27 minute read
Obituaries
OBITUARIES | Death Notices & Funerals
LUCK, Cecil E., 84, of Mechanicsville, Va., went to be with the Lord Tuesday, September 1, 2020. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Luck and Virginia Luck Singleton; two brothers, Marvin and Jimmy; and a sister, Margaret Edwards. Cecil is survived by his devoted wife of 63 years, Martha Ann Luck; a daughter, Debbie Drinkwater (Larry); granddaughters, Lindsey Hoke (Nathan) and Christin Bledsoe (Jason); a greatgranddaughter, McKenzie; two brothers, Billy (Debbie) and Wayne (Pearl); and a sister, Louise Davis (Ray). The family received friends from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Friday, September 4, 2020, at Monaghan Funeral Home, 7300 Creighton Pkwy.,
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Contributed Report news@mechlocal.com
ASHLAND – To support local businesses impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, the Town of Ashland has announced the launch of a business recovery grant program and a grant to support Ashland non-profit and business support organizations.
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A friendly face and a helpful attitude in your time of need. Louise Dement, Bennett’s receptionist, greets and answers questions regarding services. The Bennett Funeral Home, now with four locations throughout the Richmond area, continues its tradition of excellence. Mechanicsville, Va. 23111, where a funeral service was held at 12 p.m., with interment following in Signal Hill Memorial Park. A light reception was held after the interment in the funeral home
LUCK lounge.
WALLER, Barry Lewis,
74, of Mechanicsville, Va., passed away on August 31, 2020, surrounded by loved ones. He is survived by his wife, Peggy Brown Waller; his ex-wife, Cheryl P. Waller; his daughters, Kathy Waller These two new programs are in addition to the town’s Economic Development Authority (EDA) Safety Enhancement Grant program and temporary changes to local regulations that will allow for expanded outdoor patio space at town restaurants and retail establishments, and are funded with the town’s CARES
WALLER Putnam (Jeff Putnam), Karen Waller Land (Jody Land); and his granddaughter, Cohen Land. He was preceded in death by his mother, Jacqueline McCabe Sale; and his father, Frank Samuel Waller Jr.; and his stepfather, John Minor Sale Jr. Born in Richmond, Act allocation.
The Business Recovery Grant (BRG) awards up to $10,000 per eligible business that has suffered at least a 25% reduction in average monthly gross revenues between 2019 and 2020 or a 25% reduction in 2020 monthly revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Applicants will be more competitive if they can also prove an increase in their operational costs as a result of the pandemic.
Awarded funds can be used for employee wages and benefits, rent and utilities for commercial workspace, or to provide working capital. The town has allocated $450,000 for this grant program. A sliding scale will be used to determine the grant award amount if more than 45 applications are received.
“Small businesses continue to struggle in this uncertain economy, so we’re happy to pass along a substantial portion of the town’s CARES Act Va. and graduate of Hermitage High School (Class of 1965), Barry worked over 30 years with Henrico County. Barry was happiest on a boat fishing. The family received friends and loved ones from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, September 4, at Monaghan Funeral Home, 7300 Creighton Pkwy., Mechanicsville, Va. 23111. Graveside service was held on Tuesday, September 8, at 2 p.m. at Maplewood Cemetery, Spotswood Trail (Rt. 33), Gordonsville, Va. 22942, with a Celebration of Life announced at a later date. The family would appreciate flowers or a donation to the
Grant programs to boost businesses, non-profi ts
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Chesapeake Bay Foundation. funds directly to them,” said Ashland Mayor Steve Trivett. “Business owners and operators know best how to use these financial resources to make their operation successful, so our goal is to put it in their hands with as few strings as possible.”
In addition, the NonProfit & Business Support Organization Grant (NP-BSO) awards up to $10,000 per eligible organization that can prove they have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This can be demonstrated by comparing revenues, donations, activities or other quantifiable information during a timeframe that includes the current pandemic to the same timeframe in 2019.
The target for this program is non-profit organizations that are based in Ashland and provide programmatic services to the Ashland community, as well as organizations that support the Ashland
see GRANT, pg. 11
Continued from pg. 10 business community. Awarded funds can be used to address the organization’s mission. The town has allocated $100,000 for this grant program. A sliding scale will be used to determine the grant award amount if more than 10 applications are received.
