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About:

Lorton Valley Star Newspaper
monthly and on the web
www.LortonValleyStar.com

Covering the greater Lorton, VA area from Fairfax /Franconia Parkway to Prince William Parkway.

Contact Information:

Floyd Harrison,
Publisher, Editor-in-Chief
Lorton Valley Star Communications, LLC

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Print deadline is 20th

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Lorton Valley Star
P.O. Box 1436
Lorton Valley, VA 22199

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571-274-7389

© 2005 Floyd Harrison T/A
Lorton Valley Star Comm.
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Mother's Grieving Heart

On November 10, 2000 Maria's daughter Crystal was killed in a terrible accident. Maria went through what no mother in the world wants or expects to go through.

Go To Site…

To moms who have suffered the loss of a child:

When Maria was faced with the death of her child, all the books she read provided the same answer. This answer was not good enough. She began to write poetry. Her poetry was a way for her to find the answers to the terrible crisis that she could not find in any book. Through writing her poetry, Maria became closer to God and she found during her journey, that God's mercy is a sufficient answer to any crisis or devastating situation.

Those poems are now available in the book, "Crystal, A Mother's Grieving Heart" published by Lorton Valley Star. It is available in Occoquan at the Coffee House of Occoquan and at Attic Treasures. It is also available online from Maria's web site.

Buy the book now…

Copyright © 2003 Maria Carneiro, of Montclair, Prince William County, Virginia, USA

All international rights reserved.

94 Pages
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1994 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.



Catalog Data:

Carneiro, Maria A.
Crystal, A Mother’s Grieving Heart
Original Publication:
A.D. 2005
ISBN 0-9764770-0-9

Grief, Poetry

Library of Congress Number TXu1-189-869

Cover Art:
Michelle Carneiro
Graphics and Layout:
Floyd Harrison




Publisher:
Lorton Valley Star Communications
P.O. Box 1436
Lorton, VA 22199
USA

See Coffee House

See Attic Treasures

Seeds of Independence Series:

Restoring Gunston Hall

The third annual Seeds of Independence series program at Gunston Hall this year will tell the story of the restoration of Gunston Hall Plantation in a manner respectful of the home’s first owner George Mason author of the Virginia Bill of Rights. The program will include a film premier, a presentation by Dr. Peter Wallenstein, Professor of History Virginia Polytechnic and an Apple Pie Reception.
From 1912 to 1942, Louis Hertle, Gunston Hall’s last private owner, hired local black men and women to work on his land and in his home. Respectful of the home’s first owner, George Mason, Hertle intended to “restore without sacrifice of line or sentimental qualities.” The third annual Seeds of Independence program tells the story of the men and women who accomplished Louis Hertle’s vision for Gunston Hall and traces the lives of other rural blacks who sought employment in urban areas.
The first Seeds of Independence event held in 2008 at Gunston Hall examined the late 19th-century settlement established by newly freed African Americans, their church, church cemetery, and Colored School, and the 18th century Log Town slave quarters which for some time lent its name to a road that wound through it. We were joyous in watching a filmed interview with Mrs. Gladys Bushrod on her memories of living on Mason Neck and during a celebration of her 99th birthday.
In the second year of the program, we examined the fishing occupations of African Americans on Mason’s Neck during the 19th and 20th centuries, including the premier showing of a film, “A Proud Heritage,” narrated by Bernard Kye about working the local waters.  We sampled a local fish fry provided by Mike Harley son of the legendary, and now late Mason Neck waterman Louis Harley. On this occasion, Virginia Senator Linda T. Puller presented a proclamation to Gladys Bushrod marking her 100th birthday and remarkable service to her community.
This year, in re-visiting the Twentieth Century, we will watch the premier showing of a film created to remember the Hertle years.
See the third Seeds of Independence series program, Sunday, February 14, at 2 p.m. in Gunston Hall Visitors’ Center.  Film premier,  The Role of African Americans in Restoring Gunston Hall (1912-1949) is followed by a talk about Black Migration from Rural Virginia presented by Dr. Peter Wallenstein, Professor of History at Virginia Polytechnic and State University. An Apple Pie Reception will feature Mrs. Gladys Bushrod’s recipe.  Suggested contribution: $9, Adults; $8, Seniors; $5, ages 6-18 includes a 30-minute guided mansion tour before or following the program.
   “I have been involved with this Seeds’ program as a cartographer, researcher and general supporter for the three years since its inception, and have found it to be a most culturally and historically rewarding experience.” says Jerry Lyons of Mason Neck. “Illustrating how important this historically oriented event is to Sallie and me, I have gladly agreed to introduce the main topics at the February 7 event. For me and for all of us on the Seeds Committee, this effort with the ‘Seeds’ Program concept has been a unique kind of “making the invisible visible” communication.”
Visit www.GunstonHall.org for more information or call the plantation at 703-550-9220.

Meadowood Trails To Get Makeover

The U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Lower Potomac Field Station manager has signed Project Plan II for trail and trailhead development for the Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area on Mason Neck in Lorton.

Meadowood received $300,000 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding last Fall to rehabilitate existing trails and build new trails at Meadowood and hired two full time trailbuilders for a year to complete the project, which ends on September 30, 2010.

The work planned is extensive rerouting and reclamation of the Thompson Creek, Mustang, and Wood Thrush Trails, a complete reroute of the Chicken Coop trail, construction of the new Camp Wilson connector trail, completion of the Meadowood trail surfacing, and the trail through our meadow restoration area.  

