Dead Run Stream Restoration, Virginia

For many years my dad worked on the Dead Run stream restoration that had the ribbon cutting this weekend. He pioneered a new type of plan set that was a long roll to show the full site plan of the 1-mile long project so they didn't have to keep taping the sheets together. In Bluebeam, of course. My dad's boss, Matt Myers, told us how that form of plan is referred to the "Palmer Plans" in their office now. That is the plan set that I am looking at on the table. My dad's boss is in the picture speaking at the podium. As a honor, the project was dedicated to my dad and he was talked about by each of the speakers. It was wonderful to see the project that all of us have been hearing (and sometimes complaining) about from my dad over the past several years. A huge credit to my dad's boss for being supportive to my father for his entire time at Fairfax and he was also fantastic during my dad's time in the hospital visiting him many times and as the advocate for my dad and overall outpouring of love from his friends in Fairfax. Fortunately there was a photographer there that was able to share the pictures of the event with us.

This is the article published about the restoration:
On, Saturday, June 1, 2019, leaders from the Fairfax County Park Authority and the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) joined community members to celebrate the completion of the Dead Run Stream Restoration in McLean, Virginia. The project restored 3,200 linear feet of stream within McLean Central Park and the Dead Run Stream Valley Park between Old Dominion and Churchill Roads. The existing degraded stream was improved using natural channel design and riparian corridor enhancements to stabilize the stream banks, protect private and county property, reduce erosion and tree loss and improve water quality and habitat. The project was dedicated to the memory of John Palmer, Landscape Architect for DPWES’ Stormwater Planning Division, who worked tirelessly to make this restoration one of the best in Fairfax County. Members of his family were on hand to help cut the ribbon.

Niagara Falls, New York

We visited several national parks along the northern border of New York. One of which was the Woman's Rights Park which is where the first Women's Right's Convention in US history took place on July 9, 1848.  We were able to visit the chapel in Seneca Falls, NY where this convention was held.

Ayrlawn Zoo Field Trip

All of the 4-5 year old classes from Ayrlawn went to the Zoo for a field trip.  Owen's favorite part was riding in the bus down to the zoo.  I went as a chaperone and I was surprised that they all did pretty good.  There was some pairing up drama that towards the end of the tour the kids didn't want to be with who they were with at the beginning.  They all got bright orange YMCA shirts that was also pretty adorable.  The weather was beautiful which was a relief for the crazy heat from the days prior.  It seemed like almost all other pre-schools were there at the same time.  It took the buses a long time to wait in line with all the other buses so we ended up being an hour late back to school.