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About:

Lorton Valley Star Newspaper
monthly and on the web
www.LortonValleyStar.com

Covering the greater Lorton, VA area from Fairfax /Franconia Parkway to Prince William Parkway.

Contact Information:

Floyd Harrison,
Publisher, Editor-in-Chief
Lorton Valley Star Communications, LLC

Please E-mail:
Publisher@
LortonValleyStar.com
for press releases about Lorton or advertising inquiry

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Print deadline is 20th

Office:
703-372-2828 Voice Mail

Mail to:
Lorton Valley Star
P.O. Box 1436
Lorton Valley, VA 22199

Urgent? Publisher Cell:
571-274-7389

© 2005 Floyd Harrison T/A
Lorton Valley Star Comm.
All international rights reserved; No copying in whole or any element is permitted.

We are not responsible for the content of our advertisers web sites.

Our contact list is not available.

Mother's Grieving Heart

On November 10, 2000 Maria's daughter Crystal was killed in a terrible accident. Maria went through what no mother in the world wants or expects to go through.

Go To Site…

To moms who have suffered the loss of a child:

When Maria was faced with the death of her child, all the books she read provided the same answer. This answer was not good enough. She began to write poetry. Her poetry was a way for her to find the answers to the terrible crisis that she could not find in any book. Through writing her poetry, Maria became closer to God and she found during her journey, that God's mercy is a sufficient answer to any crisis or devastating situation.

Those poems are now available in the book, "Crystal, A Mother's Grieving Heart" published by Lorton Valley Star. It is available in Occoquan at the Coffee House of Occoquan and at Attic Treasures. It is also available online from Maria's web site.

Buy the book now…

Copyright © 2003 Maria Carneiro, of Montclair, Prince William County, Virginia, USA

All international rights reserved.

94 Pages
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1994 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.



Catalog Data:

Carneiro, Maria A.
Crystal, A Mother’s Grieving Heart
Original Publication:
A.D. 2005
ISBN 0-9764770-0-9

Grief, Poetry

Library of Congress Number TXu1-189-869

Cover Art:
Michelle Carneiro
Graphics and Layout:
Floyd Harrison




Publisher:
Lorton Valley Star Communications
P.O. Box 1436
Lorton, VA 22199
USA

See Coffee House

See Attic Treasures

Fairfax Parks Bond Referendum on Fall Ballot

Information about this year’s parks bond referendum is now available on the Fairfax County Web site at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/bond. This online resource offers specific information about projects expected to be funded, general information about bonds and a form to request a presentation about the referendum.
On Nov. 4, Fairfax County voters will be asked to vote yes or no on a parks bond referendum on the general election ballot. The referendum asks voters to allow the county to borrow up to $77 million to acquire new parks, improve existing parks and renovate park facilities.
Of the $77 million, the Fairfax County Park Authority would receive $65 million. The remaining $12 million would be used to pay the county’s share of capital costs for the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, which was created by six local governments including Fairfax County.

Feds Allocate Funds to Stabilize Fairfax Neighborhoods Hit by Foreclosures

The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development announced that a total of $3.92 billion will be allocated nationally and particularly to those areas experiencing the effects of high foreclosures. HUD’s new Neighborhood Stabilization Program will provide targeted emergency assistance to state and local governments to acquire and redevelop foreclosed properties that might otherwise become sources of abandonment and blight within their communities.
The funding for Fairfax County is $2,807,300. This funding will flow to the county through the Community Development Block Grant Program under the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 and will be used to purchase, or finance the purchase of foreclosed homes, as well as provide counseling services. The county has been anticipating this funding and expects to use the funds to enhance its existing “Silver Lining” Program.
Staff from the Department of Housing and Community Development will be developing a proposal for the use of the funds for consideration by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Housing Committee and the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority in October and for approval by the Board of Supervisors in November. Applications are due to HUD by December 1.
A total of 791 units of affordable housing were preserved in FY 2008 bringing the total number of units preserved since the Initiative’s launch in 2004 to 2,224 units (as of June 30, 2008). In addition to the $22.7 million in One Penny Funds committed in FY 2008, a total of $1,021,974 in federal HOME Investment Partnership funds and $1,076,450 in federal Community Development Block Grant funds were committed to affordable housing preservation transactions in FY 2008.

