The Winchester City Council approved the removal of three downtown traffic signals at the July 8 council meeting (five signals were proposed for removal). 

 

Starting next week the signals will be removed in a phased approach:

1) Cameron Street/Rouss Avenue - July 22

2) Braddock/Amherst Streets - July 29

3) Washington/Amherst Streets - August 5 

 

Stop signs will be installed upon removal of each signal. By removing these three outdated signals and replacing them with stop signs instead of purchasing new signals, the City will save approximately $540,000. 

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Executive Protection Systems (EPS) hosted a safety fair at their corporate offices on July 15.  In a ceremony during the fair, EPS graciously donated materials for use in the Winchester-Frederick County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program.

 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency began promoting nationwide use of the Community Emergency Response Team concept in 1994.  The LEPC has supported this goal and implements the training  program.  The CERT program trains volunteer community members, community organizations, or workplaces in basic response skills. CERT members are then integrated into the emergency response capability for their area.  When emergencies happen, CERT members can assist and support first responders by applying skills and techniques learned during the training sessions. These skills can help save and sustain lives before, during and following a disaster.

 

Click here to learn more about the CERT program.

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According to the Worldwatch Institute, American food travels an average of 1,500 to 2,500 miles from farm to table. Transporting food by road, truck, plane, cargo ship or any combination of these, with refrigeration and additional packaging uses fossil fuels and creates harmful carbon emissions and air pollution. Supporting small shops, or stores who sale produce from local farmers can help prevent your food from traveling long distances to reach you.  Plus, buying local also stimulates the local economy. 

 

Farmers markets are a great place to get fresh produce.  By concentrating on buying fruits and vegetables when they are naturally in season, and buying locally, consumers are able to cut down on their food miles and get fresher, better tasting produce!

 

The City of Winchester is home to several farmers markets located in the downtown area. The Winchester City Market is located on the Old Town Mall and recently re-opened after taking a year-long break.  The Winchester City Market offers produce, meats, and other items from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays through the end of August. 

 

The Freight Station Farmers Market located in the Little Theatre parking lot on Amherst Street is open 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, Friday and Saturday from May to December.  The Freight Station Farmers Market offers fresh fruit, vegetables, eggs and baked goods. 

On Saturday, July 19 the year-round Virginia Market@ZeroPak grand opening will be held at the Zero Pak building on North Cameron Street.  Market hours are from noon to 3:00 p.m.  The focus of the market includes fresh produce, art, antiques, and environmentally sensitive products and services.

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The Winchester-Frederick County Visitors Center introduces a new video showcasing the area's history, attractions and major events.  Click here to view it online or visit the new Tourism Center on Pleasant Valley to watch it in their Media Room.

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During the July 8, 2008 meeting of the Common Council of the City of Winchester, Councilors voted to change their meeting start time from 7:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  All meetings are held in the Rouss City Hall Council Chambers.

 

The public is welcome and citizen participation is encouraged.  Special accommodations to attend the meeting can be arranged by calling City Hall at 667-1815 or 722-0782 (TDD). All official meetings of the City of Winchester Council are open to the public.

 

To see a full list of meeting dates and view archived minutes, visit http://www.winchesterva.gov/government/councilmtngs.php.

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During the spring and summer months, the City picks up yard waste, such as grass clippings, sticks, leaves and anything else that grows for Winchester residents.  But did you know, you could use that yard waste to keep your lawn, plants and trees healthy? 

 

For instance, changing what you do with your grass clippings can be a first step to maximizing your lawn’s potential.  You can put them to work by using a mulching mower or by just not bagging your clippings.  Why throw away nutrients and water just to buy them later?  Grass clippings provide the same vital nutrients as lawn fertilizer, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.  These clippings also help keep your lawn hydrated as the water contained in these clippings break down into your soil.  That means you’ll be saving time you would have spent watering your lawn or bagging up those clippings, so consider including grasscycling as part of your yard work routine.

 

Also, composted yard waste can serve as an effective fertilizer.  Using this alternative to purchasing fertilizer at the store is one way to manage your yard waste, save money, help protect our environment, and beautify your lawn all at the same time.  Use compost for flower beds and pots, gardening soil, and for spreading it around trees to give them essential nutrients needed to grow.  Visit www.compostguide.com or www.epa.gov/compost for more information about composting.

 

If you are uncomfortable with composting yourself, the City offers FREE leaf compost for residents at the City Yards (301 E. Cork Street), Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Load you own, or call Terry Davis at 667-1815 ext. 1490 at least one day ahead to schedule help with loading. Want leaves to make your own compost or for something else?  The City's Public Works Department will deliver a load of leaves to your home or business, during the curbside leaf collection in the fall.  Call Terry to be added on the fall leaves delivery list.

