 p.m. on Saturday; 11 a.m.on Sunday at Carlyle House HistoricPark, 121 N Fairfax St. Attend afashion show, highland danceperformance, or Celtic concert onSaturday or an Outlander Tea andTour on Sunday. Prices vary based onactivity. Visit www.carlylehouse.orgfor more.

SATURDAY/SEPT. 26St. Luke’s Annual Craft Fair. 9 a.m.-

2 p.m. at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church,8009 Fort Hunt Road, Mount Vernon.Connect with old friends andneighbors. Cold drinks and luncheonitems from the St. Luke’s grill will beavailable, along with a bake salefeaturing cakes, pies, cookies andbrownies. Also fresh produce from a

nearby farm, entertainment providedby a guest guitarist and two localpianists. For children, there will be amoonbounce, face-painting andgames. Visitwww.saintlukeschurch.net or call703-765-4342 for more.

74th Annual Historic AlexandriaHomes Tour. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. in OldTown Alexandria. For the 74thannual Historic Alexandria HomesTour, the public may visit six historichomes and gardens in Old TownAlexandria, all within walkingdistance of one another. Proceedsbenefit Inova Alexandria Hospital.Tickets are $35 through Sept. 25 andmay be purchased online. Thereafter,tickets are $40 and may be purchasedat The Twig’s Thrift Shop, 106 NColumbus St. Visit www.thetwig.org/homes-tour for more.

3rd Annual CommunityCelebration and Business Expo.11 a.m.-3 p.m. at INOVA MountVernon Hospital, 2501 Parkers Lane.Learn more about the communityand local businesses. Take part in thechili cook-off, cute baby contest, uglydog contest and scavenger hunt. Freeto attend. Visit www.mtvernon-leechamber.org.

SUNDAY-THURSDAY/SEPT. 27-OCT. 3Fall for the Book Festival at GMU.

Times vary. Select locationsthroughout Northern Virginia, D.C.,and Maryland. This week longregional celebration of literature andthe arts, connects readers andauthors at all levels. Offeringbookworms the chance to meet theirfavorite writers. Free and open to thepublic. Visit www.fallforthebook.org.

October 2015FRIDAY-SUNDAY/OCT. 2-4Wine Festival and Sunset Tour. 6-9

p.m. at George Washington’s MountVernon, 3200 Mount VernonMemorial Highway. Learn about thesuccesses and failures of GeorgeWashington’s wine endeavors, listento live music and tour whereWashington stored his wine. Ticketsare $36-$46. Visitwww.mountvernon.org/calendar.

SATURDAY/OCT. 3Charity 5k. 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at Cameron

Run Park, 4001 Eisenhower Ave. Runor walk to promote traffic safety.$20-35 per person, depending onwhen you register. Visitwww.theartofdriving.org/ART_5K!/.

Art on the Ave. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. alongMt. Vernon Avenue, Del Ray. Multi-cultural arts festival featuring music,art, and food. Rain or shine. Free.Visit www.artontheavenue.org.

FRIDAY/OCT. 16Art on Tap 2015. 7-10:30 p.m. at The

Art League Gallery, 105 N Union St.Craft brews from local breweries getpaired with a work of art by an ArtLeague instructor, and localrestaurants choose a brew/artworkcoupling to serve as their muse for anappetizer. Guests vote on theirfavorite trifecta. Tickets are $35-45.Visit www.theartleague.org.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY/OCT. 16-18Freedomwalk Festival. The U.S.

FreedomWalk Festival is a weekendlong, non-competitive, social walkingchallenge bringing participants of allages and abilities together for fun,fitness, and internationalfriendship.Different trails will beoffered each day, and a variety ofdistances ranging from 3-27 miles.Visit www.www.usfreedomwalk.org/.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY/OCT. 23-24Halloween Pumpkin Hunt. 5:30

p.m. on Friday and 1:30 p.m.; 3:30p.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday at Lee-Fendall House Museum, 614 OronocoSt. Elementary school-aged childrenand younger may participate in thehunt and will receive a toy pumpkin.The event will also featureHalloween crafts, food and drink,ghost stories and a costume parade.Tickets are $5 for adults and $12 forchildren participating in the hunt.Visit www.leefendallhouse.org orcontact John Christiansen at 703-548-1789 [email protected].

