Lyon Park Citizen · 2017. 9. 6. · Page 2 The Lyon Park Citizen February 2008 The Lyon Park Citizen The Lyon Park Citizens Association 414 N. Fillmore St. Arlington, VA 22201 LPCA

HOT TOPICS

Lyon Park CitizenThe Newsletter of the Lyon Park Citizens Association February 2008

President’s Message Joe Englehardt

Lyon Park monthly meeting: Wednesday

February 13, 7:30 PM

• Meet and Greet; Who are you?

• 2201 Pershing Drive: where we are, lessons we’ve learned, and where we’re going

• Arlington Police: home, personal, and neighborhood security

NEXT MEETINGS

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Lyon Park Community Center

414 North Fillmore Street

A nonpartisan publication serving Lyon Park residents’ common interests

MAKE A NOTE: MARCH 8See Pages 3 and 13

CH

ILI COOKOFF!

The Lyon Park list of members continues to grow, and we welcome all those who have newly joined the Association. Your joining the Association and your participation in Lyon Park activities helps us to be the kind of community in which you want to live. Your Association wishes to continue to be responsive to the kinds of things you’d like to see us do, so let me know what you’d like to see, particularly for the Association meetings for the next few months.

Many thanks this month to Ben Pearl and Mary Margaret Schoenfeld and all those who assisted for a super Pancake Breakfast on January 19. Additional kudos appear inside this issue, as do announcements for events in February.

This past month, your association and its members were very involved in County deliberations on the proposed renovation of 2201 Pershing Drive, the Lee Shopping Center. This issue has many facets pro and con. The develop-ment article on page 8 has details.

We continue to need a few people to step forward to help on projects. Your Association still needs a Secretary and a Vice President for Programs. These are Executive Committee positions and they help oversee the direction of the organization. Please contact me if you might be interested. We also have sev-eral community activities coming up in the next few months that need addition-al help. Please respond to the advertising elsewhere in this newsletter and on the listserv if you can help.

Read about last month’s contest winners on page 12. Note our monthly news-letter contest on page 16, a drawing this month. The prize: a home-cooked dinner for four with your choice of 10 entrees. Everyone can participate!

Win Dinner for FourThese days, everybody wants your opinion, including us. Once again, we’ve included a customer satisfaction survey. It’s on Page 16, and all you have to do is fill it out and send it in, and we’ll enter you in a drawing for dinner for four, as Joe describes above. This is a good deal, because we will allow ev-ery member of the household, kids included if they are newsletter readers (and we know many of them are), to enter. If you need extra copies of the sur-vey, go to www.lyonpark.org, look at the current issue of the newsletter, and run copies of page 16. Don’t forget to write your name and phone number on the survey if you want to win! Anonymous entries are welcome, too.

If you’d prefer to enter electronically, E-mail Shirley at [email protected] or Jeannette at [email protected], and we’ll send the survey embedded in an E-mail. You can copy it into a return E-mail, mark your answer, and return it.

March Madness of SortsIn March, we’re running a Classified Ad Bonanza with a goal of having 50 ads. You can run any kind of classified ad up to two lines for $4.00. •For sale: What’s in your cellar or closet that and just taking up space? Advertise and sell it. •Wanted: Need something that you can’t seem to find in a store or on e-bay? Ask the neighbors! •Employment: Need work or need help? Do it here. •Personals: Want to find a running partner, group of gardeners Or friend? Put in a clever ad. •Free to a good home: What do you have that you’d just like to unload? •Wildcard category!: Name your own header.See the form on page 12 for more information. Make your neighbors laugh!

Page 2 The Lyon Park Citizen www.lyonpark.org February 2008

The Lyon Park CitizenThe Lyon Park Citizens Association414 N. Fillmore St.Arlington, VA 22201

LPCA Executive CommitteePresidentJoe Englehardt (703) 528-0771

[email protected] Natalie Roy (703) 524-4119

[email protected] ConservationMarlene and Elliott Mandel (703) 527-1502

[email protected] Vice-President-ProgramsVACANT

TreasurerBill Anhut, Jr. (703) 528-3665

[email protected]/HistorianVACANT

Sergeant-at-ArmsRich Robinson (703) 527-2724

[email protected] ChairMelissa Bondi (703) 527-6379

[email protected] at LargeErik Gutshall (703) 276-0809

[email protected]

Community Center Board of GovernorsKevin Baer, Chair (703) 524-7588

[email protected]

Important ContactsPolice LiaisonElizabethPiepenbring (703) 528-2636

[email protected] Community Center Leasing AgentShirley Larson (703) 527-9520

[email protected] Alliance RepresentativeJeff Jaeckel (202) 778-1440

[email protected] Federation RepsLarry Mayer (703) 525-8921Jim Mayer (703) 528-3502Jim Turpin (703) 248-6988Steve Geiger (703) 522-0026

Doorways for Women and FamiliesKathleen McSweeney (703) 243-0323

[email protected]

Newsletter Co-Editors and AdvertisingShirley Larson, Content (703) 527-4316

[email protected] Wick, Ads & Layout (703) 524-8531

[email protected] White, Distribution (703) 527-2977

[email protected]

