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Leewood.us Archive of Articles

 

- 2008 Archived Articles -

Reagan & BWI Make Top 3 In List of On-Time Departures – Dulles at the Bottom

Loudoun County Foreclosure Rate 2nd Highest in Virginia

Leewood Times Automotive Tips

Homeowner Association Questionnaires

Fairfax County Changes Recycling Program Requirements

Left Turn Lane At Backlick? - Your Opinion Needed

Leewood Times Guide to Volunteering

Identity Theft - America's Fastest Growing Problem

Expansion Brings 15 New Gates to Dulles

Local Farmers Markets Open for 2008 Season

Virginia Aquarium Team to Release 3 Sea Turtles

Virginia is Cracking Down on Drunken Driving

Virginia Institutes Stricter DUI Penalties for Underage Drivers

New Speed System Helping to Slow Drivers

A Sampling of New Virginia Laws

Fairfax County Leads the Region in Job Growth

Everything You need to Know About Pumpkins - But was afraid to ask!

Leewood's 2nd Annual Night Out - A Huge Success!

Leewood Times Guide to Fall Festivals

Leewood Times Guide to Seasonal Allergies and Pollen

NOTICE: Concrete Sidewalk Replacement July 24th, 25th, & 28th

New Report highlights Virginia's strengths in technology

Internet Mapping and Information Application Unveiled

Global Rice Shortage – Cause for Concern?

Leewood Times Guide to Spring Cleaning

Leewood Clean-Up Day - A Huge Success

Energy Saving Tips that Lower Your Energy Costs - Winter Version

Metro to Dulles Derailed

Proceeds From the Sale of "A Taste of Leewood" Cookbooks Provides a Nutritious Lunch for 450 Men, Women and Children.

Leewood Annual Meeting 2008 - Tuesday, March 11th, 8:00 p.m.

Special Board Meeting - Monday April 21st at 7 pm at 7040 Bradwood Court

Kaine Asks Lawmakers to Consider Raising Car Sales Tax

Leewood Times Guide to Winter 2008

Leewood Times Guide to New Year Resolutions

Trash Pick-up Holiday Schedule & Christmas Tree Recycling

Change a Light, Change the World – and Save Money

Be Alert For Deer This Season

Mixed Messages About The Region's Environmental Credentials

Leewood Times Guide to Holiday Entertaining

Reagan & BWI Make Top 3 In List of On-Time DeparturesDulles at the Bottom

With the summer travel season in high gear, lots of people are heading to the local airports. If you want to get off the ground and in the air quickly, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport has the third best record in the country for on-time departures, according to Department of Transportation statistics. Flights leave on time 81 percent of the time.

Salt Lake City, Utah, and Portland, Ore., hold the No. 1 and No. 2 spots for on-time departures for the period from Jan. 1 to June 30.

If you are trying get on the ground fast, Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport ranks third in the nation with 79 percent of flights landing on time.

Coming in in the No. 1 and No. 2 on-time arrival spots are Salt Lake City, Utah, and Phoenix, Ariz., respectively. Dulles is near the bottom of the pack in both categories. It ranked 25th out of 32 airports in both categories.

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Loudoun County Foreclosure Rate 2nd Highest in Virginia

Loudoun homeowners are still struggling to keep their homes off the auction block.

Despite reports of an upturn in homes sales this summer, Loudoun in July saw a 54 percent increase in foreclosure filings from the same month in 2007.The county had the second highest rate of foreclosure filings in Virginia last month. Foreclosure paperwork was filed against one out of every 169 homes in Loudoun in July, a rate second in the state only to Prince William County, which saw a rate of one out of every 103 homes. A filing does not necessarily mean a home was lost to foreclosure. It can be a default notice, auction sale notice or bank repossession.

In July, 581 homes in Loudoun were in some stage of foreclosure, compared to 378 a year earlier. Meanwhile, Virginia was 10th in the country in July with 5,745 foreclosure filings. The number of homes sold in Loudoun rose 7 percent during the second quarter of 2008 from the same period last year. The average sale price, however, was down 20 percent.

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AUTOMOTIVE TIPS - Save gas, save money

With gasoline at such a premium, locking gas caps have become very popular these days. With gas prices higher than ever, fuel economy has become a very hot topic, and everyone is looking for a way to squeeze the most miles out of every fill-up.

