The Barcroft News
December 2005 - Volume 103, Issue 4
President's Report
by Pat Williamson
Hope a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday was enjoyed by all. We are looking forward to the annual Barcroft Holiday Party on Thursday, December 1, at 7:30 pm. Music, plays and even a possible visit from Santa brings joy to our neighborhood for neighbors of all ages.
The November regular monthly meeting did not feature the Fire Department after all. They were called out on an emergency and of course, that is their priority!!! They will come to a future meeting and give us their presentation.
Randy Swart presented an in?depth look at the lot coverage issue. We unanimously passed a letter of support for the Neighborhood Conservation proposal on lot coverage. Thanks to our amazing Recording Secretary, the minutes of the meeting are posted on our website, www.bscl.org, for your perusal. On November 15 the County Board approved the change we recommended, reducing somewhat the size of the largest house or addition you can build in Barcroft.
Randy volunteered to take the lead in getting our Neighborhood Conservation Plan updated. Our current plan is over ten years old and we need fresh input into neighborhood priorities. The first step is the preparation and distribution of a survey to all neighbors. Marlene Oronao and I just completed the Neighborhood College program and our action plan includes working hard to get the tenants in the apartment buildings within Barcroft neighborhood to participate in this survey as well so we really have a broad view of opinions within our boundaries. Once a new plan in completed and accepted by the County Board Barcroft will enjoy increased eligibility for funding and projects through NCAC.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS: Thursday, January 5, 2006 ?? regular monthly meeting at 7:30 pm at the Community House. Start the new year by sharing neighborhood news. Daniel Lopez, contractor for Cingular Wireless, will join us to discuss the citing of a telecommunication facility at the Arlington County Water Tank facility or at Barcroft Park baseball field.
Enjoy the holidays. See you at the party on December 1.
Ho, Ho, Ho
Who will be the secret visitor?
Barcroft Holiday Celebration
December 1 - 7:30pm
Bring your favorite holiday treat
To share with the neighbors
Barcroft Holiday Celebration
December 1 - 7:30pm
2nd Annual Barcroft Spooky Stoops
A big thank you to all who participated (officially, or not) in making Barcroft especially spooky this Halloween. The ghoulish trick or treaters came in masses to see your decorations and collect your candy.
Official Winner: Congratulations to Marty and Paige Doane of 8th Street South. The remote control smoke, the blind bat and the spooky porch dweller set it apart from the competition.
Unofficial Honorable Mention: 4604 Second Street South. With a life size Wicked Witch of the West and some of her famous enemies as greeters, only daring souls traversed this stoop on Halloween. (Not an official entry in this year's contest.)
Judge's Award: The judge's award goes to Jim Lande of 1st Place South. Jim's entry was a little late but worth it! If you dared his tunnel escorted by a gallery of body?less heads, you are braver than most.
REMINDER-Membership Dues
Thanks to those who have already sent in their dues for the new year, and for the contributions that were sent along with them ? keep 'em coming!
The form was in the October Newsletter. But if you can't find yours, it is available on the BSCL Web Page (www.bscl.org), or you can get one from the Membership Secretary (peg@bscl.org) or 703?521?0184.
What's the Mess?
Eric Parker
No, it's not dog poop. That was last month's article. The mess I'm talking about are all the pipes going up, down, and across S. Abingdon Street and S. 3rd through S. 6th Streets off S. Abingdon. The simple answer is that these are temporary drinking water pipes put in place by the county while the main, buried, water pipes are cleaned and relined. The project covers most of Barcroft west of Pershing, but will also include S. 4th Street between S. Wakefield and S. Taylor. Other parts of Barcroft will not be affected.
The county tracks water main breaks and other water pipe related issues to locate "problems areas" within the county's water distribution system. This part of Barcroft met the threshold. As a result, a contractor was hired to come in and use a relatively non?invasive technique to clean the old water mains and reline them with a thin layer of concrete. The process takes 30-45 days to complete which, although inconvenient, still takes less time and is less invasive than digging up and replacing all of the old pipes. A significant benefit is that the process requires that the water meter on every affected home be bypassed, meaning lower water bills for the current three month billing cycle.
A representative with the county's Department of Environmental Services (DES) did note that a few defective valves were located in the vicinity of S. Abingdon at the Rt. 50 access road, causing an unexpected delay. The valves were replaced by digging down through the street.
Until the project is complete, be aware of water meter covers that are dislodged to accommodate hoses for the temporary hook-ups. These are especially dangerous to children and pets, and many are now hidden by fallen leaves.
The temporary water pipes are not supposed to leak or become disconnected. However, I did wake one morning to the sound of gushing water from a break in the temporary pipe in front of our house. A call to the DES emergency number, 703-228-6555, resulted in someone showing up fairly quickly to repair the break.
