Kennedy Center responds to Artisphere's success

Facing the growing success of Artisphere, the Kennedy Center has announced a $100 million expansion.  Artisphere and the Kennedy Center are cross-Potomac rivals for area leadership in arts and arts education.  The Kennedy Center expansion will add a video projection wall similar to the two-story video wall already existing in Artisphere's Town Hall.  The Kennedy Center expansion will also add more classroom space to make the Kennedy Center more competitive with Artisphere's arts classrooms and Education Lab.

Doubts remain about the Kennedy Center's proposed future.  In an exclusive interview with the Ode Street Tribune,  a Rosslyn resident declared, "You can't buy originality, personality, creativity, and community engagement.  The Kennedy Center can spend $100 million, $200 million, or a billion.  It doesn't matter.  The Kennedy Center will never be Artisphere."

Public leaders must take care to ensure that arts rivalries don't become overly antagonistic.  Perhaps Artisphere and the Kennedy Center, cross-Potomac rivals, will be able to come together in the future in artistic collaboration.

free gift for friends and neighbors

Show your love for your friends and neighbors by forwarding to them or sharing with them the Ode Street Tribune.  Anyone can sign up for free, daily email delivery of Ode Street's finest news source through the subscription box on the right-side column of the Tribune's website.

The Ode Street Tribune offers readers:

• warnings to avoid deadly mistakes 
• great new ideas for delicious meals
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• OMG celebrity features and entertaining news
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• exciting, fast-breaking news
• and much, much more

The Ode Street Tribune reduces readers' stress and thus helps to prevent heart attacks.   By encouraging laughter, the Tribune fights depression and increases the effectiveness of readers' autoimmune systems.  The Tribune fosters an informed citizenry and effective democratic self-government.

Not everyone can live in Rosslyn.  But everyone can get the Ode Street Tribune.  Don't you care enough about at least three other persons to share with them the Ode Street Tribune?

look out for new stops

The little Arlington Blvd / N. Queen St. - N. Rhodes St. intersection in Rosslyn now has 4-way stop signs.  The intersection used to be just a 2-way stop.  So if you're traveling on Arlington Blvd., you now have a new stop.  That's easy to miss if you're coming up the access road from heading east on Rt. 50 into Rosslyn.  The 4-way stop makes turning onto the little Arlington Blvd. from N. Rhodes St. safer and easier.

In addition, there's a new (temporary) traffic light at the intersection of little Arlington Blvd. and N. Meade St.   A permanent traffic light will be installed as part of the forthcoming Meade St. Bridge improvements.  The new traffic light makes the intersection safer.  But watch out for one possibly deadly mistake. 

Here's the deadly mistake.  Supposed you are sitting at the red light on N. Meade St., facing downtown Rosslyn, waiting to take a left turn onto the little Arlington Blvd. You see a line of cars opposite you on the other side of the road.  The light turns green.  The line of cars opposite you doesn't go.  You think, "oh, I have a protected green, and they have a red."  You turn left, and get broadsided by a car going through the green light on another lane opposite further to the left. 

The stopped line of cars opposite to your left are cars in the left turn lane, not using their turn signals.  Your side of the road is one lane, but the other side of the road has three lanes.  The temporary traffic light structure makes those other two (non-turn) lanes less visible.  Make sure that the opposite lanes further to the left are clear before you go through through the green and turn left.

without leaving Rosslyn, see the world with Scott Shelton

You nestle into bed at night, thinking of Rosslyn.  You love Rosslyn.  You would never leave Rosslyn.  Yet a small part of you knows that there is an other beyond.

Without leaving Rosslyn, you can experience more through the magnificent photography and travel writing of Rosslyn-based world traveler L. Scott Shelton.  He explains:

There are truly places in the world as magically beautiful as your nighttime dreams. The misty light of alpenglow over a snow-covered mountain summit, the breathless thrill in seeing a lion make a kill on the Serengeti, even the simple serenity found on the oceanic expanses of the Australian outback, all somehow become part of you. I feel very fortunate, and will always be thankful, for being able to make such unforgettable, soul-nourishing scenes a part of my life. 

Shelton has traveled to India, Bangladesh, Tibet, Burma, Australia, New Zealand, and Siberia, among other places.  This past August he was climbing in the Alps; recently he was in Madagascar.  His photographs from these travels have been published by The Smithsonian, The Chicago Sun-Times, National Geographic, Alaska Outdoors, and many other prestigious publications.  The Ode Street Tribune is pleased to present, with permission, two selected Scott Shelton photographs.  You can see many more photographs in his online gallery.  You can purchase from Scott Shelton professionally made large color prints suitable for framing. 

Realistically, you know that your life would be far worse if you left Rosslyn.  But you can still enjoy Scott Shelton's stories and photographs

Sunday's video

don't leave Rosslyn

As of early Saturday afternoon, Rt. 50 westbound is closed at Rosslyn.  Cars are stacked up on Rt. 50 westbound, waiting to exit back into Rosslyn.  These drivers clearly haven't been reading a leading local news source.  Rt. 50 westbound, heading away from Rosslyn, will be closed today and tomorrow for the demolition of the Courthouse Rd. bridge.

