TUES. MARCH 9TH
, 7:30 PM
WWCA GENERAL
MEETING AT
HOSPICE
GLEBE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRESENTATION
Glebe Principal: Sylvia Taub
PTA President:
Tecla Murphy
March 9th: General
Meeting—Glebe Elementary speakers
March 23rd: WWCA
Exec. Committee meeting
May 12th: General
Meeting: Cty Bd Chair Barbara Favola
Traffic calming news/ WWCA By-laws
review
Infill news/ house sales for 2003
Arlington Neighborhood Conservation program
Arlington crime stats lowest in 20 years
New Arlington Parks/ tree care
News about neighbors
Babysitter list/ Emergency
preparedness news
Glebe Elementary news/ County answers questions
about lead in the water. Cty mains do
not contain lead. Some home
pipes have lead solder.
What requires building, plumbing and electrical permits
and plans?
Halls Hill history
(cont.)
Blighted property ordinance, Editor’s 1970s Woodlawn School memories
Note from the
editor,
We are continuing
to progress in improving the quality of life in WWCA. As you will see on page 2,
speed cushions will be installed on 16th St this spring (Please
see p. 2.), thanks to the work of the Traffic Calming Committee chaired
by Tracie Morris, assisted by Louise Megargee, John Kalitka, and Jim Pebley. On
Feb. 24th the Exec. Committee worked on revision of the by-laws,
particularly on the issue of quorums and advance notice of votes on major issues
(Please see page 3.). Thank you to Bill Munson for shepherding this project. At
the March 9th General Meeting we will select an officer/delegate
nominating committee. If you have time and want to help the association please
consider doing so. George Cecchetti reports we have a phenomenal 365 members in
WWCA; our goal is 400 (out of 586 homes). And on page 3 you can read how WWCA
residents have been blessed with just a 5 percent increase in tax assessments.
This helps make up for a couple of years ago when we were shocked at a 40
percent increase vs 20 percent in the rest of Arlington. As to the next couple
months, we should be getting a County draft staff position on lot coverage. And,
we will need to start focusing on the hospital healing-garden trade-off issue.
In the spring, County Board Chairperson Barbara Favola will speak at our May
meeting. It won’t be long we will be planting flowers, cleaning up the
yard and cutting the grass. I hope you enjoy the Garden Spot to the full. Ben
Bullock
Pres: Mike Bruce
703-371-7936
E-mail:michaelbruce@accenture.com
VP: George Cecchetti
703-524-9483
E-mail:
gcecch3458@aol.com
Passing of William Pelham Sr, a good
neighbor in High View Park—at 103: I
just learned of the passing last Christmas night , in his sleep, of William
Pelham Sr, a fine man full of peace and joy. I interviewed him about Halls Hill
history in April 2001, including about his dad’s small farm on Emerson St
many, many years ago. Mr. Pelham had a reputation as a man of high character and
I am sure is greatly missed by his family, his church Mt Salvation, and his
beloved community.
SPEED
CUSHIONS COMING SOON TO A STREET NEAR YOU
The WWCA Traffic
Calming Committee chaired by Tracie Morris met on Feb. 18th with
Susan Finotti, County traffic engineer.
16TH
STREET SPEED CUSHIONS: Tracie reports
“Depending on the weather and the availability of the contractor, the cushions
could be installed as early as March/April. Ms Finotti thought the latest date
for installation would be May.” There will be 5 cushions from near Mt Olivet
church cemetery to west of Edison St.
17TH
Street: The hump at 17th
and Buchanan St was lowered during the last paving. It is the County’s intent
to correct this when speed cushions are installed on 16th St.
Washington
Blvd at Buchanan-$500 fine pedestrian yield sign to be installed: A
sign stating that failure to yield to a pedestrian in the crosswalk will result
in a $500 fine will be placed at this crossing. The County is also looking at
other types of pedestrian relief at this crossing.
Washington
Blvd at Geo. Mason Drive: This
intersection does not qualify for a left hand turn lane. The County is looking
for ways to divert traffic off of Washington Blvd onto Lee Hwy.
Frederick St between George Mason Drive
& Washington Blvd: A request has
been made by several residents to look at this street. The County will perform
traffic counts to determine whether speed is an issue.
“TRAFFIC CAMERAS REAPING MILLIONS” IN
D.C.:
The Feb. 2nd
Washington Times reports that “the District has collected more than $66
million in fines from its automated traffic enforcement program since installing
red-light cameras in 1999 and speed cameras in 2001. Fines from the red-light
cameras which are posted at 39 intersections around the city have generated more
than $24.5 million since they were first set up in Aug. 1999. Fines from the
speeding, or photo-radar, cameras have generated more than $41.6 million since
they were first implemented in August 2001.” Officials say “the cameras
have helped them create safer streets with less manpower.”
According to
police statistics the red-light cameras are issuing about 22,800 fewer
citations a month than they did when they were first installed in 1999. In
addition , 5.4 percent of the nearly 1 million vehicles monitored by
photo-radar cameras last month were speeding compared to 25.5 percent when
the city began issuing citations based on photo-radar in 2001.” Traffic deaths
attributable to speed are on the decline. A DC Superior Court judge ruled June
12th that the traffic cameras are constitutional and benefit public
safety. The ruling is being appealed.
EDISON ST NUBS NORTH OF WWCA: I
notice construction has started north of 20th & Edison to Lee
Hwy.
TRAFFIC
CALMING SIGNS STILL AVAILABLE FOR RESIDENT’S LAWNS: “These
signs may not be placed on the County right-of-way and are supposed to be taken
down every night.” If you are interested contact Tracie Morris
–703-522-1757 or e-mail: traciegmorris@comast.net .
“VA DELEGATE PRESSES ON FOR RED LIGHT
CAMERAS”
-Arlington has had a few cameras for the
last few years.
-Detective John Ritter says “the program
has beenvery effective”
The Feb. 9th
Washington Times reported “A Republican lawmaker continues to push for
legislation to expand red light camera programs throughout the state,
despite little support from party members who think the light camera program
comes close to “Big Brother”. Delegate Michele McQuigg says “I’m not
going to give up.” Her bill was defeated by the House Militia, Police and
Public Safety committee. “How many more people have to die before the General
Assembly does something?” A bill in the Va Senate won approval but it was
predicted it “will be killed in the House Transportation Committee in coming
weeks.” “Fairfax County has spent $1.47 million on the program since
2000 and has yet to break even.” In Alexandria violations have dropped off
tremendously, since the program started in late 1997. The City is not
generating revenue from this, and that’s not the goal.”
On Feb. 24th
the by-laws were reviewed, including several resident’s suggestions for
change. The new draft by-laws will be distributed in April or May with the
newsletter and voted on at a general meeting. A quorum of 20 is suggested
for transaction of any and all business at general meetings. As to advance
notice—the draft revision now reads “Motions made at general meetings
will be referred by the Association President to appropriate Civic Association
Committees for recommendation and vote at the following general meeting.” This
will allow for adequate advance notice of votes on substantive policy issues
etc.
WWCA TREASURY:
Diana Anderson reported that as of
Feb. 10th there was $4,950 in the general fund and $2227.02 in the
Park Fund.
ITEMS FOR THE APRIL WHAT-ALL: Please
e-mail benandann@juno.com , call 703-528-7362 or put in the door slot at 1503
No. Buchanan. Thank you.
COMMUNITY LISTSERV: AS AN ASSISTANCE IN
FINDING LOST ANIMALS
Recently an 11st
resident posted a picture of a lost dog. The list serve monitor, Kathleen
Nebeker, suggested the following: “ I encourage everyone to take a digital
photo of their dog and/or cat. That way if your dog takes a walk without
you, you can post his or her picture on the listserv and everyone will know what
the escapee looks like. And of course, call the Animal Welfare League of
Arlington to report all missing animals—703-931-9241. They are very
helpful.
