From Waycroft-Woodlawn, the "Garden Spot of Arlington", here is the

APRIL 1999 WAYCROFT-WOODLAWN WHATALL

NEWSLETTER OF THE WAYCROFT-WOODLAWN CIVIC ASSOCIATION

A Note From Your Association President...

Well – I’m starting to get my own version of that “Lame Duck” syndrome as your association president.  I look around the neighborhood and wonder – 2 years have flown past and there is so many things I wanted to help get done.  But – will leave them for successors.  While we made some great progress (the Neighborhood Conservation Plan update) and good progress (traffic calming on 16th …yet to be seen) there is much left to do…like:
- Traffic calming on all the other streets – especially Washington Bvld, 17th road, Evergreen, Edison, et. Al..
- Street Lights for 16th Road and a full time school crossing guard at 16th Street at Abingdon.
- Finding a worthy parks project for our park’s fund.
- Getting the neighborhood ready for Y2K and/or other potential calamities (who will look out for our seniors if the power goes out in winter for several days?)
- Saving the Hall House from destruction and monitoring County plans for the old DHS site
- Looking to vacating North Aberdeen Street where it runs through the park…and more
The bottom line – the journey is unending and we have much to do to keep this the “Garden Spot of Arlington”
See you at the General Meeting!   Jim Pebley

Garden Corner

by Bill Cohen

Our neighborhood has become more walkable without so much overgrowth blocking our way. If you have not got around to it, walk your sidewalk and prune the overgrowth. Also, those of you at corners, please pay special attention to overgrowth blocking driver's vision. However, do not read this as general encouragement to just prune away. Remember, you may be reducing the number of flowers from spring flowering plants. For example the best time to prune azaleas is right after they have flowered.
Plant Sales
A number of interesting garden and plant sales are coming up which are sponsored by public gardens and garden, civic, and non-profit groups. This includes the local sales by your civic association and the neighborhood Hospice. Here are several sales I have attended in the past and highly recommend. For more information call the sale sponsor.

1. National Arboretum, DC.-- Garden Fair & Plant Sale, Saturday, April 24th, 9am-3pm. Lots of plants and lots of people. Arrive early and be careful not to overbid at the auction. The sale prices are generally very reasonable. Also, it is an opportunity to visit the wonderful gardens of the arboretum. Telephone: 202-544-8733.

2. Waycroft-Woodlawn Civic Association and the Hospice: Saturday, May 1, 10am to 2pm, the Hospice and your civic association will each be holding plants sales at the same time at the Hospice. Donna Cornman and I will be running the Civic Association sale and will be at the Hospice starting at 9:30am to receive your plant donations. Please donate the excess from division and thinning of your perenials, bulbs and other plants to the civic association. Your civic association is dependent on your donations to sell well below market value to encourage our neighbors to add to their gardens and help improve the appearance of our neighborhood. If you cannot bring your donations to use at the Hospice on the morning of sale, please leave them at Donna's (4923 N. 15th St) or my driveway (4905 Washington Blvd) on the prior Thursday or Friday. Even if you have nothing to donate, please be sure to come to the sale anyway because it will be an opportunity to help your civic association and the Hospice, meet some neighbors, ask gardening questions, and acquire quality plants at low prices. Among other things, the Hospice will market divisions and thinning from its outstanding landscape. Questions, call Donna (528-4377) or me (351-7754). The rain date is Sunday, May 2nd, same time.

3. Green Spring Gardens Park , Fairfax (near Jerry's Ford & Salvation Army on Rte 236 west of Landmark Shopping Ctr)--on Saturday, May 22nd, from 10am to 3pm, the park, garden groups, and a few small commercial growers gather to offer a wide range of quality plants at very reasonable prices. I advise arriving early. Telephone: 703-642-5173.

Useful Free Garden Literature
I find it great escapist literature to look at garden catalogues in anticipation of late April when I can start my spring planting. Two spring catalogs come to mind as excellent sources of plant information. And they are free. Here are the 800 numbers to call to get copies.
White Flower Farm---1-800-475-0148
Wayside Gardens-----1-800-845-1124
This spring be venturesome and try some new annuals, bulbs, and perennials. There is nothing wrong with the old, but it would be fund to try some new things too. Donna and I look forward to seeing you at our garden sale on May 1st. Please make every effort to contribute you garden excesses and come to the sale. I hope you find something there to try that is new to your garden.