While lacking one big explosion, the demolition of the bridge is nonetheless exciting.  Many big dumptrucks are at the site.  You can see a massive backhoe shoveling up pieces of broken concrete.  Another massive tool features a huge, rigid rod, pounding into the bridge.  Most persons probably have never seen something like that.

breakfast in Rosslyn

With fruits and nuts, have breakfast in Rosslyn with the Ode Street Tribune!

Rosslyn Safeway still has cranberries!

While lesser grocery stores stop offering cranberries shortly after Thanksgiving, the Rosslyn Safeway is still selling cranberries.  Cranberries make an excellent breakfast mixed fresh with raw oats, nuts, and some pomegranate juice.   Rosslyn Safeway should get an extra star for its long-lasting supply of cranberries.

TV star Mario Lopez in Rosslyn

TV star Mario Lopez was in Rosslyn this past Sunday for an Inauguration Day shoot for Extra, a syndicated entertainment news program.  The shoot exploited as backdrop the scenic Washington DC view from near Rosslyn's Netherlands Carillon.  As a Hollywood on the Potomac, Rosslyn tends to attract actors, celebrities, beautiful people, and journalists.

Unfortunately, Mr. Lopez did not rise to Rosslyn's high standard for acting as a journalist.  Specifically, in his shoot he mis-identified his location as "Washington, DC."  Mr. Lopez was not in Washington, DC.  He was in Rosslyn.  See video below for documentary evidence, including the unmistakable audio signal of Rosslyn's preeminence as a place to watch airplanes.

In the name of truth and journalistic standards, the Ode Street Tribune demands that Extra issue a correction about Mr. Lopez's location.  Moreover, as a gesture of goodwill toward Rosslyn, Extra should do a special program on entertainment in Rosslyn.  The uninformed would tune in because they think that's funny.  Those in the know about entertainment news would enjoy it.

Sunday's video

eat better than an emperor

The Ode Street Tribune strongly supports vegetables and the Rosslyn Safeway.  But the Tribune is no ideological rag.  Recently the Tribune's journalist traveled abroad to Costco in Crystal City and bought some fresh blackberries.  For a mere $3.99 he got an 18 ounce container of Alpine Fresh blackberries grown in Mexico.  Alert neighborhood residents will recognize that's more blackberries for less cost than at the famous Rosslyn Safeway.

Emperor Taizong of the seventh-century Chinese Tang Dynasty did not have fresh blackberries in the middle of winter.  Akbar the Great, the sixteenth-century ruler of the Mughal Dynasty in India, did not have fresh blackberries in the middle of winter.  Peter the Great, the seventeenth-century czar of Russia, did not have fresh blackberries in the middle of winter.

The Ode Street Tribune's journalist has fresh blackberries in the middle of winter.  The greatness of the Ode Street Tribune's journalist cannot be doubted.  Get some blackberries, and you too can be great!

expansive world of Latino underground at Artisphere

You have to look tough and be tough to survive in violent, desperate circumstances.  But the art of living is to play good music wherever you are.  You can find that kind of leadership now on exhibit at Artisphere in David Amoroso's portraits of local rappers and raggaetoneros from the underground Latino music scene.

The exhibit, called Delicate/Violent (Delicado/Violento), presents iconic, celebrity portraits of these musicians. The portraits show the violence and danger of a gang-based street world.  But they don't confine the persons to those circumstances.  The portraits include delicate patterns and details and lyrical lines and figures.  The portraits are insistently individual.  In Amoroso's artistic treatment of his subjects, they defy social stereotypes.

Musicians portrayed in the exhibit will participate in a  a free live music showcase on Friday, Jan. 25, from 8-10pm at Artisphere. Scheduled performers include Mr. Pelon 503, El Indio, El Renegado & NCute, Impacto Urbano (featuring Shorty GY), and El Fenome Don Rimador.  Before the show will be a reception (6-8pm) and a discussion with artist David Amoroso and exhibit juror Don Russell (at 7:15pm).   Don't be afraid.  Get tough.  Expand your world with new appreciation for the sights and sounds of local underground Latino music.

man missing in park

A man has been missing in Rosslyn's Ft. Myer Heights Park for over a month.  All that has remained of him are his shoes.  Invisibility was suspected, but the Ode Street Tribune's journalist felt nothing in the air above the shoes. Check that out for yourself.  The shoes are ominously missing shoelaces.  Given these recent neighborhood events, residents are encouraged to take care not to lose themselves.

rain doesn't dampen Rosslyn's spirit

Rt. 50/Courthouse Rd bridge demolition set for Jan. 26-27

As part of the improvements to entry and exit ramps in the Rt. 50/10th St/Courthouse Rd. area, the existing Courthouse Rd. bridge over westbound Rt. 50 will be demolished from Jan. 25 to 26.  Westbound Rt. 50 (heading away from Rosslyn) will be closed during those days.  The Ode Street Tribune sees no reason for roads heading away from Rosslyn and cannot imagine that the road closure will do anything but improve travelers' lives.

