Even from the outskirts of Rosslyn here at Westmoreland, you can walk to Georgetown's multi-sport field in about a half-hour. There you can watch some national-caliber lacrosse for a mere $10 entry fee. This Wednesday it was Georgetown v. Harvard. The video below provides game highlights with expert prognostication and commentary. But of course, nothing is better than watching the game in high-definition, surround-sound, 3D reality right here in our neighborhood.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
fake explosion Wed. at Key Bridge
A message apparently from the Office of Public Affairs for the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments:
For the filming of a TV pilot, there will be a simulated explosion on Wednesday, March 25 between 9:30 a.m. and noon near Key Bridge in the District. The explosion will produce a 20 to 30' fireball that will last for approximately 2 minutes.I received emails with the above message from sources that I deem credible. The notice, however, does not seem to posted among the Metropolitan Council of Governments' press releases or any other place directly connected to the issuing authority. That's not good, in my blog-journalistic opinion. This sort of information is worth disseminating in a way that enhances its credibility.
Please pass along this information to others appropriate. The Department of Homeland Security and D.C. Police and Fire departments have been notified, along with the Washington Airports Authority. The Virginia State Patrol and Arlington Police Department will be contacted. If you have additional questions, contact Kathy Hollinger or Burt Warner with the DC Film Office at 202-727-6608.
The explosion will take place on the Potomac River just north of the Key Bridge and Jack's Boathouse (K / Water Street, NW under the Whitehurst Freeway). In the scene to be filmed, there will be six (6) sculling boats on the Potomac River and one of them blows up.
CBS Paramount television is filming a pilot titled "Washington Field." This is a new television series about the elite Washington field office of the FBI and a team of agents with exceptional and diverse skills who are called together for only the most critical cases.
March Westmoreland Condo Board meeting
The Westmoreland Terrace Condo Board meeting for March was on Monday, March 23, in the condo office. Among the items discussed:
- A letter about the upcoming Fios installation was sent to all residents.
- The Board approved raising condo fees by 10%. Condo fees are projected to increase by 10% for the next ten years to cover the cost of facade work and roof repairs.
- The Board approved facade work to start on June 1 on 1315 N. Ode. Estimated cost is $95,941. Facade work, to be done by Culbertson Co. of Virginia, should take no more than three months.
- Bids for the roof repair should arrive by mid-April.
- The Board approved an audit of the condo association's finances. The audit is available for inspection in the condo manager's office. Alternatively, contact property manager Dennis Freeman for a copy.
- Clayton describes his success in retro-fitting a Blomberg dishwasher, from United Appliance Distributors, into the space that the original Modern Maid dishwasher occupies. Details to follow in a separate post.
- The condo association's annual meeting is next month, April 27. The condo association's budget for the coming year will be distributed by mail prior to the meeting. Elections for Board positions will take place at the meeting. Show some interest in the place where you live and attend this meeting.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Gulf Branch Nature Center video celebration
If you've never been to the Gulf Branch Nature Center, you must visit this place. Since it's scheduled for demolition, visiting sooner rather than later might be more rewarding. I hope that the video below gives you some sense of the Nature Center's charms.
The Nature Center has a wonderfully quirky, small-scale, humane feel. The Nature Center contains about ten animals. One is a large owl, called only "Mr. Owl", because it's not a pet. An informational sign explains how the Nature Center came to house Mr. Owl:
My favorite exhibit in the Nature Center is the dugout canoe. An informational sign describes what makes the dugout canoe universally great:
For information on how to help to save the Gulf Branch Nature Center, see savegulfbranch.com
The Nature Center has a wonderfully quirky, small-scale, humane feel. The Nature Center contains about ten animals. One is a large owl, called only "Mr. Owl", because it's not a pet. An informational sign explains how the Nature Center came to house Mr. Owl:
Our Barred Owl was found in Fredericksburg, Virginia, on May 15, 2006 with a broken right wing. We do not know what caused the injury. It was taken to a veterinarian and then to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, who cared for the bird while its wing healed. Because the wing break has healed in such a way that it cannot fly, the owl no longer has the ability to survive in the wild. The nature center has made the commitment to care for the owl.Among its animals is also a South African lizard. A sign titled "Why do you have a South African lizard on exhibit?" explains:
This animal used to be someone's pet . Either the owners decided they didn't want the lizard any longer and released it outside, or the lizard escaped from its enclosure and got outside on its own. In September of 1989 we received a phone call from a neighbor reporting a "very large lizard" in their backyard. The case of transporting wild animals picked-up as "pets" and the availability of exotic animals through the pet trade makes reports of this kind much more common than most people expect. Usually we only exhibit animals native to Virginia. However, the Plated Lizard [the South African lizard] in this tank is helping us to teach a valuable lesson.The Nature Center might also help you get over a fear or hatred of snakes. It displays various Arlington-native snakes, some of which helpfully reduce rodent populations. The only poisonous snake that lives in Arlington, the copperhead rattlesnake, lives only in a small area of Arlington. The Nature Center displays allows you to find out what it looks like.
