Sunday, June 21, 2009

2009 Greater Washington Soap Box Derby

This Saturday was the 68th running of the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby. These stock car races began in Dayton, Ohio in 1934 and soon became hugely popular events. Crowds are much smaller now, but they shouldn't be. The Greater Washington Soap Box Derby is a fun event to attend.

Maybe you've heard about or seen pinewood derby. Soap box derby is way bigger and better. Soap box derby cars aren't as innovative as DC's legendary Idiotarod carts. But many soap box derby cars have much better paint jobs, and they're much faster on the downhills. Also, soap box derby is a more inter-generational event. Whole families participate in various ways in the races. Many fathers were there helping, encouraging, and having fun with their kids. And unlike some parents at kids' basketballs games, parents at this event did not scream abuse at hardworking, dedicated officials.



As soon as business revenue from the Ode Street Tribune gets large enough, we plan to sponsor a world-class soap box derby race down 14'th Street and across Meade St. Using a specially constructed ramp, the cars will finish right in front of the Iwo Jima Memorial. It'll be bigger than the race on Capitol Hill. And we're gonna call it the Greater Greater Washington Soap Box Derby.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Rosslyn's art space for everyone

The Arlington County Manager Ron Carlee has recommended to the Arlington County Board that the former Newseum in Rosslyn be transformed into a Cultural Center. According to the news release:
The Center will “serve as a draw to Rosslyn, enliven the street life and complement the next generation of Rosslyn redevelopment,” [Carlee] said. ...

The Center, easily accessible by Metro, will include two performing arts spaces, an exhibition gallery, a ballroom, a restaurant and retail space. In addition, the visual arts exhibition program now at the Ellipse building in Ballston will relocate to the Center.

Open seven days a week, 12 hours a day, the Center will host more than 100 events monthly. Programming will be provided by the County and various arts partners. The “cultural town hall” is expected to have an estimated $10 million in annual economic impact and enhanced street life in Rosslyn.
More details are in the Business Plan for an Arts Space for Everyone. With more art and greater sewage capacity, life in Rosslyn is going to be even better!

Monday, June 15, 2009

Soo Lee Davis elected to RAFOM Board

At RAFOM's annual meeting on Monday, June 15, Soo Lee Davis was elected to the RAFOM Board to fill the seat of Mary Jean Schmelzer, who was unable to serve for another term. The other seven RAFOM Board members were elected to new terms.

Lt. Col. Davis has served in the Army for sixteen years. She lives in the Wooster and Mercer Apartments, a building recently constructed in Rosslyn near Hillside Park. She is so keen about getting involved in the neighborhood that she read the whole Radnor/Ft. Myer Heights Neighborhood Conservation Plan. It's great to have Soo Lee helping to lead the neighborhood.



RAFOM President Stan Karson summarized RAFOM's activities over the past year. Board Member Doug Jerger noted that JBG, the developed of Rosslyn Place, will be at the Belvedere this Thursday night to discuss the status of that development. Plans for the Hillside Park improvements are moving forward under the watchful eye of Board Member Steve Campbell. Board Member Kenneth Robinson noted that a new building may be constructed across from the Police Station in Courthouse.

The featured speaker at the meeting was Aneesh Chopra, President Obama's Chief Technology Officer. He spoke about how technology can contribute to achieving major public policy goals in education, health, and energy conservation/pollution reduction. I'll have video highlights of his talk up this weekend on purple motes.

green roof in Georgetown


Walking across the Key Bridge from Rosslyn to Georgetown, if you look over the Whitehurst Freeway you'll see a green roof. With it's flowers blooming, it can have some yellow or pink on it, too. The building reportedly spends $3,000 to $4,000 a month to water its roof. That's too expensive for most building owners, including the Westmoreland Condos. I hope somebody figures out how to make green roofs cheaply.

Monday, June 8, 2009

beagle lost in Rosslyn

A brown and white Beagle name Ginger and weighing 16 lbs. was lost June 7, 2009 in Rosslyn near Rt. 50. She slipped out of her harness so she has no collar or tags. She was recently rescued and does not yet know her name. She was recently seen near 1200 Quinn St.

If you see Ginger, please call 202 538-7610. Then invite her in for dinner and encourage her to stay until her caretakers come.

Update: Ginger found!

Sunday, June 7, 2009

free kids' keyboard and mouse at Quarterdeck


In a once-in-a-lifetime special promotion, the Quarterdeck restaurant, just up the street from Westmoreland Condos, is giving away kids' keyboard and mouse sets. The keyboard is specially designed for the small hands of children ages 2 to 9. This is a great opportunity to show your care for your children by going to a local bar and restaurant. While you're there picking up a keyboard for the children, you might as well have some crabs and a few beers.

Friday, June 5, 2009

free, live music and dancing in Rosslyn

Party @ The Plaza, the Rosslyn Plaza (1611 N. Kent Street, just above the Spectrum Theatre) on Wednesday's from June 3 to July 29, 5:30 - 8pm. Great outdoor venue with live music and dancing, and with beer and wine available for purchase. The musical lineup:
  • June 10: Verny Varela Project/Salsa with Eileen Torres (Latin Electronica Orchestra)
  • June 17: The Wax (Rock-n-Roll Revival)
  • June 24: JunkFood (Unapologetic Party Rock)
  • July 1: Sin Miedo/Salsa with Jeri Dembrak (Afro-Cuban Salsa & Mambo)
  • July 8: Memphis Gold (Motown R & B)
  • July 15: JahWorks (Reggae Beach Part)
  • July 22: Arty Hill & The Long Gone Daddys (Honky-Tonk Country)
  • July 29: The Monster Band (Funk/Rock/R&B)
These great events should attract a huge crowd. And if they don't, you'll have a live band and a lot of space to dance with your friends.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Democratic primary this Tuesday, June 9

Get a better Democratic choice in November by voting this Tuesday in the Democratic primary.

Candidates for governor:
R. Creigh Deeds
Terry R. McAuliffe
Brian J. Moran

Candidates for Lt. Governor:
A. Michael Signer
Jody M. Wagner

Jon I. Bowerbank will be listed as a candidate for Lt. Governor, but he withdrew from the race on May 18 (but didn't bother to post his withdrawal on his own website!)

Rosslyn is in the 48th District for the House of Delegates, so we won't be voting in the race for the 47th District seat.

Since Virginia doesn't have voter registration by political party, any qualified registered voter can vote in the Democratic primary.