Sentinel

This Month

Message from the Chairman

Message from
Supervisor Kauffman

Development Update

September SCA Minutes

2004-2005
Financial Statements

Babysitters

2005-2006 Board

2005-2006 Committees

Announcements

Classifieds

Calendar

Letter of Thanks to Supervisor Dana Kauffman

Letter to the Editor

Patronize our Sponsors!

Sentinel Archives

Wanda L. Smith Realtor Alexandria/Mt. Vernon Office 5845 Richmond Hwy Alexandria, VA 22303 Office (703) 960-8900 ext.326 Cell (571) 216-3413 Fax (703) 960-1305

 

C&R CERAMIC TILE INC.

Kitchen Foyers Complete Bathroom Remodel Bonded & Insured Best Prices and Quality Guaranteed Free Estimates Jose R. Carballo 13570 Castlebridge Lane Woodbridge, VA 22193 Email Cell (571) 237-5483 Home( 703) 730-5986 Fax (703) 730-2776 We accept all major Credit Cards.

 

Hassan Home Improvement Co.

Siding Gutters Soffit Fascia Wood Repairs Reasonable prices, quality products Excellent Craftsmanship Licensed & Insured 3 Years Labor Warranty Military, Civil Service, Senior Discounts Available Free Estimates Office: 703-492-9329 Cell: 571-220-4941

 

Over 20 Years Experience Free Home Estimates Quality Work at Reasonable Rates (703) 764-0842 Cell: (703) 599-7830 Vinyl & Aluminum Siding Soffit & Fascia Trim (Wood Trim) Windows Shutters Gutters & Down Spouts VA Licensed & Bonded Insured Local Jobs Complete In Area For Your Inspection

 

Message from the Chairman

I hope you’ve been enjoying the spectacular weather we have been experiencing lately. Wouldn’t mind seeing some rain mixed in though. Stoneybrooke is looking a little brown.

I don’t have a lot to share with you this month, just a couple quick updates.

By the time you read this, we will have had our fall yard sale and Fall Bash. Many thanks to Trish Kobus for again coordinating the yard sale and to Kim Fairchild, Bernie Tabarini, and Cherie Watt for coordinating the Fall Bash. And thanks also to everyone who cooked chili or provided other yummies.

Speaking of Kim, she has agreed to coordinate our future community parties. She has the winter off now until the Spring Fling in June. We hear the residents down on Stone Mill Place are interested in hosting.

I continue to work with Verizon on the DSL issue. Verizon is working the issue internally to figure out exactly where Stoneybrooke lies in its network and from there, if DSL can be made available. The fact that one Stoneybrooke resident has DSL is not necessarily indicative that it can be made available to everyone. The bottom line, right now, seems to be a database issue that, once resolved, may solve the problem. I’m hoping to have a successful conclusion within the next month.

Speaking of Verizon, I’m sure by now that you’ve heard that Fairfax County has granted them a franchise to begin offering their FiOS solution, which will combine phone, internet, and cable TV. My guess is that it will be quite some time until we see that available in Stoneybrooke.

As for the new Cold Spring barrier, we continue to await word on the donation of landscaping before moving forward. I believe that we will see some plantings this fall and then finish the work in the spring.

All for now. Enjoy the fall!
Mike

The new Cold Spring Barrier

Message from Supervisor
Dana Kauffman

The winds and flooding of Katrina and Rita are now history—while the clean-up, human and political fall-out, and lessons learned will go on for years

I expect my thoughts mirror yours:

1. How do I keep my family safe?
2. How is it that four years after 9/11 we still have communications problems, inter-jurisdictional confusion, and plans that work on paper but not on the street?
3. Why didn’t people evacuate when they were told to do so?
4. How are we going to pay for this?
5. How would we handle a crisis here?

One of the lessons that I’ve taken away from the Katrina disaster and the better managed but still devastating Hurricane Rita disaster response is that the best laid plans are doomed to failure if they do not take into account human nature. For example, consider some of the findings of a poll of randomly selected adult evacuees in Houston shelters. Some of the results of the poll, conducted by The Washington Post, in partnership with the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation and Harvard School of Public Health, are eye opening. Almost three quarters of those interviewed said that they directly heard the order to evacuate. Two thirds of them said that the evacuation notice gave clear information about how to evacuate. Yet, they chose to remain.

When asked why they did not evacuate, 64 percent said that they thought the storm and its aftermath would not be as devastating as it was. Another 37 percent said that they "just didn’t want to leave."

The lesson I take from this is that no matter how detailed and well organized our County and regional disaster plans may be, they will fall apart if they do not take into account the fact that human beings are not—when faced with disaster—the most rational of creatures. We saw this close to home a few years ago when Hurricane Isabel struck. Some folks in Mount Vernon’s Belleview chose to wait out the storm—only to be rescued later.