For every common-sense solution you hear, there seems to be two wonder products that claim to produce miraculous mileage figures. To date there is nothing to help your seven-passenger SUV achieve economy car like mileage numbers. The editors of the Leewood Times have put together a list of a few tips to help you squeeze more miles out of every gallon. Give them a try and we bet you'll see a difference. More >

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Homeowner Association Questionnaires

The Board member responsible for filling out Homeowner Association Questionnaires in reference to either refinancing a home or purchasing a home is Melinda Ford. Ms. Ford can be reached at poaa@leewood.us. Your mortgage or loan company should be advised that we will make an effort to respond within 48 hours so they should plan accordingly. We may not be able to satisfy last minute or rush requests.

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Fairfax County Changes Recycling Program Requirements

Owners of all existing multi-family dwelling units (apartments and condominiums) must provide a system for their residents to recycle cardboard and mixed paper. In addition, all businesses must recycle paper. The changes that were made to the recycling program requirements did not affect Leewood and residents should continue to recycle as usual with pick ups every Tuesday morning.

For more information about trash and recycling in Leewood click here.

Click here for the official Fairfax County recycling program requirements.

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Left Turn Lane At Backlick? - Your Opinion Needed

Your LHOA Board wants your opinion about a left turn lane on Backlick Road turning into Backlick & Leestone Streets. Please send an email to Rose Weber, secretary to voice your concerns. She can be reached at secretary@leewood.us. More >

In the body of your email please indicate:

1. "RIGHT TURN" - You think the existing right turn lane from Backlick Road onto Leestone Street is necessary and more important to smooth traffic flow and safety than a left turn lane would be. You vote to leave things as they are; keep the right turn lane, and not proceed to try and have a left turn lane installed.

2. "LEFT TURN" - You want a left turn lane from Backlick Road onto Leestone Street and feel a left turn lane is necessary and more important to smooth traffic flow and safety than the right turn lane and would have no problem with losing the right turn lane. You vote to change the way things are; get rid of the right turn lane and proceed to try and have a left turn lane installed.

Click here for more information, and the results of the poll.

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Guide To Volunteering

Throughout the history of the United States, Americans have valued an ethic of service. As Alexis de Tocqueville wrote over a century and a half ago, this ethic of service “prompts [Americans] to assist one another and inclines them willingly to sacrifice a portion of their time and property to the welfare of the state.”

Today, the ethic remains strong. Across our country, Americans of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities are donating their time and talents to schools, churches, hospitals, and local nonprofits in an effort to improve their communities and serve a purpose greater than themselves.

The editors of The Leewood Times have created a guide to volunteering in our area with helpful information and links to organizations to get your started or to continue in your volunteering efforts. More >

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Identity Theft - America's Fastest Growing Problem

Last year alone, more than 9.9 million Americans were victims of identity theft, a crime that cost them roughly $5 billion dollars. The number of ID theft victims and their total losses are probably much higher. ID Theft can involve credit card fraud, Internet fraud, or mail theft, among other crimes. It is important for our members to be educated on this problem and steps that can be taken to prevent this from happening to anyone in Leewood. More >

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Expansion Brings 15 New Gates to Dulles

Dulles International Airport will become a bit larger Tuesday, January 15th, with the scheduled opening of the extension to Concourse B. The addition of 15 gates cost $137 million. The gates will be used by domestic carriers, including AirTran, JetBlue and Virgin America. Delta and American Airlines are expected to take up residence later this year.

The number of flights at Dulles won't immediately change, but officials expect the number of flights will increase as the airport continues to expand.

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Local Farmers Markets Open for 2008 Season

The 2008 season of the Fairfax County Farmers' Market kicks off May 1st and continues until November 19th. There are 11 markets located across the county, open different days throughout the week. The markets are well-known for top quality local foods. All farmers and producers come no further than 125 miles from Fairfax County. The editors of the Lewood Times have put together a guide to over 16 markets in our area. Your guide has information on hours of opertation, directions ect. More>

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Virginia Aquarium Team to Release 3 Sea Turtles

A Virginia aquarium team will release three Kemp's ridley sea turtles on the Eastern Shore. Aquarium officials say Snap, Crackle and Pop were rescued last month from the cooling water intake canal of a nuclear generator station by the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine, New Jersey. They came to Virginia Beach in mid-July. We wish good luck to Snap, Crackle and Pop.

