General George Washington greets the Setlik children at the annual Mount Vernon Newcomers & 18th Century Craft Fair. Community Guide Insiders Edition 2011-12 /Gazette 8/26/11 Requested in home in Requested material. Time-sensitive Postmaster: Louise Krafft Attention Permit #482 Permit Alexandria, VA Alexandria, PAID U.S. Postage U.S. PRSRT STD PRSRT Photo by Photo Mount Vernon’s Hometown Newspaper • A Connection Newspaper www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Mount Vernon Gazette August ❖ August 25-31,25, 2011 2011 ❖ 1 2 ❖ Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ August 25-31, 2011 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Mount Vernon Gazette Editor Steven Mauren Mt. Vernon 703-778-9415 or [email protected] Insider Viewpoints What do you like about Mount Vernon? What’s Ahead in Mount Vernon By Orrin Konheim “Public transportation” Transportation and — Nola Lane, Fort Belvoir development are major overarching issues in the coming year. “It’s a quiet community I enjoy and I got to know all my neighbors” — Joe Taylor, Sequoyah By Gerald A. Fill The Gazette Photos by Photos he Department of Defense (DOD), follow- ing the 2005 decision by the Base Realign- “I love our neighbors” Tment and Closure Commission (BRAC), Krafft Louise — Lynn Anderson, Woodmill Estates has built a billion dollar 1.2 million square foot Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, four times the size of the current DeWitt Army hospital (and pro- jected to receive 572,000 patients and visitors annu- ally), and added twice the number of hospital medi- /The Gazette “The best thing about it is the diversity of cal staff (3,000) to the new hospital. the community because it allows people to This alone would have the effect of being a trans- meet with different backgrounds and learn formational transportation infrastructure issue on the about their culture and identify with people Route 1 Corridor for the Mount Vernon Community. like myself.” However, in addition to the new hospital and other — Wilson Osorio, Mount Vernon medical facilities such as a wounded warriors reha- George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate. bilitation unit, child care center, the DOD is trans- ferring other military-related functions to Fort decided to move functions to Fort Belvoir, nor the “I like this area because of the convenience Belvoir. These actions will result in thousands of new Virginia Department of Transportation which is re- of it. I could go to my house and it’s its own military and civilian personnel commuting by bus sponsible for transportation in the Commonwealth, little place. It’s in its own neighborhood and and car on a daily basis to the military installation. has adequately planned for or funded the prelimi- away from people which is nice but then as The new hospital will treat combat-wounded soldiers, nary land use and environmental impact studies or soon as I get from Route 1, it has all these active duty military, and retired veterans who live in the financing of primary and secondary roads and restaurants and places to shop.” the DOD’s designated geographical medical treat- mass transit designs in a timely way. — Jacinda Romero, Mount Vernon ment jurisdiction for the Belvoir hospital. Further compounding the problem is Fairfax The BRAC decision is problematical for the Mount County has limited ability to raise and channel trans- Vernon area in the near term. A lot depends on the portation funding to the Route 1 Corridor. For the “I don’t know it’s response by elected and appointed governmental coming year the county, state and federal govern- home” — Brittany leaders at all levels to find the money needed to sup- ments will be scrambling to catch up to the planning “I’ve been here 23 port the new medical and military functions. Posi- and financial needs required for a major transporta- years, it’s the only tive, because it will stimulate the housing, commer- tion upgrade to prevent traffic gridlock and provide place I know— Kyler cial, employment, and expanded access to medical a means for people to get to and from work. — Brittany and care for the region’s military. Negative in the near Pablo Michuca and term because neither the federal government which See Major Issues, Page 16 their son, Kyler, Mount Vernon “”The historic background. It just makes it a little more gracious.” — Kristina Ratches “You have to know Hollin Hall and Belleview. There’s a lot of independently owned businesses. There are all these gems. You’ve got Chinese Food and Italian restau- rants.” — Andrea Coye, Mount Vernon “It’s a small-town feel. Everyone knows everybody within a 10-mile radius.” “Public Transportation” — Rachel Curzon Canadian geese fly through the field at River Farm. www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ August 25-31, 2011 ❖ 3 Mt. Vernon Insider Inova Mount