Legion Post 162 Selects Legionnaire of the Year

Commander Samuel S. Ramseur, Jr

This year’s Legionnaire Of The Year is Charles (Chuck) Voccio.  Chuck was born in Providence, Rhode Island on July 31 (year not necessary).  Chuck has been an active member of Lorton American Post 162 for 34 years, is a member of Voiture 1569, La Societe des 40 Hommes et 8 Chevaux, has served the past two years as the Chairman of the House Committee, is currently the Chairman of the Wounded Warriors Program, and is a member of the Board of Directors and the Post Executive Committee.
Working with the Walter Reed Wounded Warriors Program for the past three years, he was recently appointed Chairman of the Wounded Warrior Program here at Post 162.  His commitment and dedication to supporting our wounded soldiers is unquestioned.  Long before we had a recognized program he and his lovely wife Helen were visiting soldiers at Walter Reed delivering phone cards, toiletries, etc. at their own expense.  He has invited these men and women and their families into his home, sponsored them at Post functions, taken soldiers to dinner, invited them to participated in the Lorton July 4th Celebration, and invited them to join us at our Armed forces Retirement Home Luncheon.  Chuck’s vision, commitment, and enthusiasm are infectious, he has met with several local merchants in our community and they too have formed a partnership with us in support of this program.
Chuck entered service with the US Army in 1951 and retired on July 31, 1972 with the Corps of Engineers.  He served in the Korean and Vietnam Conflicts, and his overseas assignments include Japan and two tours of Germany.  His stateside assignments were in Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia, Massachusetts, and three times at Fort Belvoir, where he was an instructor with the U.S. Army Engineer School
Among his medals are the Bronze Star for his service in Vietnam, Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, US Vietnam Service Medal, UN Korean Service Medal and Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Always active in the community he refereed High School and College Football and Basketball for 22 years, before slowing down.  Chuck enjoys playing golf and gardening, and we here at the post love the gardening part also.  You know, homegrown tomatoes, peppers, and boy can he bake pies.

Special Needs Residence Registry

The Fairfax County Special Needs Registry allows residents with medical needs, and organizations assisting those with social needs, an opportunity to provide information to the county government so that agencies can communicate emergency preparedness, response and recovery resources to these vulnerable, at risk and hard-to-reach residents.
The registry may be used for any emergency requiring evacuation, such as flooding, hurricanes, hazardous material spills and gas leaks. This information will be available to emergency planners and will facilitate the county’s preparedness, response and recovery efforts. However, those who are on the registry should still call 9-1-1 in the event of a life-threatening situation.
The Model Practice Database provides an online, searchable collection of practices across public health areas, allowing public health officials to benefit from their colleagues’ experiences, to learn what works, and to ensure that resources are used wisely on effective programs that have been implemented with good results. The database features practices in the following areas:

• Community health.
• Environmental health.
• Public health infrastructure.
• Emergency preparedness.

To register online, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/specialneeds. Residents may also request registration materials by phone or mail. Call 703-324-9000, TTY 703-324-9001, or write to the Fairfax County Office of Emergency Management, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 565, Fairfax, VA 22035 for more information.

Weatherization Program Reaches More in Lorton

The Virginia Weatherization Program is a State-funded service, which helps residents with limited incomes lower their fuel and electric expenses. Qualified residents receive a thorough energy assessment to determine areas of the house which might allow cold air infiltration. This includes low-income residents young or old, renters or owners.
Income levels were raised last year so more people are eligible now than at any time during the 20+ years the program has been available.
In greater Lorton, Dominion Power has partnered with The Virginia Weatherization Program in an effort to reach, and serve, more residents. This is a great opportunity for Senior homeowners to receive valuable services - at no charge! The program is for seniors age 60 and older living in single-family homes, town homes, and mobile homes.

How Does It Work?

It starts with a phone call to Connie England, weatherization coordinator for Community Housing Partners (CHP). She’ll come to your home, help you fill out a brief application and arrange for a certified, specially trained crew to:

• Perform diagnostic tests to evaluate areas of heat loss.
• Inspect, replace or repair, and install as needed attic and wall insulation, caulking around windows and door weather stripping.
• Perform indoor air quality checks and install carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.
• Inspect heating equipment and insulate hot water heaters and pipes.

The program is administered by the Energy Services Division of Community Housing Partners (CHP) and operates in partnership with Dominion Virginia Power. Funding comes courtesy of the U.S. Dept. of Energy, Virginia Dept. of Housing and Community Development and Dominion Virginia Power.

Connie England, Outreach Coordinator
Virginia Weatherization Program
1620 Bennys Beach Rd
Front Royal, VA 22630
(540) 636-8079
cje@lynxconnect.com