As the work progresses, the old muddy, steep, and eroded section of trails will disappear, and tree and shrub planting will help the restoration process.  Work will continue on the kiosk trail to the planned wayside next to Gunston Elementary.

COLD WAR MUSEUM TO LOCATE AT VINT HILL

Francis Gary Powers, Jr., the Founder of The Cold War Museum (www.coldwar.org), announced last week that the museum had found a physical home. The Cold War Museum will lease a modest size two story building and secure storage facility at Vint Hill, located in Fauquier County, Virginia, less than 30 miles from Washington Dulles International Airport. The lease was signed on December 1, 2009 with the Vint Hill Economic Development Authority (www.vinthill.com), the owner of the 695-acre former US Army communications base.
Powers is the son of Francis Gary Powers, a CIA pilot whose U-2 spy plane was shot down over the Soviet Union in May 1960. The senior Powers was held in Soviet custody until 1962, when he was traded for Rudolph Abel, a Soviet KGB agent who had been captured by the United States
Powers, Jr. initially tried to locate the museum at the Lorton Nike missile base near the Workhouse Art Center but negotiations with Fairfax Couty failed.
For further information: Francis Gary Powers, Jr., (703) 273-2381; e-mail, gpowersjr@coldwar.org.

‘A Plantation Christmas’ at Mason’s Gunston Hall

A snapshot of the 18th century

The candles and torches were lit, the plantation family was dressed, the horses were hitched to the carriages, dinner preparations in the hearth kitchen came together, the festivities had begun. There was dancing, and signing. There were chilly carriage rides and story telling by toasty cheery fires. The Revolution was won and it was Christmas time on George Mason’s Gunston Hall Plantation. The Colonial Singers entertained in the museum all the way from West Potomac, High School.

Many visitors from the 21st century had a particularly hardy holiday feast then stepped out of this world into a time warp. You felt that you really had traveled back in time as you tasted mulled cider and ginger cookies in the yard. The kitchen staff was showing how they made traditional foods and it was a very warm stop on the adventure with the huge fireplace pumping out cozy warmtn. Youngsters even got a lesson in the school building. The holiday would have been from Christmas Eve ‘til the Twelfth Day, January 6 however our time warp was only two days yet worth the trip.

South County Colts Win Championship!

The South County Colts won their championship game this past, November 14th.  They had an incredible season and went undefeated 9-0!  They only had 12 points scored on them all year.  The total point record is 268 Colts and 12 them.  Every game was a shut out except for the game against American Pride which went into overtime.  They were also the team faced in the Championship on Saturday and it was a shut out 20-0!   Way to go Colts.

The majority of the kids are South County Middle school students and this is most of these boys last year with youth league as they will play freshman football next year.  What a great way to end their youth league season!

Free Emergency Text Messages

Officials are encouraging residents to sign up for free emergency text alerts from local governments in the Washington, D.C. region. These alerts are important because they offer official information about what to do and where to go in a major emergency.
Because alerts are sent to cell phones, PDAs like a BlackBerry, pagers and e-mail accounts, residents can get instant access to critical information, wherever they are. Subscribers can choose what kind of alerts they want and how they want to receive them, as well as be notified about emergencies near their home, school or job. Alert categories range from severe weather and traffic to terrorism. 
To sign up for the free emergency alerts, visit www.CapitalAlert.gov or subscribe directly from a cell phone. Send a text message to 411911 with the name of the county or city from which to receive alerts. The following keywords should be used: Alexandria; Arlington; Bowie; DC; Fairfax (for Fairfax County); Falls (for Falls Church); Gaithersburg; Greenbelt; Loudoun; Montgomery; Prince (for Prince William); Rockville and Takoma.

Franconia-Springfield Metrorail Station Construction Affects Parking Garage and Detours Connector Route 380
 
A detour of Fairfax Connector route 380 is implemented re-routing the 380 Pentagon route from Franconia-Springfield to the Gambrill Road and Backlick North Park & Rides. The temporary 380 route will originate from the Gambrill Road Park & Ride in the morning, travel down the Parkway to the Backlick Road Park & Ride, and then travel direct to the Pentagon via the I-95/395 HOV lanes. Parking is free, and the fare for this limited stop route is reduced to $5.00. Ample parking is available at the Gambrill and Backlick Park & Rides. The re-routed 380 will NOT serve the Franconia-Springfield Metro Station.

The Franconia-Springfield parking garage will undergo major rehabilitation work starting October 1, 2009, resulting in the loss of up to 220 parking spaces during the 18- to 20-month project. Due to high demand for parking at this station, alternatives have been developed to provide commuters with options.
 
Bus service to the Franconia-Springfield station from Backlick North Park & Ride is provided by Connector routes 310 and 332. Bus service to the Franconia-Springfield station from Gambrill Road Park & Ride is provided by Connector route 305 and Metrobus 18R. Both Connector and Metrobus base fare are $1.35 cash or $1.25 with SmarTrip.
 
Free parking is also available at the Springfield Mall Park & Ride, located in Parking Deck “A” (Macy’s) on Levels 2, 4, and 6. Bus service from the Mall to the Metro Station operates approximately every 10 minutes during rush hours on route S80/TAGS and route S91/Shuttle. The fare is $0.25. Fairfax Connector route 401 also services Springfield Mall, and routes 321, 322, 331, and 332 serve the Mall on Spring Mall Road. Connector base fare is $1.35 cash or $1.25 with SmarTrip.
 