 SCHOOL ITEMS

GLEBE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL TO SPEAK AT MAY 11TH WWCA MEETING:

Ms Joanne Uyeda has been invited to speak to our community about Glebe Elementary's program, academics, future construction plans etc. In the fall, Glebe plans to have a "Neighborhood Day" and invite all citizens from 5 surrounding civic associations. Also, I hear that all WWCA students passed the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) tests. And next year, Glebe will be the only Arlington school where a child will have the same teacher for 2 years (called "looping"). The March 6th Sun Weekly says the Arlington Bar Assoc. is helping some Glebe students with their homework skills.

MORNING CROSSING GUARD  AT 16TH ST & ABINGDON

Illene Schwartz has worked hard to get a crossing guard here. For the rest of the school year there will be a guard at 8:30 am -only-. The crossing guard at 17th and Culpeper (Abingdon) recently realized that all of the children crossing at 16th & Abingdon were coming from south of 16th St, so she will walk down from 17th and shepherd them across both streets. Need for crossing guards: By the way, the Police are having a very hard time staffing these positions. Senior citizens might want to consider being a crossing guard.

WASHINGTON-LEE HIGH SCHOOL 75TH REUNION COMING: The March 6th Sun reports the Alumni Association has tracked down 18,000 former students in preparation for a big reunion in 2000. W-L graduate and movie star Sandra Bullock is working with the Assoc. on the reunion.

WWCA NEWS

MEMBERSHIP HITS 239: Marlene Hoskins says membership so far is 239, including 190 households, 16 individuals and 33 retirees.

TREASURER'S REPORT: Bill Munson reports that as of March 8th there was $2287 in our account at First Union. The Park Fund CD was worth $3013, plus there was $148 more park

WWCA MEETING SIGNS: Thank you to my wife Ann Bullock for making 4 signs to put on poles the night before WWCA general meetings.

ITEMS FOR THE WHAT-ALL: Please phone or write articles before Tuesday, April 27th. Call 528-7362 or drop in the door slot at 1503 No. Buchanan.

WWCA DONATES $100 TO THE HOSPICE LANDSCAPE FUND:
Once again this year a donation was made to support the outstanding efforts of the landscape committee.

LOCAL HISTORY: HILL'S NURSERY: A GOOD NEIGHBOR FOR OVER 55 YEARS
Jerry Hill gave a talk at the April, 14th, 1981 WWCA meeting which is covered again here for the benefit of newer residents. " As some of you know, Mr. Hill can walk through WWCA and tell the history of many of the shrubs he has installed to beautify landscapes. Mr. Hill was a government worker when he bought the property at 18th & Glebe in 1939. He soon had a hobby of growing camelias. He did not then envision a business, or as Mr. Hill termed it-"an art or profession." People were not that interested in landscaping in the Arlington of the early 1940s. They would plant a few forsythia, or arbor vitae, grew a little garden and raised a few chickens. Today, he and his wife have the nursery, plus a 36 acre farm on Rte 7, the other side of Tyson's Corner--used to supply stock for landscaping.

Mr Hill works "a very enjoyable 18 hour day" 7 days a week. He spoke of the nursery business as having more than its share of pressure--keeping plants alive, helping customers understand how to take care of plants. He said he doesn't have all the answers. Raising plants is "an ongoing situation with weather, nature, disease, drainage problems." Mr. Hill mentioned that Bill Anderson (now deceased) at 16th and Abingdon lost camellias he had had for 15-20 years--in the winter of 81. He noted problems typical to many homes: crowding of shrubs failure to combine textures properly, too many vertical shrubs chop up the house in segments, lack of mulch, hiding the house with greenery. On watering, Mr. Hill said that most people have been told to let a hose run for 24 hours, drop by drop, to water a plant. He said that "is making things complicated". Water a well mulched plant for 1 minute. Mulch is essential. Watering most new plants once a week for 2 years is sufficient. Speaking of his nursery, he said he operated at a loss the first few years. He had a night job. Mrs. Hill worked as a government statistician. "A wife is the best kind of helper a husband can have." Eventually the business grew to the point where Mrs. Hill resigned her government job to work at the nursery. Don Bowman (formerly of 5004 No. 16th St. who designed the Hospice landscape) commended Mr. Hill on his assistance to the landscaping effort at Hospice ( 50 percent price reduction) and said "I hope you stay in the community forever. Noone knows better than the local nursery the soil and weather conditions."