“While there are funding opportunities available from other sources, the town felt it was important to show direct support for our local nonprofit and business support community,” said Ashland Town Manager Joshua Farrar. “We wanted to make it as easy as possible for non-profit and business support organizations to apply and be successful because these organizations have continued to serve the Ashland community while realizing their own financial hardship as a result of COVID.”
“The town’s efforts are about supporting each corner of this community,” Trivett added. “For the town to survive and recover, we need a healthy business and non-profit community. In addition to these efforts, we continue to encourage people to eat, shop and spend in Ashland.”
Applications for both programs are due no later than Sept. 30, and awardees will be notified by Oct. 5. Applications received before Sept. 24 will receive feedback from town staff to help the applicants be competitive. Program descriptions and applications are available at http://ashlandva. gov/117/Incentives-Grants.
For more information on the two grant programs contact Assistant Town Manager Matt Reynal at: mreynal@ashlandva.gov or 804-798-9219.
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BeWellVA website off ers tools, resources to prevent suicide
Contributed Report news@mechlocal.com
RICHMOND – As COVID-19 stays top-ofmind throughout Virginia, another health crisis continues to surge.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 48,000 Americans died by suicide in 2018, ranking it the nation’s 10th leading cause of death. These numbers represent a staggering 35% increase since 1999.
September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.
In addition, Sept. 6-12 marks National Suicide Prevention Week. That makes September the ideal time for all Virginians to become aware of their resources for helping to prevent a suicide.
BeWellVA has created a single, easy-to-use source for finding out how to help others who may be considering suicide.
Created through a collaboration with central Virginia’s seven Community Services Boards, BeWellVA’s website, BeWellVA.com, offers connections for getting help, learning more about mental health and suicide prevention, attending events and accessing specialized resources for active duty military and veterans.
BeWellVA is an initiative that focuses on bringing awareness to the increasing number of deaths by suicide and promoting wellness for life. It is a collaborative effort of the Community Service Boards from Richmond, Chesterfield, Hanover, the Henrico Area (including New Kent and Charles City), Goochland-Powhatan, District 19 (includes: Colonial Heights, Hopewell, Petersburg, Dinwiddie, Prince George, Surry, Sussex, Emporia and Greensville) and
Crossroads (Amelia, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Lunenburg, Nottoway and Prince Edward County). As always, those with thoughts of suicide should call 1-800-273-TALK for immediate help.
According to Robin Pentecost, Goochland Powhatan Community Services Behavioral Health and Wellness Supervisor, one of the BeWellVA collaborative chairpersons, “We want to give ordinary people the confidence, knowledge, and ability to prevent suicides by talking about it and getting others help as soon as possible.”
Free fans or window ACs still available for seniors
Contributed Report news@mechlocal.com
RICHMOND -- Senior Connections shared a reminder that it is still offering free fans or window ACs to qualifying residents, but the program is ending soon.
The 2020 Senior Cool Care Program was designed to help older adults stay cool in the hot summer months.
To receive a box fan or AC unit, applications must: be 60 years old or older; must need additional cooling in the home; did not receive a fan in 2019 or an AC in 2018/2019 from this program; currently lives without AC in the home, and must meet household income requirements.
This is less than $1,595 per month for one person and less than $2,155 per month for two people.
The program, which is sponsored by Dominion Virginia Power, serves Powhatan County and seven other localities.
The program ends on Wednesday, Sept. 30.
Contact 804-343-3005 for assistance.
For clients that are unable to install an AC themselves, a community partner can provide that service.
Faithful Followers to hold every two years charity auction on Sept. 19
Contributed Report news@mechlocal.com M ECHANICSVILLE -- Faithful Followers at CSBC will hold its every two years charity auction to support its mission of assisting families in crisis on Saturday, Sept. 19.
The Auction, Live and Silent, will begin at 12:45 p.m. at the Cool Spring Baptist Church, with bidding available live via Zoom. Preregistration is available by emailing tomlbagby@msn.com in advance.
Silent auction items, totaling
132, will be up for bid until 1 p.m.
Live auction of 68 items will be from 2 to 4 p.m.