For more information about the Route 380 detour or parking at Springfield Mall, please visit the Fairfax Connector web site at www.fairfaxconnector.com, or call 703-339-7200, TTY 703-339-1608.
 
For more information about the Franconia-Springfield Parking Garage construction project, contact Metro at www.wmata.com, or call 202-637-7000, TTY 202-638-3780.
 
For information about this news item, contact Ellen Kamilakis at 703-877-5606, TTY 711. 

Mulligan Road Waits a Decade

Cut Through to be Replaced

Work to build a connector road between Telegraph Road and Richmond Highway has begun. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) issued a notice for construction of the road January 5.
      Completion on Phase I limited to Fort Belvoir is scheduled for the Summer of 2010.  However, the road will not be open to public traffic until Phase II is completed which is for paving and connections to Telegraph and Pole Road scheduled to be completed in 2011. Widening Telegraph Road from Beulah Street to Leaf Road will also be completed in Phase II.
The four lane road will accommodate on-road bicycles and a trail.
Woodlawn Road which provided a connection from Rt 1 to Telegraph Road was closed to vehicles without military decals after the 9-11 terrorists attacks.
For additional information on the Mulligan Road project, see http://www.efl.fhwa.dot.gov/projects-rhtrc.aspx

Business is Picking-up

By Joe Chudzik

Twenty-one volunteers helped collect litter and cleaned-up Old Colchester Road and Furnace Road last Saturday morning on Mason Neck.

Thanks to the volunteers, fifty-one bags of litter, 8 tires, a large suitcase, refrigerator, water heater and other trash were collected from the roadside.

Anne Gorham led her youngsters and the Girl Scouts on an additional litter cleanup on Gunston Road near Gunston Elementary School. Richard Ryan went ahead and also cleaned-up part of Belmont Boulevard!

Participating volunteers included students from South County School and a group of Girl Scouts earning community service credit; Lions; and members of the Mason’s Collar and Mason Neck communities:  Rick Hutson, Dana Hutson, Frank Hutson, Aubrey Hutson, Jess Lowry, Joe Chudzik, Erica Binzer, Bill Binzer, Dick Kennedy, Anne Gorham, Buddy Gorham, Charlie Gorham, Sandy Martin, Alyssa Martin, Richard Ryan, Paul Thieberger, Pam Thieberger, Hannah McCarthy, Dave Collyer, Gary Knipling, Charles Keeney, Fred Stecher and employees of the Noman M. Cole, Jr. Pollution Control Plant.

The Adopt-a-Highway Cleanups are performed quarterly in partnership with the Mason Neck Lions Club, Mason Neck Citizens Association and Noman M. Cole, Jr. Pollution Control Plant. Volunteers are always needed and welcome to participate. Next Adopt-a-Highway Cleanup – Saturday, April 18.

2, 1, 0, HISsss,
We Have Lift Off

Submitted by Mike Kidd Asst. SM,

Twenty-one Scouts and six adults from Scout Troop 688 traveled to Camp Rodney near North East, Maryland for a camping trip on the weekend of Jan 9-11, 2009.  The purpose of this trip was to work on Space Exploration Merit Badge.  Sixteen completed all requirements to earn this merit badge.
  On Saturday, the Scouts learned some of the history of unmanned and manned space exploration, the parts of model rockets, and the physics of how rockets work.  They divided into four teams to design of either an unmanned probe or a future Mars base.  During the morning, each Scout also constructed a small model rocket.  The first business outside was a review of launch range safety. The highlight of the day was going outside and launching their rocket twice as well as helping launch larger rockets brought by Scouts and their counselors. 
  Right before dinner, the Scouts made a short presentation about a space pioneer they had selected and researched before the trip.  After dinner, the Scouts viewed the film “Apollo 13.”  The troop returned to Virginia shortly after breakfast on Sunday.
  Christ Church located at 8285 Glen Eagles Lane, Fairfax Station sponsors Boy Scouts of America Troop 688.  The troop meets every Monday night at the church at 7:30.

Homeschoolers Welcome Troops

A group of local area homeschoolers including the Fluets shown from Lorton, “Classical Conversations of Alexandria,” attended an event at BWI airport last Thursday called “Operation Welcome Home” as their service project for the year. OWH welcomes home incoming flights of soldiers returning from the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. The group of about twenty or so met up with family and friends of the soldiers to give them a true heroes welcoming.  Part of the process is to donate snack items and to fill goody bags to be given to the troops.  

The group made hand-made cards and helped put up signs along the corridor to create a festive mood.  The children led the group in the pledge of allegiance just before the soldiers began to come through the door.  It was a heartwarming and special event for the kids and the parents to honor our soliders and give back a little of what’s been sacrificed for them.  
For more information on “Operation Welcome Home,” visit their website at http://www.operationwelcomehomemd.org

In Case of Emergency

Tag Your Cell Numbers

Emergency responders are trained to look for emergency contacts on victim’s cell phones under the designation ICE. So, you should put your next of kin, guardian or spouse, in your cell phone’s directory preceded by the ICE designation In Case of Emergency. It would speed up medical information and permissions for crucial treatment if you became incapacitated.
Secondary contacts could be listed as ICE2, ICE3 etc. The idea was born in the U.K. and has flourished since the subway bombings. Look for the designation in new cell phone directories turning your cell phone into a source of information for paramedics and other emergency personnel responding to accidents, crimes and disasters. Paramedics in the USA encourage it. Don’t wait, edit the emergency contact name putting ICE in front of it. It could save your life.

