Aug. 14, 2002
The recipients of a Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grant gathered at Benjamin Banneker Park last month to announce a new education initiative. The Four Mile Run watershed-education program, which begins this fall, will raise awareness within the watershed about ways to protect valuable stream resources. The initiative is a partnership between Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment (ACE), Arlington County, the City of Alexandria, the City of Falls Church, and the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust and Global Action Plan. The program is helped by a $49,200 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
The county is asking residents to help water trees planted in the public right-of-way in front of their houses during the drought.
Arlington’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Resources tends to some 16,000 street trees and an additional 30-40,000 trees in parks and open space in the county. During periods of drought, staff waters these trees five days per week using two 1,200-gallon tank trucks and two 500-gallon portable tanks.
Trees planted within the past two years that are less than six feet tall need a minimum of five gallons twice weekly from April through November. Watering in the early morning hours and early evening is best. A slow trickle from a garden hose is best, as the water gets a chance to saturate the soil around the roots. For residents concerned about forgetting to turn the hose off, about three minutes of watering with an unrestricted hose will provide the necessary five gallons per water recommended.
More mature trees should be inspected for wilting during the hot weather and provided water as necessary. Mulching around the trunk of the tree helps protect the roots of the tree and retains moisture. Mulch should be pulled away from the base of the tree to allow a “well” for better water absorption. Free mulch is available from the county. Visit the County’s web site at www.co.arlington.va.us.
Weichert Realtors’ Arlington office is offering career seminars every first and third Thursday at noon at 4701 Old Dominion Drive. Attendees will learn about the real estate profession focusing on license requirements, training and mentor programs. Call branch manager Barbara Stone at 703-527-3300 to reserve a space.
Virginia Commerce Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ-VCBI) has announced that its rights offering of shares of its common stock to shareholders of record as of the close of business on June 4, was officially closed as of 5 p.m. eastern time on July 30.
Subscriptions of 291,772 shares were received with gross proceeds of $7,001,712 bringing the number of outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock to 3,693,043. Proceeds from the offering will be used by the Company to increase the capital position of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Virginia Commerce Bank, and to support future growth.