Over $42,000 of retail value will be for sale, including 28 trips, a kayak, fishing rods, diamond ring, set of tires, television, smart watch, etc.
One hundred percent of fund raised from auction sales are used to assist families in crisis.
Funds are currently being directed to: Individual local cases that come to their attention Mechanicsville Christian Emergency Fund (MCEF): regular provision of food supplies for their pantry Moments of Hope (serving homeless and those in poverty):
monthly provision of requested supplies, currently 10 cases of toilet paper Pink & Pearls (providing hope and support to breast cancer victims): annual contribution to help support their efforts. Shepherd’s Way (assisting
Preservation Contributed Report news@mechlocal.com Virginia reopens RICHMOND -- Preservation historic sites; Virginia has reopened several key historic sites so visitors can experience protocols in place first-hand centuries-old American history —but with modern-day protocols 12 The Mechanicsville Local September 9, 2020
in place during the pandemic.
The sites include Scotchtown in Hanover County, home of Patrick Henry, famed orator of “Give me liberty, or give me death”; the John Marshall House in downtown Richmond, where Chief Justice Marshall (Marbury v. Madison) lived until his death in 1835; and Bacon’s Castle and Smith’s Fort in Surry County. The former was occupied by Nathaniel Bacon’s men in 1676 during what became known as Bacon’s Rebellion, and is nowadays notable for its rare triple-stacked chimneys, origihomeless in Richmond): monthly funding a breakfast Pregnancy Resource Center of Metro Richmond (assisting women with key decisions during unplanned pregnancies): currently making an annual contribution in support of a vital alternative to Planned Parenthood. Chickahominy Middle School: helping those families struggling to provide meals and supplies for their kids. Natural Disaster Assistance: Doing what they can when they can.
nal outbuildings and a reconstructed 17th-century English formal garden.
Smith’s Fort, site of an 18th-century manor house and unfinished fort built by John Smith in 1609, also is the tract of land given as dowry by
see HISTORIC, pg. 13
Cornerstone Homes starts selling in Th e Farmstead
Contributed Report news@mechlocal.com
RICHMOND – On Tuesday, Sept. 1, Cornerstone Homes broke ground on the much-anticipated fourth of eight distinct neighborhoods in Richmond’s first and only 55+ Agri-Community.
The Farmstead, a villagelike neighborhood of 64 villa style homes, is located in the heart of Chickahominy Falls -- close to the Clubhouse (The Farmhouse) and the community pond.
The Farmstead offers the 55+ active adult the opportunity to connect with neighbors in an environment suited for their luxury-living lifestyle with a plethora of activities at their doorstep. Frank Lackman, president of Cornerstone Homes, said, “Sales in Chickahominy Falls
HISTORIC
Continued from pg. 12 Chief Wahunsenacawh to John Rolfe upon his marriage to Pocahontas in 1614.
Scotchtown and the John Marshall House hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Bacon’s Castle and Smith Fort are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 5 p.m.Sunday, as well as from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday (Mondays until Labor Day only).
Per current guidance from the CDC and other agencies, Preservation Virginia staff wears masks, practice physical distancing and have daily wellness checks.
At each location, there also are hand sanitizer stations and have taken off with seven sales in August 2020. This reinforces active adults in Virginia are looking for happier, healthier living in a community that provides more than just a beautiful home.”
The Homes:
These easy living singlelevel, low-maintenance Villa homes are designed with owner’s retreats, large kitchens, private outdoor courtyard spaces, and plenty of flex space to make each home unique. These attached-homes line maintained roadways with sidewalks to connect you with your favorite amenities and neighbors. Three award-winning floor plans are designed for today’s active adults.
Following the success of Woodside Meadows, The Orchard and Upton Woods neighborhoods in high-touch surfaces are frequently cleaned.
Visitors are required to wear masks indoors (also recommended outdoors) and asked to observe physical distancing.
Guided interior tours are available through “no touch” ticketing so visitors can reserve and pay for tickets in advance online at preservationvirginia. org.
Interior tours are limited to groups of six at the John Marshall House and Smith’s Fort, and eight at Bacon’s Castle and Scotchtown.