DES plans a thorough clean-up when the project is complete including street sweeping, repairs to curbs, and the planting of grass or installation of sod where needed.
For more information on the cleaning and relining process, visit the County Web site.
Barcroft Specific Halloween Costume
Barcrofter Joey Skoloda, on 6th St. S, came up with what has to be the most time sensitive Halloween costume for 2005. No doubt everyone in the neighborhood has noticed the amazing water pipe project going on up and down the streets in much of the neighborhood.
Temporary plastic pipes have been placed along the gutters to divert water (see above article). Joey dressed up as a temporary water pipe! His costume was complete with the inlet hose that runs to the individual houses, tastefully placed.
New County Lot Coverage Restrictions
On November 15 the County Board reduced the maximum percentage of a lot that can be covered by a house, and the maximum that can be paved.
The action followed years of citizen complaints about "monster houses" arising among Arlington's older more modest homes, with loss of green space, trees and runoff problems raising the hydrostatic pressure and leading to flooded basements.
Barcroft is zoned R-6, with "normal" lot size of 6,000 square feet. The maximum house footprint here will now be 30% for normal lots. That permits a house with a footprint up to 1,800 square feet, even if the lot is less than the normal 6,000 square feet. There is additional coverage permitted for a front porch or a garage in the rear. That is a very large house unless it has only one story. On smaller lots the requirement for setbacks from side, front and rear property lines are already prohibitive.
Total coverage with driveways is not to exceed 40 per cent on normal 6,000 square foot lots, or 2,400 square feet.
A look at the data suggests that about 14 existing houses in Barcroft would have to be built a little smaller under the new rules. They will not be able to add on. Another 7 are at the cap and would also not be permitted to add on. This is based on house size, not total coverage with driveways.
Most people will still be able to do a substantial addition if they want to. All existing houses are grandfathered, of course, and can even be rebuilt the same size if they burn down.
Find info on your own house and maps of the neighborhood at www.bscl.org.
Barcroft Park Invasive Plant Removal and Clean Up
Sunday, December 4, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm. Help remove honeysuckle and other invasive plants from Barcroft Park 4200 S. Four Mile Run Drive, Arlington. Please bring work gloves and pruning shears if you have them. Meet in front of the parking garage. Starbucks will be providing coffee and pastries at this event. To register, contact ACE at volunteer@arlingtonenvironment.org or 703-228-6406.
Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment, Virginia Cooperative Extension, and Arlington Parks, Recreation and Community Resources are partnering with Shirlington Education and Employment Center to provide an opportunity for day-laborers to take part in this invasive plant removal and park clean up in Barcroft Park with other community volunteers.
To thank the day laborers for participating in this event, Virginia Cooperative Extension is putting together "thank you" packets. If you can assist with gift cards or other items for the "thank you" packets, it will be much appreciated. Please send donations to Jan Ferrigan, VA Cooperative Extension, 3308 S. Stafford St., Arlington, VA 22206 or drop off at Room 14, Fairlington Community Center. For more information, call 703-228-7636.
Nutcracker Performance
See neighbors Sarah Hunter and Abby Slater perform as soldiers in the local production of The Nutcracker. Many of the staring roles are played by Arlington County students.
The Center Dance Company, of Arlington, performs this family holiday classic at Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre on December 2 at 7:30 PM, December 3 at 2 PM & 7:30 PM and December 4 at 1 PM & 5 PM.
Buy tickets online at www.ArlDance.org or call 703-522-2414
NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL NEWS
Barcroft Elementary School
The Barcroft Break Dancers performed at the Barnes & Noble Educator's Week reception. People in the store were heard asking, "Where did those kids learn to dance so well?"
Those kids (Drew Simpson, George Hawkins, Wesley Stewart, Binyam Solomon, Ayoub Ouaadu, Kitt Rom, Talia Zulveta, Madeline Harrelson?Periandri, and Ibrahim Ceesay) learned from their dedicated Intersession Movement & Culture class dance instructor, Michelle Clark. If you have a chance these young neighbors about their dance experience. Also, ask them to reveal their alias.
Kenmore Middle School
Kenmore's National Junior Honor Society, sponsored by Mary Stump and Mary Kenely, held a "Walk for the Homeless" program on Oct. 2 k
A total of 45 students and teachers walked and raised $600 which will be donated to the "Food for Others" program.
Wakefield High School
Four members of the Wakefield Chorus, under the direction of Michael Salvatierra, successfully competed against hundreds of other singers recently to earn positions in the District Choir.
The accomplished students are Joey Firman, Lindsey Jaxel, Tiausha Butler and Rachel Sapp. Come and hear them at the Winter Concert. Congratulations to all!
ARLINGTON MILL COMMUNITY CENTER UPDATE
A steering committee has been planning for a new Arlington Mill Community Center for over a year. The use of the facility had been defined over two years ago through a lengthy community process and the steering committee was tasked with working with an architect to put all the pieces into a functioning building.
