see wonders in Miracles' windows

Rosslyn hair salon Miracles has an outstanding window display of vintage jewelry and accessories.  While enjoying a stroll about lovely Rosslyn, don't forget to look into the windows at Miracles (near the corner of Wilson & N. Oak St.).  What's on display is continually changing.  That's true of Rosslyn more generally.  Walk outside and look around!

VDOT disrespecting Rosslyn

While the new digital traffic sign installed right next to the Westmoreland Pedestrian Overpass will help drivers to avoid mistakes, the sign wasn't installed with proper respect for Rosslyn's beauty.  The sign blocks a glorious view of Rosslyn.

This traffic sign should have been placed about two feet lower, at the concrete level of the overpass.  The Ode Street Tribune's investigative journalist speculates that these signs are designed to have a standard height.  The sign designer should have recognized that Rosslyn is special and installed the sign with due respect for Rosslyn's beauty.  All patriotic and red-blooded residents should ask VDOT to reduce the height of the sign.  Contact VDOT's Northern Virigina District Office at 703-383-VDOT or novainfo@vdot.virginia.gov  

excellent view of nature at Westmoreland

Nine months after the tragic deaths of two mating hawks at the historically important Westmoreland Terrace Condominiums, birds have returned to happy nesting there.  A pair has built a nest right on the window ledge of a bathroom window in Building 1309.  Residents of that apartment now have a bird's eye view on raising a family.  With the window shade up, the birds will have a clear view of what's going on in the bathroom.  Given this close family setting and the upcoming presence of very young birds, let's hope that all parties behave with modesty and discretion.

Sunday's video

Elvis at Bike to Work Day Rosslyn pit stop

Elvis Presley, allegedly dead for over 35 years, and Michael Jackson, also thought to be dead, showed up on unicycles at the massive Rosslyn pit stop for this past Friday's Bike to Work Day.  Even being dead is not an excuse for not biking to work.  If Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson are now biking to work through Rosslyn, why aren't you?

County Board Chair Walter Tejada rode his bike to the Rosslyn pit stop.  Arlington County police officers were also there on bikes.  Leading local bicycle advocate Bob Cannon rode his bike to the Rosslyn pit stop, worked as a volunteer at the event, and then rode his bike to work.  The Ode Street Tribune's investigative journalist sliced through the massive traffic jam in Rosslyn to arrive quickly at his reporting assignment at the Rosslyn pit stop.  Getting on your bike is the way to go.

global dance party this Saturday night at Artisphere

If you missed the ice beats and breakdancing of KLP & Backpack Jax at Artisphere tonight, you're down some coolness points.  But the game isn't over.  Everyone cool enough to be boarding the freezing edge will be chilling at Artisphere this Saturday night for THE global dance party.  It will feature Togolese Afro-pop super-group Elikeh headed by local sensation Massama Dogo.  Artisphere will also be shaking to the rhythms of Rex Riddem, Mustafa Akbar, and Ashish “Hash” Vyas in the
ragga-soul electro-funk ensemble Nappy Riddem. The show also includes melodies of East European brass bands made local by the nine-piece group Black Masala. Black Masala members have played with Thievery Corporation, See-I, Yamamonem Jazz Band, Yellow Dubmarine and Bellflur.  Don't miss THE global dance party this Saturday night at Artisphere!

vintage police cars at the Rosslyn Iwo Jima Best Western

President Barack Obama, who lives close to Rosslyn, has officially proclaimed this week to be Police Week in Rosslyn and across the U.S.  Police Week has brought a large contingent of vintage police cars to Rosslyn's renowned Iwo Jima Best Western.  You may fondly remember police cars like these back from the days when you got your first traffic ticket.

If you were a fan of CHiPSs, you will be delighted to see a vintage California Highway Patrol SUV now parked at the Rosslyn Iwo Jima Best Western.  The Tribune's investigate journalist speculates that a CHP vintage motorcycle may also be seen there sometime during this week.

The main Arlington County police station is officially located in Rosslyn's Radnor/Ft. Myer Heights neighborhood.   It is thus particularly appropriate that Rosslyn should have a prominent position in the celebration of Police Week.

The chainsaw massacre at Hillside Park and the home destruction near Key Bridge have made some residents fearful.  But keep in mind that Rosslyn has an outstanding District 2 neighborhood police team headed by Captain Andy Penn.  Captain Penn has served in the Arlington County Police Department for more than two decades.  Be grateful for his service and the service of his District 2 team.  Have confidence in it, and fear not.

Update: More vintage police car photos, courtesy of very friendly Rosslyn Iwo Jima Best Western staff member Antonio Velasco.

 

Rosslyn rural craft mansion demolished

With years of hard work, a homeless man built an incredible rural craft mansion in Rosslyn.  This custom-designed home was located near Key Bridge, in the wild lands just north of the multi-user path near where it crosses over Rt. 66.  It measured about 150 ft by 150ft.  A large number of dead branches were lashed together to form walls and rooms.  Each branch was unique in its natural form and gleamed with the shine of naturally aged wood.  Those walls were further decorated with bits of colored twine and colored paper.   Todd Martin, a resident of Rosslyn's historically important Westmoreland Terrace Condominiums, stated: “Every day there would be something new, garbage or branches, wood vines. It was pretty remarkable.” This rural craft mansion was a tribute to Rosslyn's emerging leadership in technology and design.  It was also a homeless shelter for the one homeless man who built it.

Rosslyn-based WJLA reports that this homeless shelter has been demolished.  Apparently the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) received some complaints from passers-by who feared that it might be a haven for crime.  We have nothing to fear but fear itself.  Nonetheless, VDOT responded by bulldozing the mansion and hauling away the resulting wreckage with dump trucks.  This is a sad day for Rosslyn.

The Ode Street Tribune was aware of this neighborhood marvel.  The Tribune decided not to report on it.  The Tribune feared that a story would attract even more tour buses to Rosslyn.  Noise from tour buses has been a concern for Rosslyn residents. The Tribune was also concerned that gawking tourists would infringe on the homeless man's privacy and distract him from building an even greater home.  In retrospect, the Tribune's editorial judgment may have been wrong.  If more persons had seen that incredible home, VDOT might not have been able to get away with destroying it.