And if it happened here?
After 9/11, elected leaders from our region developed disaster plans covering emergencies from natural disasters to terrorist attacks. After watching the response and communications problems at the national, state, and local levels, COG’s (Council of Governments) regional members are revisiting their emergency plans and focusing on several key elements: clearer plans for evacuating residents, particularly those who do not have cars or are sick or elderly, and better ways to alert residents to an emergency. Concerns about potential breakdowns in communications between local authorities and federal officials are also on the priority list.

Also, I have raised two major concerns with senior staff. First, in the event of a mandatory evacuation, do we have an operational-level agreement with our school systems to ensure our school buses and school bus drivers will be ready to drive us away from harm? We have three times as many school buses as we do transit buses and these resources must be employed—or we’ll be stuck.

Second, how do we handle family pets? Folks who must leave pets behind may chose not to leave, putting their family at risk.

We’ve always known on an abstract level that in the event of a disaster, we would need to take personal responsibility for our own families and our own neighborhoods—likely for at least several days. Since Katrina and Rita, I suspect that that knowledge is no longer quite as abstract. For my part, I am paying more attention to how my own family would remain safe and reassessing our own emergency plans and supplies.

Here are some links to very useful preparedness information.
Fairfax County
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency/guide.htm
United States Department of Homeland Security
http://www.ready.gov/useful_links.html
(This site includes links to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; citizenCorps.gov; Disaster Help; Federal Emergency Management Agency, among others.)

2005-2006 Board and Committees

Announcements, Etc.

Classifieds

Gas Light Conversion Repair
If you need gas light conversion repairs, call Mancil Burns, 703-765-6367. Stoneybrooke resident. Most parts in stock. Repairs only, please.
Lawn Mowing
Totally reliable service. Call Ron at 703-765-3997.
For Sale
Two NEW his/hers 26" bicycles never used, excellent for Christmas. Asking $200.00 for each or $375 for both.
Compost tumbler - mulching model, assembled and ready to use. All literature available. Asking $150.00 OBO.
One corner bar 90°. Padded and three bar stools. Asking $325.00. Good condition.
Kitchen chair. Straight back. Padded. Harvest gold. $15.00 OBO
Storage Tray for Ford Expidition. Fits behind 3rd row seat. Asking $75 OBO.
Lots of items - new for gifts.
For all of the above, call Ozzie Harris at 703-768-0746.
Cassie’s TLC Pet Sitting
Going out of town? Need someone to pet sit? Call me to watch over your loved ones. References available. Cassie Sauer 703-768-0859.
Ron’s Pet Care & Dog Walking
Experienced dog walker and pet care provider. Will give professional and loving care to your pets. No pet too big or small. References available. Call 703-765-8555.
Tender Loving Pet Care
Daily, Occasional, Travel, Vacation, and Overnight…In your own home. 13 years experience as pet nannies. Stoneybrooke references. Licensed/Bonded/Insured. Adele Danes 703-765-1571
Pet Care
Responsible 12 year-old animal lover would like to look after your pet while you are away. Please call Daniel: 703-765-0260.
Vacation Homes for Rent
Sunny Ft. Myers, FL. Beautiful single family, 3 bedroom, 2-bath home with own swimming pool in gated community. Available for weekly or monthly rental. Experience a touch of Europe on the Atlantic coast in picturesque Lagos, Algarve, Portugal. Well-appointed 3 bedrooms, 2 ½ baths. 5 minute walk to the beach. Call Laura Gordon at 703-765-8026
Vacation Home for Sale
Large efficiency in Pompano Beach, FL. Enjoy 1 week warm weather in February. Asking $3K. Call 703-768-8256.
Condo for Rent
2 bedroom, 2 full bath, full kitchen, neatly furnished condo in Garden City, SC. Close to Myrtle Beach. Accomodates 5. Three blocks from the ocean with screened-in back porch & pool. $895/week. Call Gigi Sere 703-765-0410
Licensed Day Care
Stoneybrooke resident with 15 Years experience. Excellent References. Call 703-660-8499.

Calendar of Events
October 1, 2005 – August 30, 2006

The SCA Board reserves the right to add or cancel events without notice.