The process was going quite well until the schools decided to pull the high school continuation program and REEP from the site. That took away nearly half the funding for the project and required County staff to look at new options.
To make the community center financially viable the County is moving toward a public/private partnership for the property. The partnership will include a community center and some combination of apartments or condos and possibly retail space.
There will be a public information meeting in the coming months about the process. Ben Harris will send out more information as it comes forward. If you have more questions please feel free to contact Ben at jalbch@yahoo.com. Ben is acting as ~
the Barcroft representative and also attending meetings as County staff. If anyone would like to be on the steering committee please let Ben know that as well.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION PLAN
It's time to update our Neighborhood Conservation Plan. The projects we wanted done are completed, and lots of things have changed enough to make the 1990 plan sound dated.
We will be organizing committees to update the plan. We need volunteers for the committees on:
- Parks
- Transportation (including traffic calming and cut?through traffic)
- Land Use and Zoning
- Capital Improvements (streets, sidewalks, streetlights)
- Drafting and editing
Our first task will be to look at the questionnaire we circulated and work up a new set of questions. Then we need block captains to take the questionnaires around and collect them after they are filled out.
The committees will each draft their chapter, driven by the answers to the questions, then we will circulate a first draft and have a meeting to get the final plan into shape.
With many volunteers each person can contribute without taking on a big job. Email will let us move faster and make committee meetings short, focused and within walking distance of your home.
Please email Randy Swart if you are willing to help out.
This is your neighborhood's future we are planning, and you want to be part of it!
RECIPE CORNER
Peanut Butter-Vegetable-Chicken Soup Submitted by: Ben Harris
Cook up this hearty soup, warm your insides!
8 cups Chicken Broth
2 cups diced cooked chicken
1 cup peeled/diced potatoes
1 cup diced carrots
1 cup diced zucchini
1 cup broccoli
1 cup tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup peanut butter
1 tsp pepper
In a large stockpot, combine broth, chicken, potatoes and carrots. Bring to a boil. Cook over medium heat until vegetables are tender.
Add next six ingredients and simmer for about 8 minutes.
Add peanut butter, pepper and salt. Stir until peanut butter is fully blended, about 3 minutes longer.
Wakefield Winter Concert
Wakefield High School invites you to enjoy holiday and concert music! Wakefield welcomes the Barcroft Community to its Winter Concert and Art Show on Thursday, December 15th at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium. Come and hear the concert band, chorus and the orchestra. Hear beautiful, live music at no charge.
Do you have connections?
The Wakefield High School senior cruise committee is seeking help identifying corporate sponsors to help with donations for the senior cruise. If you have connections to corporations/ stores/businesses or suggestions of possible interested donors please contact: Craig O'Connor OCraigConner@aol.com With the help of the entire Wakefield community the 2006 Senior Cruise will be the best ever.
Do you have connections?
Saturday December 17 and
Sunday, December 18
1:00 PM and 4:00 PM. each day. (Families.)
Join the Park Rangers at the big red caboose for this festive holiday event. Crafts, stories, music and refreshments will all add up for the making~ of some brand new holiday memories. $2 fee.
No reservations needed. For more information call 703-525-0168.
Walk down the bike path from Barcroft or park at the Bluemont Park and then walk (50 yards south on the W&OD trail to the caboose.
All Barcroft News phone numbers are area code 703 unless indicated.
Barcroft News Staff
Editor - Annie Harold, 703-486-0879
editor@BSCL.org
Publisher/Distribution Manager - Noreen Atkinson, 703-979-4868
Contributions - Mark Wigfield, 703-979-0339 mark@BSCL.org
Advertising Manager - Jim Kerr, 703-892-6458 jim@BSCL.org
Neighborhood News - Kathy Kerr, 892-6458
Deadlines: 10th (ads) or 15th (editorial material) day of the month preceding the issue month.
BSCL Officers for 2005-2006
President - - Pat Williamson - 703-885-8514, pwilliamson@weta.org
Vice President - - Scott Wohlander, 746-0662
scott_wohlander@yahoo.com
Recording Secretary -- Vacant!!
Treasurer - - Gary LeFebvre - 703-521-0184
gary@BSCL.org
Corresponding Secretary -- Vacant!!
Membership Secretary -- Peg LeFebvre - 703-521-0184 peg@BSCL.org
Board Members
Community House
Committees
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
Parking -- Vacant!!
Parks -- Shelley Fichtner, 703-486-0856 shelley@BSCL.org
Traffic - Elaine Squeri 703-920-7014, elaine@BSCL.org
Volunteers - Vacant!!
Webmaster - Randy Swart 703-521-2080 randy@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 revised on: June 27, 2005.
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