HCA WINTER 2016-17 FORECAST: MORE STORMS

From AccuWeather today:  "Frequent storms across the northeastern U.S. this winter may lead to an above-normal season for snowfall.  "I think the Northeast is going to see more than just a few, maybe several, systems in the course of the season," AccuWeather Long-Range Forecaster Paul Pastelok said.  Unlike last season, in which most of winter's snowfall came from a few heavy-hitting storms, this winter will last into the early or middle part of spring and will feature frequent snow events.  According to Pastelok, accumulation may be limited in areas south of New York City, such as Philadelphia, D.C. and Baltimore. These areas will see a handful of changeover systems, where falling snow transitions to rain and sleet.  "But still, Boston, Hartford, along the coastal areas up into Connecticut and southern New England, they can still have a fair amount of snow," he said.  Overall, it's predicted that the region will total a below-normal number of subzero days, though the temperature will average 3-5 degrees Fahrenheit lower than last year."

HCA RESIDENTS ONLY: FREE FIREWOOD

In response to an HCA request, the Stream Restoration team split and stacked firewood from removed trees for use only by Hickory Cluster residents in their wood-burning fireplaces or rear patio fire pits.  The firewood is stacked near the Block 1 swingset and is available now on a first-come-first-served basis.  It typically takes several months to dry before becoming fully burnable, so cover and protect this firewood from additional moisture when you take it home.  Please immediately report unauthorized removal by non-residents to an HCA Director or TWC.

HCA ENTRANCE LANDSCAPE DISCUSSION @ WED SEP 21

As part of the September monthly meeting, HCA Directors will discuss proposals for landscaping changes to the Maple Ridge Road and Hickory Cluster street entrance Common Areas.  Directors presented initial proposals developed by Architect Ralph Youngren FAIA, former landscape professional Toni Della Ratta, and local artist Shirley Manning, to Members at the May 2016 Annual Meeting, and discussed related issues at the July 2016 monthly Board meeting.  Since July, Ralph, Toni, Shirley, and Director Blake Travis have collaborated with a professional landscape designer to further develop proposal details.  HCA encourages all Members to attend the September meeting and discussion of current version proposals at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, September 21, at the Reston Community Center Lake Anne.

HCA STREAMBED NATIVE PLANT RESCUE @ SEP 8-17

As part of the Stream Restoration project, numerous existing native plants may be destroyed unless relocated before construction begins.  To save them, Hickory Cluster gardeners are encouraged to find, remove, and relocate the following native plants recently identified by the Reston Garden Club within the HCA Blocks 1-2 streambed area, starting today through September 17:
FERNS:  New York, Christmas, Lady, Grape
GRASSES / SEDGES:  Deertongue, Luzula, Pennsylvania
SHRUBS / TREES:  Elderberry, Spicebush, Cornus Florida
VIBURNUM SHRUBS:  Mapleleaf, Dentatum
VINES:  Virginia Creeper, Grape

OTHERS:  Partridge Berry, Jewelweed, False Nettle, Jumpseed, Hog-Peanut, Asclepias Incarnata, Lobelia Cardinalis, Asters, Agrimony, Liriope
These native plants can be relocated to either (1) the Blocks 2-3 streambed Common Area not part of the restoration project, or (2) Hickory Cluster private gardens within private property lines, not nearby Common Areas.  To help save any remaining native plants not relocated by HCA Members, RA will host a public Native Plant Rescue on Saturday, September 17, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., within the streambed restoration area.  During this public event, participants may remove rescued native plants from Hickory Cluster.