Author Archives: Alex W.

2013 Board of Directors

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Following a vote at the November 10, 2012 Annual Homeowners Association meeting, the Raintree Board of Directors has been reduced from nine to seven members.  The board then elected their new officers as follows:

2013 Board of Directors

President: Alex Weyers
Vice President: Richard Chavez
Treasurer: Jarrett Fussell
Secretary: Richard Sun
Member: Raquia Kokhar
Member: Steve Lee
Member: Mark Webster

 

Raintree Meadowland Stormwater Runoff Garden Plots (“Sponge” Gardens) – A Showy Success

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The photos below show results of the work done from July through October 2011. Several Raintree homeowners and board members, along with oustide volunteers, prepared and planted six plots to help absorb and redirect stormwater runoff in the common area between the soundwall and our houses.

Native trees (Silky Dogwood), shrubs (Chokeberrys), perennials (including Scarlet Bee Balm, Blazing Star, Butterfly Weed, Gray Goldenrod) and grasses (mostly Little Bluestem) have established deep roots and provided flowering habitats for butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. As the plants go through their growth cycle, seeds will attract other birds and berries will attract birds and wildlife.

As the photos show, most of the plants are two to three feet tall (some almost six feet tall). The plots have been very effective in “sponging” up excess stormwater runoff. Maureen Goodfellow has been keeping most of the weeds out of the plots but it is an ongoing project. Before winter sets in, sometime this fall, volunteers are needed to weed and mulch all the plots. Volunteers are also needed to weed and remove briars from the Chokeberrys and Red Eastern Cedar trees planted parallel to the soundwall by the auxiliary parking lot.

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Mason District News

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Green Spring Gardens Features 30th Annual Begonia Show and Sale
Mark your calendar for Saturday, August 25 (9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.), and Sunday, August 26 (12:30 – 3:30 p.m.) and enjoy Green Spring Gardens’ annual Begonia Show and Sale, sponsored by the Potomac Branch of the American Begonia Society.  Expand your plant palette with splashes of color and shape for your home or greenhouse.  The sale offers a wide variety of begonias, including subtropical species.  Green Spring Gardens is located at 4603 Green Spring Road in Alexandria.  For more information, call 703-642-5173, or visit the Web site at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring.

Farmers Market at Mason District Park
The Farmers Market is held every Thursday morning, from 8 a.m. until 12 noon at Mason District Park, 6621 Columbia Pike in Annandale.  The market is held rain or shine, May until early November.  For a complete schedule of Farmers Markets in Fairfax County Park Authority, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/wp-farm-mkt.htm.

Spotlight by Starlight Serenades Summer Comes to a Close
Bring your friends and enjoy free concerts through the month of August.  At Mason District Park, 6621 Columbia Pike in Annandale, enjoy live musical performances beginning at 7:30 p.m. every Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings.  Children’s shows are featured at 10 a.m. on Saturday mornings.  At Ossian Hall Park, 7900 Heritage Drive in Annandale, cultural heritage nights are featured on Saturdays, August 4, 11, and 25, and West African music on August 21.  All performances begin at 7:30 p.m.  For a complete performance schedule, visit the Web site at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances.  Admission is free, and parking is on-site.  Concerts are cancelled in the event of inclement weather.  Call 703-324-SHOW (7469) one hour prior to performance for updates.