President's Report

See you at the polls on November 5. Barcrofters had a unique opportunity at our October monthly meeting to hear speakers on three fiscal issues that will be on the ballot. A vote was taken at the meeting and a letter of support was unanimously approved for the school bond.

The speed humps have arrived on 3rd, 4rd and Abingdon Streets. Buchanan can't be far behind. Several residents asked me who they should thank for this wonderful improvement. We should thank all Barcrofters who attended meetings, worked petitions and gave great amounts of concern and thought to the issue of traffic calming. Elaine Squeri's incredible tenacity kept us on track with the proper processes and Kenny Harrell (dubbed "Hero of the Neighborhood" today by Lisa Rom) would not quit his petitioning of the County until the battle was won.

Join us at the next regular monthly meeting on November 7. Two key topics are on the agenda. First, Tim Lynch of the Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization will tell us about the results of the design charettes and the newly developed form based code that will guide the future development along the Pike. We will then take the opportunity to discuss the slated traffic circles that are the next to be deployed traffic calming tools along Wakefield Street. We are hopeful that all Wakefield and abutting street residents will join in the session which should run from 8:15 to 9 pm.

A long overdue and huge thank you goes out to the members of the Newsletter team. Thanks to Christina Cavoli we have never looked better, to Susan Hunn for an excellent distribution operation and to Jim Kerr who sells so many ads that we can completely cover the cost of printing the newsletter each month. Several folks are contributing articles and features very regularly. It is a terrific effort that we all certainly appreciate and enjoy.

BSCL Membership

Our membership year started in September, and runs through August 2003. We are two full months into the new year. So far we've only heard from 110 households. That’s about half of what we normally have at this point. The good news is that 14 of these are new members. Welcome!

This is a reminder to those we have not heard from yet. Please don’t put it off any longer. We need you all. Dues are only $3 per adult or $6 per couple.

The membership form was distributed with the September newsletter, and another copy was sent with a BSCL News List reminder message. But, if you still can’t find it, you can pick one up at the 11/7 meeting. If that doesn’t work, send an e-mail to peg@bscl.org. If all else fails, call Peg Lefebvre at 703-521-0184.

Membership shows interest in our neighborhood. The larger our membership base, the greater influence we have with the county or other officials. Last year membership was 38%. Maybe this year we can make it 50 or even 60%.

The Woman's Club of Arlington
Announces its 21st Annual Holiday Boutique

November 8th & 9th from 10AM to 2PM

• Crafts
• Baked Goods
• Vintage Costume Jewelry
• In the Pantry - Jams/Jellies/Preserves
• Used Books
• Stitchery - Handmade blankets, pillows, quilts, crochet & knits
• Attic Treasures — White Elephant
• Lunch - featuring our homemade soups

Our hand crafted Christmas ornaments have been displayed in the White House and Arlington homes for two decades. We continue to offer the annual White House Christmas ornament for less than local retail merchants. Many pieces of costume jewelry donated for this event are signed and highly collectable. Attic treasures include kitchen collectibles, lace table cloths, art work, needle point, dishes, old buttons, advertising memorabilia, etc. The Pantry & Baked Goods items reasonably priced. One long-time customer purchases our green pepper jelly by the case. Our homemade soups are sold by the bowl and by the quart for take home. Our soups are sold out early; food service begins at 11:30AM.

The proceeds from our Annual Holiday Boutique support a perpetual scholarship fund for a Wakefield High School Graduate, as well as Arlington parks, libraries, and community programs.

Parking available in our lot next to the Clubhouse and on the street.

Confusion in Neighborhood:
Traffic Circles Face Uncertain Reception

Neighbors on Wakefield in the 8th and 9th Street areas voice opposition to the traffic circles scheduled for the intersections on Wakefield Street at 8th and 9th Streets. What happened and why this now?