JOINING THE
COMMUNITY LISTSERV WHICH HAS OVER 140 MEMBERS: To
join send a blank message to waycroftwoodlawn-subscribe@yahoogroups.com OR just
go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/waycroftwoodlawn/ and click on the button to
join the group. If for some reason these two approaches fail –send Kathleen
Nebeker an e-mail with your name , address and phone number to kathleen_nebeker@yahoo.com
. Thank you to Kathy Allison for assisting Kathleen to monitor the listserv.
LOT COVERAGE ISSUE—FINAL COUNTY PROPOSALS
STILL IN THE MAIL:
The Feb. 17th
Wash. Post reported in an article entitled “Arlington Downsizing McMansion
Aspirations”: “This month Arlington’s zoning officials released a report
outlining proposals that , if adopted, would be the region’s first major
limitations specifically targeting mansionization (Editor: I have requested the
report for WWCA review.). Arlington hopes to reduce the amount of ground that
can be covered with driveways and out buildings and put a cap on the square
footage of a home’s architectural footprint.” “From a McMansion
standpoint, this (proposal) is the crown jewel, said Ted Weihe, a member of the
Arlington County Planning Commission. This would actually make a difference.”
The proposed guidelines call for limiting (lot) coverage to 40 percent vice
the current 56 percent for R-6 lots. “Montgomery Cty will consider
restrictions on building heights in the spring with another controversial
proposal aimed at outsize homes. The full Post article will be posted on the
park bulletin board.
1412 N.
Abingdon St new $1.2 million home is “under contract”:
Sales price not available yet.
Market for “tear downs”: The
Jan. 28th Arlington Connection reported that land values are going up
and house values remain the same. An example was given of a property where land
value went up from $257,400 to $330,000 in one year. A representative of a local
realtor, KDH Properties, said that it really makes more sense to buy houses with
an eye towards demolition. This developer has been “looking for similar
properties across Arlington. “I work with the developer and we have been
tearing down ramblers and building million dollar homes.” Speaking of one
property, Ms Wardle, KDH said the assessed value is close to $320,000. “When
you saw the property, its ridiculous. It’s a little bungalow, but it’s in a
very desirable North Arlington location. It’s potentially a house someone
would tear down and build another.”
Infill
architect praised in Washingtonian Magazine: The magazine said a leading force for good in-fill development is
architect Rob Morris, whose Morris-Day design construction firm is snapping up
properties to renovate or rebuild. Morris says he is trying to retain
neighborhood architectural character by following the traditions of
bungalows, farmhouses and shingle-style cottages, “rather than introducing a
few modernist houses or a couple of French chateaux.”
LOCAL ART BUS ROUTE 51 & 52 PASSENGER
STATISTICS: The Cty web site says ART
had 397,001 riders in 2003. Rte 51 (16th St) had 158,501
passengers and Rte 52 (Washington Blvd) had 118,494 passengers.
Art bus
contractor: “The ART bus service is
operated through a contract with a private sector company (currently ATC Vancom
Inc., a competitively procured contract service provider….The current fleet of
14 ART ADA-accessible buses operated on eight routes (various times from 6 am to
midnight, 7 days a week) as part of a network of bus service coordinated with
the 18 Metrobus lines serving the County.
`ITS BEEN
“NEXT-LEVELED”: It used to be in the old days you would say you need to
improve, shoot for the stars, “git better” whatever. Now-a-days everywhere I
am constantly hearing about getting to the next level. I am expecting the drug
companies to come out with “Next leveler” pills to facilitate the
process. Maybe the electronics industry could work on some nanobotic, miniature
chips that could be implanted when you are born to assure you get to the next
level. And give you some programmed instructions and some sort of bell ringing
or light that flashes when you get to the next level so you won’t get there
and not realize it.
HOMES
SOLD IN WWCA (Press sources)
4819 N. 16th
St: $543,000, 4825 N. 17th St: $548,000
40
homes averaged $467,753 sale price
including
two infills
This is based on
calculations from an informal list of sale prices I keep and is not “written
in stone”, but it illustrates the situation. Nearly 7 percent of homes in WWCA
were sold from late 2002 through Jan. 04. Not counting 2 infills built on 15th
St and No Abingdon St (for $740 and $790,000) the average price comes out to
$450,003. Of the 40 houses in my list sold in WWCA from late 02 through Jan. 04,
31 sold up through June. The other 9 sold from July to Jan 04. The average price
of the homes sold in the first half 03 was $457,797. The 9 sold the last
half of the year averaged $492,544.
AVERAGE 2003 HOME SALE PRICES
ARLINGTON-WIDE: The Feb. 5th
Sun Gazette reported “overall sales were up 8.5 percent to 3606. Single-family
sales rose 3.3 percent to 1,728 and the average sales price was $512,178.
Average Jan.
04 price was nearly $550,000.
The Jan. 22nd
Sun Gazette reported that the average assessment of a single-family home in
Arlington increased 17 percent over the past year to $369,600. The current rate
of taxation is 97.8 cents per $100 valuations. The average homeowner’s 2004
tax bill would rise to $3614 for those who own a single-family home.”
“County Board members have in recent years shown an inclination to drop the
rate a few cents per $100 assessed value to partially offset rising sales
values.” The public hearing on the tax rate is Thursday, March 25th,
7 pm in the County Bd Room. Info: 703-228-3130. The Cty Board will decide on
the tax rate at its April 24th meeting. “Arlingtonians benefit from
a low rate (compared to nearby jurisdictions) for two main reasons—a large
chunk of the County is occupied by commercial real estate which pays significant
taxes but does not require major services, and only one in 5 Arlington
households have students in the public school system.”
TAX
ASSESSMENTS RISE AVERAGE 5 PERCENT IN WWCA VS 17 PERCENT ARLINGTON-WIDE
The following
is from a discussion with Mack Page, Assistant Director of the Cty Real Estate
Assessment Office (703-228-3920) who was very helpful
The County is divided into 100 single-family
and 200 town house zones (our zone number is 505039). The assessor, Laurie
Hayes, looked at sales that occurred in our community from July 1, 2002 through
June 30th, 2003. The average assessment increase in WWCA was 5
percent, “significantly below some other neighborhoods.” The average
assessment comes to about 80 percent of average sale price. The way
assessments are calculated is by adding land value to house replacement cost
less depreciation. As to assessing land value they go by the sale prices of land
in the neighborhood, or if there were no land sales locally, they use sale
prices in an adjacent neighborhood. When a house sells they contact the seller
to arrange a visit to look at the property and compare what it is assessed for
to the sales price. They check if the County’s description of the home is
accurate. The assessment is raised if necessary. Mr. Page warned that
assessments are based on a snap-shot in time and that the percentage of increase
could rise the following year. Assessors do not aim to assess at 100 percent of
market value because if they did 50 percent of the assessments would be above
and 50 percent below the market value.. As to where the assessment office gets
data on what’s in a house—they get it from building permits and inspections
of what’s built. This is because often the building permit doesn’t show
everything that was finally done to the house.
TAX RELIEF: I
mentioned to Mr. Page at the Assessment office that with steep rises in
assessments in the past few years it would seem possible that the thresh hold
limit on how high income can be to get tax relief could be raised some. He said
the County is bound by state law, and that would have to be changed.
