Fairfax County officials are encouraging residents to help remove dirt and sod left on the roads by snowplows. Residents and business owners also are asked to replace any missing grass on their properties.
The county already is taking action on this issue with help from the Sheriff’s Office Community Labor Force (CLF). During the next few weeks, these crews will clean up dirt and sod from the roads as they perform landscaping at bus stops and parking lots across the county.
“Because this problem is so widespread, VDOT won’t be able to clean up every one of the 17,000 miles of roads that they’re responsible for in Northern Virginia,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova. “This is why we’re asking for help from the community and the county is stepping in to assist too.”
In many cases, the sod can be transplanted back on the sides of the roads.
The Sheriff’s Community Labor Force provides an innovative approach to incarceration and work release. The CLF partners with other county agencies to provide light landscaping services on county-owned property, saving taxpayer dollars. Labor crews, consisting of well-screened offenders, provide necessary services to the county that include graffiti removal, blight abatement, countywide litter pickup, bus stop maintenance, and overall beautification.
The CLF program participants can engage in meaningful work and develop employable skills. They also may earn “Exemplary Good Time” for their efforts, thereby reducing incarceration periods and the cost of incarceration to taxpayers.
Courtesy Fairfax County Government Website
Biking is a fun way to see the sites of Northern VA
Tandem bikes are available
Go green and explore the city by bicycle! Bike and Roll Alexandria offers bike rentals including Trek comfort hybrid bikes as well as tandem bikes. Children’s bikes and accessories such as tandem trailers and burleys are also available.
Bike rentals allow you to hop on two wheels and see DC and Northern Virginia in a completely new way. All rentals come with a helmet, U-lock, bike rack, flat kit and city map. Just let us know where you are heading and we’ll point you in the right direction! You may even rent from one shop and ride one-way to our other location (in Washington DC) for a small drop-off fee.
Choose between comfort or performance.
For day long reservations for any equipment in Old Town Alexandria, VA, call: 703.548. ROLL (7655).
Bike and Roll Alexandria
One Wales Alley
Alexandria, VA 22314
Bike and Roll Alexandria is located at the corner of Wales Alley and The Strand in Old Town Alexandria. This
Bike Path on GW Parkway
shop is convenient to the King Street Trolley Stop at North Union Street and a couple hundred yards south from the Water Taxi.
Bike and Roll
Huntington Metro
A new study contends that only 39 percent of U.S. communities are affordable for typical households when the cost of transportation is included in the calculation of housing costs.
The Center for Neighborhood Technology analyzed the Housing + Transportation Affordability Index, which examined 161,000 neighborhoods housing 80 percent of the U.S. population, and concluded that for most families, transportation is the second-largest household expense.
It is also a fairly unmanageable one, the study concluded, because it is difficult for families to estimate the full cost of a location before they move there. Gas prices and employment demands aren’t very predictable for many.
Factors that can help people control transportation costs include walkable neighborhood streets, access to public transit, and nearby retail.
Source: Center for Neighborhood Technology (03/23/2010)
Arena Stage in Crystal City on South Bell Street was founded in 1950 as one of the nation’s original resident regional theaters. Arena Stage has a focus on American playwrights, featuring the classics of American theater, but productions also include new American plays. Arena Stage has a distinguished record of leadership and innovation in the field, including several important firsts:
the first regional theater to transfer a production to Broadway;
the first regional theater invited by the U.S. State Department to tour behind the Iron Curtain; and ,
the first regional theater to receive a Tony Award.
Arena stage has produced everything from vast epics and charged dramas to rousing musicals and probing profiles. With the opening of the new Mead Center for American Theater in 2010, Arena Stage is recognized as a leading center for the production, development and study of the American theater. Now in its sixth decade, Arena Stage serves a diverse annual audience of more than 200,000.
Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater – named to honor the visionary philanthropy of Arena Stage Life Trustees Gilbert and Jaylee Mead – will be a state-of-the-art theater campus for the presentation of classic and contemporary dramas and musicals. (Rendering by Bing Thom Architects)
2009/2010 Season
THE QUALITY OF LIFE (C)
Jane Anderson
Directed by Lisa Peterson
THE FANTASTICKS (L)
Book and lyrics by Tom Jones
Music by Harvey Schmidt
Directed by Amanda DehnertSTICK FLY (C)
by Lydia R. Diamond
Directed by Kenny Leon
THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA (C)
Book by Craig Lucas
Music and lyrics by Adam Guettel
Based on the novel by Elizabeth Spencer
Directed by Molly Smith
DUKE ELLINGTON’S SOPHISTICATED LADIES (L)
Concept by Donald McKayle
Based on the music of Duke Ellington
Dance and musical arrangements by Lloyd Mayers
Vocal arrangements by Malcolm Dodds and Lloyd Mayers
Original music direction by Mercer Ellington
Directed by Charles Randolph-Wright
Choreographed by Maurice Hines
R. BUCKMINSTER FULLER: THE HISTORY (AND MYSTERY) OF THE UNIVERSE (C)
Written and directed by D.W. Jacobs
Key:
(A) Performed in the Arena
(renamed The Fichandler Stage in 1992 (F) )
(K) Performed in the Kreeger Theater
(O) Performed in the Old Vat Room
(S) Performed in The Scene Shop
(14&T) Performed at 14th and T downtown theater space
More Information About Arena Stage
Address: 1800 S Bell St, Arlington, VA 22202
Phone: (202) 488-3300
Website: Arena Stage
Watergate of Alexandria is very different from Watergate at Landmark
The original Watergate
Watergate is perhaps one of the most famous real estate names in North America. The original Watergate complex was built in Washington DC along the Potomac, sited in a location that made it ideal for members of Congress and Executive Branch staff. Watergate in DC is most famous for the burglary that occurred at the Democratic National Committee headquarters.
