HCA STREAM RESTORATION EVENT @ MAR 11

HCA will celebrate substantial completion of the Stream Restoration project and footbridge replacement with a gathering at the Blocks 1-2 stream pond footbridge on Saturday, March 11, 2017 at 10:00 a.m.  RA Lake Anne / Tall Oaks Director Sherri Hebert, RA CEO Cate Fulkerson, RA Watershed Manager Nicki Bellezza, Wetland Studies Project Manager Frank Graziano, and the HCA Board of Directors will participate.  All HCA residents are invited to attend. 

UPDATE ... With Members, Directors, and guests braving sub-freezing temperatures on an otherwise beautiful sunny day, HCA presented a surprise framed letter of thanks to the Wetland Studies team for the exceptional leadership, knowledge, and experience they provided to transform an eroding streambed from an environmental liability to a community asset.  In another surprise, HCA presented former multiple-term Director and Member architect-in-residence Ralph P. Youngren, FAIA with a laser-etched stainless steel plaque dedicating to him the replacement pond footpath bridge he designed ... now to be known as the Youngren Bridge.  The event concluded with a champagne toast to everyone who helped bring this decade-long project to successful completion.

HCA SPRING CLEAN-UP @ MAR 1-31

The HCA grounds maintenance contractor will begin their Spring 2017 flowerbed/planter mulching and clean-up next week, March 6-10, in preparation for seasonal weekly mowing and related tasks.  And our tree maintenance contractor will begin removing HCA-approved high risk trees from now through about March 10.  In addition, HCA Spring 2017 Cluster Clean-Up will be held during the entire month of March 2017.  During this period, HCA encourages Members to remove vines from tree trunks and branches, remove debris behind rear row houses and carriage houses, stack fallen tree debris near the central RA footpath or HCA streets for April contractor removal, and remove personal property stored on nearby Common Areas.  However, Members should not otherwise remove invasive species English Ivy from HCA Common Areas because it provides inexpensive ground cover that controls soil erosion.  Be careful to avoid Poison Ivy and similar plants.  Contact individual Directors to coordinate special projects.

HCA ROAD STORM SERVICE UPDATE

From our snow removal contractor this afternoon:  " ... there is snow in the forecast for tomorrow night into Thursday. ... I do not think we will be mobilizing our snow and ice management team.  I feel that whatever does fall will melt upon contact.  Snow that falls and actually sticks will be mainly on the grassy areas.  I will continue to monitor the situation and if anything changes I will let you know. ... "  From the NOAA National Weather Service, also this afternoon:  "Wednesday night, rain before 4:00 a.m., then rain and snow.  New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.  Thursday, snow, mainly before 7:00 a.m., then a chance of snow showers after noon. ... "

HCA ROAD STORM SERVICE UPDATE

From our snow removal contractor midday today:  " ... Regarding the winter weather forecast for this evening and overnight ... I do not think we will be mobilizing for this storm. The greatest chance for any of the predicted moisture to stick is south and east of D.C. ... "  From the NOAA National Weather Service for Reston as of 12:27 p.m. today:  This afternoon, a chance of rain and snow showers after 4:00 p.m.  Tonight, a chance of rain and snow showers before 7:00 p.m., then snow likely, new snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.  Monday, a chance of snow before 7:00 a.m., then scattered snow showers between 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Northwest wind 8-14 m.p.h., with gusts as high as 23 m.p.h.  Tuesday, a chance of snow, South wind 11-17 m.p.h., with gusts as high as 26 m.p.h. ... "

HCA ROAD STORM SERVICE UPDATE

From our snow removal contractor Perfect Landscapes Account Manager this morning:  " ... Our area is forecast to see winter weather move in tonight that will continue to affect our area throughout the day tomorrow.  Precipitation will be a mixed bag of snow, ice and freezing rain.  Estimates of accumulation vary but it is certain that roads will be slick.  We are planning on treating the paved areas overnight tonight to help keep the cluster roadways as safe as possible. ... "  AccuWeather forecasts an ice storm will impact the DC area Saturday and Saturday night.  The NOAA National Weather Service forecast for Reston at 6:27 a.m. this morning:  Tonight:  Rain and sleet likely between midnight and 3:00 a.m., then freezing rain and sleet likely after 3:00 a.m. ... Little or no ice accumulation expected.  New sleet accumulation of less than a half inch possible.  Saturday:  Freezing rain and sleet, becoming all freezing rain after 3:00 p.m.  ...  New ice accumulation of less than a 0.1 inch possible.  Little or no sleet accumulation expected.  Saturday Night:  Freezing rain likely before midnight, then a chance of freezing rain and sleet. ...  Little or no ice accumulation expected.  Little or no sleet accumulation expected.  Sunday:  A slight chance of snow before 10:00 a.m., then a slight chance of rain.  ...  Sunday Night:  A chance of rain and snow.

