President's Report

Barcroft's annual holiday party was a magical event this year with the arrival of not only Santa but SNOW! The Community House glowed with warm lights inside just as it must have one hundred years before.

Several issues remain on the front burner as we move into the new year. Some neighbors are questioning the choice to install traffic circles along Wakefield Street. We are in conversation with the Traffic Calming staff at the County on other possible options to control speeders. Contact Sue Tenenbaum at anniesgarden@starpower.net to join this working group.

Several letters have been sent to the County Board (posted on our www.bscl.org website) sharing our concerns about the immediate roll out of the form-based code approach to the Columbia Pike Revitalization. We have asked for more information and more time to allow neighbors to plow through the copious documents up for approval. We have asked that a County planning staff member address our questions.

Parks Committee is getting together to discuss the Four Mile Run Interpretive Park and other issues. Contact shelley@bscl.org to participate.

Have a wonderful holiday and we hope to see at the January 2 regular monthly meeting.

Don't Miss Barcroft's
Annual Spaghetti Supper!

We really need help this year so give Tom a call. If you can help with set up, serving, cleaning or donating baked goods call 979-8366.

Don't forget to mark this on your calendar. Take out is available, but hopefully we will see you there. Bon Appetit!

Barcroft Snow Blowers Re-forming

Volunteer operators need a 15 minute training class. You can also volunteer to get the snow the blower misses or spread snow melt. The first snowblower is at the Swart's house, located on 7th Street around the corner from Barcroft School. We can get another for other parts of the neighborhood if there is interest. (Leeway neighborhood has three.) Email Randy Swart at randy@bscl.org or call 521-2080. Snow's coming!

Next BSCL Meetings:

February 6, 7:30 PM

Barcroft Community House, 800 S. Buchanan

Barcroft Players Meeting

Our performance will be stories and songs of Irish emigration. We will need actors, musicians, a director, back stage technicians, cooks – in short everyone. No previous experience is necessary. All are welcome and we guarantee that you’ll have a good time ! Because of the sold out response to our first show, we will hold two performances: March 14th & March 21st.

Please join us for our kickoff meeting on January 11th at 2:00 PM at 4611 S. 7th Street. If you are unable to attend but want to participate in the show, please call Barbara Swart at 521-2080.

Have anything to contribute to the Barcroft News? All submissions are due by the 15th of each month. Contact Christina at 271-0631 or editor@bscl.org

Ads are due by the 10th of each month; contact Jim Kerr at Jim@bscl.org

Water Shock II

Thank you to all who wrote or e-mailed your concerns about your utility (especially water and sewer) bills. Thanks, also, to those who stopped me on the street to inquire whether my bill was really a million dollars? ($625. Close enough.)

So--emboldened by the sense that I was not alone--I called Eric Grabowski, Utilities Fund Business Manager for Arlington County (228-7551) who couldn't have been nicer as he explained:

In the past Arlington has simply totted up its water and sewer costs and recovered them using a formula which is certainly old and probably arbitrary (my words, not his). They now meter the water and charge for it, then multiply that amount by about 1.25 and that's your sewer bill.

They are aware that a big spike in summer water use does not mean that the water is going down the sewer; they have had this complaint before. Commercial landlords have pointed out that the system unfairly charges those who conserve or re-use water.

However, he said, my call is timely, because the County is even now hiring an outside consultant to evaluate the current billing system. This firm will address the inequities and the consequences of different billing formulas. He expects a report about June 2003 and the County Board to take up the issue shortly thereafter. That will be the time, he said, to make our own concerns known. He warns that no matter what billing formula emerges, the County still has to recover its costs, and so the sum of all charges will be about the same as now. So I muttered some platitudes about the desirability of greater transparency in the system and we both nodded sagely and ended the conversation amicably.

Update on Proposed Traffic Circles

By Sue Tenenbaum

Community concern about the traffic circles proposed for Wakefield St. near Barcroft Elementary School appears to be having some effect.

Jeff Sikes, County Traffic Calming Coordinator writes, “If the crossing guards have reservations about the use of circles on Wakefield St. near the school, I believe we should defer to their concerns.” He didn’t seem dismayed by the neighborhood change of heart on measures proposed for that stretch, acknowledging that the “traffic calming guide does not address circles near schools, and — since the traffic calming program is relatively new — it is something that we have not dealt with in the past.”

Mr. Sikes also reiterated the county’s reluctance to install all-way stop signs, explaining why these measures are often inappropriate or ineffective.

He suggests that design of the circles be put on hold and that County staff meet with interested residents and school officials early next year to work on an alternative plan. If this group can agree on new measures, they would be presented to the Civic Association and Neighborhood Traffic Calming Committee. Then 60% of the “affected area” nearest the school needs to approve a petition with the new measures on it .