COUNTY BOARD
APPROVES NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION FUNDS FOR 15 PROJECTS IN ARLINGTON:
-Value: $1.85
million. None in WWCA this time
From a County press release: “The Arlington
Cty Board today approved 15 Neighborhood Conservation projects valued at $1.85
million and approved Neighborhood Conservation plans for the Old Dominion,
Bellevue Forest and Penrose communities. Projects approved… include street
improvements (sidewalk, planting strips, curb and gutter and paving),
neighborhood signs, park improvements and street lighting to be built over
the next two years. “Currently 47 neighborhoods participate in the
Neighborhood Conservation Program. Nearly all of them have completed plans, a
few are finalizing new plan preparation, and others are updating older plans. Neighborhood
plans, based on surveys of each household within a civic association,
typically include an inventory of existing conditions and identify projects and
policies that citizens would like to see implemented. The program was founded in
1964. WWCA finished projects the last 10 years include nubs on 16th
St, street lights on 16th Rd, funding of some of the park
improvements, and sidewalks on Edison and Buchanan Sts in late 2003.
“Membership, planning activity and project
development have more than doubled during the past 5 years. Since 1988,
Neighborhood Conservation has invested more than $20 million in projects that
have been suggested by civic associations and designed/constructed by County
staff.
Projects to be done: Neighborhood
Conservation currently maintains a portfolio of 87 open projects that are
in various stages of design and construction, with a pipeline of 50 proposed
projects awaiting funding availability.
“ARLINGTON OFFICIALS ADMIT THEY ARE
RUNNING BEHIND ON NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION & CAPITAL PROJECTS”
At the Feb. 21st County Bd meeting County Mgr Ron Carlee agreed that
a “significant backlog in approved-but-not-yet-started projects was facing the
local government, with some projects still awaiting action years after they were
funded by the Cty Bd.” The Cty manager said “We are going to work hard to
move those through and get them done.” NC projects are funded via bonds.
Bluemont Civic Assoc. to WWCA’s south has seven projects backed up, including
sidewalks. Mgr Carlee said “the County had “over committed” to how many
projects could be completed within any specific period of time, but promised
that his staff was taking “a fairly aggressive stance” in clearing the
backlog.” (Feb. 26th Gazette)
REPAIRING DAMAGED TRASH (“EAGLE”) CART
LIDS AND REPLACING RECYCLING BINS: Please
call 703-228-6570.
FREEDOM ON
THEIR FACES: A visitor to our church
from Mongolia said he could feel the freedom here when he got off the plane: He
could see it in people’s faces.
I-66 ISSUE
SURFACES AT “COMMITTEE OF 100” MEETING ON TRANSPORTATION IN ARLINGTON
The Committee of
100 is a group of civic-minded and active Arlington residents who gather monthly
to hear presentations on local issues.
Two local residents, Bob and Nancy Morgan,
recently attended a Committee of 100 meeting on transportation issues in
Arlington. Bob reported that I-66 came up only once or twice. Jim Pebley, WWCA,
asked whether people on I-66 were bailing out and using neighborhood streets.
County Board member Zimmerman “put the I-66 widening think in context, gave a
little history, and summarized the status of current studies etc. He emphasized
how the (Federal Secty of Transportation) Coleman 1970s compromise would make it
very expensive to do widening due to access ramps, trestles, bridges etc.” Bob
commented that Mr. Zimmerman “seems really on top of all aspects of Arlington
traffic and transportation issues.” One resident commented “he thought it
was a matter of time before I-66 was widened and wondered if that meant the
retaining walls and bike paths would be affected.” Mr. Zimmerman “disavowed
him of the notion that widening was inevitable .”(Editor: The Cty board does
not support widening.)
As to Metro,
Bd member Zimmerman emphasized the problem of crowding on the Orange Line and
the need to do something about it which is complicated by Metro’s capital
crisis. (Editor: Do you remember the idea a few years ago that seems to have
dropped out of sight—about putting a Metrorail line over I-66 to create more
passenger capacity? And the idea of putting a line out Columbia Pike and down
Rte 7 to Tysons. Again, the money is lacking these days.)
TRAFFIC GROWTH IN ARLINGTON-MODEST: “Some
interesting statistics include very modest traffic growth in Arlington (one
quarter to one half percent a year); a lower percentage of auto use in Arlington
that in other areas (e.g., Fairfax) and Mr. Zimmerman’s estimate that the Rosslyn-Ballston
Corridor is 70 percent “built out”. (Editor re Future traffic growth
in WWCA: Mike Bruce and others have speculated that the current high-rise
growth in Ballston and the construction of more to come will create overflow
traffic into surrounding communities—including WWCA. This could lead to
restrictions on access to our residential streets in the rush hour etc.
Expansion of the Va Hospital Center is the other potential traffic
generator---and the DHS site on Edison St whenever it gets completely
re-developed.). The extent of overflow traffic from I-66 (unless High Occupancy
Toll Lanes and Metrorail to Dulles are built) is an issue.
“FAIRFAX
APPROVES TAX PLAN FOR METRORAIL EXTENSION”:
-Special real estate tax on businesses in
Tyson’s corner
area
The Feb. 24th Wash. Post said
“The Fairfax County Bd of Supervisors approved a tax plan to pay for extending
Metrorail… The Supervisors unanimously voted for a plan put forward by a group
representing landowners in and around Tyson’s Corner. It would levy
additional real estate taxes on businesses in that area to pay for the
county’s share of the 23 mile project’s first phase—an extension of
Metro from West Falls Church to Wiehle Ave in Reston.” “Supporters said
the plan was the last , best hope to secure the local funding necessary to
capture the federal money needed for the project.” “It remains uncertain
whether land owners along the western portion of the proposed route will come up
with their own plan for a tax district to fund the second phase, the one that
would bring Metrorail to the airport. Backers said a plan is being developed. The
general terms of the financing of the Metrorail line to Dulles call for the
federal government to pay half its cost.
The state would raise 25 percent from a fare increase on the Dulles Toll Road.
The other 25 percent would come from Fairfax and Loudon counties and the
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. The cost of the first phase, to
Weihle Ave, is estimated at $1.5 billion and the second phase to Dulles at $1.9
billion.
Note: In early
Feb. a Va House of Delegates sub-committee was considering a bill to authorize
the state to issue bonds for the Metrorail to Dulles project.
WWCA and nearby:
Things are quiet. A Toyota Camry was stolen in late Feb. in the 2000 block of N.
Cleveland St.
‘ARLINGTON
POSTS LOWEST CRIME RATE IN 2 DECADES” (From
County press release)
“Preliminary
crime statistics released today by the Arlington County Police Dept show that Arlington’s
2003 crime rate—the number of “index” or serious, crimes per 100,000
people—is the lowest in 20 years. Nearly every category of index crime
decreased, from aggravated assaults to burglaries, larcenies and vehicle thefts.
This is the third straight year the number of vehicle thefts fell, a notable
trend in a metropolitan area that, as a whole, suffers from rising numbers of
auto thefts…….The numbers for 2003 confirm what most Arlingtonians already
know: Arlington is a safe and secure community,” said Police Chief Doug Scott.
“While there is always room for improvement, last year’s crime statistics
show a very low crime rate, especially for a place as urban, populous and dense
as Arlington.
In 2003 there were 5,559 index crimes in
Arlington, a 14 percent reduction from the year before. Only one category
of index crime went up: forcible rapes, which increased from 33 to 41. The
biggest decreases were in larcenies—which showed an 18.8 percent
drop—burglaries, aggravated assaults and vehicle thefts.” The Police are
using a bait car to catch car thieves and having success. “Bait cars
are camouflaged to look like normal cars and are especially equipped to safely
catch car thieves. When broken into , a bait car sends an alert to the Emergency
Communications Center (ECC). ECC personnel can then dispatch officers to the
scene, track the vehicle via GPS technology and remotely control the engine and
door locks. Since its launch in Feb. 2002, Arlington’s bait car program
generated 20 activations resulting in the arrest of 16 people charged with a
total of 28 crimes. Of the 10 bait car arrestees who have gone to court, all
have been convicted or plead guilty…..