LPCA General Meeting Elizabeth PiepenbringJanuary 8, 2008After a short social gathering, the meeting was opened by President Joe Engle-hardt, who welcomed newcomers Andrew D'huyvetter and Jared and Mary Stiles Hendler. He thanked those who have recently volunteered to assist in newsletter distribution. The agenda focused on current activities. Points of contact for each are indicated in parenthesis. LPCA will examine Lyon Park traffic problems, seeking community input in February. We will use the 2006 Lyon Park Neighborhood Transportation Plan (see http://www.lyonpark.org/pdf/transportationplan06.pdf) to begin prioritizing projects and ways to address them. Progress will depend on community mem-bers becoming involved. (Joe Englehardt and ExComm, for now; looking for someone to oversee the project) The police have been asked to ramp up enforcement of traffic problems near the 7-11 store on N. 4th Street. (Elizabeth Piepenbring) The LPCA has adopted a policy to allow general review of the designated neighborhood priority Neighborhood Conservation project—currently, Hudson Street—if the County fails to fund it after six cycles of consideration. This gives the project a fair opportunity for funding. (Elliot Mandel) Bill Anhut reported that LPCA income remains above budget due to newslet-ter advertising receipts. The group congratulated Bill for receiving increased County recognition for the Lyon Park tree conservation program’s excellence. Larry Mayer reported on the January Civic Federation meeting: The County is studying a proposal to allow Accessory Dwellings (small apart-ments available for rent; currently prohibited) to be built in, attached to, or on the lots of single-family homes. Study is likely to be a long, detailed, public process. The CivFed will consider a resolution on the report at its next meeting. Find the report by searching "accessory dwellings" on www.arlingtonva.us. The CivFed’s What's My Sign initiative invites individuals to report unneces-sary, duplicative, unhelpful/confusing or ugly sign, sign clutter, absence of neces-sary signs so they can bring them to the County's attention. A County survey is identifying where the local public health system should focus its efforts during the next ten years. Visit www.arlintonva.us/mapp for a copy of the survey and details. The County Board will appear at the Civic Federation meeting in February and answer delegates' questions. (Joe Englehardt or Larry Mayer). The Community Center has filed for 501[c](3) status, and donations to the Community Center (but not to LPCA) are now tax-deductible. (Kevin Baer) A series of County Commission meetings will consider the proposal to rede-velop 2201 Pershing Drive, and culminate with a County Board hearing. The de-veloper has not met two of three conditions that LPCA placed on its support of the project—lowering density and creating green space.(Natalie Roy) The County has attempted to defer decisions on 10th Street crossings pend-ing "further study." The 10th Street Crossing Committee will determine crosswalk placement, so LPCA can push resolution with the County. (Ken Mathias) Arlington Police Corporal David Green noted that the police could assist the neighborhood best if LPCA determined priorities for focusing traffic enforcement. He also said that the Police Department offers crime prevention services, self-defense classes, crime reports, and the ability for online crime reporting. An Ar-lington Civilian Police Academy, for interested civilians, meets one night per week for 16 weeks. (Elizabeth Piepenbring)Updates on out-of-neighborhood projects were presented: Development of 1200 N. Irving Drive is proceeding into pre-construction meetings (Melissa Bondi or Natalie Roy); A plan has been prepared for traffic and pedestrians affected by the Claren-don Center construction at Clarendon Blvd and Highland St. (Bill Anhut); The Route 50 Pedestrian Bridge will be closed for repairs between April and July. Exact dates will be provided when known. (Elliott Mandel) LPCA will host a Villas and Vistas Spring Garden Tour in early May in con-junction with a home improvement and landscaping open house at the Communi-ty Center. Both activities will raise funds for Community Center renovation. Natalie will form a committee to develop and operate the tour. (Natalie Roy)

Englehardt finished the meeting with an appeal for volunteers to fill two vacant Executive Committee positions, Secretary and Vice President for Programs, noting that this provides an excellent opportunity to be closely involved in LPCA decision-making.

February 2008 The Lyon Park Citizen www.lyonpark.org Page 3

CHILI COOKOFF

From the Listserv : A Brief Primer on Plumbers and Plumbing John M. WatersIf you are looking for a plumber, keep the following in mind:

es will vary. The fact that one price is higher than another doesn't necessarily mean that the higher price is a rip off; it's probably more a product of the way their business is set up.

someone who understands the entire hot water heating system and who knows exactly what he's doing.

more prone to problems than modern PVC because ground water can back up through the joints. Tree roots can also work their way into those joints. Attempting to repair a sewerage backup should include an investi-gation with a camera. It can help pinpoint the problem’s source. The replacement of a sewer lateral can be a major project involving demolition, excavation, tree and landscaping disturbance, and the installation of a new bed to support the new pipe.

understanding of the entire Scope of Work. Before you start, make sure that everything you expect to be included is in fact included.

and other contractors (http://www.dpor.virginia.gov/dporweb/con_reg.pdf). Arlington County also has regulations (http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/CountyBoard/CountyCode/Ch51_HomeImprovement.pdf) which may apply, and State regula-tions may or may not supersede the County Code.

With more than ten years experience as a project manager and a general contractor, John Waters has completed over one hundred permitted projects in Arlington County involving plumbing work.

Are You a Listserv Member?Residents, property owners and business/nonprofit inter-

ests located in Lyon Park are eligi-ble to use the LPCA-created and maintained Lyon Park Community listserv. To subscribe, please visit:http://lyonpark.org/mailman/listinfo/com

munity_lyonpark.org

You may select the digest option to reduce the number of E-mails re-ceived without reducing access to content.

Calling all chili makers and corn bread bakers!

Annual Chili Dinner SaturdayMarch 8, 5:30 – 7:30 P.M. Please mark your calendars, and put a reminder on your refrigerator! This is your first, last, and only invitation to participate! We rely on donated chili and cornbread to make this event a huge success!

We need volunteers: •People to set up tables and chairs, and to put them away.•People to help clean up. •Kitchen workers, and drink makers.

Please contact Shirley at (703) 527-4316 or [email protected].

All proceeds go directly to the community center to help main-tain the house and the park.

Notes from the Past Ann Felker I am older than dirt, but when I was a little girl, in the south east end of Lyon Park a watery and muddy open stream ran under a paved 4th and Fillmore Street and behind Long Branch school. The school is named for the stream, not the tree depicted in the Long Branch symbol. Florence Simpson Rogers grew up on Washington Boulevard and used to think that pirates would be able to float up the stream near her back-yard. According to research I did for Long Branch school when my children

went there, Arlington had two streams labeled Long Branch. One was longer, but both flowed into Four Mile Run. A portion of the stream exists even today between Washington Boulevard and the Fort Meyer fence below the commissary. Otherwise, it is all in culverts. When I moved to Irving Street in 1947, the nearest visible stream was in that aforementioned corner of Lyon Park.

Now would you like to hear my husband's stories of Spout Run, which ran down the middle of Kirkwood Road all the way to the Potomac? Dude, we are old.


Care to Advertise?Business Card -$39; Quarter Page - $69; Half Page - $99; Full Page - $179 Classifieds - see Classifieds headerOne page insert $325

10% Frequency discount; 5% LPCA Member discount

Contact: Jeannette Wick at [email protected] or (703) 524-8531

Unless otherwise noted, all art in articles copyright (c) 2007, Jeannette Wick and her licensors. All rights reserved.