Eager Students Extend School Day;

Teachers Volunteer

Gunston Elementary school recently extended its schooling hours by one hour every Tuesday for six weeks.  So why would any child want to stay another hour after school? How about to learn to play chess, to learn to knit, to learn about the Civil War, or to learn zumba dance or simply to play legos with their friends? Thanks to the dedicated work of the parents of Gunston, the school just completed its eighth year of the Gunston After School Program. It started as a way to give children something to do after school and to help at risk children participate in programs they might not otherwise be able to. The program has been a huge success and has grown every year. This year they hosted nearly 275 children ranging in age from kindergarten to sixth grade and sponsored 17 different classes.

  The success of the program is the direct result of community effort and support. The first challenge in planning the program is securing the volunteer teachers. Many of the teachers come from the staff of Gunston, others come from the community. This year they had representatives from the Bureau of Land Management, Mason Neck State Park, The Lorton Arts Foundation, and Mad Science. Ron Kowalski of Long and Foster, David Burton of the Argus Group, Paige Ritatri and Samantha Franklin were members of the community that taught classes. The rest of the teachers came from parent volunteers. Booze, Allen and Hamilton sponsored the Mad Science class.

  The next step in planning is transportation. It was learned early on that most of the children could not participate if they did not have a bus ride home. The PTA used to pay for busing, until they began working with the Safe and Drug Free Youth Coalition of Fairfax County Public Schools.  Because the After School program presents talks that include some aspect of prevention whether the topic is bullying, drug and smoking prevention or internet safety, the school is able to apply for a grant to pay for the buses through the coalition. This year they hope to get three buses paid for through the grant.

  The program is free to the children and the planners make sure there are plenty of grade appropriate class choices.  What were the most popular classes? Hands down it was Legos for the little ones and flag football for the big kids.

County Announces Belt Tightening as Result of Revenue Shortfall

As a result of the national economic crisis that has been evolving over the past several weeks, Fairfax County is facing a projected revenue shortfall of approximately $58.2 million for the current fiscal year (FY 2009), which runs from July 1, 2008, to June 30, 2009. The shortfall, which represents a decrease of 1.75 percent from the FY 2009 Adopted Budget Plan, is based on a review of first quarter data.

Fairfax County, as an AAA rated jurisdiction, has a history of strong financial management and taking the actions necessary to responsibly deal with the realities of the financial situation.
To address the shortfall, County Executive Anthony H. Griffin has outlined a number of steps to maintain a balanced budget, effective immediately:

• Agency personnel budgets will be reduced by an additional 2 percent. It is likely that agencies will need to freeze most if not all unoccupied positions, filling only those most essential to service requirements.
• All non-essential travel and training will be canceled.
• All capital equipment spending, not already in the procurement process, will be eliminated.
• All General Fund paydown capital project spending will be reviewed. A substantial portion of capital projects in the pipeline may be delayed or terminated.
• At least one furlough day for county employees.
• Vehicle replacements have been suspended.
• A recommendation will be made to consider a partial withdrawal from the County’s Revenue Stabilization Fund.

In addition to the revised FY 2009 revenue shortfall projections, revenue estimates for FY 2010 (July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010), also will need to be reexamined and reduced. Fairfax County’s projected deficit for FY 2010 approaches $500 million.

Economic Crisis Forces Virginia Budget Cuts
 
By Senator Toddy Puller
 
Governor Tim Kaine announced the official revenue reforecast for fiscal years 2009 and 2010 and his budget reduction plan to meet the projected shortfall for fiscal year (FY) 2009. The new forecast predicts a decline in the general fund budget for FY 2009 of 4.0% and very slow growth of around 3.6% with anticipation of a recovery beginning in FY 2010. The 2009 shortfall is projected to be $973.6 million and for FY 2010, $1.54 billion. 
The Governor is proposing that the FY 2009 budget be balanced by state agency savings and spending reductions of over $348 million, a withdrawal of about $400 million from the Revenue Stabilization Fund, and through bonding nearly $250 million in capital outlay that had been planned for cash payments.   
Revenue forecasts have been revised downward twice since the spring of 2007. Over $1.7 billion has already been cut from Virginia’s budget as the national economy continues to worsen. States, unlike the Federal Government, are required to balance their budgets. Therefore, the Commonwealth of Virginia must find additional ways to save money by ensuring our government agencies work efficiently and by reducing government spending.
As the Governor says, we must find ways to reduce government spending while protecting core services provided by our state government in this difficult time. Some decrease to services will be necessary to balance the budget. But it is important that this be done with consideration of protecting the most vulnerable Virginians.
With regard to education, the Governor’s proposals focus on administrative functions and leave basic funding for K-12 intact since the school year has already begun. He has instructed colleges and universities not to increase tuition during the 2009-10 academic year but to find ways to reduce spending to offset reductions of 5 to 7 percent of state funding.
These budget cuts require significant layoffs of personnel, delay of a previously planned salary increase of 2% for state employees, a hiring freeze, and some reductions in state services. Administrative efficiencies in Medicaid, the Department of Aging, Community Service Boards, and mental health are being made to prevent deeper cuts in programs to provide direct service delivery. Restructuring Department of Corrections facilities will result in closing several older facilities.