As to closure
rates for investigative units: The
Dept’s overall closure rate of 26.02 percent is six percentage points above
the 2002 national rate, and nearly 8 percentage points above the 2002 national
rate for cities with populations between 100,000 and 249,999.”
IT’S BEEN GIVEN AWAY: On
a Sunday School lesson handout found cleaning up at Calvary Gospel Church the
question asked was: How would you encourage the following people. Write on the
lines what you might say to them. One little boy was in a picture commiserating
with another who said “My older sister just got married and moved away. I miss
her.” The handwritten answer was “You can have my sister”.
ITS BEEN REMEMBERED (From
e-mail):
Do you remember when? All
the girls had ugly gym uniforms? It took five minutes for the TV to warm up? (I
remember that.) Nobody owned a purebred dog? When a quarter was a decent
allowance? You’d reach into a muddy gutter for a penny? All your male teachers
wore neckties and female teachers had their hair done every day and wore high
heels ? (I remember that one too)
DEVELOPMENT OF DEPT. OF HUMAN SERVICES
TRACT NORTH OF VA HOSPITAL CENTER:
-Mike Bruce & Jim Pebley are on a task
force
to give resident input on Geo. Mason Center
renovation for
a 250 student head-start school
At the Feb. 24th
WWCA Exec. Com. meeting Jim said he and Mike had attended two meetings of the
task force focused on remodeling of the Geo. Mason Ctr on Geo.Mason Drive.
County Bd Chairperson Favola’s goal is to move Head Start students in by the
end of 2004. The remodeled building will be a so-called “green building”
meeting environmental and energy conservation standards.
Need for DHS
master plan: WWCA urged this in WWCA
late 03 meetings with Dave Albert, Cty facilities planner and the DHS Director.
Barbara Favola, Cty Bd chair, recently said that when and if the County wants
to change height and density on the site—they would develop a master plan.
The Jan. 15th
Arl. Sun Gazette says this is one of the most comprehensive web sites of its
type, providing in-depth info on the many options available to walkers. Making
Arlington a more pedestrian-friendly community is a top Cty Bd goal for 2004.
The Walkabouts section highlights a guided tour each month by someone who
lives and/or works in Arlington. The site “features a mix of serious and fun
information including links to county maps, including hike/bike trails and the
safest routes to schools, listings of area walking events; walking clubs in
Arlington, plus a way to list existing clubs or start one; a directory for
pedestrians, including how to get sidewalks installed; …info on Arlington’s
often hard-to-comprehend street-naming system…”. Info on this program see
the web site or call 703-228-0072.
NORTH
GLEBE ROAD PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS
The County Dept. of Public Works says
Arlington County is “nearing completion on the engineering of pedestrian
safety improvements for North Glebe Rd in the Ballston area. After a planning
process that involved Ballston area residents, a citizen task force and the
Virginia Dept. of Transportation the Cty is nearing completion of a redesign
of four critical intersections (Fairfax Drive, Wilson Blvd, North Carlin Springs
Rd and North Randolph St).” They are awaiting final approval of the plans
by VDOT.
“Some key features of the planned safety
improvements are:
The planned
improvements will be built in phases by private developers and Arlington County.
The first intersection to be reconstructed will be North Randolph St with
construction expected to begin at the end of 2003. Approved development projects
at the Glebe Rd/Wilson Blvd and Glebe Rd/Fairfax Drive intersections are
currently underway and will be constructing some of the planned improvements
during 2004 and 2005. (Info: Rich Viola—703-228-3699, e-mail: rviola@co.arlington.va.us
.
NEW POWHATTAN SPRINGS PARK ON WILSON BLVD
TO OPEN AROUND MID-JULY:
-Skate board park included in this park just
this side of Upton Hills Regional Park
The Parks Dept.
says “the skate park has been designed to accommodate all levels of skaters.
The sport differs from most in that experts tend to tutor beginners. It is a
great family activity.” The Park Dept. staffer who responded to my inquiry
said he has skated since the 1970s and still owns two boards “that I use to
kill myself on a regular basis”. (I had commented “I would try skate
boarding myself but I would get killed.”)
RESTORATION
OF HALF MILE OF DONALDSON RUN CREEK IN NORTH ARLINGTON
-This is
reported in case we ever want to ask the County to restore Lubber Run Creek in
Woodlawn Park
Some parts of Donaldson Run are severely
eroded—loss of trees and walking trails is imminent (We lost one on the west
side of the creek in the park –south of the bridge in the 80s.)
The Donaldson Run Civic Association received
Neighborhood Conservation funding in 2001 to study the creek and identify
potential improvements. Residents were concerned about erosion, water quality
and in-stream habitat etc. Arlington County has a Watershed Management Plan which
includes a stream inventory and documentation of conditions. The Donaldson Run
project includes consultation with the community and will ultimately cost over
$212,000. Project phases include: (1) Phase I-data collection, analysis
and hydrologic modeling, preparation of conceptual designs including a public
workshop and “revising the design based on public input.” (2) Phase
II is final project design, cost estimates and getting permits. Phase III is
construction and follow-up maintenance and monitoring. Two community
workshops are included in a project schedule from August 2003 through fall
2004 when stream restoration is to start. The project team includes
Environmental Services, Dept. of Public Works, Parks, Recreation and Community
Resources, a member of the civic association and the consultant team. An
advisory group of several reps from the civic association is included plus reps
from the Urban Forestry Commission, Friends of Donaldson Run and Arlingtonians
for a Clean Environment (ACE).
Note: The
creek in our park is only a couple of blocks vs the half mile of Donaldson Run
being rehabilitated so the planning /work should be considerably less and our
creek may not be in as bad shape.
“ARLINGTON APPROVES $94.5 MILLION DOLLAR
PARK”
-On the North tract, 28 acres in Crystal
City near the 14th St Bridge
Just in case you didn’t see it in the Feb.
22nd Washington Post, this park will be built on industrial land and
will include “a 173,000 square-foot aquatic and exercise center with four
pools, basketball courts, and a fitness center, at least 4 soccer fields, a bike
path, a children’s playground and areas for birders and train watchers (park
will be near rail yards). The first phase….could begin as early as 2006 and
calls for the construction of the $38 million community recreation center—with
50-meter competition pool, family pool and fitness center –and two lighted
soccer fields…The second phase calls for a 600 –space parking garage, two
more fields and expansion of the recreation center to include a 4 court
gymnasium, an elevated running track, racquetball courts, and a climbing wall. Arlingtonians
will be asked to approve bonds to finance the project. An entrance fee is
planned. The first phase could begin as early as 2006.
(Editor: Gollee
and gee whiz as Jim Neighbors would say!)
“HOMEOWNERS URGED TO ASSESS TREES BEFORE
NEXT STORM”
-This
is from the Oct. 30th Arl. Sun Gazette after Hurricane Isabel. A good
reference on tree care is at
www.goodtreecare.com
(International Soc. of Arboculture).
As reported last
year, 400 trees fell on public land alone during Isabel. The Gazette reported on
a late Oct. forum sponsored by the County’s Urban Forestry Commission. The
consensus at the forum was “You’ve got no one to blame but yourselves…for
the mess that was caused in the wake of Hurricane Isabel." The County’s
urban forester, Robert Corletta, said “Don’t blame Dominion Virginia
Power...they can’t help it if trees topple onto power lines.” “We
(residents) need to take the responsibility for planting trees in the right
places, because if we don’t, they’re going to get butchered.” Specialists
“worked to dispel the notion that the ultimate goal for homeowners should
be to save all trees above all else.” Some homeowners “stubbornly refuse
to acknowledge that a tree is dead”. Not all trees are worth saving. Some are
liabilities, and need to come down. A tree can be healthy but still
structurally unsound. It can be healthy and fall over. “Look out for
cracks appearing in tree trunks, as well as trees growing in areas where the
roots are confined or damaged by the lawn mower, and trees that are pruned to be
very top-heavy as potential warning signs of an impending fall ….Mushrooms at
the base of a tree were one sure fire sign of decay and a potential fall.”