We ship anything anywhere!

Mon-Fri, 9.00AM TO 7.00PM TO 4.00PMInternational and Domestic Shipping Custom Packing & Crating

Mailbox Rentals Packaging Supplies

1001 N. Fillmore StreetArlington, VA 22201Free parking inside building Tel. (703) 351-7777 Fax (703)351-0007UPS, FedEx, DHL [email protected] Shipping Centerwww.pakmailva.com You’ve got choices!www.pakmail.com

Burgers, Elevated Jerry MunkElevation Burger has been around for a few years, has received critical acclaim, and seems to have a LOT of fans (based on the mid-Saturday crowd). Once you get your food, you will understand why.

Elevation Burger claims to serve a “higher burger at a down to earth price.” They have succeeded on both counts. For little more than you pay at a run-of-the-mill fast food joint you get great burgers, prepared with care from organic beef. The supporting cast is strong too. Fries are fresh cut—the sound of the potato cutter adds rhythm to the din of diners during busy times—and fried in olive oil. Shakes and malts are hand-dipped and thick as concrete. They even add a creative spin to their iced tea, with orange and cin-namon.

When you visit you really get the feeling that this place is a part of the community, from the high-schoolers working there to the families with kids congregating around the large community tables. It is fast food, but without any of the guilt of factory farming or hormones. Which brings me to my one caveat: This is not the place for you if you are content with being one of billions served. The food is great, but the real draw is the quality ingredients, thoughtful preparation and community vibe of the place.

Lots of folks compare Elevation Burger to the In-N-Out Burgers of the west coast, but this Midwesterner detects a little bit of Steak ‘n Shake in this place (a good thing, I think). It is also hard not to draw compari-sons to Five Guys, our other local “upscale” hamburger joint. The menus, after all, have a lot in common. Elevation is a little homier and granola-y, even offering two different vegetarian “burgers.”

If you find yourself in Seven Corners, craving a burger and fries, do yourself a favor and stop into Elevation Burger. You will be sur-prised how painless it is to treat your body to a little better than the usual.

Elevation Burger, 442 S. Washington St., Falls Church, VA

February 2008 The Lyon Park Citizen www.lyonpark.org page 5

•Chili Dinner: Saturday, March 8, 5:30 - 7:30 PM.•Woman's Club: Tuesday, Feb. 19, Potluck Luncheon. Heart's Bingo. Bring a small gently used item for prizes. We will take a collection for the American Heart Association. • Fitness Pursuits: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:30 PM– 5:30 PM. Catherine Fergusen, (703) 522-0301. See her ad on page 10.• Duplicate Bridge: Every Friday, 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM.• CABOMA (Capital Area Bluegrass Old-time Music Association), 2nd and 4th Sundays of every month, 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM.• St. Hildegaard's Old Catholic Church: Sun-days at 10 AM. Fr. Stan, (703) 528-1825 www.sthildegards.org.• Exercise with Erica: Monday and Wednes-day Evenings, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. • 1920 Lyon Park Sales Brochure. Reproduc-tion copy, 24 pp. Gary or Kit Putnam, (703) 527-2266. $7 ea or 5/$25. All proceeds benefit the Lyon Park Community Center.

“There comes a time in the planning process thatthe exterior is just as important as the entire project.”

Blackburn Construction Company Inc.Arlington, VA since 1983

703.243.6369

Model availableby appointment

~Call for a consultation today

•Design;Build•New homes•Additions•Remodel

TRAFFIC, TRAFFIC, TRAFFICEveryone is complaining about the continuously-increasing traffic in our neighborhood, largely resulting from development elsewhere. Traffic density, speeding, cut-throughs, parking, and pedestrian safety are only some of the issues that we are facing. And new developments in Clarendon and on Pershing coming up in the next year are going to add to the problem. But what to do about it? Changes take money, and with the economic and housing situa-tion, County revenues will be limited in the coming few years. Neighborhoods like ours will need to be smart, aggressive, and ef-fective to convince the County to spend those funds here and not somewhere else. Going at it piecemeal, project-by-project does not promise to get us very far. To get into and keep us in the competition, we will be reconstituting the Lyon Park Traffic Committee to lead our efforts. They will be charged with identifying our current problems, establishing our pri-orities, agreeing on solutions, and going after the resources. If you are interested in our traffic issues, we need your help. We'll discuss it more at the LPCA meeting on February 13, but a good, strong committee will go far in doing what we can to get attention paid to Lyon Park problems. Contact Joe Englehardt, sign up for the new Traffic Committee and help yourself and your neighbor-hood deal with these issues.


FRIENDLY FIREMAN

Community Center NewsSince 1925, the Lyon Park Community Center (LPCC) has existed because of the spirit, resourcefulness, and elbow grease of so many volunteers. For all neighbors and friends who contribute time and energy throughout the year, the community as a whole says:

Thank you for all that you do to make these things happen. We are all better off for it.

This is a fitting tribute to the many persons who help out each year to make our neigh-borhood a better place. The credit for the wording goes to a neighbor who enjoyed attending the recent breakfast, but it embodies thoughts from many others. This page features pictures from the inaugural debut of the very successful pancake breakfast, which appears to be destined for a repeat performance next year. In past months, we’ve shared pictures from the annual holiday party and other large community events. I’ll join the others in this newsletter who have thanked volunteers, and urge readers who have not attended events in the past to come out in the future.

Please mark your calendar for the upcoming Chili dinner on March 8. In the past, the dinner has always been a great success, providing a good opportunity to visit with old neighbors and meet new neighbors. Shirley Larson is once again organizing this an-nual dinner, so please let her know if you can cook or volunteer the day of the dinner.

If you cannot volunteer but wish to help the Community Center, we accept donations gladly. Last year, LPCC incorporated as a Virginia not-for-profit corporation and in December filed an application with the IRS to receive charitable status as a 501(c)(3) organization. Although no formal fundraising campaign is currently underway, deduct-ible donations are welcomed. Moreover, the IRS will recognize tax-deductible charita-ble status retroactively to at least the date of application. Please contact me if you have questions about how to make a donation.