WWCA AND NEARBY CRIME SITUATION
Please see the list of specific incidents on page 11, including several illegal entries of cars in WWCA at night. Thanks to Cecile Rodgers for this list.

TIRE SLASHING: ORIGINAL SUSPECT CLEARED. POLICE HAVE ANOTHER SUSPECT.
$1000 REWARD OFFERED.

1. 16th & Buchanan area resident's tires slashed fifth time:
Near mid-March, this resident suffered a fifth incident. The previous 4 incidents were in late 98. There have been other repeat victims in this part of Arlington.

2. Other incidents: You should have received a "reverse 911 call at the end of March citing the areas involved. Lt Gay Hayslett, Auto Squad, says the perpetrator is focussing on an 8-10 block area from W-L High School to the Hospital to Washington Blvd and some in this side of Ballston. The Mar. 25th Journal reported that a vandal "has slashed cars on 100 vehicles...in the past 6 months." March victims included apartment residents at 1020 N. Quincy ( 8 cars ) and at 4020 N. Wash. Blvd. Over the months, some victims were hit twice. Estimated total damage $40,000. Damage is usually to the sidewall, precluding repair. A WWCA resident w/a scanner says there was an incident in the 1900 block of Culpeper a few days ago. East of us, Waverly Hill's Assoc. president doesn't remember an incident since early winter. Lt. Hayslett says the usual time frame for the tire slashing is midnight to 5 am. In the Journal Jim Pebley  was quoted "We're upset. We're frustrated with the fact that police haven't been able to get this guy yet. We're totally reliant on the police at this point."
If you have information on the tire slashing--call 911 if necessary.
Otherwise call Detective Mark
Jenkins on 228-4236.

3. Police "Crime Solver" Program reward: On March 22nd a $1000 reward was publicized via the media. In the near future signs will be put on telephone poles.

4. First District Commander comments:
Capt. Roy Austin said to "tell the people we are there and this is the number one priority for District 1...We take this quite seriously and are using a lot of our energy and resources." He said "we are looking at another individual" (as a suspect). "The suspect we did have didn't pan out. There was no proof from the physical evidence". Capt. Austin was hopeful the $1000 reward would lead to the arrest of the tire slasher.

16th Rd Request for St Lights:
It still appears the lights will be funded for installation , possibly by this fall. Bill Vogelson, 16th Rd recently said the County Bd has to vote on overall Neighborhood Conservation funding in June or July. Back in Feb. he reported the lights will be 35-50 ft apart. They could be all on one side or alternate from one side of the st to the other (depending on engineering survey results).  A very small trench will be dug on the street. Also, Bill is working w/neighbors to set up Neighborhood Watch. (Editor: Thank you to neighbors who have
helped the slashing victim.

OTHER CRIMES NEARBY:
Ballston Mall Parking garage: After 5/6 robbery incidents earlier this winter, at 3:57 pm on March 2nd a Hispanic man hit a 46 year old Hecht Co manager (woman) on the head and took her purse and ran into the mall (Post Mar. 11th & Mall source)
George Mason Drive near Hospital: A 37 year old Alexandria woman was bitten by her boyfriend on Mar. 6th at 7:30 pm.
He was arrested. (Sun Weekly,Mar 11th)

ARLINGTON POLICE FIRST DISTRICT & WWCA:
WWCA is part of "Beat 11". There are 6 supervisors under 1st Dist. commander Capt Roy Austin. A police corporal (Joe Peralta/ 228-4347) is a liaison to WWCA and other area associations. "The Capt. and both lieutenants in the 1st District have also been given the responsibility of a particular beat within the district. Lt. Dave Herbstreit on 228-4093 is in charge of Beat 11.

SPECIAL ELECTION

On Tuesday, April 13th there will be a special election to fill the seat of County Bd member Al Eisenberg until Jan. 2000. Candidates are Charles Monroe (Democrat) and Mike Lane (Republican) Polls are open at Glebe Elem. from  6am-7pm. In November the candidates will need to run again for a 4 year Cty Bd seat.

