Thursday, February 25, 2010
moguls on main bike route
Long after roads have been cleared, piles of snow remain on major bicycle arteries. WashCycle, among others, is helping to mobilize concerned residents. Bike Arlington has secured a plow and is putting it to work.
Going forward, bicycles should be taken seriously in all transportation planning, including snow removal.
Providence Smith's snow-covered bridge wins decal vote
Wakefield Senior Providence Smith won the coveted Arlington car decal position with his photo of a snow-covered bridge on the W&OD trail. You'll enjoy looking at this decal this summer.
In other election news, on-line voting in now ongoing for the color of the RAFOM neighborhood sign. You must live in the RAFOM neighborhood in order to vote.
In other election news, on-line voting in now ongoing for the color of the RAFOM neighborhood sign. You must live in the RAFOM neighborhood in order to vote.
interview with Frank Yoffe, new Westmoreland onsite manager
Frank Yoffe has become the new Westmoreland Terrace Condominiums' onsite manager. His hours beginning March 1 will be Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 8am to 4pm. His telephone number at the condo office is 703 276-1833. Frank replaces Phil Bogart, famed for his friendliness and helpfulness, who has retired.
In the video interview below, Frank talks about his background in small businesses and property management. Frank is a second-generation DC-area native with great knowledge and appreciation for the area. We're lucky to have him at Westmoreland while he's looking for a full-time position elsewhere.
Update: you can also contact Frank by email at "frank" (at sign @) "WTC.comcastbiz.net"
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
snow removal cost Westmoreland $20,000
Notes from the Westmoreland Condo Board meeting this Monday:
- snow removal cost Westmoreland $20,000, which is $17,000 over budget. Money will be transferred from the reserve fund to cover this extraordinary expense
- A proposed condo budget will be mailed to owners in March in preparation for the annual condo board meeting on April 25
- one condo board position will be up for election at the April meeting
- Frank Yoffe has replaced Phil Bogart as the Westmoreland onsite manager. His hours will be Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 8am to 4pm.
- skylight replacement is pending in building 1311
- residents should take care to limit noise that might disturb fellow residents. One resident is considering having insulation blown in the ceiling space to lessen noise from walking with healed shoes on the floor above
Rosslyn's spiritual gas station
Arlington Temple United Methodist Church is one of Rosslyn's landmarks. Who could not notice the church sitting on top of the Chevron gas station in the center of Rosslyn?
As part of its worship service at 10:30am on Sunday from Feb. 21 to Mar. 28, the church is sponsoring a special sermon series, "24 Hours that Changed the World." Each sermon considers an event in the 24 hours before Jesus was crucified. These sermons include projected images and video. This past Sunday's sermon included a video excerpt of Rabbi Amy Katz describing the importance of the exodus story to Jews. The service included a reading from Psalm 105 and concluded with the Seder-like question to the church family: "Who are we, and what do we do?"
Ministering to homeless persons in Rosslyn is one part of what the Arlington Temple Church does. The Church provides food coupons for 250-300 homeless persons per month. It also provides space for an outreach worker from Arlington Street People's Assistance Network. On Mondays it provides bagel, coffee, juice, and fellowship for homeless persons.
Recently a month's worth of the church's food coupons for the homeless were stolen. Gracie F., a homeless person who has benefited from the Church's ministry, wrote the church a note of encouragement in response to that theft. Her note recalled:
The Arlington Temple offers joy and friendship in following Jesus Christ. It is a small, welcoming church under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Catherine Good Abbott. The Church has worship service every Sunday at 10:30am. Small group meetings are Tuesday night at 7pm. Unstructured worship also is held at noon on Thursdays. The church is above the Chevron gas station at 1835 N. Nash Street, close to the Rosslyn metro.