Kevin BaerChair, Lyon Park Community Center

A good looking group here, isn’t it?

Gives a whole new meaning to “BATTER UP!”

A hard job, but someone has to do it!


Doorways Update Kathleen McSweeneyThank you to many Lyon Parkers for supporting Doorways Third Annual Holiday Shopping Event at Crate & Barrel. In addition to being fun, it was a huge success with nearly 900 people attend-ing. The money raised at this and other events helps to offset the cost of opening the new Doorway’s home.

Please join me for champagne, an afternoon tea and a silent auction featuring more than 100 items, a lively live auction and entertainment at Doorways’ Annual Benefit Auction “Keys to the Future.” Sunday, April 6, 20082:00 PM - 4:30 PMWestin Arlington Gateway Hotel801 N. Glebe Road

All proceeds benefit Doorways’ shel-ters, services and programs. If you would like to donate something for our silent or live auction, including gift cer-tificates, services or items, please contact Kathleen McSweeney (703) 243-0323 or go to the Doorways web site, www.doorwaysva.org, and download an auction donation form.

WANT TO BE UNFORGETTABLE?Give your special someone a “SINGING VALENTINE”! It can’t be any easier—one phone call will complete your valentine shopping! For $50, a barbershop quartet from the award-winning Potomac Harmony Chorus, Sweet Adelines International, will present two love songs, a one- pound box of chocolates, and a personalized card. We deliver to your location of choice in the greater DC Met-ro area. For $20, a quartet will perform two songs over the tele-phone.You select two songs from the following:

•Blueberry Hill•Cuddle Up A Little Closer•I Don’t Know Why I Love You Like I Do•It Had To Be You•Let Me Call You Sweetheart

Order by February 10. Call now, (703) 764-3896, to sched-ule delivery for February 13 to 15.

For chorus information, visit www.potomacharmony.org

Tree Benefit Factoids (adapted from http://www.treelink.org/linx/factoid.php) Bill AnhutEnergy Efficiency

Tree windbreaks have been found to reduce residential heating costs by 10% to 15%, while shade and evapotranspirational cooling from trees have been found to reduce cooling costs by 20% to 50%.

On hot summer days, a tree can act as a natural "evaporative cooler" using up to 100 gallons of water daily and thus lowering the ambient temperature.

Computer simulations using standard building and tree configurations for cities across the U.S. indicate that shade from a single well-placed, mature tree (with about a 25 foot crown diameter) reduces annual air conditioning use 2% to 8% and peak cooling demand 2% to 10%.Human Health/Social Benefits

In laboratory research, visual exposure to settings with trees has produced significant recovery from stress within five minutes, as indicated by changes in blood pressure and muscle tension.

Researchers have found that in housing areas with more trees, rates of domestic violence are lower than in oth-erwise identical housing areas with few or no trees. Residents from buildings with trees reported using more con-structive, less violent ways of dealing with conflict in their homes.

Symptoms of children with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) are relieved after contact with nature: the greener the setting, the more the relief. By comparison, activities indoors such as watching TV, or outdoors in paved, non-green areas leave ADD children functioning worse.

Researchers report that girls with greener and more natural views at home had greater self discipline, were less impulsive and had better concentration. These traits led to better life decisions and better school performance.

A 1998 study found that the more trees and grass in the common spaces of inner-city neighborhoods, the more those spaces were used by residents. The study also found that, compared to residents living near barren spaces, those closer to green spaces enjoy more social activities, have more visitors, know more of their neighbors, and have stronger feelings of belonging. In other words, relationships between neighbors are made stronger simply through the presence of vegetation.Pollution Control

Trees, especially those with large leaf-surface areas, absorb and trap airborne dirt and chemical particles, such as nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and ozone. Trees reduce wind speed so that heavy particles settle out.

Trees and vegetation can form a barrier that partially deadens the sound from traffic, lawn mowers, and loud neighbors. Trees also create "background" noise of rustling leaves and wind through the branches that can help muffle other noises.

Trees can limit soil erosion by helping control storm-water flow. Fibrous root systems hold soil in place so that it is not washed away by rain or flowing water. Erosion can be especially severe at construction sites in urban areas. Research has found that while forested land can lose about 50 tons of soil per square mile per year, developing areas can lose 25,000 to 50,000 tons.

The canopy of a street tree absorbs rain, reducing the amount of water that will fall on pavement and then must be removed by a storm water drainage system. In one study, an 8-year old Cork Oak intercepted 27% of the gross rainfall. Savings are possible since cities can install surface water management systems that handle smaller amounts of runoff.

Trees canopies intercept and store precipitation, reducing storm water. Most annual pollutant wash off in urban areas comes during the first flush of storm events. Urban forests have been shown to be most effective at intercepting rainfall from the type of small, short duration storms often responsible for first flush flows.Property Value

Several studies have shown that the values of homes in neighborhoods with trees are higher than those of comparable neighbor-hoods without trees. In addition, neighborhood green spaces or greenways typically increase the value of properties located nearby.


Development Natalie RoyAbbey Road Property Group’s 2201 Pershing Drive project has consumed LPCA for a year. The Abbey Road proposal (“the proposal”) includes retail space and 188 residential units, and a request for a Unified Residential Development of two single-family houses on Bar-ton Street, where an asphalt parking lot is now. Any project requiring a zoning change, the County Board must approve a General land Use Plan (GLUP) change in addition to the site plan since the proposal differs from what currently exists on the site.

The process involves having the civic association and relevant commissions—Housing, Transportation, Planning and the Historical Af-fairs and Landmark Review Board—review the proposal. These entities subsequently send recommendations to the County Board for consideration. The County Board alone decides the fate of the proposal.

When developers ask for a major zoning changes, community groups with potential to be affected by the proposed development care-fully weigh the proposal’s impact. During the process, civic associations also can identify community benefits they want the developer to consider—parks, bike paths, traffic calming etc—that would enhance the overall proposal. This is what the LPCA did:

2007Lyon Park members and representatives from Abbey Road, County staff and the various Commissions reviewed all aspects of the pro-posal in six meetings over approximately six months. Stakeholder groups had an opportunity to weigh in, make comments and sugges-tions, and request additional data to evaluate the proposal’s pros and cons. In addition, the LPCA held five working group meetings, open to all residents, for those interested in details. The working group provided newsletter and listserv updates. Following this ex-haustive, informative process, the LPCA scheduled a discussion and vote on the proposal at the October monthly meeting.