HOMES SOLD (PRESS):
Note: Houses are selling very well and fast. Many prospects descended on a Buchanan St property last Sunday afternoon.
4639 No. 17th St: $324,000; 5005 No. 14th: $369,000; 4815 N. Wash. Blvd; $283,000; 1418 N. Edison: $232,900; $4805 N. 17th: $326,750
Washington Times reports "Home Buying Frenzy": The president of Coldwell, Banker & Stevens Real Estate was quoted in the March 5, 1999 Times. "Buyers are feeling good about the economy, people are making money, interest rates are at an all-time low, and we have low unemployment.... At the same time, we are definitely seeing a drop in the number of homes on the market.... The main reason
for this drop in inventory is that the market never let up, even during the holidays." Within 6 months the market has has done a 180 degree turn from a buyer's market to a "serious seller's market".

WHATS GOING ON IN THE PARKS?

Woodlawn Park

-Park clean-up coming: On a Saturday in May.
-Refurbishing Ed Knowles Bench  & landscaping:

-The following is the "Project Description" provided to Jeff Morris' park committee this winter by Kelsey Netting, 16th Rd and an Eagle Scout in Troop 647. " My Eagle Project will consist of refreshing and landscaping approximately a 60 square ft area within Woodlawn Park in North Arlington. This area is located near the park entrance at 14th & Buchanan St. The project area includes a park bench and a Chinese elm which had been donated to the community, by his children, in memory of a gentleman (Ed Knowles) who lead the charge in planning and developing the Waycroft-Woodlawn Civic Assoc. Neighborhood Conservation plan in 1984. Currently, as the area has become unkempt, it has low areas which become muddy in the wet season. Grass is sparse in places and the area along the fence is somewhat overgrown with weeds and leaves. My project will include: digging up and replacing the deteriorated park bench and adding a 5 foot gravel radius around the bench. Raking leaves, weeding, mulching, landscaping, and laying a new gravel path from the existing walkway to the park bench will be included. There is a split rail fence to the south and a chain link fence to the north. I propose to plant 8 to 10 purple and white azaleas along the fence (4 to the south split rail and 6 to the north chain link fence). Also, a few perennials should be planted to provide contrast and an additional splash of color. "       Thank you to Kelsey for his willingness to work for his community.

More resident's thoughts on several citizen's proposal to fence the playground
    -And a few County comments
Prefer not to fence the playground:
-A Buchanan St resident near the Park believes the idea of a fence around the playground is not necessary. The person believes it will create a "cage effect" . Kids will want to get out, and it may lull mothers/nannies into a false sense of security.  This person believes the fence will be "claustrophobic" and children won't like it. The kids like the park as it is. They use the trails etc. This individual says that 90 percent of dog walkers keep their dogs leashed in the playground area, and some release them on the ballfield (usually from 6-8am). They suggest, instead of fencing the playground, consider extending the fence separating the playground/creek and ballfield east towards the park entrance. Add an automatical shutting gate where the fence stops now. Also, to allay the concerns of parents of toddlers, extend the fence along the creek part way way around the area where the culvert openings are.

-Retired resident: Believes the playground is bigger than many (fenced) back yards and a fence around part of the equipment for toddlers wouldn't cause claustrophobia.

-Youngsters in the park: A middle school youngster and his sister from Buchanan St says he would prefer not to see the playground fenced because kids like to play with dogs. He does see the problem unleashed dogs create for small children though. "They should enforce the leash law more." He said sometimes dogs are rambunctious and playful in interacting with kids and don't adjust their activity to a toddler versus an older child.

-Former Abingdon St resident in the park recently: Said we used to walk our dog at 10pm at night, off leash, so as not to offend neighbors and be a hazard. She said "my two year old thinks the whole park is his"  and thinks "this is the best park in Arlington". She thought some playground fencing might help with toddlers.

COUNTY PARKS STAFFER'S REMARKS:
I talked to Aura Grego and she said said that the County is tending to fence in some tot lots to give mothers more security. I told her I wasn't sure the equipment could be divided into "tot" and for older children. In any event, Ms Grego said that 80 percent of the community (ie in a vote) needs to agree to any proposal to fence, before her dept. will consider it. By the way, if you have any concern about need for trimming trees in the park/ballfield call Jamie Bartleson, Parks Dept at 228-7747.