I was the lone dissenting vote when BSCL voted on the proposed Traffic Calming (TC) Plan. I did not think highly of traffic circles the first time around and did not change my mind at the recent vote this year. I saw the first circle installed and later applauded when it was removed. I also wondered why stop signs were not part of the traffic calming program, but the exclusion of stop signs is county policy.

During the months after the vote I was taken aback when I found some of my neighbors voicing "I don't want to have the circles put in." I was under the opinion that I was one of the few, and the only one at the BSCL meeting, who was opposed to traffic circles. I decided to inquire how more of my neighbors felt. My first survey question was, “How do you feel about the traffic circles that are scheduled to be put in?” There was an overwhelming response of "we don't want them." After surveying the immediate neighbors, I compiled the sentiments. A copy of the survey results has been sent to County Board asking that stop signs be included in the traffic calming process, that stops signs be installed on Wakefield at 8th and 9th Streets and that the proposed circles be halted. The TC committee was forewarned. A copy of the letter was forwarded to our TC committee and an email was sent asking that the issue be presented at the next meeting.

We, the Wakefield neighbors, want stop signs, not traffic circles. There is a significant tax savings between the two options; stop signs at the two intersections cost $600 vs. the $40,000-$60,000+ for traffic circles. My neighbors and I would prefer the $600 solution. l free a lot of money for other TC projects. Let's resolve the problem at the least cost.

Traffic Circles to be Discussed at BSCL Meeting

What goes around comes around ... and we have been debating circles in Barcroft for many a year. At the November 7 meeting, the BSCL will have an update on Traffic Calming in our neighborhood including a discussion moderated by Eric Harold about the circles for Wakefield Street according to the Traffic Calming Plan, multiple-way stop signs, humps, and traffic calming in general.

We have invited a County Department of Public Works traffic engineer to provide us with specific information on how circles are planned, configured, and installed according to particular sites and possibly drawings. Come with your questions.

November BSCL Meeting:
Just Like Old Times - Traffic and the Pike Revitalization

At the November 7 meeting, the BSCL will have an update on Traffic Calming in our neighborhood. The speed humps have been installed on Abingdon, 3rd and 4th. What’s next?

Also to be discussed will be the traffic circles proposed for Wakefield Street as part of the Traffic Calming Plan. We have invited a County Department of Public Works traffic engineer to provide us with specific information on how circles are planned, configured, and installed according to particular sites and possibly drawings. Come with your thoughts, comments, and questions.

Much exciting activity has been happening as part of the Columbia Pike revitalization effort. CPRO is preparing for the final push for County Board approval of the Columbia Pike Initiative Plan. With the successful conclusion of the Design Charrette in September, Tim Lynch with the Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization (CPRO) will be on hand to share the results with the Barcroft community. Mr. Lynch will recap the Charrette and review the draft Form Based Code, which will lay the guidelines for re-development of the Pike. This is a crucial period for Columbia Pike and for realizing the quality of life the community wants and deserves.

BSCL Meetings are open to everyone

Meetings are held every FIRST THURSDAY of the month at 7:30.

Next BSCL Meeting: Nov. 7, 7:30 PM

Barcroft Community House
800 S. Buchanan St.

Trading Places Comes to Barcroft

If you were near the First Road homes of Sean & Elaine Perkins and Torrey & Cheryll Hairston around the first weekend in September, you may have noticed an unusual amount of activity occurring— lights, crowds, decorating and television equipment, filming crews. Those who came to check out the scene were treated to a live taping of one of the most popular shows on cable television: Trading Places.

The theme of the show, which is seen on The Learning Channel, centers on two neighbors taking over a room in each other’s home and redecorating it completely, with the help and persistent advice of a professional decorator. Participants are not allowed to see how their own rooms have been re-done until both places are completely finished. Participants are responsible for carrying out most of the work and must stay within a specified, non-exorbitant budget.

The designers on the show have a reputation for foisting unusual tastes or over-the-top looks into otherwise ordinary households; in one memorable episode, a woman seeing her redecorated living room for the first time burst into tears. Nonetheless, the show receives over 400 applications a day from people eager to appear on the show.