October 10: The LCPA voted to support the proposal provided it (1) be less dense; (2) include open green space (a park); and (3) ad-here to County parking requirements. The meeting at the Community Center was one of the largest and liveliest in recent times, and covered many issues including the building’s historical preservation aspects and VDOT’s support for a dedicated right hand turn lane from Arlington Boulevard onto Pershing.

October: The Arlington Historical Affair and Landmark Review Board (HALRB) issued a position letter indicating the Lee Shopping Cen-ter buildings have historical significance. HALRB did not support demolishing the buildings, and urged the develop-er to save the facades and incorporate them into the new buildings. The LPCA considered this at its October meeting but voted not to include it as a condition in the final resolution.

October 25: The Transportation Commission reviewed the proposal and deferred its decision. They asked the de-veloper to look at several issues including concerns with insufficient retail parking and contingency plans if VDOT does not approve intersection redesign.

November 13: The County Board deferred consideration of the GLUP and site plan until the December 15 County Board meeting and associated Planning Commission meeting.

December 15: County Board deferred consideration until January 26, 2008.

December 18: The LCPA Workgroup met with the developer to discuss outstanding issues. The developer explained among the County’s demands is increased affordable housing units. As a result, Abbey Road increased the number of residential units to 188, cre-ating eight additional affordable housing units from existing space. Other than parking, the developer made no progress toward the oth-er two conditions outlined in the LPCA resolution.

2008January 10: The Transportation Commission recommended 5-1 with two abstentions that the County Board not approve the GLUP change for the project. The reasons: density, lack of transit and the concern that the GLUP process did not involve all affected stake-holders. Following the vote, the Commission adopted a subsequent motion: that in the event the County Board approved the GLUP, the site plan include a contingency plan if VDOT withdrew its intersection plans.

January 16: The Planning Commission recommended 7-3 that the County Board deny the GLUP change and site plan approval. Fifteen people (including Lyon Park community members, three past Lyon Park Civic Association Presidents—a fourth former President is a PC member—and the current property owner) offered public comments.

January 17: The Housing Commission unanimously approved the project based on the proposed affordable housing units. They dis-cussed the applicant's request to provide affordable housing offsite rather than on the property. Abbey Road revised its site plan condi-tions for the County Board hearing.

January 26: The County Board voted 3-2 to give Abbey Road a GLUP change for their proposal to build 188 residential units with retail on 2201 Pershing Drive. The site plan was also approved with certain modifications. More details in the next newsletter.

Wrap up/Conclusion: Only one of the LPCA’s three conditions were met. Many LP residents will be thrilled that there will be something new built to replace an old site that was poorly maintained by the current property owner. However the take away message from the County Board, as far as I am concerned is, "Neighborhood groups are irrelevant." The other message from yesterday's vote: If property owners treat their properties badly enough they will succeed in angering neighborhoods where those sites are located enough to lobby for major rezoning changes. This will result in windfalls for slumlords.


Arlington County Red CrossMarch Mania Basketball Tournament

Thomas Jefferson Community Center3501 2nd Street S. Arlington, VA 22204

(703) 228-5920

March 8, 2008Free Admission

8 AM – 5 PM

This event raises money for and awareness of Arlington County Red Cross Disaster Relief Operations.

Walter Tejada, Chair, Arlington County Board and honorary March Mania committee Chair will be in attendance.

SINGERS WANTED! Potomac Harmony Chorus, Sweet Ade-lines International, is looking for women over the age of 13 from all walks of life who like to sing. We provide the opportuni-ty for women in the Washington D.C. met-ropolitan area to de-velop their vocal and

leadership skills through education and performance. Members re-side in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Virginia. Come visit us and learn more about us. For more information, directions, and specific rehearsal dates, go to www.potomacharmony.org or email us at [email protected].

IBIS ConcertOn February 22 the IBIS Chamber Music Society will present their "Out of Bounds" string quartet program, in which both players and audience stretch their concept of what a string quartet can do. The program will include "4 For Tango" by Astor Piazzolla, and works of Dave Brubeck, Duke Ellington, Cole Porter, and David Balikrishnan of the Turtle Island String Quartet. And just for fun, we'll throw in a little Alban Berg, Stephane Grapelli, Django Reinhardt and Franz Liszt! Don't miss this unusual evening of music making.

The concert starts at 7:30 PM at the Lyon Park Community Center, will run about an hour and a half, and is suitable for older children. We hope you'll come say hello at a post concert reception. IBIS con-certs have no admission charge, but a goodwill donation helps us keep presenting this excellent music to the community. For more information, call (703)527-3960, email us at [email protected], or visit our website at www.ibischambermusic.org.

Arlington Home Improvements LLC

• Licensed, Bonded, Insured• 1 story additions• Accessory Structures with guest quarters• Your project, your design• Excellent Lyon Park references• Ten + years experience building

When it’s too much for the handyman and too small for the big general contractor.

voice: 703-465-8019

fax: 703-528-7112

email: [email protected]

Experience matters

John Waters


Annual Holiday Party Renee Gutshall The annual holiday party held in Decem-ber offered more than 60 children of Lyon Park the opportunity to meet personally with Santa before Christmas. Hopefully you saw the great collection of photos from the event in last month's newsletter. This month we want to thank all of the people who made this event happen, and to all of the bakers of those great cookies. Thank you to the following individuals for all of their hard work in putting together the Lyon Park Holiday Party: Elizabeth Wray, Janine and Robert Velas-co, Renee and Erik Gutshall, Beth and Lance Jackson, Cristi-

na Zarate-Byers, Nancy Benton and Pe-ter Nelson, Mali Nelson, Sophie Snyder and their friends for leading the songs and Philip Zane and Denise Wydra.

And a special thank you to Bob Olson for serving as Santa, and his grandson for being our elf. We really appreciate Bob's continued service to the children of Lyon Park!

