President's Report

By Pat Williamson-Edwards My heartfelt thanks to all the Barcroft neighbors who allowed me to serve as President of the Barcroft School and Civic League for the past two years. As we proceed to elect and install officers at the regular monthly meeting on May 1, I ask that you continue to support these wonderful neighbors who spend so much time and energy to coordinate association activities and to represent us at the County government.

This May should go on record as one of the busiest months for neighborhood activities. Please read in detail about these events throughout the newsletter.

May 1 -- BSCL Election of Officers and presentation on BASEBALL in Arlington (pg. 5)

May 3 -- Barcroft Elementary School Fair (pg. 4)

May 4 -- Columbia Pike Blues Festival (pg. 3)

May 10 -- Neighborhood Day Parade and BARBECUE/POT LUCK at the Community House (pg. 9)

May 16 & 17 -- Barcroft Dinner Theater (pg. 3 & insert)

May 31 -- Barcroft Community Yard Sale (below)

There has been an enthusiastic response for the neighborhood garage sale. Due to popular demand, the original date of May 10th has been changed to May 31, with a rain date of June 1.

Ads will be put in the newspapers and posters hung around our neighborhood. I’ve been collecting names for those who wish to have their home "starred" on a Barcroft map to show where the sales are located (the entire street of Abingdon is starred!). This map will be available on our website (www.BSCL.org) and we will pass out copies. If you’d like to have your home included on the map, please let me know by the 15th of May.

Of course, you may host a sale or not, regardless of the map. There should be plenty of shoppers cruising our streets that day, so if you have a last minute entrepreneurial impulse, please feel free to participate.

A small, honor-system donation to the Barcroft Community House fund, if you choose to participate, has also been suggested. Send any good will money to the Community House, 800 S. Buchanan Street, Arlington, VA 22204 c/o Gary Lefebrve, Treasurer.

Call Christina Cavoli at 271-0631 or email editor@bscl.org if you’d like to participate or can help with minimal organization. New information will be posted to www.bscl.org.

Coming Soon!

4th of July Parade in Barcroft! See pg. 7

The Barcroft Exchange

1994 R1100RS Motorcycle, 60K, black, hard luggage, ABS, heated grips, tall Parabellum & stock windshields, new battery. Motorcyclist magazine's "Motorcycle of the Year." Great for two-up weekend trips. $5500 or best offer. Don McKeon, Don@BooksIntl.com, 703-661-1562 (W), or 703-979-5818 (H).

For Rent: Large, furnished basement apartment for rent. Private entrance, gas fireplace, patio, private bath, computer cabinet, carpeted. A real beauty. Everything new. $1,100 monthly. Call 703-407-3666.

Children's books and misc. educational materials for sale. Primary grades teacher needs to downsize her book collection due to storage issues. Many easy readers and read-alouds available. Most books $1 - 2. Call Teresa at 685-4335.

Computer Equipment: Panasonic KXP-6500 Laser Printer $30.00 Excellent, but needs new drum. NEC MobilePro 750C Handheld Computer w/Windows CE infra-red comm port, voice record, USB, pc 56K fax/modem card 9.5"x5.5"x1", touch screen, w/battery charger, more $195.00 Compaq TFT4450 Flat Panel Monitor - viewable = 14.5", 3" thick, $150.00. Rubbermaid plastic computer desk - $25.00. Almost new Apollo P12501 Color Printer [made by HP] $35.00. Starter PC with 14" monitor, keyboard, Win 95 - $75.00. Call Bill 703 979-1166.

Yard Tools: WEN Electric Chain saw 14" $30.00; Pole tree pruning trimmer w/8 ft reach, wood two piece handle - $15.00. Call Bill 979-1166.

Nordic Trak Pro cross-country skiing exercise machine. $100. Don @ 703-979-5818.

Rowing Machine: Tunturi 3702 Air Rower, Flywheel Fan mechanism. $75. Call Debra or Rand 920-7620.

Next BSCL Meetings:

Thursday, May 1, 7:30 PM

Not again until the first Thurs. in Sept.!

Have a great Summer!

Eighth Annual Columbia Pike Blues Festival

The Festival is sponsored by the Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization and supported by area businesses and foundations.