 

On WCT Channel 20, you can also catch the latest episode of Winchester
Recycles, hosted by the City's Recycling and Refuse Coordinator, Mike Neese. This season's program features ways to reduce your impact on the environment while keeping your lawn green through the summer months.  Winchester Recycles airs 45 minutes after every even hour (ex. 12:45, 2:45, etc).

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Watch "Winchester Today" For More City of Winchester Information

The City of Winchester is announcing, in conjunction with Stuart M. Perry Paving Company, that the paving project on Pleasant Valley Road will begin Sunday, July 20, 2008. 

 

The paving of Pleasant Valley Road will begin at Parkview Avenue and will proceed south to Adams Drive.  Following the completion of this section of Pleasant Valley, Jubal Early Drive will be paved between Pleasant Valley and Frontage Road.  The work on both of these streets should be completed within two weeks.

 

Paving will be performed at night from approximately 8:00 p.m. to approximately 6:00 a.m. the following morning.  Please expect delays when traveling Pleasant Valley Road and Jubal Early Drive during these times. Every attempt is being made to keep at least two lanes open at all times (one in each direction) to allow for the movement of traffic and to allow access into Pleasant Valley Road and Jubal Early businesses.

 

The City of Winchester wants to thank all the citizens, Pleasant Valley Road and Jubal Early Drive business owners and the public who utilize this important roadway for their patience and cooperation.  Every effort is being made to complete this much needed project as soon as possible.

 

The entire Summer Paving Project includes the following streets:
1) North Kent Street between Cork and Piccadilly
2) Pall Mall between Hollingsworth and the RR tracks
3) Pleasant Valley between Parkview and Adams
4) Jubal Early between Pleasant Valley and Frontage Road
5) Taft between Wilson and Papermill
6) Roosevelt between Weems and Papermill
7) Patsy Cline east of Pleasant Valley 

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According to Daniel Pink, author of A Whole New Mind, the world is "moving from an economy and a society built on the logical, linear, computer-like capabilities of the Information Age to an economy and a society built on the inventive, empathic, big-picture capabilities of what's rising in its place, the Conceptual Age." 

 

Pink has determined six essential aptitudes that are needed in order to move toward this Conceptual Age and ultimately professional success and personal satisfaction.  The six aptitudes include: Design, Story, Symphony, Empathy, Play, and Meaning.

 

In the past, the City's INSIGHT Citizen's Academy has been organized in a way that is better suited for the Informational Age thinker.  Understanding that some people find the simple dissemination of facts and details hard to follow and fully understand, the City has reorganized the Academy around the six Conceptual Age aptitudes to improve the program's impact. 

 

Sign up for the City's 2008 INSIGHT Citizen's Academy and gain a new insight into your city and your local government.  Below is a brief overview of the program.  Following week 1, attendance at the Tuesday sessions are highly encouraged but optional.  The Citizen's Academy is held on Thursday nights from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. 

 

 

Week 1     Tuesday, August 19         Welcome Reception (6:00 p.m.)
                 Thursday, August 21        DESIGNing Winchester I
                 Economic Redevelopment, Parking, Old Town Development

 

Week 2     Tuesday, August 26          Historical Tour of City Hall
                 Thursday, August 27        DESIGNing Winchester II
                 Planning, Zoning, Inspections

 

Week 3     Tuesday, September 2       Handley Library & Tour
                 Thursday, September 4     Telling Our STORY I
                 Winchester History by Mike Foreman

 

Week 4     Tuesday, September 9        Public Works & Going Green
                 Thursday, September 11    Telling Our STORY II
                 City Manager/Council, Finance, Commissioner & Treasurer

 

Week 5     Tuesday, September 16       Constitutional Officers
                 Attend Court, Clerk, Sheriff, CW Attorney
                 Thursday, September 18     Working as a SYMPHONY I
                 Police, Fire & Rescue, Emergency Communication,

 

Week 6     Tuesday, September 23        Tour: Wastewater Treatment Plant
                 Thursday, September 25      Working as a SYMPHONY II
                 Utilities, Engineering, Tour of Water Plant

 

Week 7     Tuesday, September 30         Winc. Public Schools & Tour: JHHS
                 Thursday, October 2              Having EMPATHY for Others I
                 Housing & Neighborhood Development, Transit

 

Week 8     Tuesday, October 7                Tour: Juvenile Detention Center &

                                                                 Regional Jail
                 Thursday, October 9              Having EMPATHY for Others II
                 Social Services

 

Week 9     Tuesday, October 14              Attend a Council Meeting
                 Thursday, October 16             Maintaining PLAY
                 Parks & Recreation, Administration

 

Week 10   Tuesday, October 21               Tourism & Tour of Visitor Ctr.
                 Thursday, October 23             Finding the MEANING
                 Mock City Council Meeting, Graduation Ceremony

 

Have questions or want to register?  Contact Amy Simmons at asimmons@ci.winchester.va.us or at 533-0603 or click here to view the INSIGHT brochure and registration form online.  Registration deadline is August 18.  Don't miss it!  This program is only offered once a year.