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Virginia is Cracking Down on Drunken Driving

Governor Tim Kaine, Virginia State Police and local law enforcement have launched the 2008 Checkpoint Strikeforce campaign. The campaign will focus on drunken drivers on rural roads.

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles Highway Safety Office says more than one-third of traffic fatalities in Virginia last year were alcohol-related.

The campaign this year will use DUI checkpoints and an advertising blitz directed at young drivers. It is the seventh year for the initiative.

According to the latest figures available, Virginia saw an increase in the number of alcohol-related fatalities in 2006 from 2005, from 322 in 2005 to 374 in 2006. That followed declines for the previous three years.

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Virginia Institutes Stricter DUI Penalties for Underage Drivers

Under a new Virginia law, underage drivers under the influence of alcohol now will lose their licenses for a year, instead of six months, and a $500 fine is now the minimum rather than the maximum. They also may be sentenced to 50 hours of community service instead of the fine, and a judge could also opt to send offenders to jail for up to a year.

While the legal driving limit for adults is a blood alcohol concentration of .08, anyone younger than 21 with a BAC of .02 and above can be charged with drunk driving because it is illegal for them to be drinking in the first place.

Teens with a learner's permit must drive 45 hours instead of 40 before getting their licenses, and 15 of those hours must be after sunset. All hours must be certified on a form provided by the DMV.

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New Speed System Helping to Slow Drivers

A brand new speed limit system near the Woodrow Wilson Bridge is doing what it's supposed to do: lower speeds. The system, known as Variable Speed Limit (VSL), is reducing drivers speeds by as much as 10 miles per hour when it's turned on.
VSL is being used on the Beltway near Telegraph Road as drivers approach the Wilson Bridge. The Virginia Department of Transportation has only been using the system during overnight construction projects, but increased success could lead to VSL being turned on full-time around the bridge.

The system relies on a number of sensors and cameras to monitor traffic speeds, which then alert an operator to raise or lower the posted speed limit. The idea isn't to slow drivers down, but to maintain a constant speed so every driver can get through a tight squeeze -- like a construction zone -- in an orderly fashion.

The posted speed limit with VSL can fluctuate from 55 mph to 35 mph when the system is activated. Virginia State Police have also beefed up their presence in the area and are currently handing out warnings to drivers who do not slow down for the posted speed. Eventually, the grace period will end and warnings will be replaced by fines when VSL is running.

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A Sampling of New Virginia Laws

Virginians are now free to drink sangria and dessert wine in restaurants, but they can no longer use the Department of Motor Vehicles driving test as a substitute for behind-the-wheel driving classes.
Here is a small sampling of the dozens of new state laws that went into effect Tuesday, from alcohol to zoning.

Alcohol

- Restaurants with mixed beverage licenses may now sell sangria and other beverages that mix liquor with wine or beer.

- Restaurants with limited mixed beverage licenses may sell dessert wine.

Animal fighting

- The fighting of any animals, except dogs, is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Dog fighting is a felony. Officers investigating animal fighting allegations may now conduct searches at night.

Driving

- Anyone who fails the DMV drivers test three times must attend driving school before attempting to take the test again.

- The penalty for second and subsequent violations of the child restraint law is now up to $500.

Mental health

- The standard for involuntarily committing someone to mental health treatment is lower. The person must have a significant risk of harming himself or others.

- Anyone who has been declared to be mentally incompetent or who has been involuntarily committed to psychiatric treatment is prohibited from purchasing a gun.

Miscellaneous

- Anyone who knowingly buys or receives stolen goods is also culpable for the theft.

- Anyone who is fired from a job for failing a drug test is ineligible for unemployment compensation.

- The term “mentally retarded” has been replaced with “intellectually disabled” in state code.

Sex offenses

- Legislators removed a loophole in state law that allowed men to escape prosecution by marrying girls 14 and older whom they were accused of attacking.

- Sex offenders who are prohibited from having contact with children may not go within 100 feet of a playground, athletic field/facility or gymnasium. Violation is a Class 6 felony.