Pancake BreakfastThe first annual Lyon Park Pancake Breakfast took place on Saturday, January 19. More than 100 neighbors con-sumed in excess of 300 pancakes, 200 sausages, 1 gallon of real maple syrup, 90 cups of coffee, 3 gallons of orange juice and two gallons of hot chocolate. The company was great. The event raised $450 for the community center.

Many people came together to make the event memora-ble. Ben Pearl coordinated the breakfast, along with Shir-ley Larson as the "go-to" person on all the details on how to have a booming Lyon Park event. Sara was in the kitchen Friday night, cooking 20 pounds of sausage. (We know that the smoke detectors work!) Gary was in the kitchen way before dawn, mixing 20 pounds of pancake mix. Thank you to the following volunteers, who flipped pancakes, served, made hot chocolate, and most impor-tant, cleaned up: Sara Allen, Sabrina Day, Josh Feira, John Fiske, Judy Hafner, Lowell Larson, Josh Lewis, Anne Low, Jill Marshall, Trish and Mark Montgomery, Katie and Ron Pegoraro, Gary Putnam, Mary Margaret Schoenfeld and Erik Vandemeulebroecke.

Pursue Fitness!

Integrated Strength Training at a new, more convenient time! Tuesdays and Thursdays

4:30pm to 5:30pmLyon Park Community Center

Sessions are ON-GOING

Use dumbbells, fitness balls, and dynabands, and incorporate weight training, yoga and pilates for a total body workout.

Please join our highly motivated, supportive group of participants. Drop in @ $10.00 per class or enroll at reduced rate.

All fitness levels welcomed and challenged. Bring a thick mat, fitness ball (45 to 65cm size based on your

height); andfree weights (dumbbells and optional ankle weights).

Catherine Ferguson, CSCS, Fitness Pursuits, Inc.

703/522-0301 or email: [email protected]

ATTENTION TEEN ADVERTISERS!

If you wish to advertise, and haven’t registered, please contact the editors before the 20th of the

month..

LPCA does not endorse or investigate advertised services or products. We assume no responsibility

for ad accuracy or services/ products provided.

Light Tree Work & General Yard Work: call Kurt, 629-1639.Pet Sitter extraordinaire Carolyn Grahn, 11, will take care of all of your pets! Experienced caring for dogs, cats, birds, and various rodents. 243-9212Violin Lessons for elementary school students: call Jackie Anhut, 528-3665.Violin Lessons from prize-winning violinist for students of all ages and skill. Thomas Moran, 351-7852.

GET SOMEONE'S ATTENTION! The Citizen is hand delivered to 1900 households each month. The Citizen’s classified ads are free for industrious teens (babysitters, leaf rakers, snow shovelers) who need cash or have nagging parents. All others pay $10.00 for 20 words. Use area code 703 un-less otherwise noted.Babysitting Alyse Alicandro, 16, Red Cross and CPRcertified, experienced with infants 528-1995.Jackie Anhut, 17, Red Cross certified, 528-3665.Liza Gibbs, 14, Red Cross certified, 350-2911Katie Menoche, 15, Red Cross and CPR certified, 243-3823Stephen Moran, 14, Red Cross certified, 351-7852.Thomas Moran, 18, Red Cross certified, 351-7852.Riley Shepardson, 15, Red Cross certified, CPR certified, no infants, 525-6834.Miscellaneous ServicesGrass Cutting: call Clinton James, 16, 525-7948.


Experienced adult babysitters, 25, available evenings and weekends. References available. To reach Caroline or Stephanie, call (920) 385-8811 or E-mail [email protected].


Lyon Park Community HouseMonday - Friday 8 AM to 5:30 PM $ 25.00/hourMonday - Thursday 6 - 10 PM Members $ 80.00 Non-Members $100.00

Weekends/HolidaysSaturday Morning Kids Birthday Party

under 10 years old up to 4 hrs ending before 2:30 PM

*Special Flat Rate $100Half Day (8 AM - 2:30 PM or 3:30 - 10 PM)

Members $250.00 Non Members $400.00

Full Day 8 AM - 10 PM Members $400.00

Non-Members $550.00Member rates apply only to current LPCA members.www.lyonpark.info, [email protected], or (703)527-9520 for availability/reservations

Antonio F. Rodriquez

Call (703) 731-6809

Numerous excellent references Available from within the Lyon Park Community

There’s Nothing Like Hot Bread!Last month’s contest offered contestants that chance to win a loaf of homemade bread. The newsletter was barely delivered when we had three winners.

Lynn Alsmeyer-Johnson won a loaf of rye bread with caraway seeds. It was a big, tall, fluffy, aromatic loaf. She shared with her church group.

Brevin Balfrey-Boyd asked for a loaf with grain. He was very ex-cited about winning, and received a puffy loaf of wheat-walnut bread.

Hope Mathias responded quickly, and the baker knew from previ-ous contests that the Mathias household is a mixed family: some like nuts, others don’t. She received half-sized loaves of butter-milk and wheat-walnut breads.

March Madness Classified Ad BonanzaYes, I would like to advertise at at rate of $4 for 20 words (and $4 for every additional 20 words or part thereof). Please place my ad in the following section:

For sale WantedEmploymentPersonals Free to a good home Wildcard category! Call my special

Section: _________________________________

Add extras for me at $1 per extra

Add a picture for an extra $2 (please E-mail the picture to [email protected])

Drop this form and payment at the Community Center, or e-mail your requirements to [email protected] and she’ll arrange payment pick-up.

Buy two!They’re small!

Febuary 2008 The Lyon Park Citizen www.lyonpark.org page 13

Mark you

r

calenda

r!Don’t forget!

Annual Chili Dinner Saturday

March 8, 5:30 – 7:30 P.M. All you can eat salad, cornbread, cheese, onions, iced tea and lemonade.

You may BYOB.

Adults: $10Kids 12 and under: $5

Little ones under age 5: $1

Chili Cook-Off: Something’s Got to Change!Each year, attendees vote for the best and hottest chilis. In 2005, the best chili award went to Kim Franklin,

with her Drunken Chicken Chili. The hottest chili—initially an anonymous entry—was Colorado (Mexican) Chili. We later found out it was none other than Gary Putnam. Now memorize these names before reading further!