SATURDAY/OCT. 24VolunteerFest. A region-wide day of

community service helps nonprofitsaccomplish tasks they would nothave time or resources to do on theirown. Visit www.volunteerfairfax.org/individuals/volunteerfest.php formore.

Young Kaelin concentrated on her work at a past Big Chalk Draw. It takes placeeach year at St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church. The church accepts donations of schoolsupplies for the upcoming school year.

George Washington’sMount Vernon

A popular tourist destination,George Washington's former estate-turned-museum, Mount Vernonregularly hosts special tours, din-ners, and other educational events.Throughout the year guests mayfind a Colonial Fair and Market,Wine Festival, Christmas celebra-tions, a naturalization ceremonycelebrating new U.S. citizens, andmore. The estate is open for regulartours 365 days a year, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.Regular admission tickets are $17for adults, $16 for seniors (aged 62and over), $9 for youth (aged 6-11),and free for children (younger than5). Visit www.mountvernon.org tolearn more.

EntertainmentA Sampling of Annual

Community Events

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SATURDAY-SUNDAY/OCT. 24-25Fall Harvest Family Days. 9 a.m-5

p.m. at Pioneer Farm in GeorgeWashington’s Mount Vernon, 3200Mount Vernon Memorial Highway.Celebrate the beginning of autumnwith the family at Mount Vernonwith activities including wagon rides,apple-roasting and a straw balemaze. The event is included withpurchase of admission to MountVernon; tickets are $17 for adults, $9for children, $16 for seniors and freefor children 5 years and younger.Visit www.mountvernon.org formore.

November 2015TUESDAY/NOV. 3Election Day. General election. Visit

www.sbe.virginia.gov/ andwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/elections/

upcoming.htm.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY/NOV. 6-8Alexandria Film Festival. AMC

Hoffman Center 22, 206 Swamp FoxRoad and Beatley Central Library,5005 Duke St. The Alexandria FilmFestival brings together short andfeature length films of all genresfrom emerging and established, localand international filmmakers. Last

year, the festival brought more than60 films and 50 filmmakers toAlexandria from as far as Sri Lankaand Uruguay. All ticketed events willbe held at the AMC Hoffman Theater22, with Beatley Central Libraryoffering free programs to the public.Visit www.alexandriafilm.org formore.

WEDNESDAY/NOV. 11Mount Vernon Salutes Veterans. 9

a.m.-4 p.m. at Washington’s MountVernon, 3200 Mount VernonMemorial Highway. Honored guests(veterans) are invited to place aflower at Washington’s tomb, enjoy aconcert by the Harmony HeritageSingers and the United States AirForce String Orchestra. Free forveterans and active duty militarymembers, $9-17 for everyone else.See www.mountvernon.org for more.

Arlington National CemeteryVeterans Day Ceremony.Arlington National Cemetery,Arlington. About 5,000 visitorsattend the annual remembranceceremonies in the MemorialAmphitheater. Visitwww.arlingtoncemetery.mil.

FRIDAY/NOV. 27Tree Lighting Ceremony. 6 p.m. at

Market Square, 301 King St. Attend

the ceremony in which the City Treeis lit and visited by Santa, the TownCrier, and other city officials. Free.Visit www.alexandriava.gov formore.

NOV. 28-JAN. 6Christmas at Mount Vernon. 3200

Mount Vernon Memorial Highway,Mount Vernon. Mount Vernon decksthe halls with themed Christmas treeson the estate and festive greenery inthe Mansion. Visitwww.mountvernon.org/christmas.

December 2015FRIDAY-SUNDAY/DEC. 4-6Fine Art & Fine Craft Holiday

Market 2015. Colasanto Park,2704 Mount Vernon Ave. The marketoffers handmade fine arts and finecrafts from local artists (includingpottery/ceramics, photography,jewelry, cloth, paper crafts, andglass). Free. Visitwww.thedelrayartisans.org.