Both the Hariston and Perkins families have lived in Barcroft about four years. While watching Trading Places, they noticed that the homes featured for the swaps were usually newer homes, not the older brick colonial styles seen in Arlington. They joked about applying, and came up with innovative ways to get their application noticed, but finally just entered a normal online application in December. After seven long months, they were shocked to receive a call from the show.

The culling session was intense; the couples were first selected from a large group, then cut to a group of 15, and then the final cut selected the top six teams. Each level demanded long phone interviews, videos, pictures, and for the final round, the team had a site visit from the show lasting seven hours. “At that point,” said Cheryll, “we knew we were lucky just to have made it that far, but we could really taste the final victory.” They soon received noticed that they were to be featured on the show.

The master bedroom was chosen as the room to be redecorated in both households. The weekend of taping was hectic, busy, a blur of activity. Many, many people came by to see the event; one woman drove up from Fredericksburg just to catch a glimpse of the proceedings.

By the third day, everyone felt anxious. The “reveal” moment, when each couple would see their new rooms, was not until 8:30PM on the final night.

Cheryll admits that their designer scared them with his choices. The Perkins had wanted a single, warm color; the designer pulled out a medium gray and then proceeded to accent with dark, dark brown. A massive headboard and armoire were added, painted in the same dark brown. “I thought, they’re going to hate this,” said Cheryll. “At one point, I told the designer the rooms was as dark as the depths of hell.”

But... The Perkins love their new room, and the Haristons are pleased with theirs as well. Both were surprised but happy with their new rooms, which were decorated in a fashion they would never have considered beforehand. “The only thing we might change,” said Cheryll, “is the spray-painted squiggly lines on all four walls of our room. They are done to look like ribbons— and it is nice— but maybe one wall would be enough.”

The Barcroft episode of Trading Places will air on Nov. 2 at 9:30 PM on The Learning Channel. Pictures of the finished rooms will be available on the Barcroft website— go to www.bscl.org.

Newsletter Information: A Note from the Editor

I’ve received many inquiries about when households should expect to receive their newsletters. The goal of the newsletter is that everyone receive a copy before the monthly BSCL meeting, so they may see what is on the agenda. This doesn’t always happen, I know.

In the ideal scenario, the 15th of the month deadline for the newsletter is respectfully honored and I can have everything set and dropped off to the printer’s by the 16th or 17th of the month. The printer, eager to please, rushes to crank out our print job, and BSCL publisher Susan Hunn is notified promptly that the newsletter is ready. She then picks up the copies, separates and distributes them to the volunteer network of newsletter delivery people, who in turn rush with urgency to get the newsletters out to every household.

Of course, this doesn’t usually go so smoothly, Last month, the newsletters were not available from the printer until October 2nd; since the meeting was scheduled for Oct. 3rd, most people did not get the newsletter on time.

We’ve considered pushing back the deadline, but that might keep people from getting in news or ideas they want to include, especially as the BSCL meeting can be scheduled as late as the 7th of the month.

So I offer this explanation in hopes people will have a better idea of the system we have in place. While using the mail might prove faster, the volunteer delivery network saves a great deal of money and keeps the newsletter from operating in the red every month.

If you feel your newsletter is getting to you unreasonably late every month, or if you are not getting it consistently Sept. through June, please let me know. Also, if you have been delivering newsletters for awhile and are ready to pass on the torch to a new volunteer, let us know so we can make those arrangements. The woman I took over for had been doing the deliveries almost ten years!

Please contact me: Christina Cavoli, 703-271-0631, editor@bscl.org if you have any questions or comments.

Keep in the Loop: Sign Up for the Barcroft Newsgroup

A mother seeking a violin teacher for her young child was pleased to find good, nearby recommendations after asking the newsgroup members for suggestions.

Another Barcroft resident received a great deal of advice and assistance in finding good, nearby care for the elderly.

If you aren’t part of the newsgroup, join today! Go to www.bscl.org and click Our Chat List to sign up for the announcement list or the chat list..