As part of its worship service at 10:30am on Sunday from Feb. 21 to Mar. 28, the church is sponsoring a special sermon series, "24 Hours that Changed the World." Each sermon considers an event in the 24 hours before Jesus was crucified. These sermons include projected images and video. This past Sunday's sermon included a video excerpt of Rabbi Amy Katz describing the importance of the exodus story to Jews. The service included a reading from Psalm 105 and concluded with the Seder-like question to the church family: "Who are we, and what do we do?"
Ministering to homeless persons in Rosslyn is one part of what the Arlington Temple Church does. The Church provides food coupons for 250-300 homeless persons per month. It also provides space for an outreach worker from Arlington Street People's Assistance Network. On Mondays it provides bagel, coffee, juice, and fellowship for homeless persons.
Recently a month's worth of the church's food coupons for the homeless were stolen. Gracie F., a homeless person who has benefited from the Church's ministry, wrote the church a note of encouragement in response to that theft. Her note recalled:
Once upon a time I went to a church above a gas station in Rosslyn. I was cold, hungry and lonely. And sad, very sad. Ya see -- I had let Satan steal my joy...and he almost got my life. ... I came for a cheeseburger and left with hope. ... Don't let Satan steal your joy...he already stole the food!
The Arlington Temple offers joy and friendship in following Jesus Christ. It is a small, welcoming church under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Catherine Good Abbott. The Church has worship service every Sunday at 10:30am. Small group meetings are Tuesday night at 7pm. Unstructured worship also is held at noon on Thursdays. The church is above the Chevron gas station at 1835 N. Nash Street, close to the Rosslyn metro.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Hollywood on Wilson closed
The Hollywood Video store between Wilson and Clarendon Blvd near Rosslyn has closed. The closing is part of the bankruptcy proceeding for Hollywood Video's parent company.
Hollywood on Ode Street remains open and free.
Hollywood on Ode Street remains open and free.
Friday, February 12, 2010
the roof over your head
Those who live in flat-roofed buildings should look at their ceilings. The heavy snow has caused roofs to collapse, including the roof of a airplane hanger at Dulles Airport, the roof of the Prince William Ice Center, the roofs of two DC churches and two Fairfax fire stations. An alert from the National Capital Region fire chiefs states:
If they have a flat roof, homeowners should monitor the ceiling below the roof and look for the following signs of roof collapse:So, in the midst of this tough winter, that's a good reason to look up.
- Sagging ceiling beneath the flat roof.
- New cracks on the ceiling drywall or plaster.
- Popping, cracking or creaking sounds.
Residents should evacuate their home if they notice any of these warning signs, and they should call 9-1-1 if their roof collapses. Homeowners should not try to clear snow off of their roof because they may slip and fall or hit electrical wires. However, residents should clear the areas around downspouts and roof drains so that water from melting snow can flow away from the house.
- Doors and/or windows that can no longer be opened or closed.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
beer truck in front of Westmoreland
About 4pm today, a beer truck got stuck in the snow and ice on Ft. Myer Dr. Unfortunately, with the help of some sorely misguided neighbors, the beer truck got unstuck and left.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
cyclist spotted
He was headed up Wilson Blvd., just past Piola Pizza. Suspected Squadra Coppi member. Psych Unit is investigating.
In other news, Afghan Kabob House is open. Piola Pizza, which has some Russian-native staff, is also open. Now is the time for some cuisine from tough, central Eurasian peoples.
congratulations to everyone on new record
As of 2pm this afternoon, our winter-season snow total has reached 54.9 inches. That tops that all-time, total-winter snow record of 54.4 inches established in the winter of 1898-99.[*] Congratulations to everyone for this record-breaking performance!
[*] According to Verizon's weather line, which the Ode Street Tribune deems to be probably credible.
