News for Mason District
News from Mason District
By Supervisor Penny Gross, September 2011
Special Notice for Mason District Residents -Many park and stream valley trails were damaged or destroyed during the heavy rains in early September, so they should not be used or accessed until county crews can assess the extent of damage and potential repairs.
Storm drains may be backed up or clogged with debris as a result of current flood conditions. If you see a blocked storm drain or any other storm drainage system problem, use the Storm Drainage Report Form, or call the Maintenance & Stormwater Management Division at 703-877-2800, TTY 711.
If sewage is backing up in your home, please call 703-323-1211 or 703-239-8444, TTY 711, and an inspector will be dispatched to determine whether the backup is caused by blockage in your sewer line or the county's. Please call these same numbers if you observe an overflowing sanitary sewer manhole, or wish to report an odor related to the sanitary sewer system.
For street flooding or trees blocking roads, call the Virginia Department of Transportation at 1-800-367-7623, TTY 711.
To assist all residents and businesses, the county is waiving the fees for any building permits that are needed to repair or rebuild storm damage properties.
If you experienced flooding related to the recent storms, the Fairfax County Health Department recommends taking precautions to avoid indoor air quality problems associated with mold. Moisture that enters buildings from leaks or flooding accelerates mold growth.
This and other very useful and up-to-date storm information is available on the Fairfax County Emergency Information Blog.
2011 Mason District Citizen Handbook - The 2011 Mason District Citizen Handbook is available now. Like past handbooks, the Mason District Citizen Handbook is designed to be your guide to Fairfax County and the Mason District. To request a printed copy of the new handbook, call the Office of Supervisor Gross at 703-256-7717, or send an e-mail to mason@fairfaxcounty.gov. The handbook also is available in electronic form at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/mason.
Don't Forget the Library! - Looking for inexpensive entertainment? Rather than heading to the shopping mall, channel-surfing the television set, or running up your credit card bill with online purchases, consider an alternative - take a short trip to your local library. Reading is a great activity that entertains and educates. Fairfax County libraries are home to a wonderful catalog of books, videos, DVDs and more. Need help choosing a title? Visit the Web at: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/ to find the newest and most popular books, and recommended titles for Tot, Teen, and Adult readers. Information about library branches, events, and the entire catalog of materials that the Fairfax County Public Library System has to offer also can be found online.
News from Mason District
By Supervisor Penny Gross, June 2011
Reception Features Local Artist - On Sunday, July 10, 1-3 p.m., Green Spring Gardens welcomes local Mason District artist Chica Brunsvold and showcases her watermedia. Meet the artist and learn what inspired her works, which will be on display through the end of August. Green Spring Gardens is located at 4603 Green Spring Road (enter from Braddock Road on Witch Hazel Road) in Alexandria. For more information about upcoming events, please call 703-642-5173, or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/gsgp.
Safety Tips Reminder for a Well Done Grilling Season - Everyone loves a cookout and barbeque. However, cookouts can lead to tragedy if they are not planned properly. Here are some safety tips for grill masters to follow that can minimize the risk of fire or injury:
Never use gasoline to start a charcoal fire.
Use charcoal lighter fluid safely and prudently. Adding more fluid on hot coals may ignite the stream of fuel and burn back into the can, causing it to explode.
Consider using a U.L. approved electrical starter in place of lighter fluid.
Place grills away from structures and combustibles (minimum 15 ft.) so they will not tip over or ignite objects above them. One of the biggest dangers with grills is trying to use them on apartment or condominium balconies. This practice is unsafe and against the law.
Never bring a grill into the home. The carbon monoxide produced by burning charcoal is dangerous, and deadly.
Keep a garden hose or a portable fire extinguisher handy in case the fire in the grill gets out of control. Call 911 immediately.
Keep children and pets away from fires and grills. It only takes a second for curiosity to cause a serious burn.
Though coals may appear to be cool, always soak them with water. Coals retain enough heat to reignite for days after a fire.
If a bag of charcoal gets wet, leave it in a well-ventilated area away from the house. During the drying process spontaneous ignition can occur in confined areas.
For more information about the proper use, storing, and disposing of other flammable materials and other safety information, contact the National Fire Protection Association at www.nfpa.org, the National Safety Council at www.nsc.org, or Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fire. Have a safe and enjoyable grilling season!
News from Mason District
By Supervisor Penny Gross, January 2011
Increase Neighborhood Security: Report Burned-Out Street Light Bulbs - Streetlights in Fairfax County are owned and maintained by either Dominion Virginia Power or Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) owns and operates the streetlights along interstates and at major interchanges. In Mason District, most streetlights are maintained by Dominion Virginia Power.
