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2001 News Archive
January thru March

January | February | March

Progress on many fronts

HIGHLIGHTS
4 NEW FTAS "ADOPT-A-STREAM" SIGNS ERECTED IN McLEAN
A GOOD YEAR FOR GEORGETOWN PIKE TRAIL
PRIVATE FIRM ANALYZING COST OF PIMMIT RUN TRAIL BRIDGES
NEW CONSERVATION EASEMENTS NEAR GREAT FALLS/RIVERBEND PARK
$20,000 GRANTED FOR POTOMAC HERITAGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
PLANNED CROSS-COUNTY JOG
NEXT FTAS MEETING JAN. 22: BRAINSTORMING

DETAILS
4 NEW FTAS "ADOPT-A-STREAM" SIGNS ERECTED IN McLEAN Four new Fairfax Trails and Streams "Adopt-A-Stream" signs have been erected. They are at Pimmit Run @ Westmoreland Street, Old Dominion Drive and Kirby Road, and at Little Pimmit Run @ Chesterbrook Road. Another sign has been up since summer, at Kent Gardens Park. A fifth will be erected soon. Thanks to Steve Dryden for initiating this effort and to Ed Pickens for helping Steve erect the signs.

A GOOD YEAR FOR GEORGETOWN PIKE TRAIL The Jan. 3, 2001 McLean Connection reports: "Last year was a good year for trails in Great Falls [with] over $1 million for trails along Georgetown Pike... Recently Supervisor Stuart Mendelsohn (R-Dranesville) announced the Federal Highway Administration awarded $423,480 for a multi-phase, stone-dust trail project on Georgetown Pike between I-495 and Route 7, [as] part of FHWA's National Scenic Byways Program. It is the only award of its kind in the state of Virginia. The Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail will include the eastern part of this trail, along the Pike from the Beltway to Great Falls Park. Congratulations to Eleanor Weck and the Great Falls Trailblazers, who led the effort.

PRIVATE FIRM ANALYZING COST OF PIMMIT RUN TRAIL BRIDGES In consultation with the Dranesville Supervisor's office and FTAS, a private firm with experience building trails in Fairfax County is preparing cost estimates to build to county standards the three needed Pimmit Run stream crossings between Old Dominion and Brookhaven Drive. Both bridges and fairweather crossings will be considered. Part of the cost is access to the remote sites. The hope is that the crossings can be built for the available funding (currently $98,000), while volunteers build the intervening segments.

NEW CONSERVATION EASEMENTS NEAR GREAT FALLS/RIVERBEND PARK Friday December 29th, two neighbors in Great Falls granted conservation easements, preserving 10.6 acres next to River Bend Park, in Great Falls. Where Great Falls National Park and River Bend Park meet, neighbors along Deer Park Road have decided to preserve the wooded environment adjacent to the Parks. These are the eighth and ninth easements granted to NVCT since December 1999. They prevent those properties from ever being subdivided and protect their wooded nature.

$20,000 GRANTED FOR POTOMAC HERITAGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL The Dominion Foundation, the charitable arm of Dominion / Virginia Power, has granted $20,000 for the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail Project. The grant was made in response to a proposal Phil Hocker submitted in June. Congratulations to Phil!

PLANNED CROSS-COUNTY JOG John Coogan of the Road Runners is tentatively planning a one-day 50 km jogging event covering the entire Cross-County Trail, possibly on March 31. So far no one has traversed this trail in a single day, so some history could be made! Stay tuned for final details.

NEXT FTAS MEETING JAN. 22 Our next meeting is January 22, at the usual time and place-7:30 pm at the McLean Government Center, 1437 Balls Hill Road, McLean. It will be a brainstorming meeting, and we may break up into several subgroups. Several FTAS senior members will attend, prepared to lead subgroup discussions. Topics will be decided by participants at the meeting, but could include: FIELD WORK: PLANNING FOR SPRING: - TRAIL: keeping the trail open when the weeds start growing, other volunteer trail work, planning hikes and walkthroughs for key individuals (who should we ask?) - ENVIRONMENTAL: litter cleanups, tours for wildlife, etc. LANDOWNER RELATIONS Working with landowners, NIMBYs, planning for public hearings COMMUNITY RELATIONS - posting brochures along trail - liaison with community/environmental/business groups - develop wish list for speakers for FTAS meetings - Website ideas FUNDING THE TRAIL - County, state and federal options - Local Private groups e.g., MCF, McLean Womens Club, ... - Mastenbrook grants (FCPA) - Grants from Hiking orgs (American Hiking Society, PATC) Pimmit Run Trail enthusiasts might ask why this trail, though advancing on various fronts, has not so far matched the rapid progress set by the Cross County Trail and Georgetown Pike Trail. What can be learned from their recent success?