Guided exterior walking tours are conducted at Scotchtown, Bacon’s Castle and Smith’s Fort; Preservation Virginia recommends calling ahead to confirm availability. Admission for guided interior and guided exterior tours is Chickahominy Falls, the much-anticipated Farmstead neighborhood already has 19 sales in backlog. This community, along with Cornerstones success at the Villas of Ashlake in Chesterfield, The Cove at Magnolia Lakes in Chester, as well as the Grove in Chesterfield, have all struck a chord with the 55+ community in central Virginia.
The Amenities:
The Farmhouse, breaking ground in Spring 2021, is a five-star barn-styled amenity complete with a swimming pool, fitness center, game room, library, entertaining kitchen and so much more. Other amenities include a working farm, Woodside Farms, and barn with a demonstration kitchen, walking trails, pond and outdoor recre
ational racquet sport area with $10 for adults; $9 for seniors (age 60+), military and AAA members; and $8 for children and students. Children under the age of six are free.
Self-guided exterior walking tours are available at Scotchtown, Bacon’s Castle and Smith’s Fort.
Access to the grounds is $5 per person or $10 per car, where visitors receive a site map and can explore the grounds following a numbered path.
“We are delighted with the reopening of these important landmarks,” said Elizabeth S. Kostelny, CEO of Preservation Virginia. “And we recognize the importance of providing a variety of safe options for guests to determine what type of visit suits them best. Our goal is to provide the most meaningful and informative
Photo courtesy of Kirsten Nease
Taking part in the recent groundbreaking were, from left, John Pearsall, Atlantic Union Bank; Craig Logue, director of Sales, Cornerstone Homes; Mike Lang, president of The Crescent Group (sister company to Cornerstone Homes & Developer of Chickahominy Falls); Sue Dibble, Hanover County Board of Supervisors representative for the South Anna District; Danna Markland, CEO HBAR; Frank Lackman, president of Cornerstone Homes; and Brandon Bullock, production manager of Cornerstone Homes.
pavilion. A 10-acre professionally managed farm intended to promote a healthy lifestyle, provides vegetables, herbs, fruits and flowers as well as a fun social hub for homeown
sites available for tours.
experience possible.” ers to connect through nature and healthy food.
The Chickahominy Falls community is woven together with walking trails and lighted sidewalks for a welcoming, safe and friendly atmosphere. Chickahominy Falls is located in Hanover County. The homeowners will have
see FARMSTEAD, pg. 17
Patrick Henry’s Scotchtown in the Beaverdam area of Hanover County is among the historic
Photo courtesy of Preservation Virginia
About Preservation Virginia
Preservation Virginia is a to preserving, promoting and nonprofit organization and serving as an advocate for statewide historic preservaVirginia’s cultural and archition leader that is dedicated tectural history. The Mechanicsville Local September 9, 2020 13
| Education, Business & Celebrations
Fifth Annual ‘Pool Paw-ty’ set Sept. 26
Contributed Report installation/registration for participants. For more information about the event, news@mechlocal.com Lifeguards will be onsite during the email info@hanoverhumanesoASHLAND -- Hanover Humane will host its Fifth Annual “Pool Paw-ty” from noon until 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept, 26, at the AshCreek Subdivision. The registration fee is $25 per dog and includes unlimited swim time for particievent. Participants will be expected to practice social distancing measures and wear protec- tive face coverings as applicable. All registration materials are availciety.org. The Hanover Humane Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity for IRS tax purposes. pating canines. able at www.hanoverhuAll proceeds for this event will be
In addition to unlimited swim sessions, manesociety.org. used to support Hanover Humane's aniPool Paw-ty 2020 will offer doggy treats, Registration will be available the day mal adoption, education, and prevention doggy nail trims, as well as microchip of the event as well. programs. Comcast NBCUniversal honors Atlee graduate
Celebrating 71st Wedding Anniversary
Staff Report news@mechlocal.com
RICHMOND – A 2020 graduate of Atlee High School has received a $2,500 scholarship from Comcast NBCUniversal. Nicole Sullivan was among 28 Virginia students to share in $70,000 in scholarships for the 2020- 2021 school year as part of the annual Leaders and Achievers® Scholarship Program.
Students are selected for their outstanding community service, academic performance, and leadership skills.
The award, funded by the Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation, is a one-time, $2,500 scholarship to be used toward undergraduate education-related expenses. Since 2001, more than $34 million has been awarded to about 30,000 high school seniors across the country as part of the Leaders and Achievers program.
