BVSCA Newsletter May 2006
Time: 7:00PM
Place: BVSCA's community room
located on N.Utah Street between the Willow Restaurant and the
Windsor Plaza condominiums.
Inside this newsletter
NCAC Update The April and May meetings of the Neighborhood
Conservation Advisory Committee (NCAC)) found members discussing
new prioritization of the backlog of street construction and
beautification projects in Arlington County. Many have progressed
much more slowly than planned. Construction costs have increased
significantly since some of the projects were first estimated.
Other projects have expanded, needing to be scoped again to
assess changed or additional requirements. NCAC is temporarily suspending all Proposed
Project activity that involves Department of Environmental
Services (DES) Engineering Bureau resources in order to
concentrate on Active Project activity. Therefore, we will not
have the routine June 2006 funding session where new projects
normally would be proposed by neighborhoods. Christine Nixon, NC
Coordinator, announced that we will complete the project backlog.
It was good news for neighborhoods that have been waiting years
for project action. The civic association approved projects have
been divided into four priority categories governing the DES
workload. (Not all of the 49 associations have projects in the
system.) Approved projects are now grouped according to the date
the project was approved and funded (year of the Bond Issue) and
the phase of progress or completion. Group 1: 18 Projects at or nearing 100% design
to which DES will assign priority status, with the goal of
advancing to construction between now and the end of calendar
year 2006. All but two of these projects are from the 2000 or
2002 Bond. Group 2: 6 Projects nearing or at the 90% Phase
(nearly all 2002 Bond). Group 3: 10 Projects at 50% or between 50 and
90% Phase (2002 & 2004 Bond). Group 4: 5 New projects approved in March 2006
by the County Board. Group 2, 3 and 4 projects are immediately on
hold until a substantial number (5-7) of the projects in Group 1
are forwarded to construction management. During the remainder of
2006, projects from Group 2 & 3 will move forward when a
significant number of Group 1 projects are in construction or
when there is a measurable hiatus in Group 1 project activity
that allows for staff time to be applied to other lower-priority
projects. The goal is to complete all 2000 bond projects
by the end of the 2006 calendar year, all 2002 bond projects by
the end of the 2007 calendar year and all 2004 bond projects by
the end of the 2008 calendar year, while actively seeking to
restore 2004 bond projects to their 29 month timeframes by
the end of the 2007 calendar year. Work accomplished around the County benefits
everyone, not just those in the project neighborhood. BVSCA has
two street, curb, gutter, sidewalk, grass area projects currently
in the system. Another has been proposed. All are shown
below.
We will continue to plan for necessary
improvements in our neighborhood. Everyone should be alert for
work needing to be done. BVSCA wants to be ready to initiate
improvement work when NCAC resumes accepting project
proposals. - by Dan Corts An Opera Performance For Children By
Children Milagros's singing is magical! She believes it
is because of the hat she always wears when she sings ....
Thirty-five children from 10 Arlington Elementary schools who are
members of The Children's Spanish Chorus (El Coro Infantìl en
Español) of Arlington will be performing in their very first
bilingual opera "El Sombrero Magico" (The Magic Hat) on June
10th, 2006 at 3 p.m. in the Gunston Middle School auditorium.