This year's festival features all kinds of blues--swinging and lowdown, acoustic, hokum, and honky tonk. Features Ron Holloway Group with Julia Nixon; Toshi Reagon in solo performance; Franklin, Harpe & Usilton, reunited; Little Bit of Blues; and the Colleen Shanley Band. For info call 703-892-2776, cpro1@comcast.net; www.columbiapikepartnership.com

As always, the Festival is possible only because of volunteers. We need your help! Volunteer for an hour shift, and enjoy the rest of the Festival knowing you made it possible. Please call Bryant Monroe (Volunteer Coordinator) at 703-271-0944, or contact the Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization at 703-892-2776 to volunteer.

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Bring the family to the Barcroft Spring Fair!

If you are considering selling your home, or would just like to know the current market value, Please do not hesitate to call me for a free, no obligation market analysis.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame?

It’s springtime and that means baseball! Join your Barcroft neighbors on Thursday May 1 at 7:30 pm for a discussion of the effort to bring the Montreal Expos to Arlington County. The neighboring civic associations of Alcova Heights, Columbia Forest, Columbia Heights West and Douglas Park have been invited to join us for what promises to be a lively discussion.

Proponents of bringing the team to Arlington say that it would attract fans and their money and boost revenue for restaurants and other businesses around a stadium. They also cite the potential to generate tax dollars for Arlington County. Opponents believe that the tax benefit and overall economic impact of a team are difficult to quantify, and point to studies that indicate they are neutral, sometimes even negative. And don’t forget the potential side effects—traffic, traffic and more traffic, to name a few. Which side do you fall on?

Representatives from the groups Virginians for Baseball and NoArlingtonStadium.org will be on hand to present pros and cons for bringing baseball back to the Capital region in Arlington. These groups have been making the rounds of Arlington civic associations as the deadline for Major League Baseball’s decision approaches. Arlington County has yet to take an official stand on this issue, and will (as always) rely heavily on citizen input. Join your neighbors, bring your questions and thoughts, and participate in this interesting discussion.

Announcements

Barcroft Community House Renovation Committee will meet on the second Wednesday in May to formalize the last phase of the community house renovation. The committee will meet each month at this time until we are complete our task. For those interested. Contact David Michaelson at 703-553-3953.

Notice: On Sunday, June 8th, South Fourth Street -- between Abingdon and Pershing/Buchanan -- will be closed all day to all traffic. Please plan accordingly.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED to help deliver BSCL newsletter for two routes: one is south 4th street, from 4603 to 4670 -- 27 houses -- the north side of Pershing and the other is 4th street, from 4200 to 4515 -- 31 houses -- between Wakefield and George Mason -- both sides of the street. Newsletters are dropped off at your doorstep; you just have to deliver them to the houses. Please call publisher Susan Hunn at 892-6179 if you can help.

Barcroft Players Celebrate Barcroft's 100th Birthday

Pre-School Playgroup

Neighborhood Day Community Service Project:
Used Cell Phone Collection

For more information please contact Judy Green at 703-209-4044.

Barcroft’s 15th annual 4th of July Parade Preparations Underway

There will be a special show after the parade and during the picnic. This year come and be amazed by the high energy magic of "Speed and Thro”" In their words…“the only zany, crazy, on the edge of being out of control magic and illusion show you will ever see!!!”

Call Parade Chairman Andrew Hunter at 979-8247 if you have any questions or would like to volunteer. He is always in need of volunteers to set up, clean up, work the BBQ and bring food dishes. We are also looking for a car (preferably a convertible) to carry this year’s Grand Marshall. Please contribute in making this celebration one of Barcroft’s more memorable events. Call Parade Chairman Andrew Hunter at 979-8247 or e-mail at cahunter@erols.com if you have any suggestions.

"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, N. 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.