Awards and Events

HIGHLIGHTS
VLCF AWARDS $30,000 FOR CROSS-COUNTY RIGHT-OF-WAY ACQUISITION
FTAS WINS POTOMAC HERITAGE PARTNERSHIP AWARD
PIMMIT RUN CLEANUP SET FOR MARCH 24
PLAN FOR BUILDING CENTRAL SECTION OF PIMMIT RUN TRAIL
CROSS-COUNTY JOG CONFIRMED FOR MARCH 31
DIFFICULT RUN COMMUNITY CONSERVANCY SPRING EVENTS
NO 2nd POWER LINE ON W&OD
FTAS MEETINGS
7:30pm McLean Govt Center; 1437 Balls Hill Rd, McLean
FEB. 26: RICK THOESEN, FCPA BOARD, (Dranesville), GUEST
MAR. 26: VA. Delegate JIM SCOTT (53rd) GUEST

DETAILS
VLCF AWARDS $30,000 FOR CROSS-COUNTY RIGHT-OF-WAY ACQUISITION The Virginia Land Conservation Foundation has granted $30,000 to the Fairfax County Park Authority to obtain right-of-way at several sites in Oakton and Vienna. At FCPA's request, FTAS wrote a supporting letter summarizing recent contacts with most of the landowners. A similar application failed last year so this is a very welcome result. Details at http://www.dcr.state.va.us/vlcf/vlcf99.htm

FTAS WINS POTOMAC HERITAGE PARTNERSHIP AWARD This $500 award will be presented at our next meeting Feb. 26.

PIMMIT RUN CLEANUP SET FOR MARCH 24 The Pimmit Run spring cleanup is set for the morning of Saturday, March 24. Stay tuned for details about time and meeting places. Rain date is March 31.

PLAN FOR BUILDING CENTRAL SECTION OF PIMMIT RUN TRAIL Details of FTAS/PRGC's matching-funds grant application for the Pimmit Run Trail will be discussed at the Feb. 26 meeting. It would complete a section between Old Chesterbrook Road and Pimmit Bend Park.

CROSS-COUNTY JOG CONFIRMED FOR MARCH 31 The date for this first-ever single-day traverse of the Cross-County Trail has been confirmed for March 31. A web page is being prepared for this event; stay tuned.

DIFFICULT RUN COMMUNITY CONSERVANCY SPRING EVENTS MARCH 24 Tree Planting in the Difficult Run Watershed. (703) 324-1480 or Okayj@dof.state.va.us MAY 5: Difficult Run Community Clean-up of streams. Call (703) 757-7519 or (703) 620-6075 JUNE 9 Workshop will be held about what you can do to improve Difficult Run and Watersheds in general. (703) 324-1425 or jarcisze@gmu.edu JUNE 23: Workshop will be held about the effects of nutrients and sediment on a stream community. (703) 324-1425 or jarcisze@gmu.edu

NO 2nd POWER LINE ON W&OD Paul McCray, Manager of the W&OD Trail, reports: the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to oppose the use of the W&OD Trail as a route for a second transmission line in eastern LoudounÖ It's important for local officials to know how much the W&OD is valued by its users. For more info: wodtrail@erols.com

FTAS FEB. 26: RICK THOESEN, FCPA BOARD, (Dranesville), GUEST Rick Thoesen, appointed by Sup. Mendelsohn to represent Dranesville on the FCPA Board, will be our featured guest. He will give his impressions having walked the entire future Pimmit Run Trail.

FTAS MAR. 26: Delegate JIM SCOTT (Va 53rd) GUEST In August 2000, our guest was Delegate Vince Callahan, whose district includes the eastern half of the Pimmit Run Trail. In March we will welcome Delegate Jim Scott, whose district includes most of the western half of the trail. Both delegates have written letters in support of the grant application discussed above.