In 2006, Garry Putman’s New Mexican Green chili won best chili by a nose. Ashton Heights resident Jim Terpstra’s Texas Grudge Match took hottest. Another name to memorize. Fast forward to 2007, Mark and Tricia Montgomery

won hands down for the best chili with "Sweet Heat.” Again Jim Terpstra’s Texas Grudge Match took hottest.What’s your best chili?

Come out and challenge these neighbors, or just eat and judge for yourself.

Kevin Love & Jonathan Prove“We cover Arlington like nobody.”

ReMax Allegiance703-807-1986 Direct703-522-1940 Office

LOVEKEVIN

Allegiance

FOR S

ALE

OPEN SUNDAY

Febr

uary

10, 1

-4 PM

Considering Selling your home?

Call us today for a free Market Analysis!

Offered at $750,000815 North Daniel StreetArlington, Virginia 22201

$800,0003BR & 3BAs

3001 N 2nd RoadArlington, Virginia 22201

Join or renew your membership in the Lyon Park Citizens’ Association

Your $10 is an investment in the community! You may also “Renew for 2” years @ $20

LPCA Constitution, Article II, Membership: Membership in the Association shall be open to all persons eighteen years of age or older who either

own or lease a residence within the boundariesof the Association. Each person eligible for membership may have full

voting privileges as long as his/her household is current in its dues.

Clip out & return the form below, or

You may also join or renew your membership in person at any regular monthly meeting

Not sure if you're paid for the new year? Contact Melissa Bondi, Membership chair, at [email protected].

PLEASE PAY YOUR LPCA DUESMembership supports many activities. Please complete this form and send it with your check payable to LPCA to Membership, 414 N. Fillmore Street, Arlington, VA 22201.

New member $10 Renewal $10 Renew for two years! $20

Hint: Use a return address label here Name________________________________________

Address______________________________________

Home phone__________________________________

E-mail________________ Add me to the Lyon Park listserv

COMMUNITY INTERESTS: Check all that apply

Annual Craft Fair



Long Branch News Celia SlaterLong Branch Earns VIP Competence to Excellence AwardLong Branch has won the State Board of Education’s VIP Compe-tence to Excellence Award. It recognizes schools and districts that met all state and federal benchmarks for at least two consecu-tive years and are making progress toward VIP objectives (goals that Governor Kaine and the State Board of Education established last year). Congratulations to the teachers, students and staff!

Upcoming DatesEnd of February: Book Swap. Designed to celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday, this event offers families the chance to donate books so each child will be able to select a book to take home.March 6-7:Parent-Teacher Conferences and Luncheons. No school for students; parents are needed to help.March 29: Long Branch Auction. Contact Allison Gurnitz, (703) 841-9292 to donate or volunteer.

School Boundary Changes: Arlington Families ConcernedOvercrowding has been an ongoing challenge in some North Arlington’s elementary schools. (Long Branch is not one of them.)

Last summer Arlington Public Schools established an Elementary Crowding and Capacity Committee that included representatives from all County elementary schools. After seven months of much deliberation and compromise, the committee developed its recom-mendations. With the support of more than 60% of Arlington schools, the committee suggested solutions that used limited boundary changes only when non-boundary actions would be in-sufficient. Unfortunately, School Superintendent Robert G. Smith ignored these suggestions and developed his own plan that pro-poses to move more than 625 students using boundary adjust-ments and program changes. All but three elementary schools in the County would be affected. The proposal would move 30 stu-dents out of Long Branch and add 59 students from other schools to Long Branch.

Families from all over Arlington are concerned about this process—and the Superintendent’s proposed solutions. School Board meetings have been overflowing.

The Long Branch PTA has developed a web site with information on the process and an on-line petition that individuals can sign to register their concern: http://supportlongbranch.org/petition. Hun-dreds of people from all over the County have already signed. Your support would be much appreciated.

For additional information, visit www.apsva.us and click on the “Boundaries, Enrollment and Capacity Issues” section.

Readership Survey: Win Dinner!Could we entice you to take a few moments to answer a few questions about our newsletter? Complete this survey and mail it to Newsletter Editors, Lyon Park Community Center, 414 N. Fillmore Street, Arlington, VA 22201, or walk over and drop it in the mail slot when you come to the Chili Dinner. 1. How often do you read The Lyon Park Citizen?

2. About how much time do you spend reading The Lyon Park Citizen each month?

3. In general, do you find The Lyon Park Citizen a "good read"?

4. If you’ve read these types of articles, please rate them (5 = great -- 0 = poor)._____President’s Message _____LPCA meeting minutes _____Long Branch/Jefferson school news _____Tree Hugger _____Doorways Updates_____Articles on County rules and regulations_____Read My Lips_____Announcements about Community Center events _____Pictures from the community_____Classified advertising_____Contests

5. What has your favorite article been recently, and why?

6. Please briefly describe the types of articles or features that you would like to find in The Lyon Park Citizen in the future.

7. Have you ever forwarded to or shared The Lyon Park Citizen with anyone else?

Use the space below to tell us any other suggestions that you may have about improving our Newsletter in the coming year.

8. Which statement or statements best describes your feelings about the advertising included in The Lyon Park Citizen? (check all that apply)_____ I think there is too much advertising._____ I think there is too little advertising._____ I visit business or employ vendors who advertise in the Lyon Park Citizen._____ I tell businesses and vendors when I see their ads in the Lyon Park Citizen._____ I know that advertising helps pay for this newsletter.

Thank you for sharing with us your time and opinions.


Wendell E. Brown, CFP703-524-9346

[email protected] North Fillmore Street

Arlington, VA 22201

TAX RETURNS PREPARED

Jefferson Middle School Sharon Monde Now that the final sixth grade orientation meeting has concluded, I would like to thank parents who took time from their busy schedules to visit our school. The presentations went smoothly and questions about differences at middle schools were very appropriate. I hope that you left Jefferson with information that would help you to make an informed decision about the education of your child.

For parents who are currently with us, please be advised that Swim-ming is about to begin. Practice starts February 4. Every student participating must have a current physical on file with our nurse.