- It is a Class 1 misdemeanor for someone 18 or older to tongue kiss a child 13 or younger. Anyone found guilty must register as a sex offender.

Zoning

- Localities may carry over zoning violations when a property is sold, an effort to prevent illegal boardinghouses from re-emerging.

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Fairfax County Leads the Region in Job Growth

During the second quarter of 2008, the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) provided services and resources to 23 businesses that will create 826 jobs in Fairfax County. Combined with totals from the first quarter, the FCEDA has worked this year with nearly 40 companies that will add almost 1,100 jobs to what is one of the country’s most vibrant economies.

According to the latest five-year review of the region's economy by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, Fairfax County led the region in labor force growth with a gain of 51,959 jobs and led the region in 2007 in new commercial development, with nearly 6.6 million square feet of projects. Time magazine called Fairfax County, “one of the great economic success stories of our time.” Business growth helps our county fund public services such as a top-ranked public school system and other public services that improve the quality of life. More >

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Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Pumpkins

But Was Afraid To Ask!


- Pumpkins are fruits. A pumpkin is a type of squash and is a member of the gourd family (Cucurbitacae), which also includes squash, cucumbers, gherkins, and melons.
- The largest pumpkin pie ever baked was in 2005 and weighed 2,020 pounds.
- Pumpkins have been grown in North America for five thousand years. They are indigenous to the western hemisphere.
- In 1584, after French explorer Jacques Cartier explored the St. Lawrence region of North America, he reported finding "gros melons." The name was translated into English as "pompions," which has since evolved into the modern "pumpkin."
- Pumpkins are low in calories, fat, and sodium and high in fiber. They are good sources of Vitamin A, Vitamin B, potassium, protein, and iron.
- The largest pumpkin ever grown was 1,689 pounds. It was grown by Joe Jutras of North Scituate, Rhode Island.
- Pumpkin seeds should be planted between the last week of May and the middle of June. They take between 90 and 120 days to grow and are picked in October when they are bright orange in color. Their seeds can be saved to grow new pumpkins the next year.

History Of The Jack-O'Lantern

Pumpkin carving is a popular part of modern America's Halloween celebration. Come October, pumpkins can be found everywhere in the country from doorsteps to dinner tables. Despite the widespread carving that goes on in this country every autumn, few Americans really know why or when the jack o'lantern tradition began. Read on to find out!

People have been making jack o'lanterns at Halloween for centuries. The practice originated from an Irish myth about a man nicknamed "Stingy Jack." According to the story, Stingy Jack invited the Devil to have a drink with him. True to his name, Stingy Jack didn't want to pay for his drink, so he convinced the Devil to turn himself into a coin that Jack could use to buy their drinks. Once the Devil did so, Jack decided to keep the money and put it into his pocket next to a silver cross, which prevented the Devil from changing back into his original form. Jack eventually freed the Devil, under the condition that he would not bother Jack for one year and that, should Jack die, he would not claim his soul. The next year, Jack again tricked the Devil into climbing into a tree to pick a piece of fruit. While he was up in the tree, Jack carved a sign of the cross into the tree's bark so that the Devil could not come down until the Devil promised Jack not to bother him for ten more years.
Soon after, Jack died. As the legend goes, God would not allow such an unsavory figure into heaven. The Devil, upset by the trick Jack had played on him and keeping his word not to claim his soul, would not allow Jack into hell. He sent Jack off into the dark night with only a burning coal to light his way. Jack put the coal into a carved-out turnip and has been roaming the Earth with ever since. The Irish began to refer to this ghostly figure as "Jack of the Lantern," and then, simply "Jack O'Lantern."

In Ireland and Scotland, people began to make their own versions of Jack's lanterns by carving scary faces into turnips or potatoes and placing them into windows or near doors to frighten away Stingy Jack and other wandering evil spirits. In England, large beets are used. Immigrants from these countries brought the jack o'lantern tradition with them when they came to the United States. They soon found that pumpkins, a fruit native to America, make perfect jack o'lanterns.

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Leewood’s 2nd Annual National Night Out - A Great Time!

