The Barcroft News
May, 1995 - Volume 92, No. 9
How Well Is Our Environment?
by Dave Voorhees
The next regular meeting of the BSCL will host Steve Coffee, executive
director of Arlingtonians for a Better Environment. Steve has
a master's degree in environmental planning. He will present
a slide show about Arlington's environment and the future of our
community Steve will save some time to answer questions about
our Barcroft environmental problems, such as, "Where do Barcroft's
rats come from? How do we get rid of them? Is Four Mile Run
polluted? Should I let my child play in the water? Should I
put insecticide on my lawn?"
Set aside May 4 at 7:30 to attend an interesting meeting about
our environment. We'll also try to reschedule State Delegate
Karen Darner for a brief presentation on the activities in Richmond
this year. Reminder: The May meeting is also our election meeting.
Most of the current officers must leave office due to term limits,
so the elections are wide open. Call Scott Allard,who will put you
in touch with the nominating committee. Nominations
can also be made from the floor on the night of the meeting.
BSCL's April Meeting
by Scott Allard
Last month's meeting ran a little shorter than usual - we wound
up at about 8:45. The main reason was that Delegate Karen Darner
could not make the meeting as planned because the veto session
in Richmond ran later than expected. We will try to reschedule
her for a brief appearance at the May meeting. Due to Karen's
absence, we took a little more time than usual at the beginning
of the meeting to discuss committee actions and new business.
Treasurer Jim Kerr then led a discussion of the planned renovation
of the Barcroft Community House. The group agreed with the general
plan and approved the expenditure of up to $3,500 of community
funds for repairing the foundation and improving drainage around
the building. Also approved was $2,000 for the services of an
architect of the Renovation Committee's choice.
At the close of the meeting and after refreshments, we rearranged
the Community House for the next day's Service Luncheon, which
was a great success, mainly due to Randy Swart's efforts (see
related article).
Service Luncheon Held
by Randy Swart
The annual BSCL Service Luncheon w s held on Friday, April 7,
at the Community House to thank the service people who make our
neighborhood livable all year long: solid waste management people,
mail carriers, police officers, fire fighters, teachers, librarians,
parks workers, and more. Between 60 and 100 of them came (we
lost count), and as always they seemed very pleased to be honored.
Along with the service people came County Board Chairman Al Eisenberg,
who responded to our invitation despite a very tight schedule
that day. And we had a visit from the Father of the Service Luncheon,
Talmadge Williams, who came although he has left Barcroft for
Arlington Forest.
The menu included honey-baked ham, smoked turkey, roasted turkey,
fried chicken, orange chicken, broccoli chicken, fried rice, vegetarian
lasagna, pasta with mushrooms and garlic, macaroni and cheese,
baked beans, potato salad, taboule, tossed salad, bean salad,
homemade bread, rolls, corn muffins, gingerbread, cookies, cake,
poundcake, cupcakes, fruit, cheese, and a variety of soft drinks,
fruit drinks, tea, coffee, and milk. There was a little left
over, but the volunteers ate some and the rest went to the women's
shelter. (If you like the sound of the menu, volunteer next year!)
Our Barcroft neighbors who contributed food for the event included
Margaret Davis, Pat Davis, Sally Doucette, Claire Hunkin, Pennie
Kinsey, Kathy Kircher, Maureen Locke, Froma Lippmann, Sara Leigh
Merrey, Tom Palance, Lisa Palance, Jane Ronningen, Carole Ann
Rosen, Barbara Swart, Randy Swart, Evelyn Wilcox, and Steve Wilson.
(We still had to buy some food - we get a lot of people!) The
volunteers helping out on the day of the luncheon included Scott
Allard, Margaret Davis, James Davis, Pat Davis, Jim Kerr, Lisa
Palance, Tom Palance, and Randy Swart.