Don’t Forget: Neighborhood Day May 10th

The theme for this year's community-wide event is "All Neighborhoods, All Walks of Life." The Animal Welfare League of Arlington will hold its "Walk for the Animals" at Bluemont Park, beginning 9:30 a.m. Also at 9:30., groundbreaking will be held at Powhatan Springs Park on Wilson Boulevard. The 5.3-acre park will include a skate facility, youth sports field and interactive nature center. The annual Community Hero Awards will be presented at 11:30 a.m. at Ballston Common Mall. The awards recognize individuals, groups and businesses that have made a difference in the social fabric of the community. Nomination forms are available by calling Arlington County Volunteer Office at (703) 228-1760. At 1:58 p.m., the Arlington Neighborhood Day Mile, conducted by the D.C. Road Runners Club, will run down Wilson Boulevard. Runners of all ages are welcome; registration will take place at the site. The cost will be $1 for adults, with children up to eighth grade running free.

Groups wanting to take part in the day's activities are urged to begin planning now to either sponsor a neighborhood event or march in the parade. For updated information on the celebration, see the Web site at www.civfed.org/neighday.htm. To receive a parade application form by mail, telephone (703) 228-3969. For information on the Blue Jean Band, call (703) 228-3155 or (703) 228-3952 for details.

The traditional Neighborhood Day Barcroft Spring Barbeque will take place from 4 to 7 on May 10. We will provide food and music; side dishes and desserts are welcome. All proceeds will go to the renovation fund. There may be a repeat performance by last year’s crowd pleasers the McLean Jazz band. Volunteers are needed to set up and serve. Please contact organizer David Michaelson at 703-553-3953 if you can help.

Around the Neighborhood

Double Congratulations to Barcrofters Candice Kaup and Bill Schroeher on S. Abingdon St. whose twin sons, Ryan and Ethan Kaup Schroeher, were born on March 13, 2003. Bill and Candice moved to Barcroft in 2000. Candice hopes to return to work soon as an exercise therapist. She is also doing graduate work in exercise science at George Mason University. Bill is the assistant director for the US for the software company, Blackboard. He is also a singer/songwriter. Bill plays guitar and sings around town at clubs and open mikes, and performs at weddings. He is also in a band called "Friday's Tribe." The babies, Ryan and Ethan, are in search of a nanny to care for them when their parents work. Do you know someone who is great with babies? Please call (703) 920-7580.

Keep on Running: Ben Nehrke ran the Boston Marathon April 21st. Ben, a Barcrofter since 1982, is a junior at VMI. He, and two other Cadets, qualified for and ran the prestigious Boston marathon. Ben attended Barcroft, Page Traditional, Kenmore and Wakefield schools.

Memorial

Ads are due by the 13th of each month; contact Jim Kerr at Jim@bscl.org

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Barcroft Community House
800 S. Buchanan St.
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2002 Cost vs. Value Highlights

• Remodeling experts say the decision to renovate or not should be based on what a homeowners needs or wants rather than on what the upgrades could fetch when the house sells.

• Some remodeling experts agree that one reason people turn their lives upside down for a redo is to increase property value. The catch is figuring out which improvements generate the most value and how much is too much to spend.

• The majority of local buyers in this market will pay for improvements, because they do not want to do things over and because they want the house to be in move-in condition. They are not as willing to pay if it's not in good taste.

• The best return nationwide, according to Remodeling magazine, was 94% for a bathroom addition at a job cost of $15,058, with a resale value of $14,180. Locally the DC Metro area is at 103% and Washington DC is at 166%.

• You are more likely to recoup a decent chunk of your home-improvement dollars if you take the worst home on the block and fix it up so that it is comparable with nearby homes. By the same token, avoid improving a house to the point where it is far grander than anything else in the neighborhood.

Curious about what is currently for sale?

The Casey O'Neal TeamM
RE/MAX Horizons
www.HomeSaleAdvisor.com
www.caseyoneal.com
703-824-4800 casey@caseyoneal.com
FREE Notary Service for Barcroft Residents!

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

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 auntsuebh@aol.com
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 2002-2003

President - Pat Williamson-Edwards, 703-521-1082 pwilliamson@weta.com
Vice President -- Eric Harold - 703-486-0879, eric@BSCL.org
Recording Secretary -- Eric Parker ericP@BSCL.org
Treasurer - - Gary LeFebvre - 703-521-0184 gary@BSCL.org
Corresponding Secretary -- Sue Tennenbaum
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 - David Michaelson david@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
Parking -- Tom Palance - tom@BSCL.org
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
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 last revised on: April 28, 2003.