<sh>Salona Decision May Occur Soon
<bt>Dranesville District Supervisor Joan DuBois said negotiations are continuing with the Salona property in McLean, one of the last undeveloped tracts of land in that area.
“We seem to be moving forward with the negotiations,” DuBois said of the potential land deal involving the Fairfax County Park Authority and the current owners of the property, which features the house to which President James and Dolly Madison fled when Washington, D.C. was burning.
“Hopefully we’ll be able to make an announcement soon. It seems we’re getting close to a conclusion,” she said.
<1b>-- Amber Healy
<sh>Mailbox Vandals in Great Falls
<bt>Approximately 16 mailboxes on Sterling Montague Drive and Carrwood Road were destroyed, apparently by baseball bats, last week, according to Lt. Paul Thornton at the Reston substation of the Fairfax County Police.
“It looks like this was an isolated incident that happened one night,” he said,” but we’re keeping an eye out.”
Residents are encouraged to contact police if they hear any odd noises, like breaking glass, squealing tires or crunching metal, Lt. Thornton said. “If people notice something while it’s occurring and let us know, our chances or catching the person responsible is so much greater,” he said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Reston substation at 703-478-0208 or by emailing the station captain at ResCapt@fairfaxcounty.gov.
<sh>MCC's Annual Spring Garage Sale
<bt>The McLean Community Center will hold its annual Spring Community Garage Sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 2, at the Business Bank parking garage. Admission and parking are free. The sale will take place inside the garage, which is located at 1451 Dolley Madison Blvd. adjacent to J. Gilbert’s restaurant. The use of the garage has been provided courtesy of the Business Bank, J. Gilbert’s Restaurant and the International Association of Food Industry Suppliers.
The sale will offer shoppers the opportunity to purchase a wide variety of household items, toys, electronics, glassware, clothing, baby items, collectibles and more at bargain prices.
A limited number of selling spaces remain and can be purchased for $40. Only individuals selling personal items may participate. For more information, or to reserve a display space, call the Center at 703-790-0123, TTY: 703-Tap-Talk (827-8255), or visit: www.mcleancenter.org
<sh>Historic Homes, Trees to Be Plaqued
<bt>At the February meeting of the McLean Great Falls Celebrate Virginia Board of Directors, plans were made to plaque special trees as well as 15 historic homes in McLean and 15 historic homes in Great Falls between 2005 and 2007. Other plans include historic photo exhibits, antiques seminars and the development of historic tours in the two communities.
The McLean Great Falls Celebrate Virginia Community Program is part of a statewide program of communities organized to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown. Participating communities have agreed to create a commemorative committee; adopt a program that highlights their community's history; find ways to make their community a better place to live, work and visit; and adopt a project(s) to be completed by 2007 which will create a lasting legacy for present and future citizens of their community.
Anyone with photographs of artifacts of early McLean or Great Falls; information on special trees, historic homes and other structures; or any other information relating to the history of the two communities is invited to call Carole Herrick at 703-356-8223. Celebrate Virginia meetings are open to the public and are held at the McLean Community Center, 1234 Ingleside Ave., on the fourth Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m.
<sh>Park Fees Increase
<bt>Citing concerns aired by citizens at a public hearing and through written public comments, the Fairfax County Park Authority Board approved a compromise proposal to adjust the existing senior and youth discounts for facility use and program fees.
The approval, given unanimously at last week’s Park Authority Board meeting, sets the stage for a phased adjustment of the 50 percent senior and youth discounts and also begins a phased change of eligibility for the senior discount which currently begins at age 60 but, by 2009, will begin at age 65. Also by 2009, senior and youth discounts will be 35 percent.
This is considered a compromise proposal which enabled the Park Revenue Fund to reduce some of the growing financial burden resulting from the senior discount subsidy while also addressing some of the public’s concerns.
Senior and youth fee discounts will reduce from 50 to 45 percent on May 1. An increase in age eligibility for seniors, from 60 to 61, will be effective in January 2006.
<sh>Mutual of Omaha Drive, Chip & Putt Program.
<bt>The first 250 children, ages 7-14, from Fairfax County who are registered will compete in this golf challenge for the opportunity to compete in regional championships and, possibly, represent their hometowns at the Mutual of Omaha Drive, Chip & Putt National Championship in October. Registration forms are available at www.TheGolfChannel.com, Twin Lakes Golf Course or by calling 703-631-9099. All participants will receive notification by mail, telephone or e-mail. The competition will be held April 20 at 3:30 p.m. at the Twin Lakes Golf Course in Clifton.