Keep up with Events in the Neighborhood.

Check out the Barcroft Website:

www.bscl.org

Parking Pains

Recently, the county began a trial program in Douglas Park that requires parking permits day and night to park along residential streets. The effectively prohibits the overflow parking from nearby apartment buildings from creating congestion in that neighborhood, but does not resolve the problem of creating a livable solution for where the overflow vehicles should be parked. The program is creating both strong supporters and critics, and will be evaluated after a trial period at the county level.

Parking is also a major issue in the Columbia Pike restoration project. Look for more information on the Barcroft parking situation in next months newsletter.

Washington Regional Network for Livable
Communities Forum: Neighborhood Parking Solutions

Adam Millard-Ball, a San Francisco-based transportation planner with Nelson\Nygaard Consulting, is working with developers, cities, transit agencies and advocates to resolve thorny parking problems. Join him to learn about the latest innovative policies to manage parking to promote vibrant, livable communities - and make sure people can find a space.

Thursday, 7 November, 6:30pm refreshments, 7pm program.

The Sumner School, 1201 Seventeenth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C This event is free of charge. RSVP (attendance only): Aisling O'Connor, WRN, 202/667-5445; email: staff@washingtonregion.net

Trashy News:

YES: Clean, multi-layered corrugated cardboard, flattened, and reduced to a size less than 3 feet by 3 feet. Material should be set out loose or tied in bundles no thicker than 6 inches. Place material next to recycling bin.

Visit this web page for more info.

Around the Neighborhood

Why Not Take the 16Y?

Metro has launched an efficient new bus route from Barcroft to K Street. It’s easy to identify downtown: In the front window, the driver has taped a hand-lettered sign saying "16Y - Barcroft."

That humble sign looks a bit surreal when you see it in the President’s neighborhood. But indeed, one end of the route is at the foot of S. Buchanan Street and Columbia Pike, and the other in the Sea of Suits, the Land of Lobbyists on K Street at McPherson Square.

According to Metro, the 16Y is the first through-bus service offered from Columbia Pike since Metro’s Yellow Line opened in 1982. Metro Board Chairman Chris Zimmerman seems proud of the Pike-K Street connection, and notes that the bus is also intended to help relieve overcrowding at the Pentagon Metro station, where all other Route 16 busses terminate.

Jammed Pentagon trains are truly a problem, but I’m not sure the 16Y will make much of a dent. More rail cars are needed to solve that problem. I usually avoid the bus-train mess altogether by riding my bike downtown via Fort Meyer or to the Orange Line at Virginia Square. But when it rains or snows, I rely on the 16 busses on Columbia Pike, connecting to Metrorail at the Pentagon.

I tried the new 16Y on a rainy October day and found it faster and cheaper than the bus-Metro transfer. According to the schedule, the trip takes 30 minutes. While that may be optimistic, I’ve found that reaching Farragut Square via the bus-Blue Line transfer can drag out to 50 minutes or more since Route 16 busses have been routed away from the Pentagon following the Sept. 11 attack.

The 16Y is "faster by 10-15 minutes going in, and definitely faster going home," one rider told me. She’s been taking the 16Y since it was launched on Sept. 30. Better service for less: a round-trip costs $2.20, compared to $3.55 via Metro transfer.

The 16Y arrived about five minutes late at Connecticut and K on the afternoon I rode it home. But once it cleared K Street, it moved pretty well, circling past the Kennedy Center, crossing the Roosevelt Bridge, heading out Route 50, detouring onto N. Pershing and then Washington Blvd to Columbia Pike. About two-thirds of the seats were taken, but no one had to stand. Most passengers had debarked by the time the bus reached Walter Reed Drive.

Unlike the 16X bus that rumbles right through Barcroft, the 16Y’s last stop is on Four Mile run across from the Goodwill, forcing you to cross the Pike and trek up the steep Buchanan St. hill. But there are benefits to that: On a whim, I stopped in to check out the BIP Halal market before trudging home.