[*] According to Verizon's weather line, which the Ode Street Tribune deems to be probably credible.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Haiti Carnaval at St. Charles
This Saturday, Feb. 13, from 6 pm until 11pm, St. Charles Church in Clarendon will have Haitian music, delicious Haitian food, dancing, and a silent auction to benefit earthquake relief and recovery efforts in Haiti. The event serves a good cause, and it's only about a 25-minute walk from Westmoreland (right near the Clarendon metro). Tickets are $20 per person, $35 per couple, and $10 per child ages 6-10. Children under 6 years old get in free. Tickets can be purchased at the door. For more information, email "Haiti at stcharleschurch dot org". Good event to warm up on a snowy weekend.
vote on neighborhood sign color scheme
The RAFOM meeting this Thursday will hold a vote on the two-color scheme for our neighbor signs. The signs will feature an image of the Iwo Jima Memorial and the name of our neighborhood (see option B sign). Look over the color schemes of other neighborhoods' signs and decide how you want your neighbor signs to be colored.
The RAFOM meeting is Thursday, Feb. 11 at 7pm at Prospect House Condominiums, basement-floor meeting room.
The RAFOM meeting is Thursday, Feb. 11 at 7pm at Prospect House Condominiums, basement-floor meeting room.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Sunday, February 7, 2010
tobogganning possibilities limited
The deep, heavy snow has foreclosed the black-diamond toboggan run at Iwo Jima. The beginners' slope just below the monument has a well-constructed, but short and cowardly run.
Count on the Ode Street Tribune to bring you path-breaking local news coverage.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
evening snow news
Wall to wall, morning to night coverage of "Snowstorm 2010." Know what's happening right outside your window!
[video included above]
[video included above]
DC residents stream across Key Bridge to Rosslyn
Around 10am, DC residents were streaming across Key Bridge into Rosslyn. As a top-ranked Ode Street Tribune reporter, I pulled up my shirt, gazed at my navel, and cogitated on the cause of this refugee flow into Rosslyn.
Some possibilities:
- They are tired, cold, huddled masses yearning to enter welcoming Rosslyn.
- They are young, sophisticated, urbanites seeking the creative culture and high fashion of Rosslyn.
- They want to contemplate the beauty of Rosslyn's built environment, now decorated with snow.
- They want to leave on the Rosslyn metro to go to the Georgetown-Villanova basketball game.
Cafe Assorti is open
Cafe Assorti serves, among other fine foods, delicacies that you might find in a restaurant in Siberia. The bar, pastry shop, and restaurant are open as of 11:30am this Saturday. If you want something more boring, Safeway and CVS in Rosslyn are open, too.
entering Rosslyn from Rt 50 east in snow
If you're heading east on Rt. 50 and want to enter Rosslyn, don't take the Rosslyn exit if there's snow on the road. The 270-degree-turning, uphill exit ramp is a car trap in snow. Instead, take the Queen St. exit on the right a quarter mile earlier, and head down the small Arlington Blvd. You'll pass by the majestic Westmoreland Terrace Condominiums above Ft. Myers Heights Park. Continue to the stop sign at N. Meade St., and take a left to head into Rosslyn. You'll get into Rosslyn from Rt. 50 with much less chance of getting stuck.
I measure 17 inches
The official snow measurement point shows 17 inches of snow as of 11:45am today (Saturday). Rt. 50 is covered with snow. Local roads are barely passable. Some trees have fallen from the weight of the snow, including one at the corner of Queen St. and Fairfax Dr., just across the bridge over Rt. 50. Might be a good idea to check the trees around your parked car.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Rosslyn metro closure starting Feb. 12 at 10pm
The Rosslyn metro station will be closed from Friday, Feb. 12 at 10pm until Tuesday, Feb 16, at 5am. The Arlington Cemetery Station will also be closed during this period. Metro is providing some alternate arrangements:
Metro will operate free shuttle buses between the Court House and Foggy Bottom-GWU Metrorail stations and between the Pentagon and Foggy Bottom-GWU Metrorail stations. Customers should build at least 40 extra minutes into their travel plans if they need to pass through the work zone.The closure is for track repair and improvements. In addition, an emergency response exercise will occur at the Rosslyn metro station on Saturday, Feb. 13, from 9am to noon. The exercise will involve responding to a simulated explosion on a metrorail train under the Potomac between Foggy Bottom station and the Rosslyn station. Sounds like the sort of situation in which some SEALs would be good to have around.
