MBRA Marshall Minute March 2008 Newsletter

 

 

NEXT MEETING            Tuesday, March 18th at 7:30 pm

 

SPEAKERS:      Fauquier Parks and Recreation Director Larry Miller, project manager for the Northern Sports Complex Ron Mabry, State Senate Representative Jill Holtzman-Vogel, and a representative from the Water and Sewer Authority.

 

MBRA meets regularly the third Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. in the Marshall Community Center. Please check for updates at www.marshallva.com. If you have questions youíd like to ask but are unable to attend, you may email them to us at marshallminute@yahoo.com or leave them at the front desk at the Marshall Community Center to be picked up on meeting night.

                                               

                        Want to talk about a specific topic related to the Marshall area? Want to hear from a local leader or speaker? Let us know! Please contact MBRA President Joan Fries at (540) 364-1688 with your requests and suggestions for topics and speakers.

 

 

 

Sharon and Brian Roeder of Barrel Oak Winery

If you've taken a drive west of Marshall along Route 55 in the past few months, you may have noticed the big construction project on a slope among the fields. This is Barrel Oak Winery, which is scheduled for a grand opening on May 23rd of this year.

It's owners, Sharon and Brian Roeder, met at Georgetown University as graduate students and have been together ever since. One day the two were dreaming about which direction to take with their lives when Sharon came up with a scenario of "checking the vines in the misty morn with her dog and a cup of coffee. " Brian took that idea and ran with it. Now Sharon runs the vineyard, Brian runs the business, and their playful dogs run the show.

Barrel Oak Winery is located on Grove Lane, between Marshall and Delaplane. The building employs state-of-the-art green technologies, such as a geothermal heating/cooling system and high efficiency insulation, but the facade will have more of an more old-world look. The large patio overlooks the historic John Marshall property and has expansive views of the surrounding hills. Inside, a majestic hearth made from native stone holds court in the high-ceilinged tasting room with extra space for meetings, weddings, education, and catered dinners. Downstairs, the massive underground winemaking facility will also be on view to visitors.

After the May 23rd opening, Barrel Oak Winery will be open for tastings and tours Wednesdays through Mondays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sharon and Brian Roeder may be reached by email at brian@barreloak.com, or by phone at (703) 798-8308, or at (540) 364-6402 starting in May. Their website is www.BarrelOak.com. They look forward to hosting community events and becoming part of the Marshall experience.

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February MBRA Meeting Notes

Major Paul Mercer of the Fauquier Sheriff's office was on hand, accompanied by several other police investigators, to address concerns about graffiti in the area. They assured us that while police are aware of where gang members live in Fauquier County, they do not believe the graffiti in Marshall to be gang-related, but merely "tagging", a form of self-promotional vandalism. It is thought to be the work of some older youths from the area. Nevertheless, it is considered a Class One Misdemeanor and can result in 12 months in jail, a $2500 fine or both.

                        The Sheriff's department recommends what they call "hardening the target" by maintaining situations less inviting to vandals and thieves. Turn on outside lighting after dark, lock houses and cars, and don't leave keys, wallets, purses or weapons unattended in cars. Keep communication with neighbors open so they are aware of who is and is not supposed to be on your property.

                        If you notice new graffiti anywhere, please call the police as soon as possible. Don't worry that the complaint might seem insignificant, it is important to the police. They would rather have a call about "nothing" than no leads to go on. Major Mercer's direct office line is (540) 349-2201. You may also call the Fauquier Police Non-Emergency number at (540) 347-3300 or Crime Solvers at (540) 349-1000. Any suspicious car activity may be reported by calling 911. You may request to have the police come to your home or NOT come to your home. More information may be found at the Fauquier Sheriff's Site

                        If you find graffiti on your property, call police first, let them come and take photos, and then try to have it removed as soon as possible to discourage copycats. Your insurance may cover graffiti removal. If the graffiti is on public property, report it to the police and request that VDOT's on call graffiti removal service be notified. Neighborhood Watches and private vigils are very helpful, but please leave all confrontations to the police.

The officers were impressed by the number of concerned citizens in attendance. The most effective prevention of crime is a community that cares and sticks together, communicates and stays involved. We hope you'll join us at our next MBRA meeting on March 18th at 7:30 at the Marshall Community Center.

 

The Old Salem Restaurant Changes Hands Doris Elam and Mary Putnam sold the Old Salem restaurant on Main Street on February 11, 2008, and would like to thank all their customers for their patronage over the years. They thought of everyone as family and though it broke their hearts to go, they felt they needed to retire due to health reasons. They still own the building and will be around. The restaurant will remain under the same name, and will retain the cook and the same sort of menu and price range to which we have grown accustomed.

The new owners, Barbara and Michael Lynch, re-opened the restaurant on February 12th. The Marshall Minute hopes to bring you a profile about them in the near future.

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Monthly Senior Luncheon Seniors of the Marshall area are invited to a luncheon, which is held the 1st Thursday of every month at Marshall Methodist Church, 8405 W. Main Street. The next date is March 6, 2008. We eat at 12:00 noon. The first time you come, come as a guest, after that come join us and bring a covered dish (meat, vegetable, fruit or dessert, home-made or bought). Stay and visit with friends or make new ones. For info call Doris at 253-5349 or Nancy at 364-1413

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Marshall Service District Comprehensive Plan Meetings on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Media room upstairs at the new Tri-County Feed building, 7408 John Marshall Highway. The Public is encouraged to attend to provide feedback. March topics: March 11- Gateway at Route 17/66, March 25- Gateways at Route 55 from the east and west sides of town.
Note: The Marshall Service District Committee meeting scheduled for March 25th, is canceled. This is the same night as the Board of Supervisors Public Hearing for Citizens Comments on the FY 2009 Proposed Budget and Tax Rate. A number of Marshall citizens want to attend that Public Hearing. The next Marshall Service District Committee meeting will take place on April 8th, when the topic will be the east and west gateways. For more info, visit this website

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Historic Lecture Series The Fauquier Heritage Institute presents a lecture on the Elk Run Anglican Church Excavation. Sunday, March 16 at 3 p.m. at the John Barton Payne Building at 2 Courthouse Square in Warrenton. The speakers will be Col. Edward Dandar and archeologist Dr. John Eddens. Free. In case of inclement weather please call (540) 341-7019 to confirm lecture is being held. This is part of Lecture Series 2008 in anticipation of the Fauquier County 250th anniversary celebration in 2009.

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Library Special Events in March at John Marshall Library, 4133 Rectortown Road, (540) 364-4910.

Saturdays Tax Help - 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.; by volunteers from the Foundation for Tax Assistance; by appointment only; call (540) 349-8142 for appointments.

Mondays Tax Help - 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.; by volunteers from the Foundation for Tax Assistance; by appointment only; call (540) 349-8142 for appointments.

Tuesday, March 4 Dr. Seuss' Birthday - 4:30 p.m.; celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday and Read Across America day with a special story time and activities; all ages welcome; free; no registration.

Wednesday, March 12 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald - 1 p.m.; Marshall Afternoon Book Club; new members welcome; free; no registration

'Knight at Dawn ' - 4 p.m.; school-age program based on the Magic Tree House book series; free; no registration

Friday, March 14 Protecting the World Around Us - 10:30 a.m.; presented by Fauquier County Environmental Services; listen to stories about how litter can hurt animals and our environment; free; no registration

Monday, March 31 'Behind the Scenes at the Museum' by Kate Atkinson - 7 p.m.; Marshall Evening Book Club; new members welcome; free; no registration

 

Editors: Ken and Bess Taylor

Copyright 2008 Marshall Minute