If a streetlight in your neighborhood is malfunctioning or the bulb is burned out, identify the number on the pole (e.g. CO 716, SL 53) and the street location (eastbound Valley Brook Drive, east of Devon Drive) and call Dominion Virginia Power at 1-888-667-3000 (24 hour service). If the streetlight is not repaired within two weeks of your call, please provide the pole number to the Office of Supervisor Gross by calling 703-256-7717, or by e-mail at mason@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Streetlight outages at major interchanges and/or traffic signal malfunctions may be reported to the VDOT by calling 703-383-8386 or 1-800-367-7623, or by e-mail at novainfo@vdot.virginia.gov.
Fairfax County Police Invite You to Join the 2011 Citizen Advisory Committee - No one knows neighborhoods like the residents who live in them. With the collaboration of residents, who actively participate in the Citizen Advisory Committees (CACs), the Police Department has enhanced its communication and service throughout its eight service areas. If you would like to be informed about significant safety matters in your neighborhood, come to a CAC meeting and bring any issues or questions to the attention of the police commander in your police service area. The monthly meetings are held at 7:30 p.m., and for information about meeting locations and CAC contacts, visit the Fairfax County Police Department's Web site at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police/jobs/citizenadvisorycommittee.htm.
Electric Sunday Continues in 2011 - The widely successful e-waste recycling program Electric Sunday carries on in the New Year! Electric Sunday provides county residents with an opportunity to recycle televisions, computers, monitors, and peripheral electronic devices such as printers, scanners, speakers, keyboards, mice and external drives. Residents also may recycle their unbroken fluorescent tubes and light bulbs at these events. Better yet, Electric Sunday events are a free service for Fairfax County residents!
In 2011 events will be held at the county's Recycling and Disposal Centers at the I-66 Transfer Station in Fairfax (4618 West Ox Road) and the I-95 Landfill Complex in Lorton (9850 Furnace Road), from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on the following specified dates and locations:
January 23 (I-66 Transfer Station);
February 27 (I-66);
March 27 (I-95 Landfill Complex);
April 10 (I-66);
May 22 (I-66);
June 26 (I-95);
July 24 (I-66);
August 28 (I-66);
September 25 (I-95);
October 23 (I-66); and
November 20 (I-66).
For more information, please contact the Fairfax County Division of Solid Waste Collection and Recycling at 703-324-5230, or visit the Web site at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police/jobs/citizenadvisorycommittee.htm.
News from Mason District
By Supervisor Penny Gross, September 2010
Autumn Ushers Popular Events of the Season - Fall forFairfax returns to the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway in Fairfax, on October 2, 2010, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. This annual, family oriented event features interactive exhibits, festival foods, entertainment, and more. Entrance is FREE, along with all entertainment and most programs. Some activities require a small fee.
Fall for Fairfax also will include FREE document shredding for Fairfax County residents, from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. For information about Fall for Fairfax, visit www.fallforfairfax.com or call 703-324-3247.
Virtual Fairfax: A New Way to Visit Our Communities - County residents have a new way to discover Fairfax County - Virtually! Fairfax County launched Virtual Fairfax, a new application available through the Fairfax County Web site, which allows users to explore Fairfax County interactively via 3-D, aerial imagery, maps, tours, and more. Let your fingers do the walking as you travel to and learn about numerous points of interest throughout Fairfax County! For more information, and to view Fairfax virtually, visit the Web site at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/gis/virtualfairfax.
News from Mason District
By Supervisor Penny Gross, June 2010
Spotlight by Starlight Returns to Mason District Park - Searching for live entertainment this summer? Look no further than right here in Mason District! The Spotlight by Starlight concert series returns to Mason District Park, 6621 Columbia Pike in Annandale, with nearly 50 performances scheduled for your summertime enjoyment. Enjoy a variety of free entertainment on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, beginning in June through August 2010! For more information, and to obtain the 2010 Spotlight by Starlight schedule, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances/ spotlight.htm. Note: Concerts are cancelled in the event of inclement weather. Call 703-324-SHOW (7469) one hour prior to the performance for weather-related updates.
Are You Ready for Hurricane Season or Another Emergency? - In recent years, our community has experienced anticipated and unexpected emergencies that have honed our readiness skills at home and work. June 1 is the official start of hurricane season, so now is a good time to refresh supplies and update emergency plans should a tropical storm affect our area:
Determine how you will contact your family, and get back together, if you are separated during an emergency.
Assemble an emergency kit with basic supplies: bottled water, canned food, flashlights, over-the-count or prescription medications, and necessities for your pets.