Vernon Hospital A Community Partner t was 35 years ago that Inova which are consistently ranked Mount Vernon Hospital among the nations best by accredi- I(IMVH) first opened its tation agencies and others, include doors to the community. a wide range of medical, surgical, What began as a modest local hos- critical, psychiatric and emergency pital offering medical/surgical ser- care. vices to Mount Vernon has grown The hospital is home to the na- to include internationally recog- tionally recognized Inova Rehabili- nized centers of excellence, a re- tation Center, the Inova Joint Re- gional referral center, and a staff placement Center which was re- of physicians, nurses and medical cently recertified as a Center of professionals with a commitment Excellence by The Joint Commis- to high quality care. sion for hip and knee replacement, Inova Mount Vernon Hospital is a designated Primary Stroke Cen- a 237-bed, full-service, not-for- ter, the Inova Breast Care Institute, profit hospital serving the historic Inova Spine Institute and one of Mount Vernon community and the region’s only Wound Healing southeastern Fairfax County. Spe- Center and Hyperbaric Oxygen cialized services and programs, Therapy Unit. Census Data 2010 CENSUS DATA FOR MOUNT VERNON Total population ............................................................................... 12,416 Median age .............................................................................................. 42.9 Male ......................................................................................................... 49.5% Female...................................................................................................... 50.5% Race: White........................................................................................................ 71.5% Black or African American ....................................................................... 12.8% American Indian or Alaskan Native ........................................................... 0.4% Asian .......................................................................................................... 6.7% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander ........................................................ 2.7% Some other race ......................................................................................... 5.5% Two or more races ..................................................................................... 3.1% Hispanic or Latino .................................................................................... 13.5% Private Yacht Charter Alexandria’s Yacht for All Occasions! Corporate Events, Birthdays, Anniversaries, Reunions Potomac Belle Ideal for up to 35 guests - Docked in Old Town (703) 868-5566 www.potomacbelle.com 4 ❖ Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ August 25-31, 2011 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Mt. Vernon Insider Rex Reiley RE/MAX Allegiance International Day Benefits Nonprofits 703-768-7730 [email protected] Good Shepherd Catholic Alex./Southwood $559,900 9011 Nomini Lane Church hosts annual event. OPEN Large stunning 5 BR, 3 BA split SUNDAY w/oversized 2-car garage. Updated from top to bottom: kitchen, baths, windows, By Gale Curcio maintenance free exterior & freshly painted interior. Large bedrooms plus in- The Gazette law suite on lower level. Professionally landscaped yard. Huge, warm & cozy sunroom & family room for entertaining. 2 ark the calendar for this year’s an- wood-burning FPLs. Premium location: 5 minutes to Ft. Belvoir, 15 to Metro & Old Town, 25 to National Airport & 30/35 to Pentagon & D.C. This is a GEM! nual International Festival at Good Shepherd Catholic Church. The an- Alex./Westgate $624,900 M 9010 Volunteer Drive nual event has something for every- body. OPEN Beautiful traditional colonial w/2-car side garage in fabulous Mt. Vernon SUNDAY Celebrate with more than 4,000 attendees during location. It is classy! Over .5 acre land- Good Shepherd’s 36th annual International Festival Photo by Alan Prochoroff scaped corner lot. Stunning sunroom on Monday, Sept. 5. This is a day of singing, danc- Kim Riley and Claudia Evans coordinate addition. Hardwood flrs main & upper ing, eating, and shopping while at the same time, the food booths. levels. Family rm w/gas FP off kitchen. Wood FP in living rm. Lovely kitchen w/Corian counters & large picture win- helping people in need. dow facing scenic backyard. Sweet front porch. Large unfin bsmt: ample stor- This multicultural festival features ethnic foods and Rose’s Bakery. age. 5 minutes to Ft. Belvoir. drinks, live entertainment, children’s games, White People who are feeling lucky can take a chance on Alex./Riverside Estates $499,900 Elephant (an indoor yard sale), Artisan Row, Bingo, the raffle or at the Bingo booth. 8306 Cherry Valley Lane