This is a children's opera wrapped around many well-known Latin
American folk songs. The Spanish Choruis has been performing in
Northern Virginia since 1998 under the direction of Founder, Cora
Lee Khambatta. Ms. Khambatta was awarded the 2005 Betty Keiger
Music Educator of the Year award by the Opera Guild of Northern
Virginia. The Spanish Chorus is made up of over 100 Arlington
County students from 13 different elementary schools. Mrs. Miriam Miller, President of The Opera Guild
of Northern Virginia, initiated this wonderful project, which
will be sponsored by the Guild. Ms. Khambatta and Ms. Maritza
Mascarenas-Sadowski, a 2004 Betty Keiger Music Educator of the
Year recipient, along with many enthusiastic parents, have
written the unique and imaginative "libretto" (script). The public is invited and admission is free! For
more information please contact Miriam Miller at 703-536-7557 or
by e-mail at MCDM@erols.com. - by Denise Parks Ballston Happenings Arlington Cuts Ribbon to New Ballston Metrorail
Elevators Arlington County recently celebrated new access
improvements to the Ballston-MU Metrorail station with a
ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Congressman Jim Moran,
Arlington County Board Chairman Christopher Zimmerman, and local
and state/ officials. The completed renovation is part of the
Ballston-MU Metro Station Access Improvement Project that was
implemented by the Arlington County and Washington Metropolitan
Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to make access to transit faster,
safer and easier for the region's growing ridership. The $10 million design-build project -- funded
by Arlington County and managed by WMATA -- adds three new
elevators and an underground passageway to the Ballston-MU
station. A new elevator now operates alongside the original, on
the north side of Fairfax Drive and North Stuart Street, to
service the mezzanine level. Riders may also access two new
elevator entrances on the south side of Fairfax Drive. Benefits to Ballston
Project ID
Description
Phase
Remarks N367, 2002 Bond
N 13th St N Vermont
St to N Vernon St
3-Design
Work expected this
year N436, 2004 Bond
N Vernon St 1200
Block
3-Design
Work possible in
2007 Proposed for funding
N Kirkwood Road,
vicinity of N 14 St on
toward Lee Hwy
Developing
Neighborhood survey
underway
West Entrance in the Works
The new elevators at Fairfax Drive and North Stuart Street complete the first phase of the Ballston-MU Metro Station Access Improvement Project. Design work is now underway to create an entirely new second entrance at North Vermont Street and Fairfax Drive on the opposite end of the station platform. The second entrance will include escalator, elevator and stair access points, a fare vending area, and a station kiosk. Construction of the initial phase of the project is slated to begin this summer.
Bicycle Mechanics Workshop
This self-directed, hands-on class let's you tune up, fix, or modify your bicycle or practice inspection, maintenance, or repair procedures. Bring bike, supplies, and inspiration. One 3-hour session.
$38 residents/$50 nonresidents, seniors $28/$38:
GI-814A: W., 5/24, Arlington Career Center
GI-814B: Th., 6/29, Arlington Career Center
GI-814C: Tu., 8/8, Arlington Career Center
Call 703-228-7200 or www.Arlington-adulted.org.
5K Race/1Mile Fun Run/Walk
Sat Jun 10, 2006 8:30 AM (Rain or
Shine).
Please support the PTA of the Arlington Science Focus
School (ASFS) and its programs to improve students learning
through healthy eating and better fitness.
WHEN: 5 Kilometer Race 8:30 am sharp, 1 Mile Fun Run / Walk 8:40 am sharp.
WHERE: Arlington Science Focus School, 1501 North Lincoln Street, Arlington, VA.
DIRECTIONS: Spout Run and Lee Hwy, continue onto Kirkwood, turn right onto 14th St., next right onto N. Lincoln Street. School is ¼ mile on your right.
HOW TO REGISTER: You must pre-register. Register early as event is limited to 250 and expected to sell out so Race Day registration is not available. Complete the entry form below and mail or deliver to ASFS office. Late registration available during packet pickup on Friday only.
FEES: Adults - $15 (postmark by June 1), $20 after June 1 until limit is reached. Children, 14 and under - $10, $15 after June 1 until limit is reached.
PACKET PICKUP: 6:00 - 8:00 pm, Friday, June 9 at ASFS. 7:30 - 8:15 am on Race Day.
COURSE: Both events will start and finish immediately in front of the school with most of each course running out and back on the Custis Trail. For the safety of all runners and walkers, no strollers, baby joggers, pets or headphones will be permitted in either event.
POST RACE: Refreshments after the race for all participants. Awards presented to Top Three overall finishers, and grade and age group winners in the 5K. Participation ribbons presented to all finishers in the 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk.
QUESTIONS/VOLUNTEER: Call 703/276-9746 or e-mail ncm0515@yahoo.com.