Taxi Fare Increase Proposed

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 20 approved increasing both components of a taxi fare, effective Nov. 1, as follows:
• The initial, or “drop” charge, which includes the passenger’s first 1/5 mile, will increase 50 cents, from $2.75 to $3.25.
• The mileage rate, which reflects the amount charged for each succeeding 1/5 mile increment, will increase by 5 cents, from 35 cents to 40 cents. As a result, the per-mile rate will increase from $1.75 to $2. Two $1 surcharges currently in effect will expire on Oct. 31 and Nov. 20, respectively, and will be superseded by the new rates on Nov. 1.

Bus Fare Increase Proposed

The Fairfax County Department of Transportation proposed in yesterday’s Board of Supervisors’ Meeting an increase in bus fares and the elimination of paper transfers for Fairfax Connector bus service. If approved, the fare changes would take effect on January 4, 2009. The last fare increase for Fairfax Connector occurred in 2004.
The current proposal would increase the regular base fare from $1.00 to $1.25 if paying by SmarTrip card, and from $1.00 to $1.35 if paying by cash. More details about the proposed fare changes can be found on the Fairfax Connector Web site at www.fairfaxconnector.com, or by calling the Fairfax Connector telephone information center at 703-339-7200, TTY 703-339-1608.
FCDOT also is proposing that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors adopt a Standing Fairfax Connector Fare Policy that would generally follow the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s fare changes in implementation date and rate structure.
Two public meetings will be held to receive comments from the public regarding the proposed fare increases:

Saturday, November 1, 10:00 a.m.
South County Center
8350 Richmond Highway

Saturday, November 8, 10:00 a.m.
North County Governmental Center
12000 Bowman Towne Drive

To attend the first public meeting by bus, both Fairfax Connector route 171 and REX provide Saturday service to the South County Center. To attend the second meeting by bus, Fairfax Connector routes RIBS 1 and RIBS 3 provide Saturday service to the North County Government Center while Connector routes RIBS 2, RIBS 4, 574 and 950 provide Saturday service within 2 blocks of the same location.
If you would like to speak at either meeting, please sign up in advance by calling 703-324-1120, TTY 703-324-1102. If you would like to provide comments but are unable to attend the meeting, please call the Fare Changes Hotline at 703-324-1641 and leave a message, or send an e-mail to FairfaxConnector@fairfaxcounty.gov. You also may submit your comments in writing to the Fairfax County Department of Transportation, Transit Services Division, 12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 1034, Fairfax, VA 22035, Attention:Christy Wegener. All comments must be received by 4:00 p.m. Friday, November 14, 2008.

Volunteers Needed to Assist Instructors in Water Safety Program for Kids with Disabilities

Make a Splash Program is seeking volunteers to help instructors teach children with special needs the opportunity to learn how to be safe and have fun in and around the water. This program relies heavily on volunteers. Volunteer “swim buddies” are paired with participants to ensure safety and that individuals needs are met. Swim buddies provide a sense of inclusion, which fosters diversity and enhances the community.

The “Make a Splash” Program has provided lessons for over 3,500 individuals with disabilities. If you can spare a couple of hour on Saturdays for one or more sessions, the kids need you. Volunteers will assist participants with skill building games and exercises during an exciting and fun-filled Saturday afternoon.

This is an excellent way to complete required service learning hours. Lifeguard certification will be funded by JPMF for those volunteers that commit for the entire four sessions. The volunteer participation for the entire season not only provides the participants with consistency, but ensures that the community has more lifeguards who have experience working with children with special needs.

All of the sessions run from 1 to 3 p.m., except at the Lee District. Lee District RECenter sessions run from noon to 2 p.m. For more information about volunteering, please call Devin Thornton (devin.thornton@fairfaxcounty.gov) at 703-324-5712, TTY 711

You must be 13 years of age or older to volunteer. Training is provided. The following is a list of the participating sites and sessions:

The Make a Splash Program is a partnership between the Fairfax County Department of Community and Recreation Services Therapeutic Recreation Services Division and the Joey Pizzano Memorial Fund (JPMF).

The Joey Pizzano Memorial Fund, Inc. is dedicated to improving the lives of children with special needs and their families. The fund was formed after the tragic drowning of Joey Pizzano, a wonderful six-year-old, developmentally delayed child who touched many people’s lives with his bright smile and love of life. Joey’s family decided to create a foundation in his name that would become a living tribute to celebrate Joey’s life.

Needed Corrections Are Forced Upon Us

Commentary by Floyd Harrison

How long have conservatives been trying to tell government that they need to reduce the burden placed on citizens. How long has government been getting looser on spending for things which are not basic to survival. How long have motorists ignored criticism for driving oversized, fuel hungry vehicles. How long have we all carelessly patronized products of labor lost to foreign sweat shops. And how long did I warn that Fairfax County cannot end homelessness because they are participating in taking homes from the innocent.

Those are statements and there’s one more: I told you so. It’s not that I’m so happy to be right. I’m quite surprised at how abruptly the economy came crashing down on us all. The tragedy is that the little innocent guy is likely to suffer more than the arrogant power brokers who railroaded us all into this current economic crises.