Crystal Couture suppresses modern expression
Crystal Couture, a fashion show in Crystal City, this year requires photographers attending the event to sign a "photographer waiver." The waiver explains:
The purpose of this requirement isn't welcoming and neighborly. The waiver declares that Crystal City BID has the right to use these photographs "for advertising and media." In words, you're invited to come, but if you come, we insist on appropriating all the photographs that you take and using them for our purposes. That strikes me as bad social taste.
In the twenty-first century, sharing photographs and video is like talking. Everyone soon will have a digital camera and a digital camcorder built into his or her mobile phone. Discouraging photographs and video of an event is like discouraging discussion of the event.
Suppose Crystal City BID required all persons attending Crystal Couture to submit to Crystal City BID a transcript of anything they say about the show. As with the photography waiver, Crystal City BID might also declare that they have the right to use words from these transcripts for advertising and media. Poster quote: "What a hot dress!" said Rosslyn resident Douglas Galbi to his friend Natasha. That would be outrageous and unthinkable. But it's like what Crystal City BID is doing with photographs.
The Ode Street Tribune provided street-leading news coverage of Crystal Couture last year. As a protest against the photography waiver, the Ode Street Tribune will neither cover nor attend Crystal Couture this year.
For fashion fun, the Ode Street Tribune hereby sponsors an alternative, "Real Crystal" virtual fashion show. Make a video of yourself modeling fashionable clothes and upload it to YouTube. Add the tag "Real-Crystal" and you're part of the Real Crystal virtual fashion show!
Here's the first participant in Real Crystal: a middle-aged man, dressed in a garbage bag and boxer shorts, riffing on runway modeling in his Rosslyn apartment living room. Enjoy!
To ensure the privacy and safety of the Crystal Couture Designers and Models, the Crystal City Business Improvement District (BID) asks that all photographers attending the event sign a participation waiver.Under the waiver, a photographer must:
Supply the Crystal City BID with a copy of high resolution images taken during event at no charge on CD within two weeks of eventThis requirement doesn't plausibly relate to ensuring the privacy and safety of designers and models. It significantly burdens persons who take photographs. Having many persons taking photographs is part of the excitement of a fashion show. This requirement chills that excitement.
The purpose of this requirement isn't welcoming and neighborly. The waiver declares that Crystal City BID has the right to use these photographs "for advertising and media." In words, you're invited to come, but if you come, we insist on appropriating all the photographs that you take and using them for our purposes. That strikes me as bad social taste.
In the twenty-first century, sharing photographs and video is like talking. Everyone soon will have a digital camera and a digital camcorder built into his or her mobile phone. Discouraging photographs and video of an event is like discouraging discussion of the event.
Suppose Crystal City BID required all persons attending Crystal Couture to submit to Crystal City BID a transcript of anything they say about the show. As with the photography waiver, Crystal City BID might also declare that they have the right to use words from these transcripts for advertising and media. Poster quote: "What a hot dress!" said Rosslyn resident Douglas Galbi to his friend Natasha. That would be outrageous and unthinkable. But it's like what Crystal City BID is doing with photographs.
The Ode Street Tribune provided street-leading news coverage of Crystal Couture last year. As a protest against the photography waiver, the Ode Street Tribune will neither cover nor attend Crystal Couture this year.
For fashion fun, the Ode Street Tribune hereby sponsors an alternative, "Real Crystal" virtual fashion show. Make a video of yourself modeling fashionable clothes and upload it to YouTube. Add the tag "Real-Crystal" and you're part of the Real Crystal virtual fashion show!
Here's the first participant in Real Crystal: a middle-aged man, dressed in a garbage bag and boxer shorts, riffing on runway modeling in his Rosslyn apartment living room. Enjoy!
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