Leewood again participated in The National Night Out on August 5, 2008. Festivities started at 7:30 p.m. in the common area between 7026 and 7018 Leebrad Street. Over 50 residents attended along with four Fairfax County police officers who handed out helpful information and fun items for the children in attendance. 25 burgers and 50 hot dogs were prepared and served along with chips and soft drinks. Many "door prizes" were given away highlighted by a pair of tickets to a Washington Redskins game. Many thanks go out to all of our residents who made this year's National Night Out a huge success. Plans were made and your LHOA looks forward to many Leewood gatherings to come. More >

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Guide To Fall Festivals 2008

Fall is such a wonderful time of year in our area. The cooler weather, the foliage, and the outdoor festivals make our region a great place to live. The editors of the Leewood Times have created a guide to all the festivals within a short drive from our home. Click here for the complete list with helpful links to the event pages. More >

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Guide to Seasonal Allergies and Pollen

If you or someone you know are among the more than 26 million Americans who suffer from seasonal allergies, you know that annual bouts with pollen aren’t just uncomfortable, they also take a toll on mental well-being. The bad news is that your allergies are probably going to get worse before they get better and you can blame the tree pollen now blanketing our area. Unfortunately, the pollen isn't going anywhere. In fact, allergy sufferers won't see much relief in the weeks ahead. The good news is that there are a few minor lifestyle changes that can go a long way toward keeping symptoms under control. The editors of the Leewood Times have created a complete guide about seasonal allergies with tips and natural remedies for you to use. It is a must read for those of you who endure seasonal allergies. More>

Click Here for the Local Pollen Count from Pollen.com

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NOTICE: Concrete Sidewalk Replacement July 24th, 25th, & 28th

Brothers Paving and Concrete will be performing concrete sidewalk replacement for our association. These specified locations are clearly marked in orange paint.

TO PREVENT YOUR CAR FROM BEING TOWED, IT IS NECESSARY THAT VEHICLES PARKED AT MINIMUM 75-100 FEET FROM THE MARKED AREAS BE REMOVED BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM OF THE DATES NOTED BELOW.

Vehicles must be cleared for full and safe access to each location that is to be repaired.

If there is an orange mark on the sidewalk within 75 feet of your parking space, please move your car to a spot that is not near one. Please remember not to park in your neighbor's reserved spot.

Here is the schedule of the streets that the sidewalks will be repaired.

Thursday & Friday July 24th and 25th:

LEEBRAD STREET
BRADGEN COURT
BRADWOOD COURT

Friday July 24th & Monday July 28th:

LEESTONE STREET
LEESTONE COURT

ALL VEHICLES THAT ARE IN THE WAY OF THIS WORK WILL BE TOWED.

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New Report highlights Virginia's strengths in technology

Fairfax County leads the state in concentration of high-tech employers, jobs and capital investment. The American Electronics Association (AeA), the nation’s largest technology trade association, released its 11th annual Cyberstates report detailing national and state trends in high-tech employment, wages and other key economic factors. According to the report, Virginia's tech industry grew by four percent, adding 9,800 jobs for a total of 270,800 in 2006, the most recent year available. Fairfax County is home to more than 5,400 technology companies and can lay claim to 135,000 technology jobs, according to the Virginia Employment Commission. This is the third consecutive year Virginia ranks among the top five states for tech job growth. That growth helps solidify Virginia's placement as the state with the highest concentration of technology workers, with 9.1 percent of its private sector workforce in the tech industry. These jobs pay nearly twice as much as the average private sector job in Virginia.

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Internet Mapping and Information Application Unveiled

The public can now research and access current information about incidents reported to Fairfax County Police with a new tool called the “Police Incident Viewer.” The tool is an add-on to Fairfax County's online mapping application called “My Neighborhood.” The information provided on this site reflects actual calls for police service received by the Department of Public Safety Communications (911 call center) and entered into the computer-aided dispatch system.

The Police Incident information displayed on these pages is originally entered into the County's computer aided dispatch system and then processed into a format that allows the information to be shown on a map. Generally incident information is available for viewing within 48 hours of the time an incident is reported.

A particular address or police district can be entered into the application and statistical data reveals the number of events for queried categories. A user can search for incidents against persons, property crimes and quality of life incidents. Once calculated, a map appears with a legend indicating what event occurred and the location to the nearest hundred block.

To access the “My Neighborhood” application, please visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police Click on incident mapping under "Quick Links."

