December 10, 2024
I apologize for any typos. I banged on of my typing fingers yesterday and it is in a splint. Instead of gracefully heading to 50, I am fumbling along.
1 – Safety
2 – Membership Renewal Drive
3 – WSHS Choir Annual Fundraising Event – Saturday, 12/14, 10am-12pm
4 – VDOT presentation regarding proposed change to Bauer Dr at Rolling Rd (intersection with Post Office) – Wednesday, 12/11, 7pm
5 – ECHO news
6 – St. Bernadette Christmas Tree sale through Sunday, 12/15
7 – Tips to reduce stolen packages
8 – Wreaths Across America – Saturday, 12/14
9 – Calendar
1 – A reminder from today’s foggy weather that headlights are often used to allow others to see your vehicle rather than you using them to see. I do not know how many vehicles I saw today that was some shade of the fog and gloomy sky that did not have their lights on. I almost saw a silver car get rear-ended on Rolling because they were barely visible after the curve between Barnack and Greely. My general rule is to put on your headlights when you do not see the actual sun. This includes dusk/dawn, when it is overcast, raining, snowing, and foggy.
Another reminder to wear light or reflective clothing when walking at night. It is good to have a flashlight to make yourself more aware to drivers. There was a teen pedestrian fatality on the early evening of 12/4 at the intersection of the intersection of Old Keene Mill Road and Sydenstricker Road. There are no details for the cause, but it was at night with partial lighting in the intersection. With distracted drivers, you need to do all you can to make sure you are safe.
2 – Thanks to those who asked if they owe money and those who made payments to renew their memberships. For those who gave a check, they will be deposited soon. I lost my check endorsing stamp and had to order a new one. As always, it is $10 to renew. If you are paying online, add a dollar. If you are paying by cash or check, do not add a dollar. You can drop off payments in the box in front of my house (6919 Vancouver Rd) to save a stamp. Just lift the lid on top of the box and drop it in the slot. You can also mail it to:
CAWSV
PO Box 2204
Springfield, VA 22152
If you want to pay online via PayPal, here are the links for renewing:
· Renew for 1 year - $11 (FY25)
· Renew for 2 years - $21 (FY25-26)
· Renew for 3 years - $31 (FY25-27)
I think the renewal drive end January 1, but that is the middle of the week. I will cut off renewals for those who want to be in the Directory by the end of Friday, January 3. After that date, I will start working on the Directory information. I cannot add people after I start the process.
3 – From one of our neighbors: The holidays are right around the corner, and it is time for one of the most popular WSHS choir events -- Breakfast with Santa. This annual fundraiser is Saturday, December 14 from 10am-12pm at West Springfield High School. Tickets are now on sale for community members at:
https://www.spartanchoir.com/shop/tickets
4 – From the Springfield District newsletter: Community Meeting for Proposed Turn Restriction from Bauer Drive to Rolling Road
In response to a high number of crashes at the intersection of Bauer Drive and Rolling Road, VDOT has proposed to prohibit left turns from Bauer Drive onto northbound Rolling Road. Turns would still be permitted from Rolling Road onto Bauer Drive; however, VDOT will install flex-posts (and ultimately concrete) to prevent vehicles from turning left from Bauer Drive onto Rolling Road. Personally, I have concerns about restricting this left hand turn movement but want to hear from you. VDOT and I will be hosting a meeting to present the plan to the community and obtain your feedback regarding the proposal.
The meeting is set for:
Wednesday, December 11, 7 p.m.
West Springfield Government Center Community Room (located off the Police Station Lobby)
6140 Rolling Road, Springfield
Visit the meeting webpage for more information on the proposal at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/springfield/RollingBauer
They have a pdf of the proposed layout on the website. It will basically prevent anyone from turning left onto Rolling Rd from either Bauer or the church across the street. You will be able to turn left onto Bauer or the church from Rolling.
5 – ECHO News - Helping A Family Have a Holiday Meal
Once again, ECHO will be connecting local donors with our clients who would welcome the gift of groceries for a December holiday meal. A donor may ask for a specific size of family to assist, and ECHO will match the donor with a local household in need. ECHO will offer a list of foods for the donor to deliver directly to the family or suggest an appropriate amount of grocery store gift cards that can be delivered or mailed to them. Groceries should be delivered by December 15, and gift cards should be mailed to arrive at the recipient’s home by that date. If you would like to help one or more families have a happy holiday, contact Fran Eck at franalaneck@msn.com.