We are especially indebted to Ginger Beef Restaurant and Carryout
down on Columbia Pike, who contributed three large platters of
their fine Chinese cuisine. And to the Uptown Bakery on Washington
Boulevard across from Virginia Square, who contributed a generous
quantity of luscious baked goods. And finally to Pines of Naples
on Columbia Pike for a partial donation of the huge platter of
vegetarian lasagna. Thanks to all of you for supporting the BSCL.
The firemen and firewoman ate enough to justify their reputation
for chowing down, then just as they finished dessert they received
a call. Off they went in the big yellow truck, siren screaming.
Their truck was closer to the fire than the stationhouse, so
they beat the other trucks there by at least two minutes.
This worthwhile event will come up again next year if you are
regretting that you could not participate this time.
Barcroft News Staff
Editor - Sara Leigh Merrey
Publishing and Mailing - Could Be You!
Advertising Manager - Pete FitzGerald
Neighborhood News - Kathy Kerr
Contributions Editor - Kyle Walton
Deadline for submissions: 1st (ads) or 10th (editorial material)
of month preceding the issue month.
BSCL Officers for 1994-1995
President - Scott Allard (Elected Board Member for 1995-96)
Vice President - Dave Voorhees (Elected Treasurer for 1995-96)
Treasurer - Jim Kerr (Elected President for 1995-96)
Recording Secretary - Margaret Davis
Corresponding Secretary - David Michaelson (Elected Vice President for 1995-96)
Board Members: Susan Christopher, Larry Goldschmidt, Randy Swart,
Talmadge Williams,
Membership Secretary - Kathryn Villegas
Building and Grounds: Dennis Bennett (Bldg), and Scott Brinitzer (Grounds)
Crime Resistance - Chris Monek
Hospitality - Could Be You!
Neighborhood Conservation - David Michaelson
Restoration - Jim Kerr
Signs Manager - Jack Turner
Transportation - Could be you
Barcroft News is printed by Stanley Adams Printing Company
Ecofest a Big Hit
by Kyle Walton
Environmental concerns and a beautiful spring day proved good
partners for enticing scads of pedestrians to Ecofest, Arlington's
celebration of Earth Month, held along the W&OD trail Saturday,
April 8. judging from the traffic along the trail, turnout for
the event was strong. Folks of all descriptions, on two feet,
two wheels, and in-line skates checked out booths and exhibits
all along the trail from Bluemont to Barcroft Park. Lucky kids
sat back in comfort in wagons and bike trailers, while bigger
kids enjoyed brisk rides in pedicabs, one of which was pedaled
by our own Randy Swart!
Variety abounded along the trail. Along our stretch the curious
could participate in an alien plant scavenger hunt (who can pick
out a Purple Dead Nettle?) and join in a swamp tour among sunning
turtles. Also along the trail were futuristic cars, pollution
and runoff demonstrations, environmental history lessons, games,
crafts, and more.
Barcroft's environmental enlightenment continues at our May meeting,
with a presentation by Steve Coffee of Arlingtonians for a Better
Environment. Hope to see you there!
4th of July Parade Committee
by Mary Anne O'Rourke
As April showers and May's first flowers open around Barcroft,
it may seem a little farfetched to think of the 4th of July -
but not to the ever-diligent Barcroft 4th of July Committee.
We have already begun work on this year's parade, and it promises
to be great!
One of the ideas for this year includes a Fun Run from the Community
House to Route 50 and back. All of the physically fit will want
to take a quick run while the rest of us can walk or cheer them
on. Call the Barcroft Neighborline at 521-1116 in June for more
information.
Are you a Yankee Doodle Dandy? Were you born on the 4th of July?
We would love all these special birthday folks to walk together
in the parade. We are also looking for Barcroft artists to show
their work inside the Community House on parade day. After all,
why should Barcroft musicians have all the fun every year? It
is time for other artists or sculptors to share their talents.
The quilt show we put on a few years ago was a big hit. It's
time to let the talents of other Barcrofters shine! if you would
be willing to show your work, call Mary Anne O'Rourke.