Letter to the Editor

KATRINA
You are not of man but of Nature. But; we have learned much of Nature and how to predict your vagaries in many situations – why are we then not better prepared for your sting?  
My contribution has been made but my pain persists.  
What can we do to help Americans suffering from Katrina? Beyond contributing to relief agencies, I do not profess to know. What I do know is what we can do to minimize such a catastrophe in the future.
One of the many things I learned in the military was the rule of the 6 P’s.
Pre-planning prevents piss poor performance.
While we as a nation scrambled to plan for the next terrorist event we forgot mother Nature and the devastating impact she can deal particularly to the poor, those living in coastal areas and those who believe disaster will never visit them.
Okay, let’s not play the blame game but let’s discuss some of the things that we need to do to assure no American ever endures the suffering of those in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.
We know where our disaster prone areas are – it does not take a rocket scientist to review the record and define the threats. We know where the earthquakes occur, where the hurricanes make landfall where the forest fires occur. WHERE ARE OUR PLANNERS?? 
We must have plans to insure human survivability. The initial loss of life is understood and probably accepted even by those who have lost the most. The subsequent loss of life and suffering is very hard to understand. Food and water can be delivered to high ground or air dropped. In the early 1970’s after a devastating earthquake, the Australians evacuated an entire city – by air! WHERE ARE OUR PLANNERS?? 
As an Air Force civil engineer I know we have capabilities to fly half way around the world and set up hospital and messing facilities within hours. A hospital ship sailing for 3 days from Baltimore is not nearly enough! MRE’s and water by road are not nearly enough! I know we have the air transportable equipment to draw water from polluted sources and make it potable within minutes. We have air transportable fuel bladders. Even way back in the Vietnam era we could provide housing for hundreds or even thousands (particularly in warm climates) anywhere in the world within a very few days. WHERE ARE OUR PLANNERS??
Did it take a PhD structural engineer to predict the two level roadway in Oakland would not survive an earthquake – I think not. Did it take a PhD hydrologist to predict a major hurricane is an unrecoverable threat to a city that is adjacent to the sea and below sea level? Does it take a tree hugger to deny building permits to those who would build in the path of predictable forest fires? WHERE ARE OUR PLANNERS??
We cannot relocate where the oil comes from the earth but we can do a risk analysis of where we store the raw material and where we process it into the products so essential to our economy. We pump oil from the north slope of Alaska and pump it hundreds of miles via pipeline across the State. We can surely reduce the threat to refineries supporting the wells in the Gulf by providing incentives to oil companies to relocate their refineries to less disaster prone areas. Sure, this will cost the taxpayers, but it will cost us less than the economic impact of not acting. Has anyone analyzed the impact of a loss of the two interstate pipelines delivering petroleum products to the entire east coast of the United States? We have redundancy in routing of telephone cables and electric lines but have precious little redundancy in routing of petroleum pipelines – a key element in our security and our economy. WHERE ARE OUR PLANNERS??
 
Jarrell S. Mitchell, Col USAF (Ret), Alexandria, Virginia

Letter of Thanks to Supervisor Dana Kauffman

September 15, 2005

Mr. Dana Kauffman
Supervisor, Lee District
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
6121 Franconia Road
Alexandria, VA 22310

Dear Supervisor Kauffman,

The residents of Stoneybrooke, and the Stoneybrooke Citizens Association, would like to take this opportunity to thank you and express our appreciation for your support of the new roadway barriers on Cold Spring Lane and Bedrock Road. Our thanks also goes to your staff member Joan Clark whose coordination with Fairfax County staff and the Virginia Department of Transportation was vital to the success of this project.

The new barriers are now in place and have greatly improved the appearance of our neighborhood, as well as the Vantage and Woodstone neighborhoods. In addition, creation of these permanent barriers ensures the continued upward growth of our property values. As our property values go, so goes the good fortunes of Fairfax County, which continues to be one of the very best counties to live in and work in the United States.

Dana, your support for this project was key in getting it done. We thank you for that and for all the good work you have done for the Lee District.

With much appreciation,

Michael R. Jurkowski, Chairman
Stoneybrooke Citizens Association

The Gaslight Specialty Shop

703-361-4744
www.britelitegas.com

Providing service to the Northern Virginia Area for over 30 years.

Clean and Service
$85.09

Includes: Clean orifice and burner tube, adjust settings, check pressure, clean glass, replace mantels,
Paint post and head (White and Black only)
- Price includes labor, parts & tax -

Who needs a Clean and Service?

If your light has not been serviced as above in the last two years, or
the gaslight has not been burning for several months we would suggest a clean and service.
All repairs - Pole and gaslight head replacement

Gaslight Parts and Accessories Available

Gaslight mantles – Tempered glass panes – Decorative Ladder Rest – Burner Assembly

We also provide service and parts for
gaslight conversion to electric
Call for estimate or to order replacement parts

Socket assembly - photoelectric eyes – transformers - hardware and bulbs available

WHEN YOU’RE THINKING OF A MOVE, CALL THE STONEYBROOKE EXPERT!

RE/MAX IS TOPS IN STONEYBROOKE SALES AGAIN IN 2004 RE/MAX ALLEGIANCE 703-971-5555 Ext 130 703-660-9131

BARB ELPHICK
Put me to work for you!

Award Winning Sales Here Since 1975

• FLEXIBLE COMMISSION & NO TRANSACTION FEES!
• Life Member of the NVAR Top Producers Club
• Life Member of the NVAR Million Dollar Sales Club
• Top 1% of Realtors NATIONWIDE
• RE/MAX Hall of Fame Member
• Certified Buyer Broker Specialist

You’ll love my professionally-done color listing brochures, my Internet site with interior and exterior photos for each of my listings, and my thorough knowledge of contracts and the market in general!
Give me a call when you’re considering a move; I offer free fix-up tips & a free market appraisal!
Check my listings on www.barbaraelphick.sell4.com or www.belphick.rhouseva.com