Thursday, July 29, 2010
Chasing Legends draws sell-out crowd
The local independent cycling film Chasing Legends sold out the Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse tonight. People hoping to score tickets were still lined up outside ten minutes after the nominal start of the film. Inside, the film director spoke about all the work that went into making the film and the many persons who contributed.
The crowd responded enthusiastically to the film. It provided unforgettable views of the 2009 Tour de France and up-close interviews with cycling stars and personalities. This film gets you psyched to ride your bike. If you missed it, you can order it on DVD.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Rosslyn is a Hollywood on the Potomac
This morning a film crew was filming at the Iwo Jima Memorial. They were making a Marine Corps promotional video. About two years ago another Marine Corps promotional video was shot in part at the Iwo Jima. That video achieved world-wide distribution. With its spectacular scenery, beautiful people, and bountiful amenities, Rosslyn is a Hollywood on the Potomac, a shooting location as well known as the other Hollywood.
The film crew shooting this morning had quite large equipment. Our equipment here at the Ode Street Tribune is much smaller. But as a friend explained to me, what's important is not the size of your equipment, but what you do with it.
The film crew shooting this morning had quite large equipment. Our equipment here at the Ode Street Tribune is much smaller. But as a friend explained to me, what's important is not the size of your equipment, but what you do with it.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
local taco truck working seven days a week
El Chilango, Autenticos Tacos Mexicanos, has a taco truck in Rosslyn near the corner of N. Quinn St. and 14th St. N. seven days a week, from 11am to 8pm. For a mere $2, you can get a beef, chicken, pork, tongue, or sausage taco. If you want to have your order ready when you get to the taco truck, you can even call in an order. But you have to visit the truck to get the number, because I don't want to post the number and risk them getting an expensive and distracting deluge of crank calls.
I had two tacos this afternoon. They included slices of fresh radish, cucumber, a piece of lime, and chopped cilantro. Very tasty. I also had a small bottle of (non-alcoholic) Sangria Senorial. If you haven't had it, you definitely should try it. Especially refreshing on a hot day.
A Taco Bell used to in the Court House area, just below the Wendy's. It got demolished to make room for an apartment building that is yet to be built in the now vacant lot. Taco Bell's tacos are far inferior to El Chilango's. We're lucky that this great taco truck has moved into the area.
El Chilango has 4.5 stars on Yelp and a lot of good, detailed reviews. Not surprising.
Update: As TBD reports, El Chilango is operating only Friday through Sunday in August.
I had two tacos this afternoon. They included slices of fresh radish, cucumber, a piece of lime, and chopped cilantro. Very tasty. I also had a small bottle of (non-alcoholic) Sangria Senorial. If you haven't had it, you definitely should try it. Especially refreshing on a hot day.
A Taco Bell used to in the Court House area, just below the Wendy's. It got demolished to make room for an apartment building that is yet to be built in the now vacant lot. Taco Bell's tacos are far inferior to El Chilango's. We're lucky that this great taco truck has moved into the area.
El Chilango has 4.5 stars on Yelp and a lot of good, detailed reviews. Not surprising.
Update: As TBD reports, El Chilango is operating only Friday through Sunday in August.
fun's gone, doggone
It's bad enough wearing a fur coat these days. Dogs around the 'hood must be feeling way down about not being able to chase balls in Ft. Myer Heights Park. The rules governing Ft. Myer Heights Park and all other Arlington parks are reasonable and understandable. Dogs must be on a leash and under control of the owner at all times. Still, the rules do spoil some good, clean fun.
The nearest dog park for off-leash exercise is the Herndon & 13th Street Park in Clarendon. Arlington Dogs has a nice list of all local dog parks as well as a lot of other resources for persons with dogs.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
crape myrtle revives!
About four months ago, the crape myrtle in front of Westmoreland Condos had all its limbs cut off. That's called "hard pruning." Then we've had a blisteringly hot summer. Yet, amazingly, now the crape myrtle is blooming. Never give up, never surrender!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
chat with schools' Superintendent
Arlington Public Schools Superintendent Pat Murphy will be meeting with residents this Thursday, July 22, 7-9pm at the Wilson School in Rosslyn. The future of the Wilson School is still under discussion. This meeting is a chance to discuss the use of the school and any other schools-related issues.