UNCLE SAM NEEDS YOU! We have assembled an unusual cast
of characters to begin work on the parade, but they will need
some help. This is a great time to volunteer because this is
truly a one-day job! Here's how you could help:
Be a Barcroft Band Member - Bring your instrument and enjoy!
Set Up - Help place tables and chairs outside the Community
House so your neighbors can rest their weary bones after the parade,
Help with Food - Can you pass out hot dogs and watermelon
to the crowd?
Be a Parade Monitor - Have you ever wanted to be a policeman?
Join Arlington's Finest and help direct traffic around the parade
route and on the Fun Run.
Monitor Water - How cool are you? Keep the cool water
flowing for our runners and marchers.
Monitor Art - Help your neighbors see but not touch the
beautiful artwork displayed in the Community House.
Clean Up - We all know what this means! Put Up Decorations
- Are you full of hot air? Do you have a friend who is?
Why don't you both blow up balloons and decorate the Community
House!
Be a Games Helper (Keeper?) - Can you say, "On your
mark, get set, go!"? Can you herd kids (or adults)? We
need you!
Are you going to be a Benedict Arnold, or are you going to contribute
your talents and skills to the Barcroft Brigade of July 4th Volunteers?
If you are willing to enlist, contact Mary Anne O'Rourke by phone (the number
is in your Barcroft Directory), via email at Barcroft@aol.com, or by mail.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Restoration Progress
by Randy Swart
The Restoration Committee has approved a plan to
restore the foundation joints on the Community House to their
original condition and fix the stone that has been dislodged at
the northwest corner. At the April meeting the BSCL voted to
allocate the funds to complete this work and to hire an architect
to consult on the design for the next phase, replacing the furnace
and moving the bathroom upstairs where it can be handicapped
accessible.
In April the Virginia State Review Board and the Board of Historic
Resources will both consider the nomination of the Barcroft Community
House to be included in the National Register of Historic Places
and the Virginia Landmarks Register. The two registers are the
official lists of places in Virginia recognized as having architectural,
archaeological, or historic significance at the local, state,
or national level. We are hopeful that the nomination will be
approved. Both the Arlington Historic Affairs and Landmark Review
Board and the Arlington County Board have written to the state
in support of the nomination. You can hear about results at our
May BSCL meeting or at the parade if you miss the meeting.
Later note: the Barcroft Community House was added to both
registers!
The Restoration Committee meets on the last Thursday of each month
at 7:30 PM. You can be part of planning and work on the Community
House too. Call Jim Kerr if you want to help out.
Barcroft Elementary School News
Personals ...From Barcroft Elementary School
by Fran Simms
ISO: Barcroft School, 70 years old but looking like brand
new due to recent facelift and internal replacement surgery, seeks
multiage former students, parents, and staff to share delightful
afternoon on May 20 from I to 5 PM as Birthday Celebration
needs guests. If you are between the ages of birth and 100
years, are of any ethnicity or heritage, and have Barcroft Elementary
School in your circle of friends, you are welcome in this public
school that has served Arlington since 1925.
HELP: Call ahead of time if you have memories to share.
We are making a book and planning a living history video, so
we need a program of history and music through the decades. Your
ideas are needed.
HELP: Call your friends, former neighbors, former staff,
or students who have in common the Barcroft community. Share
this opportunity to gather as a community of learners. Call the school
for more information, or send your own 8 1/2 x11 "memory
page" to be included in the bound book.
BARCROFT SCHOOL
70TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
Saturday, May 20, 1995 1-5 Pm
625 S. Wakefield Street
Arlington, VA 22204
Fifth-Grade Students Create Encyclopedia
by Fran Simms
Mrs. Keene's fifth-grade class created an encyclopedia after
reading J.R. Tolkien's classic, The Hobbit. The students
made a guide to the book, which deals with a created netherworld
of creatures great and small. The guide will be available for
future students. A bound copy will be placed in the reference
section of Barcroft's library.
Fourth Grader Selected RIF Reader of the Year
by Fran Simms
David Trang, son of Kok Lip Trang and Hun C. Ong, has been selected
to represent Barcroft Elementary School as the Reader of the Year
as part of Reading Is Fundamental's Celebration of Reading.
