Fertilize With Lime, Not Chemicals
Contrary to popular practice, spring is not the time to fertilize lawns.
According to John Dudzinsky, community forester for the town, autumn is the best time to fertilize, when the roots that will sustain plants through the following year are actively growing. Spring is when light fertilization should occur, which includes a half-pound of 10-10-10 per square feet after a lawn's initial growth, according to Dudzinsky.
Lime, on the other hand, should be applied in early spring if soil tests show it is necessary. Soil testing kits to judge a lawns ph-balance may be obtained from all Fairfax County public libraries or from the Virginia Cooperative Extension Office in the Government Center. There is a small fee for soil analyses. Soil test reports provide recommendations on how much lime to apply as well as how much fertilizer to apply in the fall; applying too much fertilizer or spillage on sidewalks or driveways can cause stream pollution.
'Policing Our Town'
"Policing Our Town," a half-hour show produced by the Town of Herndon's Police Department in conjunction with Herndon Community Television, is now airing on HCTV-23.
Herndon Police Chief Toussaint E. Summers Jr., hosts the program, which features a mix of safety tips, crime alerts and general information regarding law enforcement throughout the town. Topics covered in the first installment of "Policing Our Town" include community policing, methods for preventing identity theft and an update on crimes throughout the community. Future programs for the scheduled monthly productions will include information on disaster preparedness, reporting suspicious activity and programs that combat drinking and driving. For program times and dates, visit HCTV on-line at www.hctv.org.
South Elden Street Widening Begins
Construction to widen South Elden Street from a four to six lane divided highway between Worldgate Drive and the Herndon Parkway is under way and will be completed mid-2007, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation. Widening of South Elden Street for approximately one mile will improve traffic flow for the nearly 42,000 vehicles that travel the road daily. The total cost of the project is estimated to be $11.7 million which includes engineering, right of way acquisition, and construction. Beginning March 20, motorists can expect periodic lane closures and traffic shifts between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. No lane closures are permitted during rush hours. A & M Concrete Corporation of Falls Church is the contractor for the project.
Register to Vote
Residents wishing to vote in the upcoming May 2 town council election must be registered to vote by Monday, April 3. Voter registration and absentee ballot applications are available through the Fairfax County General Registrar's office at 703-222-0776 or on-line at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/eb. Forms are also available in the Town Clerk's office, 777 Lynn Street, 703-435-6804. The Herndon Community Center, at 814 Ferndale Avenue, will be the only polling place open for the election.
'Three Tall Women'
The Elden Street Players are scheduled to open "Three Tall Women" Friday, March 24 at 8 p.m. Written by Edward Albee, the playwright of "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" "Three Tall Women" plays out the story of a 92-year-old woman as she reflects on her life. The play is scheduled to run every Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. until April 15 a the Industrial Strength Theatre, 269 Sunset Business Park Drive. One Sunday show will be held April 9 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15; $12 seniors/students. Call 703-481-5930 for ticket information.
Town Calendar
Thursday, March 23, 7:30 p.m.
Board of Zoning Appeals
Saturday, March 25
Opening Day Golf Tournament, Herndon Centennial Golf Course
Monday, March 27, 7 p.m.
Planning Commission special work session
Tuesday, March 28, 7:30 p.m.
Town Council public hearing