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With leaves falling along with autumn temperatures, Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia is pleading with local property owners not to rake and remove all their leaves from yards.

“There are many ways you can use them rather than sending them to the landfill,” said Claudia Gerwin, who on Oct. 3 led an online program for Virginia Cooperative Extension’s Arlington-Alexandria office.


Around Town

A new orchard at Dr. Charles Drew Elementary School is already producing fruit after surviving an unusually dry August.

All the saplings planted in the spring survived the summer, making it likely they will have long-term viability, said Mary Glass of the Arlington Tree Connection advocacy group.


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Gas-powered leaf blowers could soon meet their downfall in Arlington.

The County Board is considering a possible ban on the controversial contraptions, which local environmental advocates have criticized for their loud noise levels and low fuel efficiency.


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A proposed tweak to Arlington’s two-year-old stormwater-fee program could help members of homeowners’ associations save a little money.

County Board members are considering a possible change to the county’s stormwater-credit fee in areas where homeowners’ groups have made specific stormwater improvements. The change, which Board members voted to advertise for an October public hearing, would allow for financial rebates of up to 35%.


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As they gear up for a busy fall schedule, Falls Church city leaders are preparing to seek their share of a $6.5 billion national opioid settlement.

City Council members on Sept. 8 are slated to approve action notifying Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares that the city will participate in the state government’s proposed settlement with Purdue Pharma and its primary owner, the Sackler family.


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Revamps of parking, towing and tree-canopy requirements could be coming to an increasingly urbanized Falls Church.

A work plan from City Manager Wyatt Shields includes a possible rewrite of existing rules for how much parking new development projects must include, plus possible changes to the city’s tree canopy ordinance and towing ordinance.


Around Town

Arlington homeowners have until next week to apply to get a free native tree or shrub this fall.

Applications for EcoAction Arlington’s biannual Tree Planting Program and Tree Canopy Equity Program close next Monday, June 23. The nonprofit plans to plant 200 trees and 50 shrubs across the county.


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Planned changes to local preservation guidelines have some local officials concerned about needless bureaucracy as well as loopholes for developers.

Several members of the county’s Park and Recreation Commission voiced skepticism after they received a briefing on proposed changes slated for Arlington County Board consideration in June.


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Over a dozen additional fruit trees and bushes have joined an orchard at a Green Valley elementary school.

The greenery, which volunteers from several local organizations planted on Saturday, expands a ring of raspberry bushes, blackberry bushes and apple, plum and pear trees around Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary School.


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The Arlington County Board has joined a chorus of regional voices asking Dominion Energy to be more judicious in tree removal efforts.

The Board unanimously voted on Tuesday in support of a resolution calling on the energy company to avoid draconian efforts to manage the landscape along Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Regional Park and adjoining power lines.


Around Town

As cherry blossoms begin to bloom, seasonal events and dining specials are blossoming around Arlington.

From live music and art markets to themed coffees and donuts, here’s a look at where to get festive and where to spot the famous flowers.


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