ECHO’s Holiday Gifts for Children
The elves are so excited! ECHO’s Christmas Shop is about to open! ECHO clients who are parents come in by appointment to choose appropriate gifts for their children from the donations of books, games, toys and new clothing. ECHO still needs donations (not gift-wrapped, please) for children ages 0-15 by December 6. Gifts can be chosen from our Amazon wish list and delivered directly to ECHO. The wishlist may be most easily accessed through our website, www.echo-inc.org/wishlist-on-amazon. Or, donors may simply deliver gift items directly to our Donation Door. See a complete list of popular items at www.echo-inc.org under the “Donate Goods” tab. ECHO, located at 7205 Old Keene Mill Road, is open on weekday mornings from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00.
All That?! Wow!
Recently a Cub Scout Troop and their leaders arranged to tour ECHO’s facility at a time when clients were not being served. The troop participates in Scouting for Food to collect food for ECHO. Their volunteer tour guides reported that the group was surprised by the number and range of donated goods, beyond food, that ECHO collects and distributes to people in need. People who are experiencing financial difficulties need clothing and household goods too. ECHO uses every nook and shelves up to our tall ceilings to organize and store donations of the things we know that people need. We are grateful for both the storage space and the donations. Some items, though, are often in short supply.
ECHO’s Housewares Department really, really needs towels and wash cloths. They don’t have to match or be new or in sets; all those that are clean and in good condition are welcome. Queen size sheets and comforters are also needed.
Brrrr! ECHO’s Clothing Department needs cold weather clothing: boys’ winter gloves, girls’ and boys’ winter coats sizes 14/16 and 18/20, new athletic socks for boys or girls in sizes L or XL, men’s winter coats in sizes S, M, L, and men’s sneakers in sizes 7,8, 9.
6 – The Springfield Council of the Knights of Columbus will be selling Christmas trees in the lower parking lot of Saint Bernadette Church from November 30 through December 20. Please support the charitable work of the Council by purchasing your tree from the Knights. The lot is open from 5pm to 9pm on weekdays and 9am to 9pm on weekends. The church is at 7600 Old Keene Mill Rd, Springfield, VA 22152.
7 – From the Fairfax County Police Department newsletter with tips to help prevent having packages mailed to you from being stolen:
Here are some tips to protect your packages:
- Track Your Shipments: Sign up for delivery alerts to know exactly when your package is expected to arrive.
- Request Safe Delivery Locations: Choose options like requiring a signature, delivering to a secure locker, or having a trusted neighbor pick them up if you’re not home.
- Install Security Cameras: Cameras and doorbell systems can deter theft and help law enforcement identify suspects.
- Consider a Package Drop Box: Lockable drop boxes provide a secure spot for deliveries.
If you become a victim of package theft, report it immediately by calling the Fairfax County Police Department's non-emergency line at 703-691-2131. Together, we can help keep your holidays merry and your packages safe.
8 – This Saturday, 12/14, will be the annual Wreaths Across America event. If you wanted to donate to help purchase wreaths to lay at a military cemetery, or volunteer, go to https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/ for more information. Arlington National is the most popular in this area, but there are over 60 participating cemeteries within 50 miles of here – with many of the smaller ones being overlooked.
9 – Calendar
12/11 – VDOT presentation regarding Rolling/Bauer Intersection online and at the West Springfield Government Center, 7pm
12/11 – 50th birthday of the CAWSV President
12/14 – Wreaths Across America event – various locations
12/14 – West Springfield High School Choir Breakfast with Santa Fundraising event – West Springfield High School – 10am-12pm
12/14 - VRE Santa Train
12/15 – ECHO food donations end for their Holiday meal
12-24 – County Holiday (Full Day this year)
12-25 – Christmas, start of Chanukah
12-26 - Kwanza
01-01 – New Year’s Day (Federal, State, and County Holiday)
01-02 – end of Chanukah