When non-native animals get loose in the wild the result is almost always bad. ... Never transport wild animals out of their native habitat. Never release non-native animals into the wild. Always get permission before releasing any plant or animal in the park.
My favorite exhibit in the Nature Center is the dugout canoe. An informational sign describes what makes the dugout canoe universally great:
The canoe on display was made by nature center staff using modern tools. At the very end of the process the traditional burning and scraping methods were used. When the canoe was finished, it was taken to the Potomac River for a test sail. It sank! Despite all of our modern advantages, we were unsuccessful in making a canoe that would float.Failure is part of life. It's not necessarily a cause for shame or embarrassment. If the Nature Center teaches just this to children and adults, it's as valuable as any school in Arlington.
For information on how to help to save the Gulf Branch Nature Center, see savegulfbranch.com
Berlin Wall remains
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
demolishing Gulf Branch Nature Center
The economic downturn has led to a reduction in Arlington County's budget. Among other measures to reduce expenditure, County Manager Ron Carlee has proposed closing and demolishing the Gulf Branch Nature Center. The Nature Center is off Military Road in North Arlington. The Nature Center highlights one of Arlington's few remaining forested areas.
Some residents are organizing to try to save Gulf Branch Nature Center. Persons who want to address the Board about this issue should sign up to speak at the Board Meeting on Tuesday, March 24, and Wednesday, March 25, at 7pm.
I prefer that the Gulf Branch Nature Center be preserved. How about some good ideas for alternative ways to cut County expenditure or to fund the Nature Center? For extensive coverage and some discussion, check out the Buckingham Herald Tribblog.
Some residents are organizing to try to save Gulf Branch Nature Center. Persons who want to address the Board about this issue should sign up to speak at the Board Meeting on Tuesday, March 24, and Wednesday, March 25, at 7pm.
I prefer that the Gulf Branch Nature Center be preserved. How about some good ideas for alternative ways to cut County expenditure or to fund the Nature Center? For extensive coverage and some discussion, check out the Buckingham Herald Tribblog.
free movies Monday nights in Rosslyn
Free movies in Rosslyn on coming Monday nights. Show time 6pm at the Dome Theater, 1101 Wilson Boulevard. Schedule: Mar. 23, Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981); March 30, Splash (1984); April 12, Stand By Me (1987); April 20, Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988); April 27, Uncle Buck (1989).
Following last year's highly engaging James Bond 007 Film Festival, an “I love the 80s” Film Festival will run Fridays at Gateway Park from May 1 – September 4, 2009.
Following last year's highly engaging James Bond 007 Film Festival, an “I love the 80s” Film Festival will run Fridays at Gateway Park from May 1 – September 4, 2009.
will Central Place rise?
Peter Fallon, chairman of the Arlington County Planning Commission, noted at this past February's RAFOM meeting that applications to the Planning Commission have slowed down considerably. He didn't say anything about whether the Central Place project is going forward. A developer has up to three years to execute an approved site plan before having to ask for an extension. As far as I know, Central Place is still going forward. Check out this model of Rosslyn's future.
Here's the present. This is where Tom Sarris' Orleans House used to be.
No more digging burgers at Burger King.
For how much longer will Rosslyn's underworld be showing?
Here's the present. This is where Tom Sarris' Orleans House used to be.
No more digging burgers at Burger King.
For how much longer will Rosslyn's underworld be showing?
Sunday, March 8, 2009
wall of blue sky
In Rosslyn, you can walk from the corner of Fairfax Dr. and Fort Myer Drive to the corner of N. Oak St. and Key Blvd by staying above at least one street-level. Take this fantastic journey, and you'll probably come across this piece of blue sky. Do it soon, because the construction of Central Place will soon take out a key linking walkway.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Rosslyn's Key Bridge on car decal
The image of Rosslyn's Key Bridge won the voting to go on next year's Arlington County car decal. This important Rosslyn victory is likely to increase further Rosslyn's area-wide prestige.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Lunacy 2009 patch
While riding my bike to work, I found this patch on the ground. I tried Googling various terms on the patch and couldn't find any plausible referent. So maybe it was a secret SEAL underwater combat contest in the tidal basin.
Anyone who can better explain what the patch represents will win a one-year subscription to the Ode Street Tribune. And if you lost this patch, let me know and I'll send it to you.
young old master painter at Arlington Library
Teresa Oaxaca, a 21-year-old artist who graduated from H-B Woodlawn school in Arlington, has an exhibit of her paintings at Arlington Central Library through March 31. She's a classical realist artist trained in the atelier tradition. Check out the exhibit and see the realism you just can't capture with your digital camera.
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