The needed adjustments are forthcoming. The housing bubble popped, the price of fuel is heading back toward a reasonable range, easy credit is no longer easy, with unemployment rising, the remaining jobs will be for people who work hard and for positions which actually produce something. Slackers will be rung out of the workplace but we’ll end up supporting them anyway. The rate of foreclosures has grabbed the County’s attention and even they realize that they don’t want to put people on the street quite so carelessly. It finally dawned on them that it’s more expensive to evict people and have empty houses. They didn’t respond to my analysis but who was right? Will they reconsider how they operate? Also, some of the crooked swindlers from high places have been brought low and too late we found out what Greenspan’s limitations were. And this update: Illegals are no longer so eager to come here. There are no extra jobs here. The economy did what the fence couldn't do. And it's not going to be over soon as the banks are still trying to sqeeze the market for the last dollar of assessments instead of cutting their losses and moving on. They act like reducing interest rates is a creative genius idea and they're the heros for doing so. Finally, Congress is beginning to pull the reins in on credit card companies to limit their confounding abusive schemes.

Who needs the bankers now? They aren’t lending, they don’t pay a decent interest, though God knows they charge plenty, and they are increasing fees to keep their scams operating. You might as well stuff your cash in the mattress. Oh, if you are their slave, the cuffs are only going to get tighter. When’s the last time you saw one of their ads suggest that you have to use cards to keep pace? Bull. Their ads have turned to aluding to each other's abuses.

It really does my heart good to see government at all levels seriously realize that they have to tighten their own belts and give the citizens relief. Even the mighty arrogant AAA Fairfax County needs a bail out. Hilarious. They are having to cut and slash the way I have wanted them to for years. Do you suppose the spendthrift liberals will take a lesson? Will they yet try to blame conservatives?

And now that jobs are lost to closings, fortunes have diminished and consumer spending is seriously curtailed, finally, the oil price is coming down and we see it at the pump. Too bad; If it had gone higher, maybe we could bring some of those foreign jobs home and our healing would progress. Of course, if we aren’t buying, I suppose the air in Bejing might get clearer anyway and our sense of what we need and what’s important and what we can do for ourselves might change.

Computers and Cell phones are great and I’m not anti-progress but I do see a charm in being able to say “We do it the old fashioned way; We earn it.”

Office for Children, Fire Dept. Help Keep Children Safe

As part of National Fire Prevention Week, which runs from October 5-11, two Fairfax County agencies are urging parents to make sure that their child care providers have a current county child care permit.
The Fairfax County Department of Family Services Office for Children is authorized to issue permits to Fairfax County residents who care for up to five children in their homes. The permit process includes, among other requirements, criminal and Child Protective Services background checks of all adults living in the provider’s home, CPR and first aid certificates, and home inspections by the Office for Children and the Fire and Rescue Department.
“We help child care providers remove safety hazards,” says Dan Schmidt, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department’s Public Information Officer. “We also make sure they’re prepared to handle emergencies, have proper escape plans and ensure they are practiced.”
Child care providers must renew their permits every year, which requires annual visits from the Office for Children and the Fire and Rescue Department. In addition, the Office for Children requires child care providers to prepare and practice emergency preparedness plans.
“We are committed to making sure Fairfax County child care professionals have the knowledge and resources needed to keep children safe,” says Office for Children Acting Director Anne-Marie Twohie.
County residents who care for more than five children in their homes are licensed by the state, which has health and safety requirements similar to those mandated by the county. More information about the county’s permit process can be found at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/ofc.

Proposed widening of a portion
of Telegraph Road (Route 611)

Find out about the preliminary project proposal to widen Telegraph Road from a two lane to a four-lane facility, with a curbed median, sidewalk, trail and on-road bicycle lanes. The proposed widening will begin at the intersection of Beulah Street (Route 613) and end at the intersection of South Kings Highway (Route 633).

You are invited to attend a Citizen Information Meeting on Thursday, October 30, 2008 between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. A brief presentation will be given at 6:15 p.m., followed by a question and answer period until 7:00 p.m.. The meeting will be held at the Hayfield Secondary School, Lecture Hall 1604, located at 7630 Telegraph Road. Use Entrance #9 accessible from Old Telegraph Road.

If you need more information or special assistance for persons with disabilities, contact VDOT’s Civil Rights Division, at the Northern Virginia District Office, 14685 Avion Parkway in the Chantilly, VA (703) 383-2000 or TTY/TDD 711.

Lorton Gets BRAC Load Reprieve

Good news for Lorton traffic. The U.S. Army announced that the Mark Center in Alexandria, will be the future home of the 6,400 personnel which were the last of the 19,000 targeted for Fort Belvoir in the Springfield area under BRAC.

Fort Belvoir’s BRAC Environmental Impact Study in Summer 2007 and the Army’s Record of Decision, or ROD, directed placement of all but these BRAC Recommendation 133 jobs which had been suggested be located at GSA space in Springfield.

Post officials said putting the jobs at the Alexandria City site reduces the number of jobs coming to Fairfax County to 12,900 – 4,400 to Fort Belvoir’s main post, and 8,500 to Engineer Proving Ground.

The Army must now purchase the Mark Center property to meet BRAC law and plans to make the purchase before the end of the year. Construction is scheduled to begin on the site in January 2009, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The remaining load, however, has prompted improvements to EPG access to the Highway and the completion of the connection to the Fairfax County Parkway 7100 to Newington. In the meantime, the army has located it’s future museun to Davidson increasing Lorton’s significance on the map.