Occoqun Lightens Regulations on Home Businesses

The Town of Occoquan recently modified its ordinances to create more flexibility for home occupations. “We’ve been looking for ways to lighten the regulatory burden on business where we can,” said Occoquan Mayor Earnie Porta, “and this seemed like an area in which we could do so relatively quickly.”
Prior to the change in the ordinance, all home businesses not only had to have a town business license, but also needed to apply for a $500 special use permit. “That seemed unreasonable,” said Porta, “particularly given what’s done in other jurisdictions.” Consequently, the Town Council approved elimination of the special use permit requirement provided home businesses meet certain conditions and obtain a free Home Occupation Certificate.
To be eligible home businesses are limited to a reduced floor area of the primary dwelling, may not have employees on the premises other than family members, may not have clients or customers come to the home business location, may not post business signs on the premises, may not store on-site materials beyond what might be customarily found in the home, and are limited in the commercial vehicles they may have on-site. “The point of the restrictions is to ensure that home businesses do not change the residential character of the area in which they are located,” said Porta.
Settled in the middle of the 18th century, the historic riverfront town of Occoquan is home to a variety of historic buildings and an eclectic mix of more than one hundred shops and restaurants. It is particularly well known for its annual spring and fall craft shows held in the streets of the town. Contact: mayorporta@comcast.net

Town of Occoquan Adopts “Dark Skies” Ordinance

The Town of Occoquan recently approved an outdoor lighting ordinance it hopes will contribute in some small way to a reduction in light pollution not only in the town, but throughout the Occoquan River area. According to the International Dark-Sky Association’s website, “dark skies” ordinances have become increasingly popular among municipalities in the United States. Occoquan’s ordinance aims to tackle light pollution by controlling light spillover, preventing glare, and reducing light intensity where appropriate and consistent with public safety. “Dark skies ordinances were originally of special interest to amateur and professional astronomers,” said Occoquan Mayor Earnie Porta, himself an amateur astronomer, “but over the years the number of people interested in the concept has grown as scientific studies increasingly link light pollution to a variety of health and environmental concerns, and rising energy costs encourage more efficient practices.” Under Occoquan’s new ordinance, which is modeled on ordinances adopted in other Virginia jurisdictions, most outdoor lighting fixtures must now be shielded or constructed so that all light is emitted below a horizontal plane and spillover on to adjacent properties is limited. “Since the ordinance does not require existing structures to be retrofitted absent a change in use or replacement, it will take some time to achieve the ultimate goals of the ordinance,” according to Mayor Porta, “but it’s a start.”
Settled in the middle of the eighteenth century, the historic riverfront town of Occoquan is home to a variety of historic buildings and an eclectic mix of more than one hundred shops and restaurants. It is particularly well known for its annual spring and fall craft shows held in the streets of the town.

Police Educate Moped & Scooter Owners

In the wake of soaring fuel prices and balmy weather, an increasing number of drivers are
turning to mopeds and motorized scooters as alternatives to cars and trucks. The Fairfax County Police Department has released a new educational brochure and wants owners to know the rules of the
road, as they pertain to these fuel-efficient vehicles. According to Traffic Safety Specialist Master Police Officer Bob Barton, “We are seeing a surge in people, some more experienced than others, commuting by moped, scooters and motorcycles, which can create safety concerns when mixing with other vehicles.”
There is a new law, effective July 1, which those contemplating a new mode of commuting need to be aware of. If a moped is driven over 35 mph, it is now considered a motorcycle, which means that the operator needs to have additional driver’s certifications and a motorcycle license. Additionally, the moped needs license plates, proper registration and insurance. If a moped is driven under 35 mph, the driver does not need a license (but must carry identification) and the vehicle does not need license plates or insurance.
Additional safety tips for moped and scooter operators include:
• Drivers should wear bright or reflective clothing and a helmet.
• Drivers must be at least 16 years old to operate a moped.
• Mopeds and bicycles must stay to the right side of the roadway.
• Mopeds and motorized scooters may not be operated on sidewalks.
To learn more about moped and scooter safety, checkout:
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police/brochure/guide-scooter-moped-cycle-operation.pdf
or call the Fairfax County Police Traffic Division at 703.280.0563.

Office for Children Introduces New School-Age Child Care Options

More than 50 Fairfax County child care providers have completed the School Age Child Care Academy training offered by the Fairfax County Department of Family Services Office for Children. Academy graduates represent additional child care options for working families.
The training included 30 hours of classroom instruction in child development, health, safety, and programming related to the care and education of 5-12 year-olds.
“The graduates of our program can provide quality care in their homes not only for infants and toddlers, but also for school age children,” explains Maria-Elena Martinez, program administrator of the Office for Children’s Provider Services division.
Each child care provider who participated in the academy has already received a child care permit from the Office for Children. Earning a permit requires background checks, home health and safety visits, and certification in CPR and First Aid. The permit must be renewed each year, and requires ongoing training.
According to Fairfax County’s most recent community assessment, almost 66 percent of Fairfax County’s 5-12 year-olds live in households where all the adults in the home are in the labor force. The Office for Children’s academy helps meet these working parents’ demand for school-age child care.
Parents can find academy graduates and other child care providers with permits or licenses by performing a child care search at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/ofc. To request this information in an alternate format, call 703-324-8042, TTY 711.

703-491-3888