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The Barcroft News

September, 1998 - Volume 96, Number 1



Ice Cream Social

Please join your neighbors for an Ice Cream Social on Sunday, September 13, from 2 - 4 p.m. at the Barcroft Community House.

Here's the scoop. Ok, two scoops. A suggested contribution is $2 per ice cream eater, and families are encouraged to bring their favorite topping to share. May we suggest M&Ms, caramel sauce, sprinkles, or even hot fudge?

There is a rumor that there will be live, and very tasty, music played outside under crystal September skies. The winner of the mightiest and minutest tree contest will also be lavishly honored.

Please call Lisa and Mark Rom (486-2983) if you are planning to attend, so they will know how much vanilla, triple mocha praline almond swirl, and how many cones and spoons to bring.


September Meeting: Up Grandma's Creek

The peace and quiet of the Grandma's Creek portion of Glen Carlyn Park will be disturbed in the near future as the county enlarges a sanitary sewer line located there. County engineer Allan Riley will come to the BSCL's monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 3, to talk and answer questions about the project.

Engineers hope to do much of the work below ground to avoid disturbing plants and trees. However, some excavation will be inevitable. Come to the meeting if you would like to learn more about the project -- and to show the county that we care about our woods.

The current sewer line parallels Grandma's Creek, which is in the ravine of the wooded area between S. Buchanan Street and the W&OD bike path. A quiet path with links to S. Buchanan, S. Fifth and S. Sixth Streets and the bike path at S. Seventh St. is enjoyed by many neighborhood dog-walkers and hikers.

Also at the meeting, the committee designing the new playground at the Arlington Hall park at S. Taylor St. will be presenting updated -- and possibly final -- plans for the project. Finally, we hope to have an update on the latest plans for Vanguard's group home on S. Sixth St.


Barcroft News Staff


Editors Mark and Lisa Rom 486-2983

Publisher/Mailing Jane Duffy 892-6015

Advertising Mgr. We need your help!

Neighborhood News Kathy Kerr, 892-6458

Contributions Ed. More fun than flubber!

Deadlines:

1st (ads) or 10th (editorial material) day of the month preceeding the issue month.


BSCL Officers for 1999-1999

President David Michaelson, 553-3953

Vice President Mark Wigfield, 979-0339

Recording Secretary. Vacant

Treasurer Gary Lefebvre, 521-0184

Corres. Secy. Bill Huddleston 920-2011

Membership Secy. Peg Lefebvre, 521-0184

Board Members Scott Brinitzer, Jim Kerr, Tom Palance, Randy Swart

Community House Facility Manager Tom Palance 979-8366

Restoration Jim Kerr, 892-6458

Fundraising Bill Huddleston 920-2011

Landscaping Scott Brinitzer, 892-0308


Crime Resistance Help keep us safe!

Neighborhood Conservation David Michaelson, 553-3953


Signs Manager Jack Turner

Traffic Committee Elaine Squeri 920-7014

Parade Andrew Hunter 979-8247


The Barcroft News is printed on recycled paper with vegetable-based ink by the Stanley Adams Printing Company.

Membership Dues

September is here again, and it is time to renew our Barcroft School and Civic League memberships. Dues remain the same, still $3 per adult ($6 per couple).

The BCSL offers events for our community throughout the year. All work for these events is done by volunteer members. We encourage you to become one of those people who help make things happen. The membership form shows several areas where help is needed. Some of the happenings have been around for a long time, while others are new areas of interest. Hopefully there is one that interests you.

Once again we ask for your continued support of the Barcroft Community House Fund. Through your generosity, major portions of the restoration have been completed. However, several significant tasks still remain (e.g., roofing, flooring, the main hall, and landscaping - which really needs to include a sprinkler system to survive). Any contribution you can make will help to complete the total effort and will, of course, be very much appreciated.

Please take a moment to fill out the membership form and mail it to the Membership Secretary at her home address shown on the form.


What washes up on tiny beaches? Microwaves.

Meet Trav Fick

Trav Fick is my name. I'm new to this area, coming by way of Seattle, Portland, Sarasota, Austin and other towns where I helped neighborhood people collaborate on traffic calming measures. I guess you could call me the spirit of civility. Your Barcroft Traffic Committee invited me as an observer and I will keep you up to date on progress.

Are your familiar with such rare terms as "neckdowns", "bulbouts", "chicanes", and "speedtables"? Do you think that "speed limit" means what it says? Have you ever heard of a "speed max zone"? These are topics that the committee is studying. This summer we are learning what is being done around the nation to manage traffic and preparing the recommendations for our Barcroft neighborhood. September 2 will be our final meeting before we bring some ideas to the BSCL. Our committee meetings are always open; Barcrofters are welcome. We will meet at 7:30 p.m. sharp at 216 S. Abingdon. Call Elaine Squeri at 920-7014 if you would like more information.


Mightiest, Minutest

Our Barcroft neighborhood is rich in its history and bright in its promise. We can and should celebrate our elderly and our infants alike. And not just among our human neighbors. Our community also is shaded by the mighty oak and sprouts the miniature maple. But which tree is the largest, and which the smallest? If you are the neighbor who identifies either one (by height or girth), and tells me (by calling 486-2983 or emailing mark@bscl.org your knowledge will be recognized and rewarded at the Ice Cream Social on September 13th.


Sewing Beauty

The BSCL is seeking neighbors who are experienced in or curious about quilting or needlework to take part in a special project.

To enhance the beauty and help the musical acoustics of the Community House, we are looking for people with an interest in helping to make quilted wall hangings that have Barcroft neighborhood themes. While the themes are still up for discussion, the first thought is to make them representative of Barcrofts's people and activities of the 20th century.