Mr. Sikes’ letter provides more detailed information. It is available on our web page, or by calling 979-0054 for a copy.

Better yet, if you are interested in participating in the traffic calming effort, attend the working session planned for Thursday, Jan 16, 7:30 PM at the Community House.

Schedule of Events

Please check our calendar page on the Web for updates.

Submissions to the Barcroft News Have anything to contribute to the Barcroft News? All submissions are due by the 15th of each month. Contact Christina at 271-0631 or editor@bscl.org.

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

For Sale: Kids Tricycle , Kettler w/pushbar, great condition $25. Compact VHS recorder, great condition, needs batt.grax200 JVC,$60 OBO. Call Tom at 979-8366.

Attention Moms! Need some extra help a couple days a week? Our fabulous nanny, currently working for us 3 days a week, has some free time on the other two days: Mondays & Fridays. As the holidays approach and you find yourself needing some extra time for shopping and errands without the kids, maybe she could lend a hand. Call me and I'll tell you more. Sabrina 486-1519 (AFTER 5:00 PM, please)

Part-time Nanny needed January – July for one toddler. Twenty hours per week desired. Excellent pay. Schedule flexible and negotiable. Please call Heather at 920-9321.

Nanny available - Excellent references. Fluent in English & Spanish. Has own car. Seeking part-time work in Barcroft area, approximately 9:00-5:00 Tuesday-Thursday. Call Maria: 703-379-4845

Do You Need Help Cleaning Your House?

PETRONA CAN HELP YOU!

PROFESSIONAL CLEANING SERVICE

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CALL PETRONA AT 703-671-1791

I AM READY TO SERVE YOU!!!!!

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Complete Tax & Accounting Service
Returns Prepared in Your Home by Appointment

GARY M. LEFEBVRE

703-521-0184

So. George Mason Drive

Arlington, VA

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Faux and Fleur Designs

Landscape the Interior Of Your home

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

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The Casey O’Neal Team
at RE/MAX Horizons

Casey O’Neal
Associate Broker

Rosemarie Johnson
Buyer Specialist

The Casey O’Neal Team at RE/MAX Horizons

Arizona bound!

After they hired Casey to represent them, Dick & Peg received lots of good advice from Casey’s team on preparing their home for the market and answers to numerous questions about the selling process. It had been 30 years since they had bought their home and were apprehensive about the numerous tasks involved with selling. They felt comfortable once they understood the steps involved with the many facets of selling a home in the current market. After several weeks they were ready to activate the listing.

Once the home was listed Dick and Peg were happy with the amount of traffic from agents and buyers. The home sold two weeks later at full price.

There were various home inspection items that needed to be cured. Casey and his team were able to recommend contractors to help with the repairs. Once the home was under contract, Dick & Peg went house hunting in Arizona to find a home. Casey had referred them to an experienced realtor in the areas in Arizona that they desired.

Forty five days later a satisfactory settlement occurred on Dick & Peg’s home, and two weeks later they closed on their new home in Arizona.

PS. If you or someone you know could benefit from expert buyer or seller representation, please call or email us for advice!

"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.

Yoga for wholeness

Sheng Zhen Qigong

These classes are for all levels. Dress comfortably and bring a blanket.

Barcroft Community House, 800 S. Buchanan Street, Arlington

Qigong: from 6:30pm to 7:45pm

Yoga: from 8:00pm to 9:15pm

Tuesdays beginning 1/7/03 for 12 sessions ~ $120

Register: Send check to Peaceable Dragon, 8562 Gwynedd Way, Springfield, VA 22153

More information: call Nancy or Paul Rischard~703-455-4858 or www.PeaceableDragon.org

Nancy Rischard, the yoga instructor, has been a life-long dancer who began to practice yoga in 1989. Her yoga journey has brought her into classes with master teachers representing a variety of styles. She is known for her warmth and personal attention to the student. Paul Rischard, the qigong instructor has practiced the internal arts nearly thirty years and has studied with qigong masters in Asia, Europe, and in the USA. He has a reputation for providing students with a wide variety of learning opportunities that are presented in a creative, joyful manner.

You will love these classes!!!

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 - Elaine Squeri 703-920-7014, elaine@BSCL.org
Volunteers - Scott Royal 703-553-0909 volunteers@BSCL.org

The paper version of the Barcroft News is printed on recycled paper with vegetable-based ink by the Stanley Adams Printing Company. This Web page uses recycled bits and bytes, and it is not absolutely identical to the paper one.

Barcroft School and Civic League
800 South Buchanan Street
Arlington, VA 22204

Neighborline: (24 hr. announcements, Community House rentals) 703-521-1116
Email: info@bscl.org
Web: www.bscl.org

This page was last revised on: January 2, 2002.