Trail Advocacy Week, and more

HIGHLIGHTS
TRAIL ADVOCACY WEEK MARCH 4-7 ___Please Participate!!!
CROSS-COUNTY TRAIL TRAVERSED IN ONE DAY FOR 1st TIME
CROSS-COUNTY JOG WEBSITE NOW PUBLIC
PRGC (that's us) BECOMES FISCAL AGENT FOR POTOMAC TRAIL COUNCIL
DESIGN WORK TO BEGIN ON GEORGETOWN PIKE/WALKER RD TRAIL
SUGARLAND RUN LOOP TRAIL EXTENDED
ESTATE TAX ISSUE; ITS IMPACT ON CONSERVATION / TRAILS
REMINDER: FTAS Meetings at 7:30pm McLean Govt Center; 1437 Balls Hill Rd, McLean
FEB. 26: RICK THOESEN, FCPA BOARD, (Dranesville), GUEST
MAR. 26: VA. Delegate JIM SCOTT (53rd) GUEST

DETAILS
TRAIL ADVOCACY WEEK MARCH 4-7 This major American Hiking Society event is March 4-7. On Sunday, March 4, you will learn details about federal trails issues and lobbying/advocacy skills. Then you will visit Congresspersons and their aides to advocate trail projects. There will be an opportunity to attend a House Trails Caucus meeting and a reception with congressional staffers. The focus for 2001 includes full funding for trails within the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management and USDA Forest Service, implementation of the Forest Service's Recreation Agenda, and other trail-related legislation and policies under the new Administration and new Congress. For more information please contact Celina Montorfano at 301-565-6704 ext. 205 or cmontorfano@americanhiking.org. To register see http://www.americanhiking.org/alliance/advo_week.html As Metro DC residents, we have another way to help Trail Advocacy Week--offer our homes to trail advocates from across the country. Some people would like to come but cannot afford hotels.

CROSS-COUNTY TRAIL TRAVERSED IN ONE DAY FOR 1st TIME On Feb. 17, 2001 Russ Evans and Bill Van Antwerp, in Russ' words, "completed the whole Fairfax Cross County Trail. It took us 10 hours and 35 minutes. We started ...around 6:30 AM, [and] finished up at the Great Falls Visitors Center just after 5:00 PM. It was a great day for running and the trails through the stream valleys were beautiful. With the recent rainfall, most of the creek crossings were quite interesting and we had wet feet for most of the day....We received word of John Coogan's website [see next item] and are sure that we would never have been able to complete the course in a single day if it had not been for his detailed instructions. Running in the stream valleys gives you an idea of what the county looked like before it started to be developed. The Fairfax Cross County Trail is a great resource. I am thrilled that the county is supporting its development.

CROSS-COUNTY JOG WEBSITE NOW PUBLIC John Coogan has set up his website for the March 31 Cross County Jog: http://home.cox.rr.com/jcoogan/crosscounty.html.

PRGC (that's us) BECOMES FISCAL AGENT FOR POTOMAC TRAIL COUNCIL On Feb. 20, 2001, the Potomac River Greenways Coalition, FTAS' 501(c)3 parent corporation, signed an agreement to become the fiscal agent for the Potomac Trail Council (PTC). The PTC is a group of community leaders and trail advocates whose goals include securing public trail routes along the Potomac river and protecting the natural corridor. The agreement earns the PRGC a small commission while furthering the broader cause of regional trail activism. Thanks to the volunteer efforts of FTAS' Chuck Sloan, Bob Jordan and Don Finberg, and the PTC's Dave Lillard, who made it happen.

DESIGN WORK TO BEGIN ON GEORGETOWN PIKE/WALKER RD TRAIL VDOT reached agreement Jan. 22, providing authorization to proceed with design of the Georgetown Pike/Walker Road trails using TEA-21 funding; topographic and property site surveys are in progress. Bids are scheduled to go out in March.

SUGARLAND RUN LOOP TRAIL EXTENDED The FCPA reports that a new section of the 5-mile Sugarland Run/Folly Lick Loop Trail, off Dranesville Road in Herndon, has been completed, at a cost of $40,000. There is still an incomplete section of the Loop Trail in the Town of Herndon, connecting existing sections to the W&OD Trail.