Garden Tour
Sun Jun 4, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Learn about
techniques for your yard to help local watersheds including
cisterns, rain barrels, native plants, and wildlife habitat
gardens. Properties are in Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church,
and Fairfax and include homes, condominiums, and schools.
Suggested donation - $5 per adult. Visit
www.arlingtonenvironment.org after May 8 for a
program (available in PDF version). Or, to request a copy by
snail mail, call 703.228.6406 or
volunteer@arling
tonenvironment.org.
Columbia Pike Blues Festival
The Eleventh Annual Columbia Pike Blues Festival takes place Sun Jun 11 from noon to 6PM on Walter Reed Drive at Columbia Pike.
Featuring hot blues talent from near and
far:
Bobby Parker (
www.bobbyparkerblues.com)
Tom Principato (
www.tomprincipato.com)
Whop Frazier (
www.whopfrazier.com)
Paul Mark and the Van Dorens (
www.paulmark.com)
Eric Sommer (
www.ericsommer.com)
Admission is free! Sponsorship and advertising opportunities are available. Vendors are welcome. Volunteers are needed before the event and on the day of the festival. To learn more, contact 703-892-2776 or cpro1@verizon.net.
Also, please note that the Columbia Pike Farmers Market resumes on Sun, May 7 (10am to 2pm).
Hurricane Preparedness
Many people believe that a major hurricane will not affect us or that there is nothing that can be done to protect ourselves. But, it could happen to Arlingtonians. There are some simple, low-cost steps each of us and our families can take to get ready for hurricanes or any disaster:
Be Informed: You may receive emergency information through Arlington Alert. Other ways to learn about emergency situations are through the County's web site, www.arlingtonva.us, 1700 AM radio (soon to be operational), Cable Channel 74 and the local media.
Make a Plan: Making a family disaster plan involves discussing the hazards and threats for your area and what your family would do during an actual emergency. As you create your plan, decide on a meeting place if your family cannot return home, designate an out-of-town friend or relative as a point-of-contact and plan for the specific needs of your household, such as an evacuation shelter for pets or transportation for medical equipment. For more information on preparing your plan and a plan for your pets, visit www.arlingtonva.us/oem.
Prepare an Emergency Kit: An emergency supply "Go Bag" kit includes, among other things, essential items to last at least three days such as a battery-powered radio and extra batteries, food and water, flashlights, a first aid kit and medica tions. For more specific information on what to include in your "go bag," visit www.arlingtonva.us/oem. The Virginia Department of Emergency Management also has information on preparation for emergencies at www.vaemergency.com.
Get Involved: There are opportunities to become involved in emergency preparedness activities, including assisting others should a hurricane hit Arlington. Become a CERT (Community Emergency Response Team)member. The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) also uses volunteers in emergencies. For information on these volunteer programs, visit www.arlingtonva.us.
Even when hurricanes make landfall in other states, they can still cause significant damage and loss of life in Virginia; in fact, some of the worst storms in Virginia's history were from hurricanes that made landfall in other states. Tropical storms or depressions can be just as damaging or deadly as a hurricane. Hurricane Isabel was a tropical storm when it entered Virginia, and caused damage to 75 percent of the state, making it one of the costliest disasters in Virginia s history.
Ballston Virginia Sq Partnership
Jun 1--Board of Directors
Jun 9--Urban Environment Committee
Jun 14--Real Estate Marketing Group
Jun 29--Board of Directors
Arts Events
May 25-Jun 17: Guachos/Who am I Anyway?