Report cards will be issued on February 4. Attached to your child's report card will be two things. The first is a letter from the school system with information about the census document that is being mailed to each family in late February. The second is a two question survey about Middle School Conference Days. As the 2008-2009 APS Calendar is being prepared for School Board approval, input on this matter is being requested.

Thank you for your continued support.

Sharon G. Monde , Principal Thomas Jefferson Middle School (703) 228-5900 [email protected]

See Page 1 for information on completing this survey by E-mail


Check Out Our Newly Designed Website!

www.BuckRealtors.com

Visit Our Office In Clarendon Today! 2519 Wilson Blvd.

Arlington, VA 22201 703.528.2288

[email protected]


Tender Roots is accepting applicants for the 2008-2009 school year. Tender Roots provides an engaging environment for one and two year old children, while in the security of their parent/caregiver. Teachers guide the day, while also giving support to parents. Tender Roots, a place where neighborhood friendships take root. For further information and to schedule a visit, please e-mail [email protected].

Read My Lips:A Column Addressing Sensitive IssuesIt’s SOOOO annoying when the neighbors have rats. If you think that Lyon Park is more of a mouse kind of place, and rats are—well, ghetto—guess again! Many Lyon Park residents are appalled when they realize that those unex-plained holes in their Eagle carts are rat holes. Arlington County hosts quite a population of Nor-way or Norwegian rats, mainly because on-going construction and ample harborage keeps them reproducing. They can reproduce every 21 to 23 days in litters of two to 14 young, averaging seven or eight. They generally live two years. Although they prefer the ground, these rats are skilled climbers and can navigate tele-phone wires from one building to another. They are reservoirs of bu-bonic plague (transmitted to man by the bite of a flea or other insect), endemic typhus fever, ratbite fever, and a few other frightening diseas-es. Infestations persist until everyone works together to eliminate food, water, and shelter sources.

If your neighbors have rats, you probably do, too!

Rats live in many places (called “harborage”)—areas where garbage has accumulated, abandoned cars and appliances, holes, behind cup-boards or in crawl spaces. Their ubiquitous food preferences mean that if you have an unattended compost heap (especially if you put meat, fish or dairy in it), fail to clean up after your dog, leave pet food out cafeteria style, or fail to secure your Eagle cards, you’ve hung out a welcome sign for rodents! Once they enter your house, watch it—they gnaw through everything.

You can call Arlington’s Rodent Control Office if you suspect your area has rodents and rodent harborage. They may: 1) survey to identify rodent activity and rodent harborage, 2) enforce laws related to rodent activity and rodent harborage, 3) educate your community on reducing food sources and harborage, and 4) exterminate rodents on public property and clean afterwards. Exterminating rats on private property is a property owner responsibili-ty, although the County will give guidance if you ask.

Arlington recommends trapping these scoundrels using large, simple, cheap wooden "snap traps" baited with pieces of apple, potato, raw bacon, or with peanut butter spread on a cotton ball. They must be firmly affixed to the ground or a solid place—mad rats will otherwise drag the trap away. Trapping is useless if you don’t use procedures to prevent reinfestation. Rodent baits shouldn’t be used alone; they are only effective if used to supplement prevention and traps. Keep baiting/trapping continuously until the problem is under control. For more information, go to the Arlington County web site and search using the search term “rats.” (The link is simply too long to reproduce!)

Still feel like rats are a “not in my backyard” phenomena? The problem is so prevalent, the County has a designated line for assistance or in-formation on controlling rats or mice or to report rodent harborage on the exterior premise of a commercial or residential property. Easy to remember, even:

703-228-7RAT (703-228-7728)


Neighbor Spotlight: Pamela MarconVolunteering for Lyon Park brings many benefits. One of them is meeting people about whom you’ve wondered, like Pamela Marcon.

Born in Takoma Park, Pam’s been painting since 1972, and a Lyon Park resident since 1976. She prefers acrylics, but sometimes uses a top coat of oil. And, she paints anything: canvas, furniture, walls, pans, saws, cement floors. If it stands still, she’ll paint it with a mural or faux finish. She’s good—Raytheon Corporation commissioned 121 of her paintings for an installation.

In 1994, she took a break from Lyon Park, and moved to Front Royal Virginia to operate the family campground. Imagine sitting and paint-ing, watching the news about beltway traffic from afar, supported by fees people gladly handed over to park in your backyard! Pam lived in a cabin on 13 acres of the most beautiful landscape imaginable: Gooney Creek. She showed her art in her Gooney Creek Gallery for 15 months.

One morning in June 1995, a wall of water came down the mountain. On top of the mountain, it had rained 12 inches over 8 hours, but they had only slightly more than an inch at the bottom. All of Pam’s paint-ings and belongings floated away in the flash flood water, and she was simply grateful to survive. “My largest show is still at the bottom of the Shenandoah River,” she says.

Most artisans have “survival jobs” to pay the bills, and Pam’s is bar-tending. She returned to Lyon Park to regroup, and worked at Whitey’s for a bit while developing a patent for the Personal Survival Vestpac—something she could have used in the great deluge. She patented it in 2001, and it’s in the research and development stage.

She lost her last job in August when Stars and Stripes on 23rd Street changed owners and demographics. She bravely decided to do what she loves….full time!

A member of the Delray Artisans, she is busy. In the future, her painting will be hung in select buildings in New Orleans for Katrina survivors. She’s participated in numerous art shows, and is currently working on a T-shirt design for the Arlington Historic Society. She hopes to coordinate a multi-artist show at the community center this spring.

Why have I wondered about Pam? I’ve walked or driven by Pam’s house for years. It’s one of those places that you just know is the home of an interesting person. The story behind her unusual house is that in 1997, she had a computer crash that lasted two weeks. Out of frustration, she started to paint the house....... not with a big paint house-painting brush, but with her little picture-painting brush. It all just happened. She hopes to renew the murals’ "glow" this spring. Here’s a picture of her 2nd Road house, so you’ll put a name with a house.


Lyon Park Citizen · 2017. 9. 6. · Page 2 The Lyon Park Citizen February 2008 The Lyon Park Citizen The Lyon Park Citizens Association 414 N. Fillmore St. Arlington, VA 22201 LPCA

Documents