LACEY WOODS TO BE RENOVATED BY SUMMER 2000
Note: I have used "2000" several times and my pc didn't melt; whats the big deal? (Just a -little- humor).
Citizen/County Park Renovation Committee:
According to Aura Grego, Parks Dept., Bluemont Civic Assoc. (formerly Stonewall Jackson) has a 9 person committee that has met three times this winter on renovation of the park (next meeting is in early April). The chairperson is Jerry Procanick (524-3764). If you wish to express concerns & suggestions the e-mail address is: LaceyWoodsPark @ Net0.com.. You can also put suggestions on the park bulletin board.
Lacey Woods Renovation plans :
A concept proposal is to be presented to Bluemont Assoc. sometime in May. Work will be done by summer 2000. The playground will be replaced as part of a 10-12 year upgrade cycle. There will be tot equipment for ages 2-5, including for use in the summer tot program, and equipment for ages 5-12. The playground will be made compliant with the Americans w/Disabilities Act (ADA). Also they plan to put in a separate, lower basketball hoop for younger children, since the existing court is dominated by teens and young adults. Over on the west side of the park, where two houses were removed some years ago, a garden will be planted, and a path to the picnic shelter put in. Ms. Grego said there has been no proposal to put in tennis courts as was once rumored (negative impact on Frederick St residents I guess is part of the reason.). And by the way, the digging and dirt hauling along George Mason is connected to installation of a fiber optic cable unrelated to the park.

BALLSTON POND LOOKING GOOD: The pond area is about half under water now and the ducks are having a ball. Ann and I have never seen the pond looking prettier. On Mar. 31, I called the State I-66 maintenance office (237-9261) about the safety problem related to a gate that's open in the fence. They will secure the gate on 1 April.
ARLINGTON TEEN SUMMER EXPO: Sat. , April 24th at Wash. -Lee HS cafeteria. Jobs, internships & community service. Info: 228-7660, Stella Martinez.

MORE SCHOOL NEWS--NEW WASH.-LEE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL:
Mr. Sharbaugh is retiring after 24 years this spring. In July, Edward Skeen a professor at Wilmington College in Delaware and former principal of 3 California high schools will take the reins.

REPORTING STREET LIGHTS OUT:
Nearly all street lights are Va Power's responsibility. Call 1-888-667-3000. I reported one out near where Mr. Bates was killed on Lee Hwy and it was fixed (wasn't "over" the accident). Also on 3/30 I reported one on 16th St, near Edison, north side. Give Va Power the pole number if possible or just the address/location.

Dogs and People
       By Dave Walters, WWCA

   This is in support of Laura Casey's view in the March What-all, but from a different angle. I am a dog owner.

   When my dog (Kate) and I are out walking, she is on a leash. No exceptions. The only time she is off-leash is when we are in a large, wooded track of Arlington land where there generally aren't other people. If I see another person and/or dog within 300 feet, Kate goes back on the leash immediately. No exceptions. When I am walking her through Woodlawn Park, she does not run free in the open space, and I avoid the playround, whether there's anyone there or not. There is a path on the other side of the crek, and no reason for me to walk on the playground side.

   When I see dogs running loose in the open area of the park, and their owners do nothing when they see Kate and I approaching, I'm furious. Making it worse is when an adult tells me that his or her dog "just wants to play", or keeps calling to the dog which does not obey, as that dog is coming closer to Kate. That the other dog is playful may be true, but Kate is not. It's at that point, if the other dog is still approaching, I grab hold of my pepper spray which I don't hesitate for a moment to use. Hopefully, this will serve a a warning to the owner who is unable to control the dog.

   When Kate and I are out, I am constantly "reading" other people and their dogs, anticipating what might happen. I call it defensive walking. If an adult or a child is walking, running or riding a bike toward Kate and I on a sidewalk, we move into a driveway or the street. If that person also has a dog, we move to the opposite side of the street. If I'm entering or leaving a park or other closed area, and another dog is coming in the opposite direction, I'll enter or leave by another way.

   There is no reason to invite a confrontation with another dog, or its owner. Kate is gentle and very effectionate with people. I don't know about the other dogs; they could be vicious, especially towards other dogs. Other owners should view Kate the same way. If a child wants to pet Kate, thats fine,but first, I ask the child to hold out a hand, and let Kate sniff. The  child is not afraid, and neither is Kate.

