Bulletin Board
Thursday/June 6 Do More in 24. 4-6 p.m. at St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church, 8531 Riverside Road. Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services is hosting a free event to raise awareness and funds for homeless families. Will include chalk drawing, door prizes, music and more. Donations of books encouraged. 703-768-9404.
Fredona Gartlan Dies
A life dedicated to helping the needy.
Fredona Manderfield Gartlan, a longtime advocate for those suffering from mental illness, died April 22, 2013 at her home in Mason Neck. She was 85 and had suffered in recent years from Alzheimer’s Disease. The cause of death was an apparent heart attack.
Aerial Spraying Program Criticized
County targets canker worm moth.
Despite concerns voiced by residents and the Audubon Society, Fairfax County conducted aerial and ground spraying on Monday, April 22, using the pesticide Bacillus thuringienisis (Bt) to kill the canker worm moth in six areas of the Mount Vernon Magisterial District, including the Hollin Hall and Paul Spring Parkway area in the Fort Hunt neighborhood.
Letter: Bigger Issue Than TJ
To the Editor: Regarding TJ, you are barking at the wrong tree. Also, you can't kill the messenger.
Letter: Osprey Nest on Live Video
To the Editor: Several years ago, I installed a wood piling and a platform about 200 feet offshore from my home on Little Hunting Creek. Apparently, my choice of location was attractive because, every year since, an osprey pair has built a nest on the platform and raised at least two chicks.
Celebrating Opening Day for Fort Hunt Softball
Fort Hunt Softball held its Opening Day Celebration on Sunday, April 14 at the Walt Whitman softball complex. Approximately 600 people including players, family members and volunteers were in attendance to celebrate.
Housing Market: ‘Sell and Buy’
Sustained low interest rates and rising prices have energized the marketplace.
The local real estate market is thriving, with Realtors reporting multiple offers on homes in some areas and dwindling inventory of homes for sale. At least two things are contributing to this change in the market. First, interest rates have been in the basement: Freddie Mac reported a 30-year fixed-rate of 3.57 percent for March this year, as opposed to 3.95 percent in March 2012 and 4.84 percent in 2011 (for reference, March 2005 was 5.93 percent).
Picking Up 474 Bags of Trash
Friends of Little Hunting Creek help clean up local waterway.
For the 11th year, Friends of Little Hunting Creek, led by its president Betsy Martin, and a group of 191 volunteers, picked up 474 bags of trash and recyclables, 43 tires, 19 shopping carts and other items such as sofas, traffic cones, air conditioner, bed springs, bike, kitchen sink, and more.
Good Sheperd
Good Shepherd Housing & Family Services BEL13VE Gala nets more than $218,000 toward mission of reducing homelessness and promoting self sufficiency
Local Volunteers on Trail Patrol
National Park Service sponsors Mount Vernon Trail Patrol Volunteer Program to supplement trail safety.
For those thinking of using the Mount Vernon Parkway trails but are concerned of possible security risks or accidents that may, a Trail Patrol volunteer program offers an added sense of security and confidence. Local volunteers supplement the U.S. National Park Service’s park ranger presence by patrolling the area and offering advice, help, and a secure presence throughout the trails of the Mount Vernon parkway.
Opening Day for Alexandria Potomac Little League
Celebrating 10 years, players, coaches and volunteers held opening day ceremonies at Bucknell Elementary School on Saturday morning, April 13. This year’s sponsors include: AES, Beyer Subaru, Blackberry, BSN Sports, Sick’s Sporting Goods, Dick’s Trophies, Don Beyer Volvo, Dutzman Family, First Command Financial Services, Fort Hunt Body & Sol, Giant Foods, Holden & Sons, Hughes Orthodontics, Irish Plumber, Larson Orthodontics, Memory Makers, Mercedes-Benz of Alexandria, Ourisman of Virginia, RAM Technologies and TAS-Corp.
Walking for Cystic Fibrosis
More than 35 students walked on Saturday morning, April 13, at West Potomac High School to raise money and awareness as part of the “Great Strides” fundraiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
‘Young Frankenstein’ To Open April 25
Beyond the Page Theatre Company of West Potomac High School presents “The New Mel Brook’s Musical ‘Young Frankenstein’” at 7 p.m. on April 25.
New Class, Old Divisions
Demographic data for T.J. class of 2017 show lack of diversity at governor's school.
Even as federal regulators look into a civil-rights complaint about the lack of diversity at Thomas Jefferson School for Science and Technology, recently released demographics show that the number of black and Latino students is dropping. According to a report released last week by Fairfax County Public Schools, 8 percent of students who apply are Hispanic while only 3 percent of those who are accepted are Hispanic.
Poetry
My daughter died today. Dear Patsy who was but seventeen, Another piece of my heart broken and dissolved in tears I clasped her precious hand and thought I would not survive this time My babies, Daniel, and too many others . . . Then I felt your hand on my shoulder, A reminder you shared my grief, and I was not alone. Your quiet, wordless strength gave me comfort, And I smiled up at you through my sorrow.