“You should prune the broken branches that you can reach, even those that are
green but don’t look like they will survive for the next season. Also pour
about 10 gallons of water per week on new trees and mulch the root area. County
foresters told the County Bd that better tree maintenance “could have
prevented a great deal of the power outages after Isabel, which packed
relatively modest 60 mph winds.” The County Mgr, Ron Carlee, said if trees
are not cared for a winter storm can bring far more damage to the community. Lou
Bloch, a County tree-care consultant said “Most of the time when I get a call
about a tree, its too late.”
INFO FROM COUNTY PARKS DEPT. ON POWER
COMPANY TREE TRIMMING POLICY:
Last fall I asked
Mr. Miller, County Parks Dept about this subject: The Parks, Recreation and
Community Resources Dept. is responsible for taking care of trees in utility
strips and the public right-of-way, in addition to the trees in parks. Mr.
Miller said “The utility companies are responsible for clearing their lines
and equipment. To my knowledge, Dominion Power is the only utility to do so.
Several (2?) years ago the local Dominion Power maintenance supervisor
told me that his instructions from headquarters were to aggressively prune
trees that endangered their equipment (wires, poles, transformers etc) and the
headquarters would then field the resulting calls (complaints) from residents. I
believe this is still the policy of Dominion Virginia Power.”
COUNTY
RESURRECTS SUBJECT OF UNDERGROUNDING UTILITIES:
The Oct. 23rd
Sun Gazette reported that developers are required to put electric lines
underground. But then Cty Bd Chairman Ferguson was interested in under grounding
existing lines "with a little help from Dominion Virginia Power. If we can
get some help on cost from the power company, we’d be very interested.
Otherwise cost prohibits a large-scale under grounding in the neighborhoods.” “The
cost of placing power lines underground is roughly $1200 to $1500 per foot. Under
current initiatives, duplicate sets of power lines are installed, so that if one
fails, costly unearthing does not need to be done.” The Board Chairman’s
power was out in Fairlington after Isabel even though lines were underground. A
County task force estimated in 2002 that the cost of under grounding of all
County lines would be $200 million just to finish what the County has
designated as priority areas on its master plan. (Is that all? J )
ALL ARLINGTON
MARATHON SCHEDULED FOR MAY 2ND IS CANCELED: Last
month it was reported that a major race would start at Washington-Lee High
School. The Feb. 19th Sun Gazette says the County has canceled the
event because there is too little time to address concerns. Marathon organizers
hope to try again in 2005. Entry fees will be returned.
Congratulations
and God bless Barbara Fenton, Abingdon
St who celebrated her 86th birthday on Feb. 4th . Barbara
was written up in the paper in the 90s for her decades of contribution to
meeting human needs in Arlington , including those of the Aging.
Abigail Alliance Continues to Make
Progress:
Frank Burroughs,
Pres. of the Abigail Alliance for Better Access to Developmental Drugs recently
said the Alliance “continues to move our important life-saving efforts
forward”. Frank spoke of the Alliance being part of a New York Times article
in mid-Feb. and “on Jan. 18th the Abigail Alliance was featured in
a very well-written cover story by writer Donna St George in the Washington Post
Sunday Magazine. The Alliance is part of a new book called “The Cell Game”
by talented New York writer Alex Prudhomme.” In mid-Feb. Frank appeared on the
CNN Financial Network and “will be part of a two part series soon for the NBC
Today Show.” Approval of Erbitrux after years long delay: Frank
reported that “The years long delay in make Erbitrux available to dying cancer
patients ended today with FDA’s long-awaited approval. Sufficient evidence of
safety and efficacy existed more than two years ago to justify making Erbitrux
available to dying patients with no remaining treatment options..” Tens of
thousands of colon cancer patients waited and died, losing their opportunity for
a longer, better life….We commend Imclone Systems Inc and Bristol-Meyers
Squibb for setting up an expanded access program for Erbitrux in 2003. Many
cancer patients and their families have benefited from their generosity and
compassion.” Frank reports that the Abigail Alliance spear-headed the
negotiations that lead to the expanded access program for Erbitrux.
(Editor’s note: Frank told me recently that Judy
Freshman, former WWCA resident in the 1970s at 1500 N. Buchanan is a supporter
of the Alliance.)
The Alliance has 100 volunteers here and
elsewhere in the U.S. Contributions can be made to the Abigail Alliance for
Better Access to Developmental Drugs and mailed to Frank Burroughs, 1518 N.
Buchanan St., Arlington, Va, 22205 (Phone: 703-525-9266, e-mail: frankburroughs@abigailalliance.org
. See the alliance web site: www.abigail-alliance.org .
AVAILABLE FOR
BABYSITTING, ODD JOBS:
Patricia Rodriguez, WWCA put the following
notice on the community listserv: Joaquin Pagano, my 19 year old cousin,
is living with us and helping with our kids while attending Northern Virginia
Community College. He is looking for work babysitting, gardening , and other odd
jobs. He is great with our 6 and 11 year old kids. He is a licensed and insured
driver. You may reach Joaquin on his cell phone at 703-946-5293 or by e-mail:
joacriver@hotmail.com .
MOTHERS
OF NORTH ARLINGTON (MONA)
The Mothers of
No. Arlington will have its next monthly social Thursday, March 11th,
10 am at Cherrydale United Methodist Church, 3701 Lorcom Lane.
NEWS ABOUT NEIGHBORS (Cont.)
Neighbor Ron: For
those new to WWCA Ron is the man who was homeless and pan-handled on the Glebe
Rd median in 1999-2000 and made it to housing several yrs ago. He is terminally
ill and has lived a year longer than the doctors thought he would.
Ron continues to struggle to get by on his
$565 a month disability. His rent and utility/cable etc bills come to $450 plus
a month. Ron is usually very short or has no money by the last 7-10 days of the
month. He was recently helped by a former WWCA resident who hasn’t forgotten
Ron. Ron , unfortunately had another incident with a one-time friend taking
advantage of him. For some months a fellow who needed a place to stay when he
was up here from the Front Royal area for construction jobs—stayed and there
were no problems. Then in Feb. he brought another fellow in who mooched off Ron
for a week until he gave him the gate and the fellow from Front Royal with him.
Recently, a friend of Ron’s mother bought some new furniture and gave Ron the
old for his living room so his furniture is “no longer 20th century
dumpster” as Ron put it. Ron keeps the apt meticulously clean despite his
severe limp and up and down illness. He has a first floor apt and can look out
on a green space. Ron recently commented that he had “nothing very pleasant in
life to think about” but again expressed he was “very fortunate to have some
people help him—since I am unable to do for myself.”
Paid ads
Capstone Enterprises does
interior/exterior maintenance and construction management: This
includes interior and exterior masonry, brick, block, stone work, concrete,
plastering, dry-wall, painting, ceramic tile, marble and granite. References
for work done n WWCA include Carolyn Green, 1214 N. Columbus (703-524-2434).
Note: I know Chris Pistone , owner and he prides himself in doing quality work
in Arlingtton, Great Falls, and McLean.
Nationally
certified personal trainer & nutritional counselor
Phone:
703-522-9654, Fax: 703-522-2150
Cell:
703-517-8843, e-mail: karen@gottagetfit.com
www.gottagetfit.com
ITS
BEEN WALMARTED
Have you seen the
e-mail which announces a marvelous photo of Mars from the rover
vehicle—whatever, and you click on it and there on the left is a Walmart.