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Global Rice Shortage – Cause for Concern?

While it is true that there is a rice shortage and inflation has doubled and even tripled rice prices in some places, “There is no rice shortage in the US," said David Coia, a spokesman for the USA Rice Federation. Brazil has announced that it would temporarily halt rice exports to ensure domestic supply as global prices rise, and other nations such as such as India and Vietnam, have banned foreign sales to control prices at home. Adding to the increase in rice prices, six long years of drought in Australia have taken a toll, reducing its rice crop by 98 percent. All these factors and investors seeing it as a lucrative investment have made countries that buy rice on the global market vulnerable to extreme price swings.

This has spurred panicked hoarding in Hong Kong and the Philippines, and set off protests in countries including Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia, Haiti, Indonesia, Italy, Ivory Coast, Mauritania, the Philippines, Thailand, Uzbekistan and Yemen. Companies such as Sam’s Club and Costco have limited the sale of rice in its stores. Both companies insist that they have plenty of rice but say the steps were necessary to ensure there was enough for all of their clients. "This temporary cap is intended to ensure there is plenty of rice for all our members," said a spokesman for Sam's Club, which has 600 stores across the United States, adding that the measure did not apply to smaller bags of rice.

In the United States, the rice crop is actually expected to be 5% larger this year over 2007, said the National Farmers Union, and our rice production provides 88 percent of our domestic consumption, while imports from countries such as Thailand and Vietnam make up the rest.

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Guide to Spring Cleaning

The flowers are blooming, the birds are serenading, and our house still feels like it's stuck with winter blues. Spring cleaning is a tradition that allows us to freshen up our homes and get a head start on the hectic seasons of spring and summer. The editors of the Leewood Times have put together a helpful guide with everything you need to help you with your spring cleaning and organization. More >

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Leewood Clean-Up Day - A Huge Success

Leewood held a successful clean-up day on Saturday, April 5. The bad weather held off long enough for us to complete the project. 16 homeowners participated.

Two pick-up truckloads of trash and debris were taken to the dump. Eight azaleas were planted in the common area, one Rose of Sharon and lots of hostas, daylilies and liriope. Hopefully in future years, these plantings will grow and add to the beauty of Leewood in the spring. The shrubs and flowers were donated through the kind generosity of several homeowners.

Thanks to all those who participated. We look forward to an even larger turnout on our next clean-up day

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Energy Saving Tips that Lower Your Energy Costs - Winter Version

As we head toward winter, there are some simple steps that you can take around your home that can save you money while you keep yourself and your family warm and toasty. As you adjust your thermostat, remember that increased power consumption results in higher electric bills. Using energy efficiently makes good sense year-round, but it can really pay off this time of year.

Rising fuel costs have made energy conservation even more important. Heating your home can account for half of your winter power use, so cutting back here is a good way to save. Remember, you can reduce your energy consumption without sacrificing comfort. More >

Click here for some energy saving tips

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Metro to Dulles Derailed

The Federal Transit Administration rejected funding for the Metro to Dulles project. The news sent shock waves through the region's political and business establishments, which have been promoting the need for a rail connection between the nation's capital and its major international airport since the 1960s. The line was expected to ease congestion through Virginia's biggest jobs corridor and also help it grow by stimulating a transformation of suburban Tysons Corner into a thriving downtown. In a letter sent to Governor Kaine, FTA head James S. Simpson formally rejected funding citing many reasons. More >

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Proceeds From the Sale of "A Taste of Leewood" Cookbooks
Provides a Nutritious Lunch for 450 Men, Women and Children.

A special thank you to the many volunteers and contributors who have made “A Taste of Leewood” cookbook a wonderful expression of community. Thanks to all of the residents that contributed and purchased cookbooks, we have raised enough money to provide a nutritious lunch for 450 men, women and children, and we can't stop there!

The first ever “A Taste of Leewood” Cookbook is on sale now. The cookbook is a collection over 70 recipes that include appetizers, beverages, soups, sandwiches, salads, entrées and desserts, along with holiday specialties, and pet friendly homemade treats. Also included are helpful entertaining tips and cooking guides with common measurements and meat temperatures.

“A Taste of Leewood” offers easy-to-prepare dishes that will delight regular family meals or add a special culinary joy to any festive occasion. For this cookbook, recipes were collected from residents, their families, and the editors' favorites.