If you want to reserve a spot, RSVP to Dawn Willard at 703 228-2581. Or take your chances and just show up.
Thanks to Rosslyn BID for hosting the meeting.
If you want to reserve a spot, RSVP to Dawn Willard at 703 228-2581. Or take your chances and just show up.
Thanks to Rosslyn BID for hosting the meeting.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Arlnow uncovers Rosslyn construction
In an excellent piece of investigative reporting, Arlnow has resolved the mystery of the construction on the corner of Wilson Blvd and Quinn St., just up from the Rosslyn fire station. The gas station that was formerly at this site is being transformed into a 7-11 convenience store. Of course, on the tough side of Rt. 50, we have one locally owned, independent convenience store, and another one, too.
The Ode Street Tribune reporter saw this construction underway about two week ago. Unfortunately, being short-staffed and underfunded, we lacked the resources to investigate.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Netherlands Carillon recital series
Every summer, the Netherlands Carillon rings out a Saturday evening concert series. The concert last week featured the father-son duo Gerard and Richard de Waardt. These carillonneurs live in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The Netherlands gave the Netherlands Carillon to the U.S. to memorialize the aid the U.S. provided to the Netherlands before and after World War II. So it was particularly special to have these carillonneurs from the Netherlands here playing the Netherlands Carillon. Their concert was wonderful. It was another gift to America, or at least those persons who gathered in Rosslyn last Saturday evening for the concert.
Remaining Netherlands Carillon concerts are on Saturdays, July 24, July 31, August 7, August 14, and Sept. 6. The Sept. 6 concert will be from 2pm to 4pm; all the other concerts will from 6pm to 8pm.
[video included above]
Remaining Netherlands Carillon concerts are on Saturdays, July 24, July 31, August 7, August 14, and Sept. 6. The Sept. 6 concert will be from 2pm to 4pm; all the other concerts will from 6pm to 8pm.
[video included above]
Saturday, July 17, 2010
hot bike riding in the Giro di Coppi
Local bike racing team Squadra Coppi held its annual Giro di Coppi today on the rural roads of Barnesville, MD. Temperatures in the 90s and high humidity made for a hot day of racing.
Squadra Coppi's own James Donahue won the Men's Cat. 5 race with a final burst to the line. Former Lanterne Rouge rider Nicholas Taylor emerged victorious in the Men's 3/4 race. This superstar was once an overweight and slow cyclist. Let that be inspiration for everyone.
The Women's 1/2/3 race came down to the final sprint among a stellar field of top area women cyclists. With 800m to go, it wasn't clear what was going to happen. Unfortunately, I don't know what did happen. Official results for all the races will be posted on the Squadra Coppi website once the race director recovers from exhaustion.
Scandal-rocked 2006 Tour de Frolorado winner Taxman was out on the course working as a road guard. He was wearing running shoes. Reportedly he has been participating in day-long mountain-bike races on a single-speed mountain bike. Questioned about suspect activities, he refused to comment.
Squadra Coppi's own James Donahue won the Men's Cat. 5 race with a final burst to the line. Former Lanterne Rouge rider Nicholas Taylor emerged victorious in the Men's 3/4 race. This superstar was once an overweight and slow cyclist. Let that be inspiration for everyone.
The Women's 1/2/3 race came down to the final sprint among a stellar field of top area women cyclists. With 800m to go, it wasn't clear what was going to happen. Unfortunately, I don't know what did happen. Official results for all the races will be posted on the Squadra Coppi website once the race director recovers from exhaustion.
Scandal-rocked 2006 Tour de Frolorado winner Taxman was out on the course working as a road guard. He was wearing running shoes. Reportedly he has been participating in day-long mountain-bike races on a single-speed mountain bike. Questioned about suspect activities, he refused to comment.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
accident at corner of Rhodes St. bridge
A car and a cyclist collided about 8:30pm tonight on the Rhodes St. bridge just past the corner with Arlington Boulevard. An ambulance took the cyclist to the hospital. Her injuries appeared not to be life-threatening.