SATURDAY/DEC. 545th Annual Campagna Center

Scottish Walk Parade. 11 a.m.Old Town Alexandria, the paradebegins at St. Asaph and WolfeStreets. More than 100 ScottishClans, pipe and drum bands, Scottishdancers, re-enactment groups, Scottiedogs, dignitaries and, of course,Santa Claus will march through thestreets of Old Town. Visitwww.campagnacenter.org/scottishwalkweekend/parade.

THURSDAY/DEC. 31First Night Alexandria. Events take

place throughout the day atnumerous venues around the City ofAlexandria. Visitwww.firstnightalexandria.org formore.

February 2016MID-FEBRUARYCommunity Tax Assistance Day.

Fairfax SkillSource Center, 7611Little River Turnpike, Suite 300 West,Annandale. The IRS VolunteerIncome Tax Assistance (VITA)program offers free assistance with2015 Federal and state tax returnsfor households with a total income of$52,000 or less. Visitwww.volunteerfairfax.org/individuals/vita.php.

March 2016Persian New Year Celebration. The

Nowruz Festival celebrating thePersian New Year will includeentertainment from musicians,dancers, artists, costumed characters,and traditional players. About 55street vendors will be offeringtraditional and exotic foods, as wellas jewelry, crafts, and othertraditional Persian products. Visitwww.nowruzfestival.org for more.

SECOND TUESDAY IN MARCHClarendon Mardi Gras Parade.

Annual parade to celebrating FatTuesday. Visit www.clarendon.org/mardi-gras.

FRIDAY/MARCH 20-SUNDAY/APRIL 17National Cherry Blossom Festival.

Enjoy world-class entertainment fromthe U.S. and Japan as they welcomespringtime and celebrate theanniversary of the gift of trees fromTokyo to Washington, D.C. Visitwww.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org.

April 2016APRIL - JUNERelay for Life. Fundraisers participate

in all-night-long events to help thoseaffected by cancer through theAmerican Cancer Society. Visitwww.relayforlife.org for specificevents and details.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY/APRIL 16-174th Annual Arlington Festival of

the Arts. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. HighlandStreet in the Clarendon District,Arlington. More than 100 artists willshowcase their work includingpaintings, jewelry, pottery, glass, andmuch more. Visit artfestival.com formore.

SATURDAY/APRIL 23-30Historic Garden Week. This eight-

day statewide event provides visitorsan opportunity to see gardens, aswell as houses with more than 2,000flower arrangements created byGarden Club of Virginia members.Visit www.vagardenweek.org.

May 2016MONDAY/MAY 23Memorial Day Jazz Concert. 1-6

p.m. at Waterfront Park, Alexandria.A variety of jazz performances takeplace throughout the concert.Waterfront Park features lawnseating and the attendees may bring

The Nowruz Festival, a colorful celebration of the Persian New Year, vis-its Alexandria each year in March. Hundreds gather to partake in traditionalIranian food, art, music, and performances. Admission to the festival is usu-ally free, and well-attended by vendors offering food, crafts, books, and more.Visit www.nowruzfestival.org.

Celebrate The Persian New Year

lawn chairs and blankets. Food, suchas barbeque, fried chicken, hot dogs,hamburgers, snow cones and funnelcakes are available for purchase, buteveryone is welcome to pack a picniclunch. Pets should be left at home.Admission is free. Visitwww.alexandriava.gov/Recreationfor more.

July 2016SECOND SATURDAY IN JULYUSA and Alexandria Birthday

Celebration. Oronoco Bay Park,100 Madison Street, Alexandria.Celebrate Alexandria’s 265thbirthday along the Potomacwaterfront with fireworks, cake andlive music. Visitwww.visitalexandriava.com/events/USA-Alexandria-Birthday-Celebration/6607.

August 2016Summer Restaurant Week. Mid-

August, in neighborhoods throughoutAlexandria, including Old Town, DelRay, Carlyle and West End. Menuoptions vary by location. Visitwww.AlexandriaRestaurantWeek.comor call 703-746-3301 for more.

Ice Cream Making. Saturdays inAugust. 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at3200 Mt. Vernon Highway, MountVernon. Cool down with 18th centuryice cream making demonstrations.Admission: Adults, $18; Children, $9;Under 5, free. Visitwww.mountvernon.org/ for more.