The cookbook costs $18 with all proceeds benefiting SOME – So Others Might Eat. “A Taste of Leewood” is a dignified way to raise money for an interfaith, community-based organization that exists to help the poor and homeless of our nation's capital. They meet the immediate daily needs of the people they serve with food, clothing, and health care. They also help break the cycle of homelessness by offering services, such as affordable housing, job training, addiction treatment, and counseling, to the poor, the elderly and individuals with mental illness. Each day, S.O.M.E. is restoring hope and dignity one person at a time.

For more information about S.O.M.E. check out www.some.org.

Click here for more information on how to order and the payment options.

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Leewood Annual Meeting 2008 - Tuesday, March 11th, 8:00 p.m.

The Leewood Homeowners Association annual meeting will be held on March 11, 2008 at 8:00 p.m. in Room 412 (Student Union) of the Immanuel Bible Church located on the southeast corner of Backlick and Braddock Roads. Each homeowner will be receiving the meeting package in the mail. All homeowners are encouraged to attend.

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Special Board Meeting - Monday April 21st at 7 pm at 7040 Bradwood Court

The Board will meet in executive session to discuss a legal case. No other business will be conducted.

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Kaine Asks Lawmakers to Consider Raising Car Sales Tax

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine said he would like legislators to consider increasing the tax on automobile sales to generate more money for highway maintenance and end the controversial fees on bad drivers. Kaine has been pushing for the increase since taking office, stressed that such a tax increase would need a bipartisan consensus before it could take place. People who buy new cars pay a 3 percent sales tax even though Virginia's sales tax is 5 percent.

Last week, all 21 Democrats in the Senate held a news conference to say they are considering a range of options for raising money to address transportation. Some proposals call for an increase in the state's 17.5 cent-a-gallon gas tax, which hasn't been raised since 1986. Kaine said he's open to an increase in the gas tax, but called the sales tax on cars "straightforward and rational."

"There are a lot of different people talking about a lot of different proposals, let's see if they reach consensus on them," Kaine said.

 

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Winter Guide 2008

The mention of winter evokes images of sparkling snowflakes and skaters gracefully gliding across the ice, though heavy snowfall and extreme cold can immobilize an entire region. Even areas that normally experience mild winters can be hit with a major snowstorm or extreme cold. Winter storms can result in flooding, storm surge, closed highways, blocked roads, downed power lines and hypothermia.

The editors of the Leewood Times have put together a guide to help you have a healthy and happy winter. Helpful household tips can help you save on energy costs this season, and the section on driving in the snow can help you and your family be safe. More >

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Guide to New Year Resolutions

"If you think you can, you can. And if you think you can't, you're right." - Henry Ford

A New Year's Resolution is a commitment that an individual makes to a project or a habit, often a lifestyle change that is generally interpreted as advantageous. The name comes from the fact that these commitments normally go into effect on New Year's Day and remain until the set goal has been achieved. The editors of the Leewood Times have created a helpful guide on New Year Resolutions with tips and tricks on how to achieve your goals. More >

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Trash Pick-up Holiday Schedule & Christmas Tree Recycling

There will be NO trash pickup on 12/25/07 and 1/1/08. Trash will be picked up on the next regularly scheduled day which will be 12/28/07 and 1/4/08.

Since recycling is also picked up on 12/25/07 and 1/1/08, ADS will do a special pickup on Saturday 12/29/07. This is a one-time Saturday pickup only for recycling, not for regular trash.

Recycling should be placed out no later than 6 a.m. on 12/29/07, since the trucks will come early. Christmas trees will be picked up on yard debris collection days (Fridays) through 1/11/08. Trees put out after 1/11/08 can be placed with regular household trash on Fridays. Trees must be placed out without tinsel or decorations on them and should NOT be placed in plastic bags.

In inclement weather, ADS will cancel collection when ADS deems roads to be unsafe. Trash will again be picked up on next regularly scheduled trash day.