This neighborhood of Rosslyn has some dangerous intersections. Sights lines at the Arlington Blvd. / Rhodes St. intersection are bad. The same is true for the Arlington Blvd / N. Meade St. intersection. Hazards at these intersections have been reported to Arlington County for a number of years. Improvements, included the painted crossing zone, have been made at the Rhodes St. intersection. Traffic engineers are currently studying the Arlington Blvd / Meade St. intersection, including bus traffic heading to and from the Iwo Jima.
This neighborhood of Rosslyn has some dangerous intersections. Sights lines at the Arlington Blvd. / Rhodes St. intersection are bad. The same is true for the Arlington Blvd / N. Meade St. intersection. Hazards at these intersections have been reported to Arlington County for a number of years. Improvements, included the painted crossing zone, have been made at the Rhodes St. intersection. Traffic engineers are currently studying the Arlington Blvd / Meade St. intersection, including bus traffic heading to and from the Iwo Jima.
heat spoils produce
The hot weather has increased fruit and vegetable spoilage in local stores. Examine your produce carefully to avoid buying rotten fruits and vegetables.
Monday, July 12, 2010
pothole filled in!
The deep pothole that I reported on Monday evening, July 5, has been fixed. County workers repaired it sometime before Sunday, July 11. In terms of workdays, the Arlington County Department of Environmental Services got the pothole report on Tuesday, and almost surely had the pothole repaired before close of business on Friday. That's impressive responsiveness!
The Department of Environment Services' work is particularly impressive given the very tight County budget. In response to the budget crisis, the County instituted a hiring freeze. I would guess that County staff aren't able to get paid for overtime work, either. We are lucky to have some hard-working Arlington County staff in these difficult economic times.
The Department of Environment Services' work is particularly impressive given the very tight County budget. In response to the budget crisis, the County instituted a hiring freeze. I would guess that County staff aren't able to get paid for overtime work, either. We are lucky to have some hard-working Arlington County staff in these difficult economic times.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Rosslyn defends Washington
In the trying times of 1861, President Abraham Lincoln ordered the Union Army to use Rosslyn to defend Washington. Recognizing the future importance of Ode Street, army generals wisely chose to build a large fort, called Fort Corcoran, at the current location of Ode Street (the piece in north Rosslyn).
In addition, a smaller fort, called Fort Haggerty, was built beside the historic Georgetown-(Rosslyn-)Alexandria road. The Georgetown-(Rosslyn-)Alexandria road connected key settlements just outside the old city of Washington. The present site of Fort Haggerty is the intersection of Kent St. and Wilson Blvd., only about a hundred yards from the soon-to-be opened Artisphere.
In addition, a smaller fort, called Fort Haggerty, was built beside the historic Georgetown-(Rosslyn-)Alexandria road. The Georgetown-(Rosslyn-)Alexandria road connected key settlements just outside the old city of Washington. The present site of Fort Haggerty is the intersection of Kent St. and Wilson Blvd., only about a hundred yards from the soon-to-be opened Artisphere.
rain garden needs rain
The trees in the new rain garden in Ft. Myer Heights Park desperately need rain. Let's hope for rain all weekend long. Alternative idea: convince Arlington County to deploy one of the beasts of the boulevard to provide emergency watering. Readers, rally to the cause!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Rosslyn leads in creative bike racks
Extending its world leadership in creative bike racks, Rosslyn has added five new bike racks with a circular, harmonic design. Rosslyn BID commissioned the bike racks and plans to add more. These abstract expressionist bike racks nicely complement the art-deco bike rack near Turnburry Tower and the folk-art bike post in Rosslyn's Courthouse province.
Monday, July 5, 2010
deep pothole on 14th St.
This deep pothole is on 14'th Street, a few meters before the intersection with Queen St. Several other larger but shallower pothholes are on 14'th St. about 50 meters before the Queen St. intersection. The deep pothole probably would dump a cyclist, while the shallow ones would be big bumps. I've reported them on the Arlington County Residential Maintenance Form.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)