ESTATE TAX ISSUE; ITS IMPACT ON CONSERVATION / TRAILS As the debate over repeal of estate taxes heats up, its worth looking possible impact on our priorities of land conservation and obtaining public right-of-way for trails. Some repeal proponents claim charitable giving would be effected only slightly. However, William H. Gates Sr., writes (2/16/01, Wash. Post op-ed): "Taxable estates give...more than twice the amount given by non-taxable estates...estate tax repeal would devastate non-profits...the very landscape of America would be scarred. Our nation's land trusts, such as the Nature Conservancy, benefit enormously from the bequests of open space, farmland and wild areas encouraged by the estate tax."

Tonights agenda
Support needed March 6 for CCT segment

TONIGHT's AGENDA 26 Feb. 7:30 pm McLean Govt Ctr, 1437 Balls Hill Rd, McLean
GUEST: Rick Thoesen, FCPA Board member from Dranesville. Rick walked Pimmit Run with FTAS from Chain Bridge to Olney Park on Saturday, and will discuss his views on the trail

Update on Pimmit Run Trail grant proposal

Plans for keeping the trail open this spring

Plans for litter cleanup March 24

Cross County Trail Planning Meeting

Report from Russ Evans and Bill Van Antwerp, on their pre-dawn to twilight CCT jog on Feb. 17, 2001; their adventures in navigation and not-so-fair weather crossings (see their photos at http://www.vhtrc.org/album2001/index.htm and their narrative at http://www.vhtrc.org/files/russ-crossco.htm).

SUPPORT NEEDED MARCH 6 FOR NEW CROSS-COUNTY SEGMENT The just-completed Cross-County trail segment east of Fairfax City was delayed for about two years by "NIMBY" opposition. Now, a new segment, from King Arthur Road to Little River Turnpike/Americana Park, has been designed and is ready to move forward-provided supporters of the trail testify by e-mail or (better) in person at a public hearing, in sufficient numbers to make it happen. This asphalt section will replace the rickety stepping-stone crossing of Accotink Creek near Rte 236 with a pedestrian/bike bridge. Much of it will be several hundred feet further away from the noise of the Beltway (compared to the Cross-County Hike route). There is room for a future parallel natural surface trail. Please e-mail your support for this new segment to parkmail@co.fairfax.va.us, or call 703 324 8662 to testify in person. The meeting is Tuesday March 6, 7pm, at Camelot Elementary School, 8100 Guinevere Drive, Annandale.

Pimmit Cleanup 3/24
CCT news

HIGHLIGHTS
SPRING LITTER CLEANUP ON PIMMIT RUN MARCH 24, 9 - noon
FTAS WINS $6000 IN FUNDING TO DESIGN MAP OF PIMMIT RUN HISTORY SURVEY REVEALS UNEXPECTED TRAIL RIGHT-OF-WAY ON POTOMAC RIVER
HELP REPAIR/RELOCATE CROSS-COUNTY TRAIL AT SARATOGA, MARCH 24
CROSS-COUNTY TRAIL PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETS FOR FIRST TIME
FCPA TO PUBLISH GLOSSY CROSS COUNTY TRAIL BROCHURE IN MAY
FCPA SELECTS CROSS-COUNTY TRAIL LOGO FOR INTERIM SIGNPOSTS CROSS-COUNTY JOG MARCH 31
INTRO TO BIRDWATCHING: APRIL 7
LEARN TO LEAD A HIKE: MARCH 17-18
ILLUSTRATING IMPACT OF DRIVING vs WALKING/BIKING
NEXT FTAS MEETINGS (both 7:30pm McLean Govt Center, 1437 Balls Hill Rd) - March 26: Steve Dryden will discuss his grant awards; Robin Rentsch will discuss new Potomac Heritage NS Trail right-of-way confirmed along the Potomac River. - April 23: Delegate Jim Scott (previously scheduled for 3/26)