David read for over 35 hours in a two-week period. He was chosen
at random from the other students at the school who participated.
His name has been submitted as the school's representative in
the national selection process. Congratulations, David.
Northern Virginia's Reading Teacher of the Year
At the Spring Conference of the Greater Washington Reading Council
on April 1, Fran Bell Simms, reading teacher at Barcroft, was
recognized as the Reading Teacher of the Year. Fran has been
a reading teacher in Arlington since 1962, when she completed
her master's degree at the University of Florida. Initially,
she worked at what was then Williamsburg Junior High School and
later at Jamestown and Glencarlyn Elementary Schools. She has
been reading teacher at Barcroft Elementary since December 1980.
Through four principals, the school renovation, changes in the
community, and the planning and execution of many curricular changes
and innovations, variety has been a way of life.
As Fran says, "Change is not an option; it will come. We
can only control how we respond to it. I think we should always
be equipped with good questions, know how to find answers, and
have a poem in our pockets to be fully prepared for whatever new
frontiers come our way Barcroft is a very special place, full
of world cultures, ideas, diversity, and some of the best staff
it has ever been my privilege to know and work with. I am honored
to serve you and enjoy my work and the sense of a vital and learning
community"
Around the Neighborhood
With Kathy Kerr
Congratulations to May Wall and Walter Lynch on 1st St. S. They
are the very proud parents of a new daughter, May Li. May Li
arrived from China on February 18. She will celebrate her first
birthday on June 2 7. May Li, at age 1O months, has adjusted beautifully
to her new home but is still getting used to her two furry friends
- golden retrievers Pearl and Bessie (yes, named for the jazz
singers). May is an environmental lawyer and Walter is an architect.
They look forward to meeting more Barcroft families as the weather
improves.
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Are you interested in a beginner/intermediate bridge group? If
so, Noreen Atkinson on S. Wakefield would like to talk with you!
She's interested in putting together a low-key bridge club.
You can reach Noreen at the number in your Barcroft directory.
If you left a message last month and never heard back from her,
it was due to an answering machine snafu. Please call again.
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Your intrepid Around the Neighborhood reporter has just returned
from a three-week adventure in Costa Rica. My children missed
school but learned all about the rainforest, howler monkeys, toucans,
quetzals (magnificently colored birds with tail feathers two to
three feet long), huge electric-blue morpho butterflies, and plenty
more. And I'm still able to get my column turned in on time (more
or less)!
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Some good news - -Second Childhood, a kids/maternity consignment
shop at N. Pershing and Washington Blvd. is under new management.
The new owner is extremely kid friendly, so take your kids there
to play while you look at quality used clothing and toys. It's
a great place to consign too! Call 276-7740 for the hours.
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Do you have a new baby, a new neighbor, or other exciting event
in your life that you'd like to share with fellow Barcrofters?
Call Kathy Kerr for a brief interview
Medley '95 Outstanding Young Arlingtonian
by Fran Simms
Mrs. Gerre Medley, Barcroft's PTA president for the past two years
and host for the Arlington Cable parent education program Crosswalks,
has been selected by the junior Chamber of Commerce as 'Outstanding
Young Arlingtonian of 1995.' Through her volunteer and fund-raising
efforts, students at Barcroft have funding for a schoolwide Reading
Is Fundamental distribution, visits from authors such as Jerry
Pallotta, and traveling exhibits. With her incredible panache,
she created a Health Spa for Barcroft's staff during Teacher Appreciation
Days and an evening of dinner and community sharing with a Taste
of Barcroft. Serving both as cheerleader and extended community
"faculty," she is a caring mother and friend. If "work
is love made visible," we see her impact around us and salute
her example. Citizens of the Barcroft community, be proud
that we are so well represented in a larger sphere. Gerre Medley,
we are very proud that we know you.
New Look in September
This is the last issue of the Barcroft News that I will
produce. I have enjoyed working on it, but I just don't have
the time to do it the way I would like to anymore.