    I enjoy the privilege of walking Kate through the neighborhood, and I respect the fact that not everyone likes dogs. I try not to create situations that will
lead to bad feelings, or worse, toward me or Kate. Its self-protection, common sense and courtesy.

      NEWS ABOUT NEIGHBORS

    Thats "our" John Cornman:
In a March 12th press release Hospice of Northern Va announced that John Cornman, 4923 No. 15th St was the new chair of the Hospice Board of Directors. Jack and his wife Donna have been active in WWCA since it started. He runs a consulting firm --"Consultants on Purpose". Jack is a former Executive Director of the American Anthropological Association and former Executive Director of the Gerontological Society of America.  As to Hospice, it has served 22,000 patients since 1977.

Congratulations to the Tadeos, 14th & Buchanan on the arrival of their twins, Meghan and Michael on March 26th. Bless these babys every step of their lives.
It was good to see Will Webb former active member of WWCA in its early years. He wrote the history in the front of our Conservation Plan. Will and Ann lived at 17th and Buchanan until they moved just east of Glebe on 19th St. Will retired from JCS historian duties a few years ago. He and Ann are stalwarts in the Arlington Historical Society. He did a great article on the history of Waverly Hills last year in its annual publication. Now he is manager of the Historic Ball-Sellers House the society owns on Carlin Springs Rd (See details on park b/bd).

   WELCOME TO NEW WWCA RESIDENTS

Benjamin and Katherine Bernlohr, 5000 N. 13th St
Charles and Sharon Spriggs, 4905, 16th Rd.
Paul and Brenda Lopez, 1310 N. Abingdon
(From press house sale listings which don't always give names. If you know of a new neighbor call Ben or Ann Bullock at 528-7362.)

Nanny Available: We are happy to tell you about our reliable Nanny, Rosario Montez. She is a mother of two, and is an honest, legal worker with excellent English and her own car transportation. We have used her one day a week for the past year, and have known her and her family for five years. She is now available for up to four days work per week. Interested?
Call Lois Mandelberg of 5004 N. 16th
St. at (703) 525-6250.

Ariel Schwartz, Buchanan St, attended the March Executive Committee meeting with her mother Ilene. This Glebe 3rd grader shows good potential for following in mom's footsteps some day.

IGLOO BUILT WITHOUT PERMIT AT PHILLIPS PROPERTY ON BUCHANAN STREET:
On March 9th, an ad hoc member of the WWCA zoning committee (me) observed that a massive infill igloo (McIgloo) had been built. I have little doubt those who engineered this project did so joyfully,on the spur of the moment, without a care in the world. But they didn't request a variance. I saw no signs on the phone poles announcing anything. They just "did it". There seemed to be some sort of table supporting the icy dome. At least it was done on the lawn where all could see it, not on one of those pipestem lots. The structure melted before it could be discussed in the executive committee. (PS: Great job).

$120,000 RAISED AT BISHOP O'CONNELL HS "SUPER DANCE":  I remember a young Buchanan St neighbor (Ms LaMarca) and a friend came door to door raising money
for Cystic Fibrosis. It looks like their work paid off. 1100 students attended this marathon event on March 12th.

Tree company recommendation: Robert Davis, The Tree Man, did a good job for us recently for a good price. Careful, professional work. Call: 703-754-7118.
Ben Bullock ,editor, 528-7362

WHATS GOING ON AROUND US?

LEE HIGHWAY AND GEORGE MASON: Ann and I said we hoped it wasn't another bank replacing the Roy Rodgers. No its a Friendly's Restaurant.

GLOBETROTTERS BOUNCE IN TO THE COMFORT INN: On Sat. March 6th, the Harlem Globetrotters bus was at the Comfort Inn. They were to perform at the Geo. Mason Univ. Patriot Center. Unfortunately they had no time for a slam dunk contest or pick-up game at the park.

PROTESTORS AT NEARBY APARTMENTS LAST SATURDAY: Ann and I came home from out of town to see 20 or so protestors marching in front of the Avalon at Ballston Apts across from the Mobile gas station. I later found a flyer nearby telling that they were protesting the eviction of 700 Latino/African American families from their Arna Valley apts.  These apartments, near Glebe Rd & 395 are being torn down by Avalon Bay Co. and replaced with new apartments etc. Some moderate income units will be included. The flyer says Arna Valley houses about 10 percent of Arlington's Latino population.