The clerk told me the store specializes in food from Bangladesh. I picked up a bag of Tandoori bread, a bag of salty puffed rice snacks called Muri, and a colorful foil packet of Chanaghur. I don’t know what Chanaghur it is, but the clerk said it goes well with Muri.

So there you have it: A ride from K Street to Bangladesh for only $1.10.

The 16Y departs from Columbia Pike and Four Mile Run every half hour from 6:30-9 a.m., and from McPherson Square every half hour from 4:30-7:00 p.m.

To see the full schedule and route, go to the Metro homepage for a press release on "New Metrobus service runs between Arlington and downtown" or a .pdf file with the schedule.

Announcements

Fruit Sale: Barcrofters, please postpone buying stocks of fruit at the grocery store! HB Woodlawn Band & Chorus will be taking orders late in October for delivery Dec. 17, just in time for the holidays. Proceeds will fund the annual concert series trip. At least four families in Barcroft have children participating. We appreciate your support— Lauren Wilson, HBW senior.

Does your child need a booster? Take the 5-Step Test (dev. by SafetyBeltSafe USA)

1. Does the child sit all the way back against the seat?

2. Do the child's knees bend comfortably over the front edge of the seat?

3. Does the shoulder portion of the belt cross the shoulder between the neck & arm?

4. Is the lap portion of the belt as low as possible across hips, touching the thighs?

5. Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?

If you can't answer YES to ALL of these questions, your child should be riding in a booster seat to ride safely in the car. Not sure? Want to know more? Call Sabrina Huffman, Child Passenger Safety Technician and Barcroft resident, 486-1519. And remember: Keep kids 12 and under properly restrained in the back seat.

Resolving a Sticky Situation: I am able and willing to assist Barcroft Seniors who need to replace their Arlington County tags. I will scrape off the old Arlington tag, clean any residue, place the new tag and clean the inside of the window with Windex at no cost. I will do the same thing for non-seniors for a donation to the community house building fund. I can be reached at ka4tha@arrl.net or 486-0019.

Schedule of Events

Please check our calendar page on the Web for updates.

Submission to the Barcroft News

If you are interested in ad space, contact our ad manager Jim Kerr at Jim@bscl.org

Check out our Barcroft Website for the latest news! www.bscl.org

Advertisements

The Barcroft Exchange

Babysitter Needed: Barcroft family is looking for a sitter for a 3-year old on Sundays from 5PM to 8PM during Bible Study at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 5533 N. 16th St. The family will provide transportation to and from the church. For more info, please contact us at 703-920-1428.

For Sale: Child's mountain bike. Performance "Trail Frog" 10-speed. Decent condition. $35. Contact Mark Wigfield at 979-0339 or mark@bscl.org

For Sale: Kettler Kids Tricycle with push bar in excellent condition, $40.00 OBO. Jogging Stroller Older model with hand brakes and strap-good condition $25.00 Eight Inside window shutters-white $25.00. Call Tom or Lisa @979-8366.

Looking to Rent: College Student seeking room for rent with kitchen privileges in the Barcroft area. Currently working full-time and taking night classes. If you have something available now or in the near future, please contact Badara Dia at 521-1953.

Household Help Needed...laundry, pick-up, misc. chores. 6-8 hours per week-Monday/Friday. $6/hr. Call Kelly at 703-486-1242.

Nanny Share Available: We’re looking to share our reliable nanny of three years with another family. Times and days may be negotiable. If you are interested, call Lauren Novack at 703-892-2622 or 703-627-4195.

* Prompt Professional Services

* Specializing In Houses, Townhouse, and Apartments

* Good References *Guaranteed Low Prices *Excellent Work

CALL PETRONA AT 703-671-1791

I AM READY TO SERVE YOU!!!!!