However, they don’t have greeters up there quite like here. At their off-earth
locations they have “greeter creatures”. Also, Mars is one place they
won’t get in trouble for hiring “aliens”.
Cynthia &
Daniel Carson will watch 1 ½ to 9
year old children. The Carsons live at 5124 N. 14th St. Cynthia is a
6th grader at Swanson. Daniel is 14 and a freshman at Yorktown HS.
Phone: 703-527-0857, scarson@comcast.net
Maya Chaudhuri:
12 ½ years old, 7th grader
at Swanson, will baby sit. She lives at 4626 N. 15th St. Phone:
703-527-8593
Abigail Eisley:
Student at Washington-Lee High School,
16 yrs old. Red Cross qualified. Over 4 years experience. References available.
Call 703-522-3380
Nick Netting: 13
years old, goes to Swanson Middle School. will do babysitting, mowing lawns,
, walk dogs, water gardens. Nick says he is responsible and trustworthy.
Call 703-528-0568, e-mail: rnetting@comcast.net
Caitlin
Winberry: Caitlin , who lives at 1638
N. Abingdon St, is nearly 16 yrs old and has almost 4 yrs experience and is Red
Cross certified. She is available weekends and some week days 4-8 pm. Her phone
number is 703-243-4460, e-mail: lundstrom_cynthia@bah.com
RECIPE FROM
1977 WAYCROFT-WOODLAWN COOK BOOK: Put together by Ann Webb and Alice Biby. Ann
lives just east of Glebe Rd on 19th st and Alice and Dick Biby are
long-time residents of 16th St. The cook book was called “WWCA Food
and Facts” It had some WWCA history.
Spinach
Orange Salad
“½ package fresh spinach, washed, dried,
de-veined, bite size
Romaine lettuce—same amount-same
preparation. 2 seedless oranges, peel and sectioned. 1 small red onion, sliced
into thin rings.
Toss together
greens & onions; just before serving add oranges & toss with a sweetened
French dressing (add a little confectioner’s sugar and paprika to an oil &
vinegar or lemon dressing.” Eve Bowman who used to live at 5004 N. 16th
st.
ENVIRONMENTAL EXTRAVAGANZA—SPRING HAZMAT
COLLECTION AT THOMAS JEFFERSON MIDDLE SCHOOL---ON SAT. APRIL 17TH,
9 AM TO 3 PM:
The school is south of Rte 50 on Glebe Rd,
turn left on 2nd St South and down a block or so---125 So. Old Glebe
Rd.
Info:
703-228-6832
“Get rid of
your unwanted paint products (25 can limit), flammable solvents, automotive
fluids, garden chemicals, household cleaners, mercury, swimming pool chemicals,
car care products, and many other flammable, poisonous or corrosive household
products. Unacceptable items include explosives, ammo, freon, compressed
gas cylinders, radioactive materials, prescription drugs, medical wastes, fire
extinguishers, asbestos.
Also: A Pedals for Progress bike collection
is being sponsored by Arlingtonians
For a Clean Environment (ACE). Pedals for Progress accepts serviceable and
repairable bicycles to be sent to countries where they are needed for basic
transportation. A $10.00 donation per bike is requested to offset shipping
charges. Info: 703-525-0931.
Compost bins: Sold
for $10.00. Created from decommissioned refuse carts. Info-228-6570.
ITS BEEN OXYMORONED: From
e-mail:
Why sing “Take
me out to the ball game” when we are already there? Why are they called
“stands” when they are made for sitting? Why is it called “after dark”
when it really is “after light”. Doesn’t “expecting the unexpected”
make the unexpected expected? (Say that 10 times)
CITIZEN PREPAREDNESS FOR CHEMICAL THREATS:
-From web
site: www.ready.gov
A chemical
attack is the deliberate release of a
toxic gas, liquid or solid that can poison people and the environment.
Possible signs
of chemical threat: Many people
suffering from watery eyes, twitching, choking, having trouble breathing, or
losing coordination. Many sick or dead birds, fish or small animals are also
cause for suspicion.
If you see signs of chemical attack:
If you think you have been exposed to a
chemical:
If your eyes are watering, your skin is
stinging, and you are having trouble breathing, you may have been exposed to a
chemical.
POLICE SEEK TO REVITALIZE NEIGHBORHOOD
WATCH PROGRAM:
The Feb. 18th
Arl. Sun Gazette reported on a program to re-new emphasis on neighborhood watch
including for homeland defense purposes.
“After years of inactivity in Arlington,
police officials are looking to bring back the Neighborhood Watch program—with
a bigger scope than ever before. The Neighborhood Watch program, …. started in
Arlington in the 1980s as a way for residents to monitor and report suspicious
activity in their neighborhoods.” Police Chief Doug Scott said “in this era
of terrorist alerts and homeland defense, the program deserves new life.”
“Its about having sets of eyes and ears in the community. There aren’t
enough officers to cover the entire county at all times. Part of the problem was
that we demanded so much structure. We’ve whittled that structure away, and
told communities they can be as active as they want.” The Gazette said “as a
result, some neighborhoods have begun to establish strict patrol routines, while
others merely suggest that residents keep an eye out for suspicious
activities.” “Our first hope will always be for a neighborhood where people
look out for each other.”
ARLINGTON
NEIGHBORHOOD DAY 2004
SAT.
MAY 8TH
The theme this year is “We are the
Neighborhood”. Planned events include the Arlington Community Hero Awards, the
Fort Meyer Military Community Twilight Tattoo Ceremony,
the Animal
Welfare League’s Walk for Animals and the annual Neighborhood Day Parade which
travels along Wilson Blvd from Clarendon Metro Station to the Courthouse area
and starts at 2 pm-followed by a concert.
At the Tues.,
March 9th WWCA meeting come and meet the school principal Sylvia Taub
and PTA President, Tecla Murphy and some local parents with children at Glebe
School. The renovated and expanded Glebe Elementary will open by January 2005.
IT’S
GOING ON AT GLEBE
JANE FRANKLIN DANCE WORKSHOPS: Glebe
students and their parents and teachers are invited to explore creative movement
and the educational powers of dance in a series of seven after-school workshops
led by Jane Franklin Dance, a nationally recognized modern dance troupe.
Designed to teach about the natural world through a dynamic blend of music ,
dance and creative _expression, these exciting workshops will engage
participants of all ages in learning about the water cycle.
Made possible by
the Glebe PTA and Jane Franklin Dance
COMMUNITY HEROES: Life,
literature and community come together in this unique partnership between a
Glebe fifth grade reading group and Arlington Fire Station NO. 10 , a
Glebe-at-Wilson neighbor. Students and fire fighters will read aloud and discuss
David Halberstam’s book, Firehouse, about a New York City fire
company’s 9-11 experiences. Students will also interview and videotape the
Arlington fire fighters. The project, initiated by Glebe teachers Richard
Haltunnen and Kelly Carey , will culminate in a special book night for the
community.
Made possible by
a grant from the Washington Post Educational Foundation’s Grants in Education
Program.
SEEING THE BIG
PICTURE: Led by renowned ceramic artis
Alfredo Ratinoff and Glebe art teacher Stacey Lewis. Glebe students will soon
begin creating a giant (approx. 20 ft x 24 ft) tile mural that will grace the
entrance of the renovated Glebe building that opens in 2005. Every student will
have a hand in designing and executing this major, permanent art installation.
Made possible by the Glebe PTA.
YOU’RE MY HERO: What
makes a hero? Who are the heroes in our lives? Glebe 5th graders will
explore these questions through essay writing, identifying their personal
heroes, and sharing their views with the entire Glebe community. This is part of
a school-wide character-building project launched by Glebe teachers Richard
Haltunnen , Bob Ellis and Amigh Mariani.