DESIGN COMPETITION SUGGESTED FOR WWCA NEIGHBORHOOD SIGNS: Marlene Hoskins is heading this project--where the Cty will provide a total of $12,000 for one or
more signs.

 LATEST ON 1.5 ACRE "HALL HOUSE" TRACT ON GEORGE MASON:  The Manor Care proposal for an alzheimer's assisted living facility fell through. Jim Pebley says there is a "contract" on the land and it might be related to building 16 homes.

ARLINGTON FARMER'S MARKETS: The one on Courthouse Rd behind the Cty Courthouse is open Sat.7am to noon, April to December. The Columbia Pike market, near the diner at Walter Reed & Col. Pike is open Sunday, 10am-2pm, May to early November.

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS PICK-UP REMINDER: The pick-up will be at the W-L High School parking deck Sat. April 17th, 9am-3pm. Also will be collecting usable bikes, and construction materials for Habitat for humanity. Info: 228-6832/6570.

ABOUT ARLINGTON HOSPITAL:  At the March 16th General Meeting, Mr. Carl Bahnlein, Chief Operating Officer of Arlington Hospital spoke about whats going on at the Hospital.
Attempt to be good neighbors:
He said we try to assure being good neighbors. Every day we attempt to do that and not disrupt your lives as a community facility in the middle of a residential neighborhood. We have very close relations with Jim Pebley and we probably speak about once a month and the same with Jay Eiche of Tara-Leeway and Darnell Carpenter, president of John M. Langston Assoc. in High View Park.
Unwinding relations w/Columbia/HCA:
Mr. Bahnlein mentioned the fraud allegations against HCA, primarily in the Texas and Florida market. Arlington Hospital was not mentioned in any of the press articles. The Hospital's relations w/HCA ended in June. Arlington Hospital still wants to be a local hospital, not-for-profit. He mentioned being at the Hospital for 20 years.
Y2K readiness: During the 14 Jan. ice storm outage of 7 hours, using back-up generators, the Hospital was able to maintain a full surgery schedule. But they are currently working to hook up more items to the emergency power, primarily lighting. They are working to assure medical equipment is Y2K compliant.
Homes the Hospital owns on 16th St:
Have owned most of the homes across from the Hospital for 15 years. They plan to sell the properties in the next couple years when values go up, which they already have. He said they put a lot of money into the houses,including rehab and need to get their money back. Now they own 5 houses; they used to own more (on Edison and George Mason). "There are no plans whatsoever for commercial development". Have had some group houses, but they can't discriminate under the law.
Dept. of Human Services Tract:
This was sold to the County long ago for $1.00 for health care purposes. If the tract is not used for that it has to revert back to the Hospital. The Hospital has no need or plans for the tract right now. The Hospital was approached by DHS regards selling the tract back to the Hospital (Editor: Possibly in the next few years DHS will move to a visioned high rise, possibly near the Courthouse.)  "We are not looking at expanding."
Impact on Arl. Hospital of Georgetown University's ambulatory care facility in Ballston:
Bahnlein said there was "no impact. I believe they are not doing very well." They have pulled some services.
Hospital security: There was a break-in of one or two cars last year, but no violent crime. Did have one knife-point robbery of the cashier.
Emergency Room expansion:
This is being expanded by two thirds, within the current Hospital building. When asked why so much expansion he said the number of visitors is expanding. The paramedics like to come to Arlington Hospital because they can handle any complications. The Hospital doesn't handle major highway accident trauma.
Break-up with HCA impact on Blue Cross? It doesn't really change anything. The Hospital has every major plan except Kaiser.
Indigent care costs:
About $7 million per year. They have no choice but to provide indigent care. Federal regs apply rather severe penalties and require triage and in many cases treatment. All patients help pay for the indigent care and the Hospital "eats some" of the costs.
Insurance company stops paying: If the patient is not ready "you don't go home".
Teaching affiliation w/Georgetown Univ.:
On any day or night there are 40 residents on site from Georgetown.
What impresses him about their technology capabilities? The number of surgical procedures done with larascopes--"involving a lot less time and pain". Also MRI use. Yes, its very expensive "but its better than getting cut open".
Pentagon City Hospital:
Is owned jointly by Col./HCA and Arl. Hospital.
WWCA resident Paul Kuperschmidt said he "swears by Arlington Hospital". Paul said all his doctors are there. Mr. Bahnlein said this was an advantage of Arl. Hospital--"one stop shopping".