HCA ROAD STORM SERVICE UPDATE

From our snow removal contractor Perfect Landscapes Account Manager earlier today: " ... closely watching a winter storm that is currently affecting areas well south of us. The forecast for our area is for occasional flurries and snow showers beginning tomorrow morning and ending in the mid afternoon with little to no accumulating snows.  The impact of this storm for us seems minimal at this point.  As a result it appears that snow and ice management operations will not be necessary tomorrow.  I will continue to monitor the situation throughout the day today ... ."  The NOAA National Weather Service forecast for tonight and tomorrow as of 12:27 p.m. today:  "Tonight: A chance of snow after 3:00 a.m.  Mostly cloudy, with a low around 19F.  North wind 8 to 11 m.p.h.  Chance of precipitation is 50%.   Saturday: Snow likely, mainly between 7:00 a.m. and noon.  Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 27F. Northwest wind 13 to 15 m.p.h., with gusts as high as 23 m.p.h. Chance of precipitation is 70%.  New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.  Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 15.  Northwest wind 13 to 16 m.p.h., with gusts as high as 23 m.p.h.

COUNTY SCHOOL FIRE ALARM TESTING @ JAN 9-13

From our nearby neighbor this afternoon:  "... the fire alarm system at Lake Anne Elementary School will be inspected and tested during the week of January 9, 2017.  The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Fairfax County Office of the Fire Marshal require Fairfax County Public Schools to test the Lake Anne Elementary School fire alarm system annually. This test is very extensive, as they must inspect and test each and every fire alarm device. This testing can only be performed when the building is unoccupied; therefore, the typical hours of testing are from approximately 10:00 P.M. until 5:00 A.M., Monday through Friday. System testing can range from 1 day to 5 days, depending on building size.  In an effort to minimize disruption to the citizens, the testing of the audible portion (horns) of the system is performed at the end of the total system test (the last testing day). The approximate amount of time that the audible portion (horns) are activated per site, per test, is 15 minutes for an elementary school. ... "  For more information, contact Ms. Sue McCallister, Administrative Assistant/Finance Tech, Lake Anne Elementary School, at (703) 326-3500 or skmccalliste@fcps.edu.

HCA ROAD STORM SERVICE UPDATE

From our snow removal contractor Perfect Landscapes Account Manager this morning:  "As of right now it appears that the winter weather we are expecting this evening and overnight is going to be minimal with an expected accumulation of a dusting  to possibly 1". My thought now this morning is that plowing will probably not be necessary. A good pre-treatment of ice melt may. I will be monitoring the situation during the day and will keep you updated of our plans. ... "  From the NOAA National Weather Service Hazardous Weather Outlook for Reston, VA at 1:25 p.m. today:  "... This Afternoon: A chance of snow.  Cloudy, with a high near 34F.  South wind around 6 m.p.h.  Chance of precipitation is 40%.  Tonight: Snow, mainly before 4:00 a.m.  Low around 27F.  Light and variable wind becoming north 5 to 9 m.p.h. after midnight.  Chance of precipitation is 80%.  New snow accumulation of around an inch possible. ... "  UPDATE ... From Perfect Landscapes at 4:03 p.m. today:  "... There has not been a change in the winter weather forecast. Because the temperatures will remain cold tonight and through tomorrow I have made the decision to treat the paved areas of the cluster with ice melt overnight. ... "

HCA POND FOOTBRIDGE WORK @ JAN 9-23

From the WSSI Stream Restoration Project Manager late yesterday:  " ... We finally have the permit in-hand for the bridge and nearly all the pieces.  We expect them this week so the plan as of right now is to begin on Monday (January 9, 2017) with the removal of the old bridge.  Looks like the bridge will be closed for about 2 weeks. ... "  The original Fairfax County bridge permit expired because of lengthy pre-construction funding delays and WSSI resubmitted required documents to obtain a new permit.

HCA ROAD STORM SERVICE UPDATE

From the NOAA National Weather Service this afternoon for Fairfax and Loudon Counties:  "Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect from midnight tonight through noon Saturday. ... Snow and sleet accumulation of less than 1/2 inch with 1/10 inch ice glaze.  Periods of snow and sleet will overspread the region after midnight tonight then change to freezing rain before dawn Saturday morning.  Freezing rain will change to rain by noon Saturday. Hazardous travel is expected due to icy roads and walkways."  Because expected rain will melt the limited amount of snow and ice, and also wash away ice treatment, contractor Perfect Landscapes advised yesterday they do not plan to treat HCA streets during this storm.