703.548.3092
May 30-Jul 16: Assassins, 703.820.9771
Jun 1: The Electric Possible,703.228.7710
Jun 1-Jul 2: The Children's Hour, 703.418.4808
Jun 2-Jun 11:Alice in Wonderland, 703.548.1154
Jun 2: Moe Nelson and Mark Noone, 703.228.1850
Jun 10: Mongolian Children's Festival, Rosslyn Spectrum
Jun 11: An Evening with Amadeus, 703.920.7077
Jun 11: Hearabouts-Los Quetzales Mexican Dance Ensemble,
703.228.5990
Jun 16: Center Dance Company, 703.228.1850
Jun 21: Harmony Under the Stars, 703.228.1850
Jun 22-Jul 15: USA, by Paul Shyrre & John Dos Passos,
703.553.8782
Senior Activities
Sep 16-28: 2006 Northern Virginia Senior
Olympics, 703.228.4721
Jun 8, 10:30AM: Public health nurse available, 703.228.6300
Jun 9, 10:00AM: Hands on demonstration of hearing devices,
703.228.4403
Jun 10, 9:00AM: Annual Trash & Treasure sale,
703.228.5722
Jun 13, 11:00AM: Hospice services, 703.228.6300
Jun 15,10:15AM: Public health nurse available, 703.228.5700
Jun 15, 11:00AM: Reverse mortgage, 703.228.0948
Jun 29, 9:30AM: Rummage sale, 703.228.6300
Every Wed, 10:30AM: Crafters workshop, 703.228.4403
Computer instructions, 703.228.5700
Strength training classes, 703.228.4745
Walking clubs, 703.228.4745
Caroleers, 703.228.0555
Nature Center Events
Sat Jun 3, 9AM-Noon: National Trails Day--Trail
Workday, 703.525.0168
Get some fresh air and exercise while helping to maintain our
local trails during this wonderful volunteer opportunity.
Arlington County's Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural
Resources and Potomac Overlook Regional Park want to team up with
you to improve the Donaldson Run Trail. Help create stream
crossings, plant trees, and repair trail erosion. No experience
necessary, just a desire to help. Materials and tools supplied.
Bring work gloves and wear sturdy shoes.
Thu Jun 15, 7-8:15PM: Bring Nature Home with
Audubon At Home, 703.228.4747
Are you interested in learning how to landscape for wildlife?
Would you like a list of eco-tips and the best native species for
attracting birds and butterflies to your property? Spend an
evening with the folks from the Audubon at Home in Northern
Virginia program, a project sponsored by the Audubon Society of
Northern Virginia. Through slides, discussion and take-home
materials we'll talk about conservation techniques that can
improve any property, from a school or church to your own
suburban yard!
Sun Jun 25, 1-2:30PM: Waterfall Appreciation
Walk, 703.228.4747
Learn why waterfalls form and how they change over time. Hike to
the Gulf Branch waterfall at the Potomac to observe this wonder
of nature.
Sun Jul 9, 9AM-5PM: Fossil Collecting,
703.228.4747
Join Northern Virginia Mineral Club member, Barry
Remer, in a hunt for the wild fossil. Explore the Virginia and
West Virginia countryside west of Winchester in search of
evidence of life from 300-400 million years ago! Bring a bag
lunch and water for the day.
Sat Jul 15, 2:30-3:30PM: Virginia's Algonquian
Indian Culture, 703.228.4747
They'll discuss early history versus popular hype as we discover
the real story of how these earlier residents lived. Learn how
the Algonquian speaking people survived by living off the land
and what plants they used. Many re-created tools will be on hand
for you to try and test your skills.
Sat Jul 15, Noon-4PM: Blacksmiths' Open Forge,
703.224.3403
Watch, participate and learn as members of the Blacksmiths'
Guild of the Potomac use fire and muscle to form raw materials
into useful tools and beautiful objects.
Sat Jul 15, 5-6PM: Wildflower Walk,
703.228.4747
Get to know your plant neighbors as you join us for a stroll
through Long Branch Park. We'll have a chance to learn folklore,
ethno botany, and other interesting facts about our native (and
some not-so-native) plants.
Sat Aug 19, 7-9:30PM: Bat Fest Arlington 2006,
703.228.3403
Enjoy a thoroughly batty evening and add to your knowledge of
local night life at this bat conservation and appreciation
program. New demonstrations and Learning Centers have been added
for 2006! See live bats, go on walks to hear bats' echolocation
calls, and sample some foods that are pollinated by bats. Live
bat shows will be presented by Leslie Sturges, Director of Bat
World NOVA. Kids will be able to practice being a bat, make bat
crafts, play games, and learn lots about our local furry bug
zappers. Bat talks and walks on the hour; all other activities
on-going. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Join BVSCA Today - Stronger Homeowners' Association Guarantees Better Neighborhood!