“All of us at Comcast are honored to recognize the amazing achievements of our Leaders and Achievers scholarship winners in Virginia,” said Mary McLaughlin, senior vice president of Comcast’s Beltway Region. “These students excel in academics and are leaders in the community and among their peers. They are a great representation of our future, and we are proud to help them further their education.”
“These students are a great representation of leadership, academic excellence and community service here in Virginia, and I am proud of eachw one for receiving a Leaders and Achievers scholarship,” said Charniele Herring, Majority Leader, Virginia House of Delegates. "Thank you, Comcast, for recognizing these students’ achievements and helping further their education."
The Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship Program recognizes high school seniors for their community service, academic performance, and leadership skills. These scholarships are provided to give young people the opportunity to continue their education to better compete in tomorrow’s workplace.
Applicants to the Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship Program must demonstrate academic excellence, commitment to community service, and outstanding qualities in character, integrity, and leadership.
For more information, go to www.comcastcorporation.com or comcast.com/community.
Photo submitted by Robin Smith
Mavis and Willie Jones were married on September 6, 1949. They have been residents of Mechanicsville since 2002. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are “greatly loved by four children, nine grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson.” They contribute their long and happy marriage to true love and living a devoted Christian lifestyle.
Bike Walk Hanover off ers safety tips for students walking or riding bikes to school
Contributed Report Hanover County Public Schools began news@mechlocal.com returning to in-person learning on Tuesday, Sept. 8.
Bike Walk Hanover, an advocacy group comSchools may offer the option for parents prised of local citizens, is offering tips for safe to allow their children to bike or walk to/from transport to school on foot or by bike. school. 14 The Mechanicsville Local September 9, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has many county residents taking to the streets on foot and bike. Whether for exercise, stress-relief, or a means of transportation, biking and walking has increased throughout the county, Virginia, and across the nation.
Bike Walk Hanover’s mission is to create a safer, inclusive, connected community, and support active lifestyles across Hanover.
“We are passionate about biking and walk
see BIKES, pg. 17
ASHLAND/WESTERN HANOVER | Also serving the communities of Montpelier, Beaverdam, Rockville and Doswell
Council to help small businesses with CARES $$
By Melody Kinser Managing Editor
ASHLAND – How to disperse funds received from the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security) Act to small businesses dominated last week’s meeting of Ashland Town Council.
Town Manager Joshua Farrar, who explained that the funding would be handled in the form of a FY2020-2021 Budget Amendment, said the town’s first half of funding under the CARES Act of 2020 was $684,010. Those monies were received by Hanover County from Virginia. The county then provided that portion to Ashland.
According to Farrar, the county notified town staff in July about the second half.
Referring to the action was “very formal procedural,” the town manager said council would need to adopt a budget amendment and appropriate the CARES Act fund.
In his presentation, Farrar said that the CARES spending plan is similar but separate as to what was originally passed. He said the town will focus on business support, which was designated by the federal program trying to stay afloat during a pandemic. He said the goal is “to support local governments in their responses to the pandemic.” Direct dollars are being spent on PPE (personal protective equipment). Farrar also noted that the funding is being utilized to “help your comFARRAR munity engage in and live in a COVID-19 world.”
With counties being the primary recipients of state funds, Virginia directed that “a fair share” be given to towns. Farrar said that was “the extent of the instruction. There is no real set formula on how that was to be distributed.”
Saying Ashland has a “good relationship with Hanover County,” he said the town portion – based on population – comes in two batches of $684,010 each.
In order to keep funds fair to the town and county, Ashland businesses were exempt from the county program and the county was exempt from the Ashland program, Farrar added.
Notice of the second batch of funds was received on June 29, with a spending plan presented on July 7. TRIVETT
Farrar reviewed the months of May, June and July, saying that money was already spent, which had been a concern of citizens, as well as local governments. Public procurements must abide by federal guidelines too.
On July 28, Governor Northam announced the second round of funds would be distributed. Ashland representatives discussed the funding on Aug. 3, learning that the county was willing to designate the same amount to the town.
On Tuesday, Sept. 1, Farrar said they were what he called “planning mode, where we want to move with this second round of funding.”