Register at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/cean for the Community Emergency Alert Network (CEAN), which delivers important emergency alerts and notifications during a major emergency, along with regular weather and traffic alerts.
News from Mason District
By Supervisor Penny Gross, January 2010
Supervisor Gross is pleased to announce that the 2010 Mason District Citizen Handbook is now available. Like past handbooks, the Mason District Citizen Handbook is designed to be our guide to Fairfax County and the Mason District. If you would like to receive a copy of the new handbook, or other information about county services, please ask them to contact her office at (703) 256-7717, or send an e-mail to mason@fairfaxcounty.gov.
At the beginning of the year, Supervisor Gross hosts a series of meetings specifically for Mason District Civic and Homeowners Association presidents and their board members to discuss and help resolve neighborhood concerns. These meetings feature presentations by representatives from county agencies such as Zoning, Health, Police, Fire and Rescue, and the Strike Team.
The dates for 2010, and the participating agencies for each meeting, are: Saturday, January 30, 2010 - Zoning and Strike Team; Saturday, February 27, 2010 - Commanders and Assistant Commanders from the Mason and Franconia District Police Stations; and Saturday, March 27, 2010 - Health Department, and Fire and Rescue Department. A question and answer session follows each presentation so that your specific questions also may be answered by agency representatives.
These meetings are held in the supervisor’s office at the Mason District Governmental Center, 6507 Columbia Pike in Annandale, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. These meetings are one benefit of being a Westlawn Civic Association officer—we have open positions if you are interested!
Entrepreneurship 101: Starting a Business in Fairfax County - The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA), in partnership with the Virginia Department of Business Assistance and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), conducts a free monthly workshop for persons interested in starting a business in Fairfax County. The sessions provide overviews of business start-up basics (licenses and permits), DBA workforce service and training programs, SBA financing and resources, and SDB, MDE and 8(a) certification.
The workshops usually are held the first Tuesday of each month from 8 - 10:30 a.m. Although there is no cost to attend the workshops, pre-registration is required. For more information, contact Karen Smaw at ksmaw@fceda.org, 703-790-0600. To register on-line, visit www.fairfaxcountyeda.org/starting-business-seminar.
Workshops are held at FCEDA headquarters, 8300 Boone Boulevard, Suite 450, Vienna (Tysons Corner), Virginia 22182. 2010 Workshops - January 5, February 2, March 2, April 6, May 4, June 8, September 14, October 5, and November 2, 2010. No workshops are scheduled for the months of July, August, or December.
The Informed Consumer - Want to be an informed consumer? Subscribe to The Informed Consumer, the e-newsletter produced by the Consumer Affairs Branch of the Fairfax County Department of Cable Communications & Consumer Protection. This quarterly newsletter is filled with timely, helpful information. To subscribe, call the Consumer Affairs office at 703-324-5900 or send an e-mail to Michelle Thompson at michelle.thompson@fairfaxcounty.gov.
News from Fairfax County
By Supervisor Penny Gross, September 2008
Mason Matters! From time to time, Supervisor Gross issues the Mason Matters! e-newsletter, which contains useful information like the two following items. If you have not already subscribed to her electronic newsletter, you may do so by sending Penny an email, including your name and address, to MasonBOSInfo@fairfaxcounty.gov with the subject line "Subscribe".
Fairfax County Bike Pages Whether an experienced or novice cyclist, the Fairfax County Bike Pages is a wonderful resource for all bikers. To access important and useful information about biking, visit the Fairfax County Web site at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fcdot/bike/. Learn about Fairfax County's Bike Program, current bike laws, bike safety tips, Bike and Ride commuting, bike trails, and even view an electronic version of the new Fairfax County Bike Map - all with a few clicks of the mouse.
For more information, call the Fairfax County Bicycle Program Information line at 703-324-BIKE (2453), or e-mail your question or comment using the on-line contact form, available through the above Website.
Ask a Librarian Asking a Librarian for information is not like it used to be - NOW it is even better! These days you don't even need to go to the library to get help. Got a question? Call or visit your local library to speak with a Librarian, but if you are feeling tech-savvy, Fairfax County's Public Library system offers innovative and convenient ways to reach a Librarian. Chat with one of Fairfax County's Librarians on-line through an interactive chat service, e-mail your question, or text your query. For more information, and to contact a Librarian by e-mail, text messaging, or through the interactive chat service, visit the Web at: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/asklibchoices.htm.
Supervisor Penny Gross Addresses October General Meeting
By Dave Conway, January 2007
Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross attended our last civic association meeting and answered a number of questions raised by Westlawn residents.