Thousands of residents and guests watch the fireworkdisplay from Oronoco Bay Park at the conclusion of theannual Alexandria Birthday Celebration.

EntertainmentA Sampling of Annual

Community Events

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Mount VernonCommunityChildren’s Theatre(MVCCT)

1900 Elkin St., Alexandria. MVCCT’sprograms are twofold: each year threeto four productions are presented, di-rected by professionals and featuringchildren in all roles. AdditionallyMVCCT, a nonprofit, has an active edu-cation program which includes

after-school programs in Fairfax CountyPublic Schools (both PTA sponsored andoutreach/grant based), as well as aspring break and summer camp. Call703-360-0686 or www.mvcct.org.

Mount Vernon Innat GeorgeWashington’sMount Vernon

Mount Vernon Inn at George

Out & About

Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200Mount Vernon Memorial Highway,Mount Vernon.

Listen to live music while enjoying ameal on the grounds of the firstpresident’s home.

The Birchmere3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria.

World-famous concert venue for classi-cal, blues, jazz as well as up-and-comingartists from various genres.

Call 703-549-7500 or visitwww.birchmere.com.

Zip code: 22309Population: 33,220Race: White-15,865 (47.8%), Black/

African American-8,585 (25.8%),American Indian and Alaska Native-222(0.7%), Asian-2,503 (7.5%), Hispanicor Latino (of any race)-9,260 (27.9%)

Total housing units: 12,006Owner-occupied housing units:

7,487 (64.5%)Households with individuals

under 18 years: 4,507 (38.8%)Households with individuals 65

years and over: 2,349 (20.2%)Median household income:

83,092Mean family income: 121,989Population 5 years and over

who speaks a language otherthan English at home: 41.6%


African American-8,811 (27.3%),American Indian and Alaska Native-159(0.5%), Asian-2,760 (8.5%), Hispanicor Latino (of any race)-9,508








African American-588 (6.1%), AmericanIndian and Alaska Native-31 (0.3%),Asian-334 (3.5%), Hispanic or Latino(of any race)-990 (10.3%)







Zip code: 22308Population: 12,737Race: White-11,716 (92%), Black/

African American-274 (2.2%), AmericanIndian and Alaska Native-21 (0.2%),Asian-329 (2.6%), Hispanic or Latino(of any race)-521 (4.1%)


4,239 (92%)Households with individuals






African American-1,611 (12.8%),American Indian and Alaska Native-65(0.5%), Asian-1,219 (9.7%), Hispanicor Latino (of any race)-2,940 (23.3%)







Source: U.S. Census 2010; AmericanCommunity Survey 2012

Demographic Snapshot of Mount Vernon

Animal Control Officer Siobhan Chase

RescuedA Great Blue Heron was rescued by an animal control officer after it was

injured in Huntley Meadows Park recently. Officer Siobhan Chase receivedthe call for the injured bird around 6:45 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 6. A pass-erby saw the bird standing in the wetlands when a snapping turtle bit itsleg. Chase located the bird in the wetland water near the boardwalk butwhen she approached, the bird moved deeper into the water, unable to fly.Chase walked into the water and rescued the injured bird. The bird was thentaken to a local veterinarian, who contacted a wildlife rescue league to as-sist in its recovery.

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Rev. Robert L. Lewis, Pastor

Messiah Lutheran Church (ELCA)6510 Fort Hunt Road,Alexandria, VA 22307

• Service at 10:00 a.m. with children’sSunday School during the service.

703-765-5003E-mail: [email protected] • Website: messiahelca.org

• Trained Nursery Staff• Handicapped accessible

Come As You Are – God doesn’t expectyou to be perfect and neither do we

A community where everyoneis welcome, preaching a faiththat is intellectually credible,

putting behavior before belief.

Join us this fall for worship at 10:30am

2001 Sherwood Hall Lane • Alexandria, Virginia 22306

703-765-6118 www.mvpconline.org

OFFER EXPIRES SEPTEMBER 30TH

[email protected] call 703-765-0142

*OFFER EXPIRES 9/30/15SOME RESTRICTIONS APPLY. ASK US FOR DETAILS.