One BVSCA goal for this year is to increase membership and encourage BVSCA residents to participate in their Civic Association. This includes new members just learning about BVSCA and all previous members who have lost touch. There are several of you - you know who you are. BVSCA needs you. Your experience, knowledge and voice are invaluable to the Association.
The purpose of BVSCA is "to take action to protect and promote the welfare and livability of the Ballston-Virginia Square Civic Association's neighborhoods in particular, and in Arlington, in general" (By-laws of BVSCA). Only with a large, active and vocal membership can BVSCA be effective in its dealings with the County officials.
Residents can join by filling out the membership application and paying membership dues. You can do this either by 1) coming to a BVSCA meeting, or 2) by mail. The membership application is on BVSCA's web page and on the front of this newsletter.
Dues are $10 per person. Dues are payable when first joining and are renewable each year on or before the anniversary of that date. New members and members who have not paid their dues in the last three years must wait 30 days after paying their dues before receiving voting privileges. Dues are used to help fund the Association's activities and sponsored events. Join the BVSCA today!
BVSCA 2006 Calendar of Meetings
Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are held at the BVSCA's community room located on N. Utah Street between the Willow Restaurant and the Windsor Plaza condominiums on the last Tuesday of alternate months. BVSCA Executive meetings begin at 7:00 p.m. Full Membership meetings begin at 7:30 p.m. Meetings adjourn at 9:00pm.
Tuesday, Jan 31
Tuesday, Mar 28
Tuesday, May 30
Tuesday, July 25
Tuesday, Sep 26
Tuesday, Nov 28
Date: ________________________Dues: $10 per year
Name: _______________________________________
Street: _______________________________________
City: _______________________ Zip:_____________
Email:_______________________________________
Send my newsletter via: _____ email or _____ mail.
Phone (optional):_____________________________
I'm interested in volunteering to help: ____ yes ____ no
Mail to: DeAndra Beck
BVSCA Treasurer
1301 North
Taylor
Street
Arlington, VA 22201
Please make checks payable to BVSCA.
Vice President
Ed Parks (ebparks@hhlaw.com)
202-637
-6587
Treasurer
DeAndra Beck
Secretary
David Ryan
At Large Executive Committee
Dawn M.
Cooper
Paula
Bertolin
Sandra Kyles
Jennifer Mulchandani
Neighborhood Conservation Advisory
Committee
Representative Dan
Corts
Alternate Vacant
Arlington County Civic Federation
Delegates Ben Axleroad, David Ryan, Lew Gulick, Rohan
Samaraweera
Alternates Linda Kyles, Edward Parks,
Dennis Burr
Ballston Partnership
Representative Jim Webster
The following positions are not appointed positions but rather volunteer positions. They are listed here so that BVSCA members know who they can go to for information on a specific issue. Please inform Sujit Ray (tihzho@yahoo.com) of any changes or additions to this list.
Committee Chairs
Cherrydale Relocation Task Force:
Ed Parks
Community Preparedness:
David Perlmutter
District 2 Police Committee:
Dennis Burr
Clarendon Task Force & Virginia Square East
End:
Dennis
Burr
Ben Axleroad
Virginia Square Sector Plan Oversight Group
Lew
Gulick
Dennis
Burr
Connie McAdam
Ben Axleroad
John Buckley
Condominium Project 10th & Monroe St.
John
Buckley
Hayes Park:
Theresa Smith
Maggie Farrell
13th Street Park:
Denise Parks
Building Level Planning Committee:
(Washington-Lee
School
Project)
Linda Kyles
NCAC Sign Committee
DeAndra Beck
YMCA Strategic Planning Committee
Jim
Rosen
Maggie Farrell