President's Column
September 2007

The results of the 2007 Beautiful Home Contest are in! The two categories are Springfield Beauty and Springfield Star and we have three winners.

In recognition for maintaining a beautiful yard the 2007 Springfield Beauty award goes to Sue and Joe Barget at 7415 Nancemond Street. Their neighbor and nominator Lee Paulson wrote “Their home has been a beautiful spot in the community for over 25 years. The property is always at its best, but in our opinion what makes it extra beautiful is the choice of shrubs, trees and flowers. The landscaping looks professionally designed and I know that they do it all themselves with help from their son Mark! From the pillow cut azaleas out front, the goldfish pond in the back and a bridge for their Yorkies to romp on everything has been placed with care.”

This year the Springfield Civic Association is recognizing another home in the Springfield Beauty category. “I would like to nominate the Coates residence at 6308 Hanover Avenue. This immaculately kept original rambler is located at the intersection of Hanover and Falmouth Street. From any angle that you may look, there are beautiful flowers and visually appealing plantings mixed with lawn sculpture, brick and stone work” wrote nominator and neighbor D. Boughton. “There are pockets of seating areas on all four sides and a pair of bench style swings that give this home a very comfortable and welcoming attitude. The yard is beautifully maintained at all times of the year and is a wonderful example in our community” observed Boughton.

In recognition for the incredible improvement to their home at 7320 Essex Avenue the 2007 Springfield Star Award goes to Herber DelCid and Maria Ayala-DelCid. “When folks want to know where we live and we tell them they say, “Oh I know  - you live next to that really pretty yard!” exclaimed neighbor and nominator Debbie Mays. “Over the past three years they have installed a new roof, installed new walks, and added new flower beds. Their use of textures and colors is wonderful. Herber and Maria take such pride in their property and add so much to the quality of the neighborhood as a whole” said Mays.

The winners will receive a gift basket of goodies from local Springfield stores, framed certificates, newspaper coverage and yard signs proclaiming their homes as 2007 Springfield Beautiful Home Winners!

National Night Out 2007 was celebrated with front yard barbecues throughout the community on Tuesday, August 7th. ADT Security Services sponsorship made this very successful event a reality. Each host received a National Night Out Apron, invitations, a $25 gift card for supplies and a front yard sign for the event.  This event’s goal is to improve communication and connectivity in our community, promote crime prevention and strengthen our relationship with our police department. Members of the Fairfax County Police visited each barbecue along with members of the ADT Security team. Youngsters were treated to a visit from McGruff the crime fighting dog! Stay tuned and mark your calendar for the 2008 event on August 5th. Consider hosting a front yard barbecue and be part of the fun next year.

Deputy County Executive, Rob Stalzer, and members of the County Strike Team briefed the community on Tuesday, August 21st at Crestwood Elementary on their progress in the Lee District area. As of August 17th 63 cases were opened in the Lee District area with 11 cases resolved. More cases have been investigated since. The strike team is focusing on health and zoning violations that threaten the safety of occupants in the homes and gross violations of county codes and regulations. They listened intently as meeting attendees shared their frustration and concerns about boarding houses and overcrowding in a community not designed or zoned for commercial use. The big question on everyone’s mind is “What now?” What will happen to empty boarding houses, owners and developers that play a shell game with the county, transferring ownership and selling before they come to court, huge homes in the process of being built with the intention of commercial use and the apartments in the community that feed this problem. It is a complicated situation and county staff along with the Lee District Supervisor’s office are dedicated to finding solutions.

On Tuesday, September 18th at 7 pm the candidates for the Fairfax County Lee District Supervisor’s Office, the Delegate for the Virginia 39th District and the Senator for the 39th District will meet with the community at Crestwood Elementary School to answer questions and share information about why they deserve our vote. Please join us for an enlightening evening and an opportunity to learn more about the candidates.

If you are not receiving your newsletter then there may be a problem with your e-mail address. Please let us know so that we can ensure accuracy. It is difficult to read handwriting sometimes. Please mail your dues in if you have not done so already. Our cycle starts in September and it helps with record keeping.

You have four months left to save on your tax bill and contribute to the Springfield Community Educational Alliance! Just indicated on your check where you would like the contribution to be applied. The donations fund our educational programs.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Springfield Days 2008 is already being planned! We are looking for volunteers to assist with planning and new ideas. Contact me at your earliest convenience.

Mark your calendars:

	Last Updated September 10, 2007 Curator: Kathy Nutter kathryn.nutter@fcps.edu