CRUSH UP TO 800 CALORIES IN 60MINUTES WITH OUR NEW CLASSES…


In Northern Virginia, the Virginia De-partment of Transportation (VDOT)is working to keep up with growth inthe area with transportation projects

at both ends of the spectrum. Whether it’sa new highway overpass, intersection im-provement, or high occupancy toll lanes, thegoal at VDOT is to keep the traffic moving.

On the Capital Beltway (I-495), the 495Express Lanes opened in 2012 to give mo-torists an option when traveling throughthis corridor. Two additional lanes were con-structed on the beltway in each directionbetween the Springfield Interchange (whereI-95, I-495 and I-395 meet south of Wash-ington) and a point on the beltway justnorth of the Dulles Toll Road. These lanesare free to vehicles with three or more oc-cupants, while vehicles with one or twooccupants will be able to use the lanes bypaying a toll electronically. The expresslanes use dynamic pricing to manage theflow of traffic and keep motorists moving,and roadside equipment monitors traffic,adjusting toll prices periodically to main-tain free-flowing travel. As traffic increases,the toll price goes up to manage demand.

In December 2014, VDOT opened a 29-mile stretch of express lanes on I-95/395between a point just north of Edsall Roadin Alexandria, to Garrisonville Road (Route610) in the south. These express lanes arereversible: on weekday mornings, the lanes

head north to cater to commuters headingto busy employment centers like TysonsCorner and Washington, D.C.; and in theafternoons, the lanes head south. Again,vehicles with three occupants can use the95 Express Lanes for free, while cars withone or two occupants can choose to use thelanes by paying a toll, which varies depend-ing on the number of cars in the lanes atthat time. All vehicles using the 495 or 95Express Lanes need an E-ZPass, or an E-ZPass Flex, which has a switch to engagethe toll-free option when there are three ormore occupants.

Another highway construction project isunderway at Seminary Road and I-395 inAlexandria. There VDOT is building a multi-faceted project that include a new 0.8-mileauxiliary lane on I-395 North between Duke

Street and Seminary Road, as well as a newramp from the HOV lanes to the SeminaryRoad bridge overpass, and a new pedestrianbridge over I-395. These projects are in-tended to improve the flow of traffic asso-ciated with the Mark Center, a federal gov-ernment building located in that area. Theauxiliary lane opened in February with theHOV ramp and the stand-alone pedestrianbridge scheduled to open later this fall.

OTHER recently opened “Megaprojects” in-clude the Fairfax County Parkway Exten-sion, linking Springfield to Richmond High-way in southern Fairfax County; the fourthlane-widening project, which added an ex-tra lane on I-95 North and South betweenSpringfield and Occoquan; the TelegraphRoad interchange on the Capital Beltway

in Alexandria; and the 495 Shoulder Laneproject on the inner loop of I-495 betweenthe 495 Express Lanes’ northern endpointand the George Washington Memorial High-way. Similar to the shoulder lane on I-66,this shoulder lane is open during the morn-ing and evening rush hours, with a red “X”or green arrow signaling its availability fortravel.

In Arlington, just west of I-395, VDOT isputting finishing touches this summer on anew bridge carrying Washington Boulevardover Columbia Pike. This new bridge re-places a 1940s-era bridge, and includes bikeand pedestrian access along Columbia Pikeplus room for a future streetcar if needed.The bridge was renamed the FreedmansBridge after the historical “Freedmans Vil-lage,” a community the Federal governmentestablished in 1863 for newly freed slaves,that once occupied this area of Arlington.

VDOT officials are now looking to trans-form Northern Virginia’s Interstate 66 intoa multi-modal corridor that moves trafficand people quicker and in a more reliableway.The project, known as Transform 66,is a multi-modal proposal that will to in-corporate transit, carpooling and expresslanes. The project is divided into a 25-milestretch between Haymarket and the Capi-tal Beltway, and a separate project insidethe beltway with a toll option for travelthrough Falls Church and Arlington.

Road Projects in Region To Keep Traffic MovingIn the over-night hours,crews pourthe deck forthe Semi-nary Roadbridge overI-395.

