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TextSeptember Park and Environmental Update
The ReBuild Warehouse’s Sustainability Workshop Series
You may know the ReBuild Warehouse as a place to get recycled fixtures and construction materials, but the organization also sponsors a weekend workshop series.
Fall Vegetables and Preparing Your Garden for Winter, set for
Saturday, September 17 at 11 a.m.
Come learn about cultivating fall vegetables and putting your garden
to ‘sleep’ for the winter. Techniques in season extenders, row covers and
mulching and composting will be discussed. Adria Bordas focuses on
several diverse program areas which include pest detection and diagnosis
of plant and insect problems, water quality and nutrient management, and
invasive pest management.
Adria is also responsible for the Fairfax County and Green Spring Master
Gardener Volunteer programs. Both groups of volunteers help Fairfax
County residents answer landscape questions at Plant Clinics, the Master
Gardener Horticulture Helpdesk and through educational programs for the
public such as the Ecosavvy Symposium. Fee: $10 at the door or
preregister. Location: 6625-B Iron Place Springfield, VA 22151.
Sustainable Home Renovation: Going Solar, Confessions of a Reformed
Power Hog! set for Saturday, October 15 at 11 a.m.
Join this class to hear how one Arlington family successfully made
the transition to solar and have dropped their monthly electric costs in
their all-electric home by 75 percent! Julie Bruns will present a
PowerPoint presentation recounting her family’s journey from being
“clueless” (her words) energy users to low carbon footprint electricity
users to actually having some months in 2010 when their electricity bill
has been zero!
If you are considering ways to reduce your energy bills with a
combination energy efficiency/solar energy solution, you will not want to
miss her exciting presentation.
She will demonstrate that estimates for reducing your electrical and
heating expenses by as much as 50 to 75 percent are quite feasible. Her
presentation will inspire you to take a serious look at solar to keep
more money in your pocket and out of Dominion Power’s.
Save 50 percent by preregistering for Part 2 by September 16th for $30,
or $10 at the door. Location: The ReBuild Warehouse, 6625 Iron Place,
Springfield, VA 22151.
For both events RSVP to TheresaAMeehan@gmail.com
Friends of Accotink Creek Sponsor Town Hall
Last month, the Braddock Beacon incldued a guest column written by a
current Board member of the Friends of Accotink Creek, describing how the
organization was at a crossroads and needed an infusion of both interest
and commitment from members of the community to carry on its mission. The
Friends of Accotink Creek is committed to protecting, promoting and
restoring the water quality, natural habitat and ecological well-being of
the Accotink Creek watershed.
A meeting to discuss the future of this group will be held on September
29 at 8929 Colesbury Place in the Mantua community at 7:00 pm. To RSVP,
contact PHughes1967@gmail.com
The Accotink Watershed has been declared to be impaired by the
Commonwealth of Virginia, and the Environmental Protection Agency is
poised to impose new and significant requirements on Fairfax County to
improve the health of this 52 square mile watershed - the second largest
in Fairfax County.
Braddock’s 68 acre Lake Accotink is located in the center of this
watershed and exerts significant influence on the drainage
characteristics of the entire watershed. Supervisor Cook urges all
Braddock neighbors who are concerned about the future of Accotink Creek
to attend this important meeting. If you cannot attend but would like to
be involved, please call the Braddock office at 703-425-9300.
Keep Safety in Mind When Using Your Outdoor Fire Pits
Although we are reaching the end of grilling season, many homeowners
have purchased the highly popular portable ‘firepits’ that are available
at numerous retail outlets. There are potential fire risks associated
with misuse of such equipment, including: accidentally igniting adjacent
vegetation, and building features such as balconies, decks, and vinyl
siding, as well as risks from inadequately extinguishing the fire and
improperly disposing of leftover ashes.
The Fairfax County Fire Department has issued guidelines about which you
should be aware:
•The operation and storage of portable outdoor
fireplaces on balconies and decks or within 15 feet of residential
occupancies other than detached one- and two-family dwellings and
townhouses is against the law.
•Although one and two family dwellings and
townhouses are exempted from the Fire Prevention Code, the use of
portable outdoor fireplaces near combustible balconies and decks is
strongly discouraged.
•If such devices are placed closer than 15 feet
to a structure, noncombustible, insulating materials such as patio
blocks/pavers or a hearth pad should be used to help protect from radiant
heat and stray embers.
For the full list of recommendations and a list of questions and
answers, go to the following link:
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fr/prevention/fmpublications/fmfirepit.pdf
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