Near Raymondale: A Fun Outdoor Space at Westlawn Elementary

Raymondale Boy Scouts helped create a wonderful new outdoor space at Westlawn Elementary School:

A new “storytelling chair,” developed as part of an Eagle Scout project, is used for outdoor reading lessons, as well as a setting students to listen to stories told by teachers and classmates, says teacher Carol Hunt.

An obstacle course in the outdoor discovery area was used for  teaching students positional words, like “around,” “through,” “across,” and “over.” Students also built a “squirrels’ nest” for creative play.

Teachers and students will plant a garden when it warms up, and Hunt is planning to install an outdoor loom for weaving with natural materials. Another project on the school’s “to do” list is  a storage area for organizing “building supplies”—such as small branches, pieces of wood, and PVC pipe—in milk crates. Students use the materials in the “small parts building area.”

Happy 2014! Send In Your Photos!

Happy New Year!

Please consider sharing your photos of and around Raymondale! We have such a lovely neighborhood with lots of nature all around. Anything you think that would be of interest to your neighbors, please share! Send your photos to: ehjedorko@peoplepc.com along with a brief description. Photos and descriptions will be published in the Raymondale blog. Thank you!

Here is a pair of New Year's Eve visitors to our Brad Street backyard suet feeder...

A European Starling and a Pileated Woodpecker share the suet.

And on Brad Street a Carolina Wren decided to seek a little shelter on a truck tire.

So, please share any Raymondale photos you think we would all like to see! Thank you and Happy New Year!

Get Your Griswold On!

On Sunday, December 22nd, Raymondale will host the annual holiday light contest! The judges will be patrolling the neighborhood looking at and admiring all of the holiday lights! Prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place will be awarded! So, channel your inner Clark Griswold and light up the night!

Winter Woes

December 8 to 10 brought rain, sleet, ice, and snow to the area. Ice weighs down tree branches and some of those trees can come crashing down in the worst places. On Monday morning, December 9 a large tree fell on St. James blocking the road and taking down the power lines.

Power crews worked Monday afternoon and into the evening, restoring power to Raymondale and homes on Fallowfield that were also affected.

Power was out for about 9 hours for most residents.

One Raymondale resident had no power for a longer time as a tree snapped in half and took down the power line leading directly into her house.

Remember that ANY time the power goes out, call 1-866-DOM-HELP so that Dominion Virginia Power knows we need our lights back on!

And on the lighter side of our recent snow days...

This happy Falls Church HS band geek snowman waves a cheerful "hello" on Add Drive!

Raymondale Annual Meeting Wrap-Up

On the evening of Friday, Nov. 22nd, over 40 residents of Raymondale met at the Leis Center for conversation, presentations, and a delicious pot luck dinner!

 A smorgasbord of  delicious dishes provided by the neighbors was enjoyed by everyone!

Yum yum!

 

Our Fairfax County Representative Penny Gross stopped by to say hello and to let us know some of the things she is currently working on. These include promoting the Leis Center to be turned back into an elementary school, working with the library board to ensure our libraries run smoothly and don't toss out books,  and to invite everyone to the Mason Distritct Holiday gathering on Dec. 4th at the Mason District Center on Columbia Pike.

Ms. Gross was a welcome guest and she is always there for Raymondale if we should need her.

A lively presentation was given by a representative from the Fairfax County Office of Emergency management. He gave us valuable information concerning weather related emergencies and the value of "protecting in place" and gathering information during times of emergency. For more detailed information on OEM, please follow this link: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/oem/

The meeting concluded with elections (re-elections!) of the board members, update on the sign progress (we are very close to having a new sign,  just have to overcome some County hurdles--Penny Gross offered assistance on that score), and an update on the Luria Park bridge construction. Below is a photo of what the new bridge may look like:

The meeting was fun and informative.  New and long-time residents of Raymondale attended. Thanks to all who made this a wonderful event!

Raymondale Annual Meeting, Nov. 22 at the Leis Center

Mark your calendars and please plan to attend the Raymondale Annual Meeting on Friday, November 22, 6:30-8 p.m. ! It's a pot luck and a great way to connect with your neighbors and your neighborhood!

Several important topics will be presented, including:
The status of the new Raymondale sign.
Luria Park improvements.
Property protection during storms.

A coordinator from the Fairfax Office of Emergency Management will address what homeowners can do to protect their home during periods of extreme weather. Board member, Sandy McConville, will update us on real estate trends affecting Raymondale. Supervisor Penny Gross is also expected to stop by. Elections of new board members is also on the slate.

The meeting will be at the Leis Center on 7423 Camp Alger Ave. The meeting will include a pot luck dinner and children's activities. Please bring your favorite dish or dessert to share. Beverages will be provided.

Please plan to attend! Always a fun and informative time for everyone!

Luria Park Boardwalk and Bridge To Be Replaced

"By 1975, a new bridge had been built across Holmes Run and through the swampy 
woods, linking the Acres with Raymondale..."          -  -  HOLMES RUN ACRES:  
THE STORY OF A COMMUNITY,  the Acres' 25th anniversary history book. 

Residents of both Raymondale and Holmes Run Acres have enjoyed the bridge over Holmes Run creek 

and the elevated boardwalk. But as all of us who use the boardwalk and bridge know, this well-traveled route 

has deteriorated and needs to be replaced. 

The Fairfax County Park Authority  (FCPA) will be replaced the bridge and boardwalk within the

next 30 days AND the work is planned to take 3-4 months to complete. 

From the Fairfax County Park Authority:
 "The bridge in Luria park was built just before Holmes Run Acres 25th 
anniversary, and was already showing signs of age when it was hit by the last 
big flood, resulting in structural damage.  The Fairfax County Park Authority 
has funding for its repair, from a previous passed bond.  Unfortunately, we 
regret that this bridge work will involve some inconvenience to its many users, 
since the bridge will be closed for use while the work is being done."

 Below is a map provided by the FCPA and posted on the information 

kiosks at both entrances to the park:
 

 
The map outlines the way to access Holmes Run Acres and Luria Park during bridge reconstruction.
 A link for this map is here:  
 http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/plandev/luria-park.htm

 Even though the construction will cause temporary inconvenience, 
 the final result will be enjoyed by everyone!