NCR Select Projects to Fund

Officials said they will use the region’s federal homeland security funds for medical and law enforcement projects to detect and respond to terror attacks.

The announcement came from local and state officials in the National Capital Region (NCR), representing the District of Columbia Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley and Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine.
In July, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security awarded the NCR $59.8 million, and some of the projects to be funded include:

• Hospital Surge Capacity and Tracking ($3.9 million): The region will buy additional hospital beds, equipment and medicines to treat 300 critically injured patients for three days without outside help. New software will allow emergency rooms to track the real-time location of ambulances from every hospital in the region. ERs also will be able to monitor the treatment capacities at every hospital.
• Metropolitan Medical Response System ($4.4 million): The MMRS system will be expanded into the District of Columbia and Maryland. This program brings together hospitals, doctors, firefighters and others to plan and train to treat mass casualties.
• Radiation Detectors ($3.9 million): Police officers across the region will be outfitted with radiation detectors, and the devices will be networked to a central monitoring station. They will help police to detect a dirty or nuclear bomb as far from its target as possible. Stationary detectors also will be positioned at key highways across the region.
• License Plate Readers ($4.4 million): The cameras allow police to compare license plates against local, state and federal databases. These tag readers will be placed at airports, highways and in police cruisers. The devices will help police quickly identify vehicles and track their movement across the region.
• Bomb Squad Upgrades ($5.6 million): Local bomb squads will receive additional training and equipment. For example, squads will get advanced training in disarming improvised explosive devices. Private-sector security officials also will receive basic training.

The National Capital Region — which is comprised of 11 local jurisdictions, two states and the District of Columbia — prepares for disasters collaboratively. This unique regional structure, in the area that is home to the nation’s capital with the associated elevated risks, requires an equally complex system to determine how to best and most equitably allocate scarce resources such as UASI funds.

The NCR’s elected officials, emergency management, law enforcement, fire and public health personnel, along with the nonprofit and private sectors, work together across the region’s jurisdictional boundaries to identify and prioritize projects to improve the region’s emergency preparedness and response capabilities.   

Police Explorer Post Provides Experience

Do you know someone 14 to 20 years old and considering a career in the exciting and challenging field of law enforcement? Nationally-recognized Fairfax County Law Enforcement Explorer Post 1742 invites them to discover opportunities to develop leadership skills and real world experience as they lend a hand to on-duty police officers.

Exploring provides young people with outstanding opportunities to learn and practice some of the same skills that officers use on a daily basis like fingerprinting, processing crime scenes, staffing special events and helping officers spread the word about safety and crime prevention.
Post 1742 members compete locally and nationally to demonstrate the police skills they’ve acquired. This year’s team placed second in the U.S. for bomb threat response and one Explorer placed tenth in the nation in the 9mm shooting competition at the National Explorer Conference in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Call Franconia District 6 Station at 703-246-4564 for more information about the Fairfax County Police Department Explorer program. 

Trafic Alerts, Directions Online

The Virginia driver’s toolkit just expanded to deal with the stress of traffic. VDOT recently revamped its 511 Virginia service. Call 511 anytime from any number and receive traffic reports, request driving directions and find tips on getting into other modes of transit.

Find this service at www.511virginia.org or just call 511 to receive accident and incident alerts, live traffic camera images, bridge and tunnel reports and road construction info. Also available through this expanded service are driving directions and tips on using trains, buses, subways, ferries and bike paths.

Motorists can sign up for personalized traffic information delivered to electronic devices and computers. This up to the minute road data is customized to show drivers what’s going on with the roads they travel most. P.S. It’s free!

County 2010 Budget Dialogue

Fairfax County is projecting a budget deficit of more than $400 million for FY 2010 (beginning July 1, 2009), which must be addressed through a combination of spending reductions and other strategies. Our challenge is to develop a budget with an appropriate level of services that are both sustainable and acceptable to the community. Ed-Translation: Challange is the charge what the traffic will bear.

  Fairfax County Government and Fairfax County Public Schools will host 20 community dialogue sessions to gather comments from the public, and will use that input as a key factor to help guide the development of criteria for making budget decisions.

  Each community dialogue will consist of presentations by county and school budget staff followed by facilitated small group discussions.  The dates, times and locations are listed below.
Register to participate in the Community Dialogue sessions for Fairfax County’s FY 2010 Budget Process. Your input will be valuable in shaping the priorities of the FY 2010 Budget; To register, please visit this website: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/survey/
fy10communitydialogue.htm
 
Meetings in the Mount Vernon District:
 
Saturday, Sept. 20 Budget Community Dialogue Meeting
9:30 a.m. to Noon
Sherwood Regional Library
2501 Sherwood Hall Lane, Register to participate, please visit this website: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/survey/
fy10communitydialogue.htm
 
Thursday, Oct. 16 Budget Community Dialogue Meeting
7 to 9:30 p.m.
South County Government Center
8350 Richmond Highway, Register to participate, please visit this website: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/survey/
fy10communitydialogue.htm
 
Tuesday, Oct. 21 Budget Community Dialogue Meeting
7 to 9:30 p.m.
South County Secondary School
8501 Silverbrook Road, Register to participate, please visit this website: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/survey/
fy10communitydialogue.htm

Lions Environmental Project Gets Grant

Approval has been received for the Tree Planting Project on Furnace Road that was submitted for a Fairfax County Neighborhood Enhancement Partnership Program grant. The approval letter provides permission to plant on county-owned property.