DETAILS
SPRING LITTER CLEANUP ON PIMMIT RUN MARCH 24, 9 - noon Join friends and neighbors for FTAS' annual spring litter cleanup of Pimmit Run, Saturday March 24, 9am - noon. Pick up garbage bags and gloves at any of these spots along Pimmit Run: Great falls st. (near Lemon Rd) Westmoreland st. (near McLean Little League) Kent gardens park (Kent Gardens Elem. School parking lot) Old dominion dr. (bottom of first hill toward Arlington from downtown McLean) Brookhaven Dr. (where it dead-ends) Kirby rd. (bottom of hills between Rte 123 and Leven Preserve)

FTAS WINS $6000 IN FUNDING TO DESIGN MAP OF PIMMIT RUN HISTORY On March 9, the McLean Citizens Foundation approved FTAS' request for a grant of $3000 to pay for artist to design a poster-size historic map of the Pimmit Run valley, suitable for framing. On the same day, the Fairfax Historical Society independently approved another FTAS' request for $3000 to publish the map. Steve Dryden did much of the research for the map, and prepared both grant proposals. The map should be available later this year. Kudos to Steve!

SURVEY REVEALS UNEXPECTED TRAIL RIGHT-OF-WAY ALONG POTOMAC The NVRPA recently did a survey of Riverbend Park and nearby lands, and discovered that it owns a strip of land north of the park suitable for Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. Previously it thought this strip had eroded away so that no public trail access existed. Congratulations to Robin Rentsch for her efforts to push this survey, and to the NVRPA for doing it.

HELP REPAIR/RELOCATE CROSS-COUNTY TRAIL AT SARATOGA, MARCH 24 Please help relocate an especially eroded section of the Cross-County Trail. The event is tentatively scheduled for Saturday morning, March 24; time and meeting place still TBA. The Mid-Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts (MORE) is leading this effort, in cooperation with FTAS and FCPA. It will enable FCPA to erect signposts along the southernmost three miles of the Cross-County Trail by National Trails Day, June 2. On that day, MORE plans a second volunteer project: building a much better trail link to connect Saratoga School to the Cross-County Trail. The badly rutted, steep existing trail served as the first half mile for all three Cross-County Hikes-no one will miss it once they see the new trail!

CROSS-COUNTY TRAIL PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETS FOR FIRST TIME As promised in their January publication on their plans for the Cross-County Trail, FCPA has formed the Planning Committee for the trail. The committee includes several FCPA representatives, plus trail enthusiasts Robin Rentsch (Great Falls Trailblazers), Wesley Smith (MORE), Walter Brodtman (Wash Area Bicycle Assn), Bev Dickerson (Hunters Valley Riding Club), Ann Bennett (Fx Co. Nonmotorized Transportation Cmte) and FTAS's Bill Niedringhaus.

FCPA TO PUBLISH GLOSSY CROSS COUNTY BROCHURE IN MAY The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) will publish a full-color 6-panel brochure on the Cross-County Trail in May. It will include maps and brief descriptions of trail-user groups involved in the project. These will include FTAS's logo and describe our role in conceiving/building/promoting this trail.

FCPA SELECTS CROSS-COUNTY TRAIL LOGO FOR INTERIM SIGNPOSTS By June 2, FCPA will erect a large number of signposts marking the Cross-County Trail along about half of its length. They will look like the horseshoe bollards marking the Rails to River Trail in Great Falls. The signs will appear at each trailhead, intersection and decision point. The FCPA has selected a logo (two small "C"s on the left crossbar of a large "T") that will serve as a Cross-County Trail logo, at least on an interim basis.

CROSS-COUNTY JOG MARCH 31 As mentioned previously, the first Cross-County Jog will be held March 31. Contacts: http://home.cox.rr.com/jcoogan/crosscounty.html or johnc@interdyn.com

INTRO TO BIRDWATCHING: APRIL 7 The Northern Virginia Conservation Trust and Fairfax Audubon Society are jointly sponsoring an introduction to bird watching April 7th at Fountainhead Park. There will be coffee and bagels. Info: 703-354-5093

LEARN TO LEAD A HIKE The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC) Trail Patrol is hosting a Hike Leadership Training course on March 17th and 18th at the Prince William Forest Park. It is a 2-day course that utilizes classroom and hands on instruction in order for participants to learn the essential skills to lead safe, enjoyable hikes with minimal environmental impact. The event is of this training is free to PATC members and $35.00 for non-members. The$35.00 covers the cost of first-year membership to the PATC. Please contact 703-222-8249 or the website: trailpatrol.patc.net