JUST FOUND THIS NOTE--
ANOTHER COMMENT ABOUT THE PLAYGROUND FENCE ISSUE:
Buchanan St resident with young children is against the fence. Her kids would feel claustrophobic with a fence. Any child over 1/2 years old is not going to like it. If there were a fence, dog owners would feel more free to unleash their dogs. Her children like to run loose, including to the ball field and to play hide and seek in the whole area. She doesn't want dogs jumping on her children.

SPRING CLEANING, GUTTER AND LAWN MOWING, SMALL JOB HELP: Call Ashley Baker at 243-4255. Mr. Baker lives in the neighborhood and is working his way through law school. For reference call Bonnie Beckett-Hoffman at 524-5534.

Its been said: Mayme,  in Powhattan Nursing Home: We were talking about Kosovo etc. " I didn't think that country was big enough to shoot arrows, let alone threaten the U.S."

EXPANDING ROLE OF THE ARLINGTON FISCAL AFFAIRS ADVISORY COMMISSION:

The April 10th , 1998 No Va Sun reported that the FAAC "is one of the top citizen commissions in the county" and attracts potential political candidates. The commission gives the County Board citizen imput on fiscal issues. There are 15 members on the commission, including WWCA President Jim Pebley. "Over the last 4 months (early 98) with the real budget-crunching underway, commissioners have attended 15 meetings that often lasted until 1am or later." Commission member "Pebley estimated that he spent the equivalent of 4 days occupied in meetings or analyzing budgets submitted from various departments." Jay Fisette, a former FAAC member said "only recently have members been granted a place at the table during the County Bd work sessions." Commission member Martha Moore said "our research provides the next level of detail that the Cty Bd  might not get. Our job is to provide options." Representatives from County agencies meet with the commission. One commission proposal (in 98) was to close several branch libraries. The County Bd voted .... to keep the branches alive for the coming fiscal year." "Jim Pebley said that the FAAC concluded that closing the branches would result in the best use of County revenues. He acknowledged that some of the options presented to the board were not necessarily politically popular, but stressed that the job of the FAAC is not to give political advice, but to give fiscal advice." This year (98) the Commission "proposed a budget of its own." The next task of the FAAC is analyzing the budget for the County's Capital Improvement Program (CIP) from mid-May to mid-June

JOURNAL REPORTS ON 16TH ST TRAFFIC CALMING:  "Radar, warning signs to get test"
In a top of page 1 article in the March 1st Arl. Journal it was reported that $4150 radar speed warning indicators and signs warning of possible $200 speeding fines will be installed on 16th St in coming months. (Editor: The indicators, showing driver's speed will be at the foot of the hill down from Glebe to Abingdon and just east of Edison St.) Neither of these measures "have been used in the Cty before." The Cty will monitor the effectiveness of the measures. 9700 cars a day use 16th St. The Cty is "confident that the new measures will improve the traffic situation". As to the $200 fine signs: "Judges have long been able to impose a maximum $200 fine....but only if the driver chose not to prepay the ticket. But if drivers are aware of how high the fines can go, officials said they might encourage them to drive within the speed limit."

IMPACT OF PARKING STRIPE ON 16TH ST:
Jim Pebley says the incidents of parked cars getting hit have been reduced from monthly to every few months as a result of the parking stripes being added.

SPEED HUMPS: Cost $2,000 a piece and are allowed on streets with traffic up to 3000 cars per day. The issue of whether to install these humps on any of our streets will come up as WWCA develops its "Integrated Traffic Management Plan" in the future.

WWCA WRITES LETER TO AUTHORITIES ABOUT NEED FOR A CROSSING GUARD AT 16TH & ABINGDON: 6-8 young children use this crossing a day. Some that could are driven to school, and in view of all the babies we see in strollers--some more users are coming. The letter went to the School supt., School Bd members, and the police. It asked that "traffic dangers", not just "numbers" of children be criteria for having crossing guards.