Faux and Fleur Designs

Beautiful intersting and Unusual wall & ceiling Treatments for all rooms

One of a kind decorative paintnig Customized to your taste

Decorative & Faux Finishes (all done with paints)

Tone-on-tone
Leather
Stone
Marble
Colorwashing
Fresco
Limestone
Stenciling
Medalliions for Ceilings and corners
Borders

Metallic and pearlized glazes

Sample boards available for review

Ann bayer
Faux artist
(barcroft resident)

Call for Consultation
571-236-6830
703-271-0558

Fauxandfleur@aol.com

The Casey O’Neal Team
at RE/MAX Horizons

Rosemarie Johnson
Buyer Specialist

The Casey O’Neal Team at RE/MAX Horizons

Just Sold for $327,800 - 4633 S. 2nd St.

The Casey O’Neal Team at RE/MAX Horizons

Casey O’Neal and Rosemarie Johnson

(office) 703-824-4800 www.HomeSaleAdvisor.com or www.caseyoneal.com

PS: If you or someone you know could benefit from expert buyer or seller representation, please call or email so we may be of service.

Curious about what is currently for sale? Visit our web sites....Do your own personal search and preview ALL active listings! Get FREE reports and information on the selling & buying process and mortgages.

There are more homes for sale right now than in prior months, which means more choices for buyers

Home Remodeling

Additions, Kitchens, Baths, Patios, Painting & Handyman Services

Fast, reliable service.

703-553-TODD (8633)

"Todd did an outstanding job in helping my clients achieve top dollar for their home. He and his crew transformed a run-down property into a model home, all in record time!"
Casey O'Neal, Associate Broker, RE/MAX Horizons

"Thank you, Todd for all you did to rehabilitate and prepare my house for sale. The hundred tasks you completed in less than a month made it possible. I note your leadership and construction skills, and am very glad you were available and willing to do the work for me. Thanks"
Ray ..\ Granada St.

"Thanks for the very professional renovations preformed on my house - fast, reasonable and well designed. Hard to find attentive service like you provide!"
Bill, S. Pershing Ct.

All Barcroft News phone numbers are area code 703 unless indicated.

Barcroft News Staff

Editor - Christina Cavoli, 703-271-0631 editor@BSCL.org
Publisher/Mailing - Susan Hunn, 703-892-6179
Contributions - Mark Wigfield, 703-979-0339 mark@BSCL.org
Advertising Manager - Jim Kerr, 703-892-6458 jim@BSCL.org
Neighborhood News - Kathy Kerr, 703-892-6458 kathy@BSCL.org

BSCL Officers for 2001-2002

President - Pat Williamson-Edwards, 703-521-1082 pwilliamson@weta.com
Vice President -- Eric Harold - 703-486-0879, eric@BSCL.org
Recording Secretary -- We need you!
Treasurer - - Gary LeFebvre - 703-521-0184 gary@BSCL.org
Corresponding Secretary -- Eric Parker -- 703-486-3649, ericp@BSCL.org
Membership Secretary -- Peg LeFebvre - 703-521-0184 peg@BSCL.org
Board Members
Jim Kerr jim@BSCL.org
David Michaelson david@BSCL.org
Mike Behringer
Shirley Gay

Facility Managers - Steve Reiss, 703-553-0909 and Lori Fitchett 703-979-3920


email: rentals@BSCL.org
Restoration - Jim Kerr, 703-892-6458 jim@BSCL.org
Fundraising - JoAnne Barnhart, 703-920-0821
Landscaping - Scott Brinitzer, 703-892-0308 scott@BSCL.org

Arlington Mill Community Center -- Bill Lykes, 703-892-4422
Columbia Pike - Bryant Monroe, 703-271-0944 - bryant@BSCL.org
Crime - vacant
Demeter House Liaison Committee - Darlene Mickey
Parade -- Andrew Hunter, 703-979-8247
Parks -- Shelley Fichtner, 703-486-0856 shelley@BSCL.org
Traffic /B> - Elaine Squeri 703-920-7014, elaine@BSCL.org
Volunteers - Scott Royal 703-553-0909 volunteers@BSCL.org