ILLUSTRATING IMPACT OF DRIVING vs WALKING/BIKING The Tampa Tribune has published a series of photographs showing the same street scene in 4 configurations: 40 people in single occupancy automobiles, 40 people in chairs in the same positions as the cars, 40 people in the space of a bus and 40 people walking and on bicycles. It is a clever and dramatic illustration of relative impacts of driving vs. walking/biking. http://www.tampabayonline.net/bguard/home.htm

18th Anniv Celebration of PHT as National Scenic Trail
GFT meets tonight
UPCOMING EVENTS (some new, some old, some corrected)

TONIGHT 21 March 7:30pm Great Falls Trailblazers - 24 March Wed. 9-noon Pimmit Run cleanup - 24 March Sat 9-noon Cross-County Trail reroute, Pohick creek near Saratoga - 26 March Mon 7:30 pm FTAS monthly; Nat. Trails Day plans; cleanup results,... - 28 March Wed noon 18th Anniversary Party for PHNST national trail designation, Georgetown - 31 March Sun Cross-county jog, http://home.cox.rr.com/jcoogan/crosscounty.html - 7 April NVCT/Audubon bird walk, Fountainhead, 703-354-5093 - 23 April Mon 7:30 FTAS monthly; Delegate Jim Scott; MCF presents award - 2 June National Trails Day

TONIGHT Great Falls Trailblazers meet The next meeting of the Great Falls Trail Blazers will be Wednesday, March 21, 7;30 pm, at the Old Schoolhouse, 9818 Georgetown Pike. The agenda will include: - Update on the Potomac River trail - Update on Georgetown Pike & Walker Road trails - Where to walk with Congressman Wolf on June 2 - National Trails Day

28 March Wed noon-1:30: 18th Anniversary Celebration Lunch for Potomac Heritage Trail's designation as a National Scenic Trail. On canal boat, with C&O musicians (tunes of canal era), speaker Ken Rollings, Pres. Of C&O Association. Sponsored by Potomac Trail Council. At 1057 Thomas Jefferson Street in Georgetown. FREE. Info: 888 222 4093 x 208; www.potomactrail.org

24 March 9-noon SPRING LITTER CLEANUP ON PIMMIT RUN MARCH 26 Bring your friends and neighbors to a site most convenient to you: GREAT FALLS ST. / Pimmit WESTMORELAND ST. / Pimmit KENT GARDENS PARK (meet at front of elementary school) OLD DOMINION DR. / Pimmit BROOKHAVEN Dr. / Pimmit KIRBY RD. / Pimmit Bags and gloves will be provided. Dress for the weather and be ready to get messy! Boots or old sneakers especially recommended. Questions: E-mail Steve Dryden; jsdryden@bellatlantic.net

24 March 9-noon Cross-County Trail reroute, Pohick creek near Saratoga Help relocate an especially eroded section of the Cross-County Trail. Location: From Fx Co Parkway take Rolling Road south, then right at Northumberland and park under the power lines. (No Va Atlas upper left of Map 28). Hike west along the power lines to the site at Pohick Creek. The Mid-Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts (MORE) is leading this volunteer event, in cooperation with FTAS and FCPA.

CORRECTION: The survey revealing new right-of-way (mentioned last time) was done by Fairfax County Park Authority, not NVRPA. Robin Rentsch will discuss it at FTAS' April 23 (not March 26) monthly meeting (update also at tonight's GFT meeting)

Pohick Worktrip Cancelled
Pimmit Cleanup Saturday

POHICK WORKTRIP CANCELLED: The FCPA, which had asked us to reroute a highly eroded section of the Cross County Trail, decided today (after visiting the site with MORE and FTAS) that it would erect signposts marking the existing trail. Enabling the signposts by Nat. Trails Day was our primary goal for this event. It is thus accomplished without lifting a shovel! Our secondary goal, to establish a precedent for volunteer-constructed trails on difficult terrain, was not accomplished.

The Pimmit Run Cleanup is very much ON for Saturday, details in previous 2 e-news. See you there!