Made possible by a grant from the Arlington
Education Fund of the Arlington Community Foundation.
GLEBE ELEMENTARY—NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND
PROGRAM—MINORITY PERFORMANCE
From
the Sept. 03 PTA newsletter
“The results show that , county-wide,
despite an emphasis by Arlington Public Schools (APS) on minority achievement,
the gap between minority and white students is still significant. Across the
County, Limited English Proficiency (LEP) students and Students with
Disabilities (SWD) had the lowest scores of the subgroups tested. Glebe’s
subgroups tested higher than the County average in 7 cases and at or below
the average on 5. Most notable results were that the Hispanic (HIS) student pass
rates at Glebe for English and Math were among the highest for elementary
schools in Arlington and Glebe’s LEP student’s passing rates in English were
the second highest for any school in the APS system. Glebe’s SWD scored
above average on both the math and English tests. In math, pass rates for
most subgroups at Glebe tested at or above average. A notable exception is
Glebe’s economically disadvantaged students (POV).
While
Glebe’s POV students scored in the top 1/3 of elementary schools in English,
they were near the bottom in their pass rates in math.
“IS
THERE LEAD IN ARLINGTON COUNTY DRINKING WATER?”
The County Dept. of Public Works web site
says “there are no lead service lines distributing water within Arlington
County”. For the full article please
see
http://www.co.arlington.va.us/dpw/faqs/lead.htm
http://www.co.arlington.va.us/dpw/wss/wquality/arlwq02.htm
Some further details: DPW
has found “very few individual homes testing above the action level for
lead.” “Basically up to 10 percent of samples can exceed the (EPA) action
level of 15 parts per billion without the community being in violation..
Arlington did several rounds of 100 plus (site) samples and was always below
action levels at the 90th percentile…….The last round of sampling
in Arlington was done in 2001 with 4 samples exceeding the action level, meaning
we were still in compliance.”
“We tested
homes built near the end of the period when lead was still in solder used in
copper piping, late 1970s-early 1980s. In Arlington, there were some 700
homes and town homes built in the EPA stipulated period and we have used a pool
of these homes to accomplish our testing. The idea of the regulation is that
these homes would have lead pipes with high lead content solder and they
would be newer meaning calcium deposits from the water would not have
coated the insides of these pipes, protecting the water from the potential
leaching of lead from the solder.
That’s how this
regulation has been managed here in Arlington. Be assured that there is no
lead in the drinking water coming from the plant or traveling in our system.
If you have further questions please call Mr
Perry Sasser, Water Quality Specialist, 703-228-6578 or e-mail:
psasser@co.arlington.va.us
.
“GREEN HOME FAIR” , SATURDAY, MARCH 20TH,
NOON TO 5 PM AT WASHINGTON-LEE HIGH SCHOOL-1300 N. Quincy St:
“A green home is a healthy, comfortable home
that reduces energy and water usage and saves money. The fair will feature
exhibits and seminars to learn more about products and techniques for building
and maintaining a green home and yard. The event will also include interactive
children’s activities, refreshments and door prizes. Sponsored by
Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment (ACE) in partnership with Arlington
County’s Dept. of Environmental Services and the Virginia Housing and the
Environment Network.
For info call 703-228-6427 or e-mail:
office@arlingtonenvironment.org .
ITS BEEN
CLIPPED ON: (From e-mail): “I was
thinking about one of the status symbols of today is those pagers that everyone
has clipped on. I couldn’t afford one so I’m wearing my garage door
opener.”
WHEN ARE BUILDING
PERMITS AND PLANS REQUIRED? (From a
May 97 High View Park newsletter)
The building
permit office can be reached at 703-228-3800.
Type
of Permit/Plan Needed
B= Building Permit; E= Electrical ; M =
Mechanical
P= Plumbing N =
none needed
Type
improvement Permit/plans
Residential shed or tents B/B
Build or erect shed over
150 sq. ft and /or over 8’
6” high
Miscellaneous projects:
Build retaining wall over 2 ft high B/B
Construct fence, brick or block
privacy wall B/B
Install outdoor natural gas
barbecue P/P
Demolish building not
connected to sewer B/N
Install swimming pool above
or below grade B,E,P/BP
Install solar or hot water
heating system M/M
Install hot air
heating system M/M
Home improvement/repair projects
Install exterior siding B/N
Replace roof B/N
Install replacement windows B/N
Build deck on grade B/B
Put up partitions, finish rec. room B/B
Install prefabricated fireplace or
chimney liner B/N
(Must submit
manufacturer’s literature with permit application)
Build masonry chimney B/B
Construct entrance to basement B/B
Construct, dig basement under
existing dwelling B/B
Construct new driveway, replace
existing driveway
(submit plat) B/N
Replace ceilings B/N
Build above grade patio and/or
patio cover B/B
Install canvas awning over patio
or windows B/N
Enclose carport or porch B/B
Build porch or deck B/B
Hang drywall B/B
Relocate stairs B/B
Install attic pull down stairs B/B
Build dormers B/B
Install sump pump and foundation
drain B or P/B
Install sump pump P/N
Install lawn sprinkler P/N
Install sink, shower, tub where
plumbing is roughed-in, or replace
sink, shower, tub P/N
Repair leak in outside underground
pipe P/N
Repair leak in gas line P/N
Replace water pipe P/N
Replace
electrical wiring E/N
Replace ungrounded outlets with
grounded E/N
Relocate switches, outlets or
lighting fixtures E/N
Relocate or change service E/N
(Cont. next column)
REQUIREMENTS FOR BUILDING PERMITS/PLANS
(Cont.):
Type of
Improvement Permit/plans
Install permanently wired-in
smoke detectors E/N
Install garage door opener E/N
Install new
floodlights E/N
Appliances-installation (Appliances listed
can be replaced in kind using a small appliance permit. Replacement of outdoor
units requires submission of a plat showing its location.)
Install dishwasher P and E/N
Install garbage disposal P and E/N
Install electric range and oven E/N
Install gas range and or oven P, E/N
Install electric or gas water heater P, E/N
Install garbage
compactor E/N
Install electric air conditioning or
heat pump E/M/N
(If duct system is new or additional zone is
being added, plans will be required.)
Install gas air conditioning E,M,P/N
Install water well pump E/N
Install boiler (gas or oil) E,M,P/N
Install electronic air cleaner E, M/N
Install attic fan E/N
Install oil or electric furnace M, P/N
Convert from oil
or electric to gas M, P/N
By
Thomas D. Carroll
(ORAL
HISTORY OF HALL’S HILL-continued)
Segregation:
“Her words call to mind the Birmingham Bus
Boycott, a benchmark moment in the struggle for civil rights. But to Ms Costley,
Halls Hill blacks were already engaging in forms of resistance long before Rosa
Parks refused to give up her seat on the bus in Alabama. (Rosa Parks?) Well we
were doing it before she started…Back in the 1930s…In me it came from my
parents and my grandfather on the Hyson side. We’ve always been known to be
sort of ---stand up for ourselves. I myself couldn’t see why I couldn’t sit
wherever I wanted to sit if it was , you know , seats on the bus. At times this
conflict threatened to become violent. Ms Costley and others recalled one such
episode that occurred right after the close of World War II. There was some kind
of movement, revolution or something in between people down in Cherrydale and
Halls Hill…They didn’t want black people coming down there, but there
wasn’t any fence up to stop us. But it was something going on…Because I can
remember my mother and daddy talking about how a black put up a site like a
little fortress because they were going to go to war with them down there at
Glebe Rd and Lee Hwy (Editor: The white men from Cherrydale.) Mignon Johnson
corroborated and added some detail to this story. Then one time, I don’t know,
some cousin of mine—well liked by everybody—he was smart. He worked at a
lumber place and get got as much as $35 or $40.00 a week. That was money then.