He did say that the costs associated with the pandemic were not planned for, having been incurred March 1 through Dec. 20.
CARES funding cannot, Farrar continued, be used to make up for revenue. However, they can go toward utilities assistance; waste management costs (up significantly with everyone at home); broadband expansion (eligibility a question since Comcast provides service in the town); and wages for employees (eligible expenses – “whether we want to use those, not recommending using any from second pot”).
Farrar recommended that members of the Ashland Police Department qualify for hazard pay since they will “still be out and responding and doing their job in the pandemic. Police officers obviously are eligible. It was very easy to justify in round one.”
see COUNCIL, pg. 16
Newton still used to send probes to Mars or Pluto
By Dr. George Spagna Special to Th e Mechanicsville Local
Note: The Keeble Observatory at Randolph-Macon College has ceased public viewing due to the pandemic until further notice. We are working on a method for streaming live video from the Observatory to our website, and hope to provide that as an alternative to actual visits. Watch the web site (https://www.rmc.edu/ keeble) for updates. Or, call the Keeble Information line at 804-752-3210.
Last month we continued our discussion of Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity (GTR), noting that the presence of mass warps both space and time. This is our current best model for gravity, in one sense superseding Isaac Newton’s Theory of Universal Gravitation. In another sense, it more accurately explains Newtonian gravity than replaces it. We still use Newton to send probes to Mars or Pluto, or anywhere else in the solar system.
We looked last month at the effects on space time near a spinning mass, highlighting the Lense-Thirring effect and frame dragging. But what if the mass itself is accelerating, not just sitting still and spinning? One way to accelerate an object is to put it in orbit around another object. That orbital motion will cause “ripples in space-time” to radiate away from the system at the speed of light and at the frequency of the orbital motion. And that gravitational wave will carry away some of the energy of the system, eventually leading to the collision between the two objects. (By the way, the term you sometimes hear is to them gravity waves, but those are actually an atmospheric phenomenon.)
For the Earth-Moon system, the gravitational wave loss is so small that it’s undetectable. Even the Earth-Sun or Earth-Jupiter system won’t give any measurable effect. You need large masses orbiting close together (and fast!) for the effect to show up at all.
In 1974, Joseph Taylor Jr. and his graduate student, Russell Hulse, identified a pulsar in the constellation Aquila, using the Aricebo Radio Telescope in Puerto Rico. (A pulsar is a rotating magnetized neutron star. It sends radiation like a search light, and when that beam crosses Earth we detect a pulse, hence the name.) This pulsar rotates 17 times a second, for a pulse period of 59 milliseconds (.059 s). They noticed that these pulses were further modulated with a period of 7.75 hours and surmised that there were actually two neutron stars, each about 1.4 solar masses, in a close orbit around their common center of mass. The timing of the pulses is so precise that they were also able to determine that the orbital period of 7.75 hours was slowly increasing, meaning that the system was losing energy and the neutron stars were slowly spirally inward, albeit very slowly.
GTR allows us to calculate the rate at which this system should be losing energy to gravitational radiation. It was a perfect match to this system! This was the first observational evidence for gravitational radiation, though it did not count as a detection of those waves. Nonetheless, Hulse and Taylor were awarded the 1993 Nobel Prize in Physics. Chalk up another win for Albert Einstein.
Next month we’ll discuss the actual detection of gravitational waves!
Lunar phases for September: Full Moon on the 2nd, at 1:22 a.m.; Last Quarter on the 10th, at 5:26 a.m.; New Moon on the 17th, at 7 a.m.; First Quarter on the 23rd, at 1:58 p.m. All times are Eastern Daylight.
Early morning planet watchers can look to the east. Venus will be the brightest object before the Sun rises,
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about 25 degrees above the horizon around 5:30. (If you want to get up early, or stay up late, you will see it rising a little after 3. If you do get up before 3:00 you’ll also see Mars to the south. It rises around 9 p.m. Mercury will be briefly seen to the west just after sunset. Look about 10 degrees to the left of the spot on the horizon where the Sun goes down. Jupiter is already up at sunset, and it crosses the meridian around 9 p.m. As does Saturn – it’s to the left of Jupiter, which will be the brighter of the two. Our mid-month view of the sky,
