Monday, June 11, 2007

6/15/07 Fountains, Snakes, Book Sale, Black Belts


Summer is here, school is out, and the pool is open everyday! I’m sure that it will go as quickly by as other summers. Open days without schedules seem to devour the hours, and before we know it September will be here. Lightening bugs are out at night and it’s hard to get the children to bed before 9 o’clock.

Blue skies prevailed for another beautiful Strawberry Faire. All those wonderful trees at Randolph Macon help make it such a shady event. How about all those kiddies swimming in the fountain? They look like future Randolph-Macon professors to me!

Congratulations to Josh Sanders who received his black belt at Old Dominion Martial Arts here in town! Josh has been training with Master Oliver there since he was 4 years old, and has absolutely loved the program. His mom, Tish, says that Old Dominion teaches their students great self-discipline and confidence.

I’ve got an easy way to support your local Ashland Library. Clean out your bookshelves and take all those books that you haven’t read in ages over to the Library now before July 2 for the 4th of July Book Sale. This great sale takes place inside the Hanover Arts and Activities Center on July 4th while all the celebrations are taking place on the front lawn. It’s really a wonderful sale, but you’ll want to get there early. Add to your children’s bookshelf. Find some good books to read this summer! You never know what treasures you’ll find for fifty cents. The sale goes from 9am to 2pm.

There’s a great new shop right by the Ashland Library. Check out Lady Grey’s selection of new and antique home furnishings if you’re over that way.

Now that the hot weather is here, you don’t have to live in the country to have some snakes in your yard. Please watch where you put your hands and feet, especially in any of the parks or walking trails around town. I’ve heard reports of copperheads, black snakes, and garter snakes from neighbors and friends in Ashland.

Town Council will meet this Tuesday, June 19th at 7pm in Council chambers at Town Hall. On June 5th, Town Council voted to defer making a decision on the Lowes rezoning until their next meeting. Many people are opposed to a Lowes building on the property behind Slash Cottage for several reasons, but the main one seems to be that the building is large for a relatively small piece of land. Residents of Slash Cottage are also concerned about the noise from daily operations, and added traffic to the intersection of Rt. 1 and Ashcake Rd. If you’ve got concerns or questions, please contact your town council members. You can go to the town website: www.town.ashland.va.us, or call 804- 798-9219.

Come out to the Ashland Skate Park on Saturday, June 23rd at 10am, for a Skating Competition sponsored by the Ashland Police Department and Dominion Skateboard. Categories include Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, and Best Trick Competition. This event is limited to 20 participants per division, and you should arrive at the park by 9:30 am. Helmets are required. Call the Ashland Police Department, 804-798-1227, for more information.

As the haze rises in the morning, announcing another humid Virginia day, I hope that you all will appreciate having your own personal sauna and enjoy the summer! Call or email me with your news and special events. Do you know of a non-profit that needs some help or is having a fundraiser? Call me at 804-310-5320 or email ashlandnews@gmail.com Have a great weekend!

It's a shame we didn't get any snow this winter...

Especially since we're building this new town ski lodge.  I mean, I guess it could potentially bring in tourism dollars, if we ...