Starting in September, Phil Cackley will be the editor of the
Barcroft News. Many of you may recall that he was the
publisher a short time ago. Phil has a newspaper background,
but he was on the writing side there. With the aid of his new
PowerMac, he's ready to take on the prodigious task of fitting
in all the articles and ads Kyle and Pete can provide.
Good luck, Phil. And remember, I'll still be around the neighborhood
when you need help.
Sara Leigh Merrey
President's Message
by Scott Allard
The May meeting will be my final meeting as president of the Barcroft
School and Civic League. I have served two consecutive one-year
terms and, in accordance with the BSCL bylaws, cannot run for
reelection. Prior to my tenure as president I served as vice
president for two years and recording secretary for one year.
I'd like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all of the
people who have assisted me during my tenure as president, and
I'd also like to name some of them. Dave Voorhees has been an
invaluable vice president. He has consistently set up a fresh
variety of featured speakers at the monthly meetings and has also
generously contributed his time and thoughts on a variety of community
issues. Treasurer Jim Kerr has been a diligent and careful steward
of the community's funds, and his recent efforts to lead the Community
House renovation are proceeding well. Our recording secretary,
Margaret Davis, has been a source of new ideas and has also done
an excellent job of preparing minutes of the monthly meetings.
Dave Michaelson has continued to be an able and proactive representative
to the Neighborhood Conservation Advisory Committee and took on
the additional task of corresponding secretary for the past year.
Randy Swart has continued to be one of the main sparkplugs in
the community, as was made especially clear by his development
of the Barcroft World Wide Web home page and his leading role
in seeing that the Service Luncheon happened this year. Over
the last year Kyle Walton took on the job of contributions editor
for the Barcroft News, and he is doing a top-notch job. Sara
Leigh Merrey has continued her longstanding role as editor of
the News, and she and Kyle form a great team that provide a major
service to the community. I'd also like to thank Scott Brinitzer
for improving the Community House grounds and the Barcroft streetscape
in general, Chris Monek for his continued presence as leader of
the anti-crime committee, and James Davis for his 4th of July
grill and levelheaded input. Last and certainly not least, Tom
Palance, his wife Lisa, and their entourage of volunteers, musicians,
and entertainers certainly deserve praise for establishing a very
successful string of events at the Barcroft Community House.
I'm sure there are several others who deserve specific mention,
and I apologize for not listing them here by name.
I have been honored to work with the specific individuals listed
above as well as the community in general. I believe we are a
neighborhood of pleasant individuals who know when to relax and
enjoy life and when to lobby for change. I have had no unpleasant
experiences during my tenure. I plan on focusing my efforts in
the near future on Arlington-wide issues and therefore do not
wish to continue as an officer of the BSCL. Other capable individuals
stand ready to serve as officers.
Thanks to everybody who has helped me out!
Summertime Hiatus
The BSCL takes its annual summertime break from June to August,
with the grand exception of the 4th of July parade! Look for
your next issue of the Barcroft News in early September.
The deadline for articles and advertising for the September issue
is August 10. For recorded updates on neighborhood issue, over
the summer, call the Barcroft Neighborline at 521-1116. Have
a great season!
Graffiti Erased!
by a Concerned Neighbor
Sometime during the dark winter months, the marks of the Latin
Players appeared on a Barcroft stop sign at 8th and Buchanan Sts.
and on three Barcroft sidewalks. We first thought the Latin Players
were a thespian group specializing in putting on old Roman plays,
but Arlington's finest eventually informed us they are a gang
based across Columbia Pike in the Barcroft Apartments.
We called the police, and they said they would check it out.
They no doubt did, but nothing happened to the graffiti. We called
again. They said they had photographed the graffiti. The property
owner is responsible for removing sidewalk graffiti, and they
suggested we contact the Signs Division of Arlington County Public
Works to have the sign replaced. We did, but nothing happened.