Ties to this break-in is what led to the downfall of Richard Nixon and what put the word "Watergate" in every newspaper in America, if not the world.
As the original Watergate was nearing completion, plans were made and land was purchased to build another Watergate in Old Town Alexandria. Old Town Alexandria had approved a sleek and modern complex known as the Alexandria House, so it was assumed that the Watergate of Alexandria would be welcomed by the city. However, the City of Alexandria balked at the modernization of Old Town, forever changing the trajectory of Old Town.
colonial elegance at the Watergate of Alexandria
The Watergate of Alexandria evolved into a condominium community that better fit with the surrounding neighborhood. The Watergate of Alexandria has architecture and a design style that echoes Old Town Alexandria. The condominiums here are townhouse style, sited around a courtyard and gardens as one my expect from a traditional Alexandria home.
Watergate of Alexandria is a far cry from the original Watergate concept. Watergate was not sleek and modern. There is no pool at the Watergate of Alexandria, and there are no tennis courts. But Watergate of Alexandria is a gem in its own right. It's location in Old Town and the colonial /Federal style of architecture fits nicely with Old Town. Watergate of Alexandria is not far from the Braddock Road Metro Station.
After failing to get approval for the type of complex they were seeking in Old Town, the developers of Watergate then proceeded to build the Watergate at Landmark. Landmark is in West End Alexandria and thus, not really near the water at all. But Watergate at Landmark is truer to the original Watergate brand. Watergate at Landmark has a bevy of amenities including indoor and outdoor pools, racket ball courts, and much more. The community provides shuttle service to nearby Van Dorn Metro.
Watergate at Landmark
Watergate at Landmark is a large complex of 5 high-rises. Watergate at Landmark is a gated-community with 24 hour security. Homes here range from 1 bedroom to 3 bedroom condos. Each condo at Watergate at Landmark has a balcony. Watergate at Landmark has both surface and garage parking depending upon the unit.
As you can see, Watergate at Landmark and Watergate of Alexandria are very different from each other and in many ways they are both very different from the original Watergate apartments in Washington DC. Watergate of Landmark has become representative of some of the best condos that West End Alexandria has to offer. Watergate of Alexandria has melded into the community of Old Town Alexandria.
You're invited to give feedback on future land-use near proposed Wiehle Avenue Metro Station
As you may know the new Silver Line is being planned to take commuters from Reston/Herndon into the City. The Wiehle Metro Station will be located just west of Tyson's Corner at Weihle Avenue. Planners and adminstrators have invited the public to offer input about the land-use around the proposed station on March 20, at 9 a.m. The public workshop will be held at the Langston Hughes Middle School cafeteria, 11401 Ridge Heights Road, Reston. The draft agenda for this workshop is available online.
The goal of this development is to take advantage of proximity to Metro while preserving nearby neighborhoods. The Reston Master Plan Task Force will develop recommendations for future land use for the Dulles Corridor. This includes the areas around the future Wiehle Avenue, Reston Parkway and Herndon-Monroe Metro stations, as well as Reston Town Center. Community workshops will be conducted for each of these areas, so the public can offer their input. Public hearings also will be held later this year on the overall recommendations for the corridor.
The task force is scheduled to present its recommendationsthis summer and they will be sent to the Fairfax County Planning Commission for review this fall. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will then vote on whether to include the recommendations in the Comprehensive Plan for the corridor.
Materials from previous workshops are available online.
For more information or reasonable ADA accommodations, contact Sandi Smith, Fairfax County Department of Planning and Zoning, at 703-324-1239, TTY 711 or [email protected].
Eamon's Fish and Chips
Eamon's is located on King Street in Old Town Alexandria. Eamon's serves up an authentic Irish fried fish and chips with your selection of beers.
You don't need a passport, but you'll feel like you've made a trip to Ireland from the moment you step in the door. There are a variety of sauces available for fish dipping, and we really recommend the curry flavor.
The fireplace and dark woods feel very Old Town and very Irish at the same time. Eamon's is also set up to encourage you to get to know your neighbor and when that's not possible, you can just people watch from the big windows of the restaurant.
Thank be to cod.
Soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen who are planning on, or considering, separating or retiring from U.S. military service within the next year can begin planning their Individual Transition Plan by visiting the Fort Belvoir Army Career Alumni Program Center. The ACAP center is located on Fort Belvoir in Building 1017, Room 158.
For information about upcoming programs and events, servicemembers are encouraged to contact Vernita Holifield at (703) 805-9263. She can also provide information about registering online using your AKO account. Pre-separation briefings are held every weekday but Thursday from 9 to 10:30 a.m. in Barden’s Room 158.
photo credit: The U.S. Army
As one might expect in a region dominated by a news capital / world capital, Northern Virginia is home to a good many amateur and professional photographers. The names below are pretty self-explanatory.
