Census Designated Places
Tysons Corner and its array of malls is a daytime commuter district that includes over 1200 high-tech companies and supports 100,000+ workers and others during usual business hours. The McLean community to the east is the home of increasing numbers of congressmen and other government workers, while Tysons Corner is developing additional residental spaces and is called "Internet Alley." These two locations in Fairfax County lead business and residential growth, McLean ahead of Tysons Corner.
A fraction of those people live in the community, but residential developments under way will increase that figure substantially, eliminating commuting costs for many professionals, including government workers that commute to Washington DC. At the same time, a larger metropolitan trasportation terminal is under development and construction, adding a vareity of more frequently accessible communting options.
On my first trip to McLean, the local high schools in the area were titans of expanse that housed three different student bodies each huge structure. Every multi-high-school had its own planetarium and/or observatory and I was pleased to know one of the teachers that operated a high school planetarium at the time. His wife was the sister of a classmate of mine and was also a teacher in a local school that was much like today's charter schools. They showed me many interesting sights and historical places in McLean, Tysons Corner, Alexandria, and Georgetown.
Tysons Corner Center, less than 4 miles to the west and just across I-495, was more than I could imagine. The structure itself was breathtaking - a gigantic floor space. three levels, an annex, and in-mall decor that included floor-to-ceiling bird cages housing birds of paradise. The range and types of stores I saw in there differed markedly from those in the Midwest.
My friends had delved into local history as they moved to the area several years before and shared that the area around Tysons Corner had been called Seven Corners (a double strip mall today) after the juncture of 7 saddle trails worn along Native American paths and later used by wagons, rail lines, and the automobile. Seven Corners Shopping Center is named after this history and is another mall located near Tysons Corner Center. To the south is the large Fairfax Square Mall.
In the 21st Century, plans move forward for residential subdivisions within an urban atmosphere in Tysons Corner and McLean, new professional services, additional local bike paths, green spaces and parks; pedestrian walkways; new bus services; and free lunchtime shuttles around the community. A new railroad terminal is part of a developing larger mass transit system as well, with high speed rail intended to cut commuter times from Tysons Corner and McLean to DC to a fraction of current requirements.
Performance spaces and an ice rink are awaiting contruction at the regional mall. Tysons Corner Center is becoming its own city, it seems, with the new Tysons (II) Galleria mall across the street. This is much like the dual-mall development in Pearl City, Hawaii, the fastest growing city in that Pacific state. In the development of increasing numbers of large malls and office buildings as well as residences in Tysons Corner, more and more new residents are drawn to Tysons Corner, McClean and surrounding communitiies.
The last two tests of drinking water by the Putnam Community Water Association in Devola have shown nitrate levels below the maximum contaminant level of 10 milligrams per liter (mg/L) set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
But customers are advised to continue using bottled water or other low-nitrate water when feeding infants less than 6 months of age.
"Our latest tests indicated 9.4 mg/L and 8.4 mg/L, which were under the maximum level, but we still haven't canceled the nitrate advisory (initiated on Nov. 25) because levels in the source water wells remain high enough to be of some concern," said Jay Huck, manager of the Putnam Community Water Association.
"We just wanted the public to know that the nitrate levels have come down, and we hope it continues," he said. "But we'll have to wait on more water tests over the next couple of weeks to be sure."
More than 900 homes and businesses in the Devola area have been affected by the elevated nitrate levels since the end of November, when tests showed nitrate levels at 10.55 mg/L. Tests since then have shown levels as high as 12.8 mg/L, recorded on Jan. 5.
When consumed, nitrates can be converted by the body to nitrites. Nitrites are capable of entering the bloodstream and can lower the ability of the circulatory system to carry and deliver oxygen.
Infants under 6 months are especially vulnerable to the condition because they may not have enough acids in their stomach to prevent the conversion from nitrate to nitrite. The condition can lead to "blue baby syndrome" and death.
Huck said the association continues to work closely with the Ohio EPA to find a solution to the problem.
Nitrates are found in fertilizers, pesticides and seepage from septic systems.