Westlawn Shopping Center. In September, the county Board adopted Bill Page's proposed amendment to the Area Plan Review, which now allows him to proceed to make a rezoning request. His first step is to develop a specific architectural plan and meet with representatives of local civic associations to gauge our reaction and make modifications to the plan as needed. Bill Page understands that he needs support from a large majority of the residents in the local communities before he asks the county to approve his rezoning request.
Several Westlawn residents have expressed a keen interest in seeing that the shopping center is redeveloped in a manner that is most beneficial to our interests. We have attended previous meetings sponsored by Bill Page, and we will continue to work with him at future meetings.
Route 50 Overpass at Seven Corners Shopping Center. The county has identified funds and designed plans for this pedestrian overpass, which will prevent the dangerous and sometimes deadly game of pedestrians taking shortcuts to cross Route 50 to and from the shopping center. The improvements include fencing to prevent pedestrian cut-through, similar to what was constructed on Route 50 across from Loehmann's Plaza. The work should be completed next summer.
Illegal Immigrants. If the Fairfax County police arrest someone who cannot prove who they are, the police will notify U.S. Immigration authorities. However, the county will not enforce federal law—that is the job of federal authorities. In addition, the process of deporting illegal immigrants is expensive and time-consuming, and the county is not in a position to take on this added responsibility even if it were the county's responsibility, which it is not.
Cyclist Death. On 2 October at 5:15 a.m. a Westlawn resident riding a bicycle with no visible lights or reflectors chose to cross at one of the crosswalks at the intersection of Route 50 and Annandale Road. The light was red for the cyclist but green for the car that hit the cyclist, who died from the collision.
This tragic accident highlights the dangerous situations that confront drivers and pedestrians every day. Pedestrians also have to recognize the danger of crossing roads and walking on roads.
I nearly ran over a pedestrian one dark, overcast night when he crossed in the middle of a side street wearing dark clothes and talking on a cell phone. At least he was wearing white tennis shoes—he didn't notice me until I came to a sudden stop just a few feet away.
Do you cross four-lane roads in the middle of the block, or at a crosswalk that says "Don't Walk?"
If there are no sidewalks, do you walk on the side facing traffic?
Do you wear clothing with light or reflective colors when walking or jogging at dawn or dusk, or at night, or in the rain?
There is no safe time to ignore the law on pedestrian safety. Even at times with little traffic, cars can seemingly come out of nowhere at high speed.
Remember what we learned as children: stop, look both ways (several times), listen, cross at the crosswalk when it says "Walk," wear white at night. More pedestrians are dying on Fairfax County roads this year than last, but we can change that statistic.
News for Mason District
by Supervisor Penny Gross, June 2005
Shut It Down – Nationwide, more than 15,000 teens have died since 1999 as a result of drinking and then getting behind the wheel of a motor vehicle; countless others have paid the price for those tragic decisions. Take a stand, and make the call. By reporting a party where underage drinking is going to be taking place, you may be saving the life of a friend, a loved one, a parent, or even yourself. Make a statement this graduating season, it's your call: 703-246-2333. It's a decision that we all can live with. For immediate response dial 911. (Shut It Down is a county-wide police initiative to help with reducing underage drinking parties in homes during prom and graduation season. It is a 90 day pilot program that, if successful, would be reinstituted in the fall.)
The Fairfax County Emergency Information Line and the Community Emergency Alert Network (CEAN) – Be in the know. Fairfax County provides valuable and current information to residents during inclement weather and emergencies. Callers can obtain information about service changes, government office closures and other pertinent instructions through the Fairfax County Emergency Information Line: 703-817-7771, TTY 711. Staff is available to answer calls during normal government business hours (M-F, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) with extended hours during emergency events. At other times, callers can access recorded information or leave a message to have their call returned the next business day.
Residents can also receive important information through the Fairfax County Community Emergency Alert Network (CEAN). CEAN will deliver emergency alerts, notifications and updates during a major crisis or emergency. Messages will be delivered to any cell phones, e-mail accounts, text pagers, wireless PDAs or satellite phones that you register. When an incident or emergency occurs, the CEAN will provide real-time updates, instructions on where to go, protective actions that need to be taken and other important information. To sign up with the CEAN, visit the web at: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/cean.
Receive Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerry Connolly’s Electronic Newsletter – Chairman Gerry Connolly has an Electronic Newsletter, emailed out periodically. If you wish to subscribe to his newsletter, please go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/gov/bos/chair/chairmans_report.htm.
Receive News and Updates by E-Mail – To receive information and updates about Mason District by e-mail, please send your e-mail address to mason@fairfaxcounty.gov.
For district calendar of public meetings and other information, go to the Mason District Web site at: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/gov/bos/md/homepage.htm.