Photo by

VDOT



School: Mount Vernon High SchoolMascot: MajorsSchool Colors: Maroon, gray and whiteAthletic Director: Greg Miller, 703-619-3140Football Coach: Barry Wells (sixth year)The Majors finished 0-10 in 2014. It was the sec-

ond time in six seasons the program failed to win agame.

Field Hockey Coach: Jessica EdwardsVolleyball Coach: Amy DeBokGolf Coach: Sam Hedenberg.Boys’ Basketball Coach: Lou Golden.Girls’ Basketball Coach: India Thomas.Boys’ Soccer Coach: Tony Garza.Softball Coach: Daniel Coast.

Rival School: West Potomac

What happened last year: Bill Adusei-Poku,then a junior, won the 5A 138-pound state wrestlingchampionship. The field hockey team finished 12-6-3 and qualified for the 5A North regional tourna-ment. The girls’ basketball team reached the regionalquarterfinals. The boys’ basketball team qualified forthe regional tournament. The softball team lost to

Marshall in the Conference 13 championship gamefor the second straight year and advanced to the re-gion tournament. The boys’ lacrosse team lost toMarshall in the conference final.

Notable: Mount Vernon, a member of the 5ANorth region’s Conference 13 for the previous twoseasons, transitions to the 6A North region’s Confer-ence 7 — a move based on an increase in enroll-ment. It will be the Majors’ third different district/conference in four years.

Quotable: “It’s great to throw one down in frontof the crowd. It felt pretty good. I was glad I wasable to get the crowd hyped and my team hyped.” —Then-senior Earnest Jones, talking about his dunkduring the boys’ basketball team’s 72-63 overtimevictory over rival West Potomac.

Getting To Know Mount Vernon SportsSoftball, boys’lacrosse teams reachedconference finals.

Mount Vernon then-seniorEarnest Jones throws

down a dunk during theMajors 72-63 overtime

victory over West Potomacon Dec. 9, 2014.

Gazette file

photo

School: West Potomac HighSchool

Mascot: WolverinesSchool Colors: Royal blue and

silverAthletic Director: Aaron

Helmick, 703-718-2560Football Coach: Jeremiah

Ross (second year)The Wolverines finished 4-6 in

2014, including 1-5 against Con-ference 7 opponents.

Cross Country Coach: JennDietz

Volleyball Coach: NancyNixon

Boys’ Basketball Coach:David Houston III

Girls’ Basketball Coach:Lauren Arthur

Baseball Coach: Jim SullivanSoftball Coach: Craig

ManigliaBoys’ Soccer Coach: Ahmad

SassoGirls’ Lacrosse Coach:

Cindy Lopez-Yusuf

Rival Schools: Mount Vernon,T.C. Williams

What happened last year:Joshua Carter, then a senior, wonthe 160-pound 6A North regionwrestling championship.

The boys’ soccer team won theConference 7 championship. Thegirls’ lacrosse team reached theconference final, losing toWoodson.

The softball team qualified forthe region tournament.

Notable: The 2015 WestPotomac girls’ lacrosse teamhosted a regional tournamentgame for the first time in at leasta decade.

The Wolverines finished 7-6-4and reached the Conference 7championship game, losing toWoodson. West Potomac lost toMcLean in the opening round ofregionals.

Quotable: “I think that wehave become a team that is moreskilled than what it has been in thepast. I think our biggest issue andwhat we’re looking to overcome inthe next season is our mental

toughness and being able tohandle these high-pressure situa-tions. These girls, especially theones who are in leadership, aren’tused to being in these types of situ-

ations where they’re in high-pres-sure games. And my hope is as wecontinue to grow the program thatthey’ll be able to handle thesetough, tight, high-competition

Getting To Know West Potomac SportsBoys’ soccer team won theConference 7 championship.

Former West Potomac wrestler Joshua Carter, then a senior, won the 160-pound 6ANorth region championship in 2015.

games better and better.” — Girls’lacrosse coach Cindy Lopez-Yusufafter the Wolverines lost in theopening round of the regionaltournament.

Craig Sterbutzel/T

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azette

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