And somebody made him angry on a trolley car and I don’t know, they promised
to come up and burn up Halls Hill because he either hit a man or…then he had
to go away.”
“The Berlin Wall”: “Halls
Hill was literally fenced –in and walled-in by whites Ms Costley noted: One
this side of Lee Hwy there wasn’t’ any room much to build houses. They built
a few houses on Cameron St after World War II but they couldn’t go so far
because at the bottom of Cameron St that fence was standing there. They fenced
us in…the white community…That’s always been there. We never could get
down there. Cameron St ended down there. Mervin Williams was explicit in
discussing the meaning and intention behind this sinister boundary.
Editor: Reference
the “Berlin Wall” the publication this is from has a current picture of the
cinder block wall behind some properties on WWCA’s 17th St. I think
it was in 1968 that Dr. Haggerty, Arlington Cty Bd was very instrumental in
getting Culpeper St put through to Abingdon St so that Hall’s Hill residents
access to the south was facilitated.
Mervin Williams comments: “It was fenced in.
You couldn’t get but one way in and one way out…Had a fence. Long fence.
Couldn’t go out that way at all… This was boxed in
down here with a pretty high fence. You couldn’t go out that way. The
only way to go out , you had to go out through Lee Highway…I can tell you,
knowing now, looking back now. It was a controlled item. If anything happened
here you couldn’t get away. They could fence us all in and have us all in one
area.”
“As the 20th century progressed,
blacks won broad social and legal rights but at the same time new conditions
began to undermine the stability of the Halls Hill Community.
According to William Pelham Jr (Editor: Now
102 yrs old. I interviewed him for a What-all article several yrs ago.)
“That’s the same thing as lets say where the Pentagon and the Navy
Department is now. There were seven black neighborhoods that were lost because
of, they didn’t say gentrification but that’s what it is more or less
because they wanted to redevelop the area with the Pentagon and the Navy Dept..
So blacks were all over the area, all around Ft. Meyer. Now that was long before
my time but if you read some of the history, some of the stories, you could see.
I don’t know; they may have lived in great numbers in Cherrydale or it may
have been a few. I don’t know ,but they were there.”
Impermanence: “Black
communities were tidal, swelling for a time, then receding. George Jones said as
much as he made a list of Arlington’s black communities that had
disappeared.”
“Some of the black people had trades: black
carpenters and bricklayers. And then in Rosslyn there was, I guess there was
quite a few black families lived in Rossyln. Some of them moved up here (to
Halls Hill)…I mean, there were black families that lived on the south side
where the Pentagon is now. That was all black in there. They used to call that
Freedman’s village. And another part they called Queen City where the Navy
Annex is now…When they built the Pentagon a lot of black people moved down to
what they call Green Valley now (this side of Glebe Rd and I-395 to the west).
William Pelham Jr summed it all up:
Well look at it this way. I’m trying to look
at it from all sides. Let’s say all black people disappeared from around here.
What purpose would it be for the whites who remain to say, well, this was a
black neighborhood, how would that benefit them. So they were here at one time.
Like the Indians. They (whites) needed the place. They needed the Indian Burial
Ground. They took it. It didn’t really mean anything to them, only to a few
archeologists or people like that. They’re a minority.” “He touched upon
an important consideration for the Halls Hill neighborhood, one that is relevant
to communities everywhere. It is the question of permanency. Mr. Pelham
wondered whether there is any possibility for permanency, given the dynamic
nature of a US society driven by the relentless forces of economic growth. He
offered the following insight”: “And things that are relative to a lot of
African Americans would not even be thought of in somebody else’s mind because
our experience is quite different from anybody else’s on this planet. Other
people say, “Well , you know, we had this problem. We came here, our parents
came here from Europe and they only had a dollar in their pocket.” But you
came. And the difference in the two words is you came and we were brought (as
slaves), most of us. And that makes a vast difference. From my observation there
is no permanency, not even for whites, because whites move in here and
eventually some years from now they’ll move somewhere else. But this
particular civilization there may be more whites coming in. But nothing is
really that permanent.”
Impermanence: “
The only way a thing can remain, as long as there’s somebody there to see that
it stays there and when those people are gone and there’s nobody to say ,
“Don’t bother that because I got relatives there” , there are ways of
doing away with these places.
(More in the next What-all)
NEW PROPERTY BLIGHT
ORDINANCE APPROVED IN SEPT. 03:
The ordinance will “address chronic problem
properties”. The new blight ordinance will: Identify specific criteria for
determining if a property is blighted, offer a method to bring the property into
compliance without involving the court system, and provide ample opportunities
to property owners to bring their properties up to code. It also allows the
County to use eminent domain to address a problem property when the owner fails
to immediately respond. The ordinance amends Chapt. 29 Building Maintenance
Standards, of the Arlington County Code, to add Article II, “Declaration of
Blight”. The Sept 18th Arlington Sun Gazette reported that Factors
to be considered in assessing if a property is blighted include any of the
following: Condemnation; rodent infestation; previous citations; inadequate
sewage; septic , plumbing, well or heating facilities; in adequate precaution by
owner to prevent trespassing, danger to children, such as an abandoned well;
fire hazard; or dilapidated buildings or structures.” The county has released
a list of 90 chronic problem properties to be addressed through the new
initiative.” The July 17th Journal reported “other problems
with properties include overgrown weeds, tall grass, excessive trash,
shattered windows, falling gutters and other unsafe or unsanitary conditions.”
This effort to reduce blighted properties in Arlington was an initiative of the
late former Cty Board chairman Charles Monroe who tragically passed away
at a County Board meeting in Jan. 03.
Part
of Woodlawn School memories
RAY ANDERSON: HOFFMAN-BOSTON
WOODLAWN SECONDARY PROGRAM PRINCIPAL HONORED:
-Ray started out as principal in the early
1970s
of the Woodlawn Program—an alternative
senior high school in what is now the
Hospice.
(From 1941-68 or 69 the Woodlawn Elementary
school was there)
The Feb. 12th Arl. Sun Gazette has
a picture of Ray and four other 35 yr school system employees being honored
including Mary McBride, asst principal at Hoffman Boston Woodlawn. Ray said
“Kids at school were walking around with old yearbooks , saying they
couldn’t believe it was me with the dark hair and youthful appearance.” Ray
was named Arlington School Principal of the year in 2003 and will retire at the
end of 2004. “Anderson said the nature of working in a school system prevents
falling into a rut. The kids are always different and I’m not the kind of
person who’s interested in routine. Every day is different and it keeps you
fresh.”
My
1970s Woodlawn School/Assoc memories
Note: I have a Woodlawn yearbook I got from on
the ground near the school dumpster when they closed and moved to the old
Stratford Jr High in around 1974 or 75. I supervised Ray’s wife Sara, in DoD
in the 1970s. I remember a number of things about Woodlawn, including our
Association meetings in old gym /cafeteria before that was converted to a dining
room and offices/meeting rooms for Hospice which opened in 1980. For some reason
a poignant WWCA little party for Billie Holsberger (sp?) the school custodian
comes to mind. People liked Billy and he was given a gift and a fond farewell.
The Woodlawn program graduations were on the south lawn. I remember the
Christmas parties we had over there with a children’s band playing one or two
years and the Wash.-Lee HS Madrigals coming over. Also the WWCA arts/craft show
where the gym was full of exhibits of everything from Mrs Ryman’s egg art to
metal sculpture to paintings etc done by folks from the “Garden Spot”.
I remember being there when the first boards
were ripped out to start renovating for the hospice—have a picture of it.