Some thoughts are Barcroft seasons and holidays; while others are to have these quilted banners be from different streets -- celebrating the neighbors, houses, children and special occasions on those blocks.

These quilts will be a specific size, to hang between the windows, and for all to enjoy together for many generations.

If you have special ideas, or would like to contribute your talent, or wanna-be talent, to this exciting project, please call Jill Herndon at 521-8907 (with voice mail) or E-mail at herndon@tmn.com, so we can add you to our wish list of needleworkers. This is an opportunity to share these skills with each other, or to learn how to quilt or cross stitch in this community project.

Recycle Your Old Clothes, Cars and More

Is your closet filling up? Will you ever wear those old designer clothes again? You can call Goodwill for a home pickup of used clothing, or you can drop it off at the sparkling new Goodwill store where Evans used to be at the corner of Arlington Boulevard and Glebe Road. Dropoff times are 10 AM to 3 PM seven days a week. The 24 hour phone number is (202) 636-4225. Goodwill will also pick up your old car if you want to get rid of one. The American Red Cross also offers that service for cars, trucks, motorcycles, campers, boats with trailers and travel trailers. Their number is 527-3010. If somebody next door has an old car quietly mulching in their yard, circle this article and pass it along to them.

Crime Report

The Arlington County Police report the following incidents in Barcroft neighborhood in recent weeks.

July 16 4600 Block S. 4th Street. Teargas canisters found in garage.

July 19. 900 Block S. Buchanan. Rape.

July 22 900 Block S. George Mason. Larceny suspect arrested.

July 23 Unit Block S. Abingdon. Two strangers reported on property.

July 23 4300 Block S. 9th Street. VCR burglarized.

July 27. 4800 Block S. Columbia Pike. Bicycle stolen from front of video store.

July 28 4500 Block S. 4th Street: Bicycle stolen from garage.

July 31 900 Block S. George Mason. Vehicle theft.

August 10 Barcroft Shopping Center. Trespassing, Intoxication

August 10 700 Block S. Wakefield. Security guard assaulted.

August 12 700 Block S. Wakefield. Vehicle stolen from on-street parking.

We need a volunteer to lead our crime resistance committee!


Tired of Litter? Do Something About It!

Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment announces the launch of its new anti-litter program, the Clean Arlington Partnership (CAP). The program enlists volunteers in providing the business community feedback on the appearance and cleanliness of their property. Partner businesses help educate their customers about proper waste disposal using materials that CAP provides. The materials were designed especially for CAP and include many languages as part of the design.

The foundation of the CAP program is that volunteers "adopt" retail properties and monitor the success of their litter prevention and cleanup efforts. Four times a year, owners and managers of these businesses receive an evaluation which gives them insight into how the public views their property. These reports are shared only with the party or parties responsible for the property. There will be no negative publicity. Volunteers select their "adoptees" from anywhere in the county.

CAP is looking for volunteers! As a volunteer, you would commit to conducting complete, fair and candid problem assessments of retail properties four times a year. You decide how many locations you want to evaluate. Volunteers should expect to introduce themselves to managers of the properties they evaluate and help us get the information to the appropriate party.

There will be a Volunteer of the Year Award named annually, but the main reward for your time will be the satisfaction of having helped make Arlington, hopefully including your neighborhood, a cleaner and more attractive place.

Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment is a county supported non-profit organization that provides environmental education and improvement efforts for the Arlington community. Our office is in the Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S Stafford St, 22206. Call today: 703-228-6427,


Energy Honors

Maureen Keene, teacher at Barcroft Elementary, and her 22 fifth graders have been recognized by the National Energy Education Development Project Youth Awards Program for their outstanding education project entitled ENERGIZERS. Congratulations!


Barcroft Exchange

For sale: Tires. Two P235/75R15 Steel Belted Tires, mounted on GM wheels. Good Condition. $25 Each. Call 521-0184

For sale: Baby Furniture. Crib ($75), playpen ($30), changing table ($15), high chair ($15). Call Lisa 486-2983

Wanted: Carpool partner. My car, my gas. You pay half the parking ($3.75) on the days you ride with me. Depart Barcroft 7:30 a.m. Depart D.C. 4:45 p.m. Parking at 20th and M Streets, N.W. Call Lori 486-3765.


Around the Neighborhood
With Kathy Kerr

Congratulations to Matt and Carol Rohr on 5th St. S whose new baby, Daniel Joseph, was born June 24th. Daniel's big brother is Douglas, age two. Carol has a few months off before returning to Pinkerton Computer Consultants. Matt is an architect with RTKL Architects Associates, Inc. and donated his services for the Community House renovation. The Rohrs, who were high school sweethearts, have lived in Barcroft for six years.

A conscientious longtime Barcrofter was stunned to receive a ticket at the intersection of Henderson and George Mason. Most Barcrofters are pleased by the police presence at this intersection where officers are frequently seen ready to pounce on red light runners. Apparently at least one officer also took note of cars running the stop sign just before the light. The Barcrofter rolled through the stop sign and was stopped at the light. After pulling her over, the officer mentioned that she was the fourth person to be ticketed there that day.

The ticket she received was the same cost and points that she would have gotten for running the red light on Route 50! Perhaps the neighborhood needs to reevaluate the effectiveness and necessity of that stop sign. Maybe a "yield" sign would be appropriate?

Are you interesting? New to the neighborhood? Been here a long time and have memories to share? Have a new baby (or anything else) to brag about? Have a story to tell? Please call Kathy Kerr who always needs ideas for this column, at 892-6458

We are grateful to our advertisers, who were:

  • To be filled in!
  • Scott Designs Landscape Design and Installation



  • **********************************

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




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    This page was last revised on: September 15, 2000.

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