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Change a Light, Change the Worldand Save Money

Leewood residents can save $3.00 toward the the purchase of an energy-efficient light bulb at Office Depot simply by pledging to change out an incandescent light bulb with an energy-efficient compact florescent light. We encourage everyone to join the ENERGY STAR Change a Light, Change the World campaign, a national call-to-action that promotes the small step of changing a light bulb as a means of protecting the environment and preserving energy resources. From Oct. 3 to Nov. 30

After pledging, residents will receive a $3 discount coupon toward an energy-efficient light bulb purchase at Office Depot. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, replacing a 100-watt incandescent light bulb with a 32-watt compact fluorescent lamp will save at least $30 in energy costs over the life of just that one bulb and give the same brightness.

If every American home replaced one light with an energy efficient one, every year we would save enough energy to light 3 million homes and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars! More >

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Be Alert For Deer This Season

Be extra vigilant for deer while driving. To avoid a dangerous and often costly collision with deer this please take the following driving tips:

- Always wear your seat belt to reduce the possibility of injury in case of a collision.

- Be alert for deer; drive cautiously —especially if you see a deer crossing sign. Be especially attentive at dusk and dawn during deer breeding season from mid-October to January. (Peak deer movement in the fall coincides with the time change back to standard time. This shifts rush hour into darkness hindering a driver's ability to see deer.)

- When you spot a deer near the roadway, slow down and be ready for the animal to dart into the road. Honk your horn to try to scare the deer away. Deer often travel in groups, so if you see one deer near the roadway, be cautious for others.

- When you see a deer on a roadway, flash your headlights from bright to dim and honk the horn to encourage it to move away from the road. Drive with lights on during overcast days and use high beams at night whenever possible. (Though headlights can confuse deer, the reflecting light from their eyes will help you to see them.) Warn drivers following you of the presence of deer by tapping on your brakes.

- If a deer runs into the roadway, try to slow down or brake without swerving. Losing control of your car and crashing into another car or a stationary object can be more dangerous than hitting the deer.

If you cannot avoid hitting a deer, slow down and grasp the steering wheel firmly with both hands. Take your foot off the brake at the time of impact so the front end of your vehicle will lift up and enable the deer to go under the car, rather than over it (reducing the danger of it crashing through the windshield or windows). If the animal is injured or killed, report the collision through the non-emergency line at (703) 691-2131.

In 2006 there were 129 reportable crashes between vehicles and deer in Fairfax County with 14 resulting in injuries to people. However, the actual number of collisions is likely between 3,000 and 5,000. If motorists remain alert and slow down to allow more reaction time, it is possible that some of these crashes could be avoided or result in less damage.

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Mixed Messages About The Region's Environmental Credentials

There were mixed messages at a 2007 conference on the region's environmental credentials, portraying Washington as a place with sterling intentions for the Earth but having significant trouble keeping the air and water clean.

On the plus side, Washington area residents bought 223 hybrid cars for every 100,000 residents last year, which ranks them ahead of such famously Earth-friendly cities as Boston and Chicago. Our area also has one of the highest numbers of buildings registered or certified by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Program, a leading arbiter of green construction.

However, It was also reported that our area has 23 days of elevated air pollution a year, which was more than seven times Boston's total. Residents spent an average of 33 minutes commuting -- even longer than Los Angeles commuters -- and many of them spend it in pollution-spewing cars. And the Potomac River, the Anacostia River and the Chesapeake Bay are all plagued by pollution.

For these reasons and others, many outside experts have ranked the Washington area behind such places as Chicago, New York, Seattle and San Francisco on lists of green regions. These lists often look at such factors as the number of parks, use of public transit, air pollution and plans for tackling climate change.

Both Virginia Govenor Timothy M. Kaine and District Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, Kaine spoke at the conference about their plans for closing the gap. Kaine said Virginia was paying millions more to clean up the Chesapeake, looking for cleaner energy sources and researching plans to store carbon dioxide -- a major greenhouse gas -- in old coal mines. Fenty talked about a push for greener buildings in the District, including environmental design elements at the new Washington Nationals baseball park in Southeast.

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Guide To Holiday Entertaining

If your home will be the central gathering place this year, it's time to make your lists and check them over twice. There are several things you can do to make the visit pleasurable for you and your guests. The editors of the Leewood Times have created a special Holiday Entertaining Guide for you to use. Whether you're planning to throw your first dinner party, or you've been hosting gatherings for years, this primer will remind you of all the little details that add up to a spectacular occasion. More >

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