We did not expect anything to happen, though, because the Signs
Division is well known as the Achilles heel of the Public Works
Department.
At about the same time, someone stapled signs all over the neighborhood
for a barbershop on Wilson Boulevard. We were annoyed. Pole
signs are for yard sales, lost cats, leaf-collection information,
and such, not for general business ads. Real estate agents push
the envelope but usually restrain their signs to open houses and
remove them at the end of the day. If all of Arlington's 15,000
businesses stapled signs to the poles at all our street comers,
we would have a really ugly neighborhood.
Enter the BSCL Graffiti Squad. We removed the signs. More satisfying
was removing the Latin Players' graffiti, which we did with a
product called Goof Off. Reading the can showed that Goof Off
is actually Xylene (Xylol), a solvent available by the quart at
your local hardware store if you have a local hardware store.
With either chemical and a wire brush, we cleaned the sidewalks
and actually got the paint off the stop sign as well. Xylene
is probably a potent carcinogen, so we used rubber gloves. Then
we discovered graffiti from yet another gang on the rock at the
base of 9th Street, where you enter the park. We got that off
too. What fun!
We understand that prompt removal of graffiti is important in
controlling it. If you see graffiti appear in your corner of
the neighborhood, be aware that those are probably not random
markings, but gang related. Get them off. Or put a note in the
mailbox at the Community House and we will pass the word to the
Graffiti Patrol.
Taste of Arlington
Taste of Arlington celebrates its eighth year on Sunday, May 21,
noon-4 Pm, at the Village at Shirlington. Taste of Arlington
is a street festival featuring nearly 40 area restaurants and
entertainment for kids and adults of all ages. it is complete
with great food, live music, and a kids' zone featuring face painting,
games, and more! Proceeds benefit Arlington Housing Corporation
and Arlington Community Residences. Free admission and parking.
Tasting ticket booklets good for seven tastes are $12 in advance
and $14 the day of the event. For information or to charge tickets
by phone, please call 979-3003.
Welcome Pete Fitzgerald!
by Kyle Walton
The Barcroft News has a new advertising manager! Pete Fitzgerald
is out beating the bushes to bring in advertising revenue, and
as you can see from this month's issue, he's been very successful.
Pete has been a fan of the Barcroft News since he moved
into the neighborhood in 1992 and is pleased to now be a member
of the volunteer staff.
The Barcroft News depends financially on area businesses
interested in reaching our readers. When visiting merchants who
advertise with us, please be sure to mention you have seen their
ad in the Barcroft News.
Anyone interested in placing an ad can reach Pete at the number in your
Barcroft directory.
Welcome aboard, Pete!
Barcroft Crime Report
This month's crime report is for incidents March 6-April 10.
Please note that the addresses show the block where the incident
occurred, not the individual house number.
To report crimes or criminals, Arlington County police urge you
to call them on 911 or at their non-emergency number, 538-2222.
3/7 600 S. George Mason Dr. AM/FM CD player stolen
from vehicle.
3/8 900 S. George Mason Dr. Embezzlement of $7290
3/9 900 S. Buchanan St. Laundry room painted with
gang insignias.
[The rest of this report did not scan well.]
Thanks to Detective Lichtenberg of the Arlington County Police
Department for providing these statistics.
Barcroft Exchange
WANTED:CHILD FOR CHILD CARE: not included in our Internet
edition.
NEEDED FOR SCHOOL TERM PAPER: Back issues of National Geographic,
October 1949 and January 1969. Please call Kathy Kerr.
Our Advertisers for May were:
- Advanced Therapeutic Massage Center, Inc.- Therapy center
- Pines of Naples Restaurant
- Scott Designs - Landscape Design and Installation
- M & R Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc.
- Crystal Thai Restaurant
- Tanzman's Shoes
- Beacon Drywall & Carpentry, Inc.
- Ginger Beef Restaurant and Carryout
- Bobbi Bradley - Remax Real Estate Agent
- Brooke Rental Center
- Columbia Pike Automotive
This page was last revised on: September 15, 2000.
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