This is a Lions Community / Cultural Activity project in partnership with local community volunteers and youth groups in the Mason Neck / Lorton area. The grant will provide funding for refreshments and other supplies for the volunteers. Fairfax ReLeaf will donate 100 tree seedlings, tree protectors, wooden stakes and loan of the planting tools and the County will deliver a truckload of free mulch.
The Neighborhood Enhancement Program was developed to encourage partnership between the county and neighborhood-based organizations to assist in enhancing the quality of life in neighborhoods. Fairfax County’s Neighborhood Enhancement Partnership Program recently awarded funding to 25 proposals out of 48 totaling $94,682. These proposals will leverage a total of $221,678 in community funds, which include cash and volunteer labor.

Goals of the project include screening a section of a multipurpose trail from a railroad right of way, discouraging illegal dumping, and beautifying a section of Furnace Road designated as a Virginia Byway and part of the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route.

Resident Receives Meritorious Civilian Service Award

Mrs. Hyon “Hannah” Yi, a Lorton Valley resident and a Korean immigrant, received the Meritorious Civilian Service Award, the highest honorary award that can be granted at the Quantico Base and the second highest award and medal provided to civilian employees within agencies of the federal government of the United States.  
Since February 2006, Hannah has served as the Injury Compensation Program Administrator for Marine Corps Base Quantico and for the Marine Corps Combat Development Command. She was recognized for her distinguished performance in three areas of her responsibilities with respect to her injury compensation program; quality of service to injured employees; training and education of supervisors and managers; and injury compensation case management.  
The award means a lot to Hannah because English is her second language and she immigrated to the U.S. in 1982 from Korea. Having served less than 10 years as a Department of Navy civilian employee, Hannah was very honored and humbled to receive such a distinguished award. She resides in the Lorton Valley community with her husband, Ken, and daugher, Joy, who attended the award ceremony to honor Hannah.

American Legion Post 162 Celebrates 75 Years of Service

Commander Samuel S. Ramseur, Jr

A group of twenty officers who served in the American Expeditionary Forces (A.E.F.) in France in World War I is credited with planning the Le­gion. One officer, Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., proposed an organization of veterans.  In February 1919, this group formed a temporary committee and selected several hundred officers who had the confidence and respect of the whole army.
The first organization meeting took place in Paris in March 1919 and about 1,000 officers and enlisted men attended.  This meeting, known as the Paris Caucus, adopted a temporary constitution and the name, The American Legion.
Congress granted the Legion a national charter in September 1919.  The first National Convention, held in Minneapolis, adopted a permanent constitution and elected officers to head the organization.
In October 1933, a group of young Veterans met in a room over the Post Office at Lorton, which at that time was known as Springman’s Store. They decided to form an American Legion Post in Lorton, Virginia.  A temporary Charter was applied for at Department Headquarters in Richmond, Virginia. The application was approved by the Department of Virginia, and on November 13th,1933 Pohick Post #162, the American Legion, began operating under a Temporary Charter.
The first Post Commander was Edwie Welsh elected for the years 1933 - 1934. The Post requested and received permission through the kindness of one of the members on the school board to hold its Post monthly meetings in the old Lorton School House.  This practice was continued later when the new school was constructed.
In July 1938, a resolution was presented and adopted to change the name of Pohick Post #162 to Lorton Post #162.  A permanent charter was also applied for and granted at this time.  The Auxiliary of Lorton Post 162 was organized in 1939, and its first President was Mrs. Florence Light Roberts. Our commitment to service to our nation and our community is demonstrated through our outreach programs that assist veterans, their families, Children and Youth Programs, and local charities within both Fairfax and Prince William Counties.
This year, 2008, marks the 75 Anniversary of our Post and its close association with the Lorton Community.  The Post will sponsor several programs and events throughout the remainder of the year in celebration of this event and the public will be invited.  Post website is www.valegion162.org.

Parkway Extension

The Central Motors building at 7238 Fullerton Road has been demolished to clear way to connect the Fairfax County Parkway extension. The parkway extension project has four phases, the first two of which are funded at $116 million and are expected to be completed by late 2010.
When all four phases are complete, the project will connect the existing terminus of the Fairfax County Parkway at Rolling Road to Interstate 95, marking the completion of the entire Fairfax County Parkway from Route 7 in the north to Route 1 in greater Lorton. The plan is complicated by BRAC issues with Fort Belvoir.

This link of the Fairfax County Parkway will have two lanes in each direction with right of way to expand to six lanes in the future. the new lanes will be between Fullerton Road and Donegal Lane, connecting to the current Rolling Road alignment, the Fairfax County Parkway (Route 7100) and the Franconia-Springfield Parkway (Route 7900.) It will also include improved commuter access to I-95 and new ramps to Fullerton Road and an EPG access road where the Army plans to locate 8200 new employees.

Preliminary engineering plans are complete for phases three and four, which have an estimated construction cost of $58 million. The third and fourth phases will include Hooes and Rolling Road access ramps to the parkway and Boudinot Drive extension and loop ramp, providing access from Fullerton to the parkway.

The Department of the Army, the Federal Highway Administration and the Virginia Department of Transportation are working together to complete the entire $174 million project.

More project details are available at www.virginiadot.org/projects click on Northern Virginia and the Parkway extension. or enter http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/northernvirginia
fairfax_county_parkway_extension.asp

703-491-3888