The Rhodes St. bridge over Rt. 50 offers a fine viewing spot for the bridge demolition.  Refreshments are available through the nearby El Chilango food truck.  Don't miss this exciting neighborhood event!

Here are more details on the bridge demolition and the related construction work.  The Rt. 50 construction work will continue through late 2013.  Expect lane closures weeknights from 9pm to 5am.

Sunday's video

minor water leak across from Ft. Myer Heights Park

A minor water leak is onflowing across from Rosslyn's Ft. Myer Heights Park.  If temperatures drop below freezing, the path to the sewer could block up, sending water out into the road and creating ice on the road.  Below-freezing temperatures are not in the weather forecast for the next five days. 

Water leaks bring to the minds of informed residents the dramatic story of the Deep Soil Rosslyn Water Blowout back in 2011.  Tens of thousands of gallons of water poured across Ft. Myer Heights Park.  Repair crews dug deep to find the leak.  After a heroic effort, they finally managed to cap the blowout.

This winter thus far has been exceptionally mild, as predicted by the position of the Westmoreland ball.  A local climate scientist believes that the mild winter is associated with global warming.  "Folks should stop driving their cars so much and ride bikes more," the scientist said.  "If they don't, Rosslyn's weather is going to become like Florida's weather."

historic artifacts uncovered in Rosslyn park

A journalist from Rosslyn's leading local news source has spotted a brick that has worked its way to the surface in Rosslyn's Ft. Myer Heights Park. The brick appears to be similar to those used in the construction of the nearby historically important Westmoreland Terrace Condominiums.  Careful investigation of the site has revealed a moss-covered bump that seems to be not a rock but a cement-mortar structure.  Rosslyn is the oldest continuous settlement within present-day Arlington County.   These finds further highlight Rosslyn's historic importance.

Rosslyn's Ft. Myer Heights Park is the site of a perpetually forthcoming children's playground. That children's playground will include children's simulated fossil dig.  Why wait for a simulated fossil dig?  Everyone can have fun looking for real archeological artifacts around Rosslyn.

Rosslyn Safeway getting yelped

Rosslyn's mysterious and intriguing underground Safeway scores a meager 1.5 out of 5 stars on the local business review site yelp.  Reviewers claim that Rosslyn's Safeway is dirty, disorganized, poorly stocked, has lazy, crazy cashiers or friendly cashiers, has a hostile manager or a caring manager, and long lines. Some quotes from the yelp reviews:

• This store is disgusting. I totally stopped going.. It is a joke. 
• The lines are at least 20 people deep everyday after 5 PM, yet they refuse to hire more cashiers.  
• Worst. Grocery store. Ever.  Sad to say it because the cashiers are always happy and friendly to me.
• As you descend into the underground, cavernous concrete structure (stark brutalism by even Rosslyn's humble standards), you are met with intense yellow signs for Shingles vaccines all over the place. Whoever considered that to be a major selling point for the average yuppie Arlington customer may want to rethink that strategy. 
• Produce is usually beat up quite heavily, floors are never clean, and the deli and prepared foods section is just gross.

Paul. D. of Arlington provides some cold, dishearten facts.  Paul lives within walking distance of the Rosslyn Safeway.  His houshold spent $4,864.07 on groceries in the calendar year ending about March 7, 2011.  Of that amount, his household spent only $274.64 at the Rosslyn Safeway.  He comments "Oh my is this place bad." 

According to an exclusive report to the Ode Street Tribune, a few months ago a customer bought at the Rosslyn Safeway a bottle of his beloved kombucha chia.   Unfortunate, when he opened the bottle, the kombucha surged out like shaken champagne.  He took the half-empty bottle back to the store.  The manager allowed the customer to get a replacement without any hassle.  The customer also reports that the cashiers are always friendly and helpful.  Around dinner time lines at the store can be long and slow. 

Rosslyn's Safeway deserves a higher rating than 1.5 stars.

now easier to reverse direction if mistakenly leaving Rosslyn

Leaving Rosslyn is always a mistake. Drivers heading out of Rosslyn on Wilson Blvd. can now more quickly reverse direction using the new extension of N. Quinn St. between Wilson Blvd. and Clarendon Blvd.  The left turn onto N, Quinn St. to reverse direction is just before Cafe Assorti and the recently constructed building at 1776 Wilson Blvd.  The later building is advertising for retail tenants.  It would make a fine location for a specialty local vegetable store.  In any case, if you make the mistake of leaving Rosslyn, you can now u-turn through the new N. Quinn St.

proposed expansion of Arlington National Cemetery

A proposed expansion of Arlington National Cemetery would sacrifice part of the little remaining Arlington Woodlands.  Behind Arlington House, in front of the Woodlands, is a National Park Service display board celebrating the Woodlands.   Some trees in the Woodlands date from before George Washington Parke Custis moved into Arlington House in 1804.   The display board notes:

Despite constant debts, Custis adamantly refused to use the woods for commercial purposes.  Instead, he chose to keep it as a "park' in the English tradition.  "Cherish these forest trees around your mansion, the Marquis De Lafayette cautioned Mrs. Custis in 1825.  "Recollect how much easier it is to cut a tree than to make one grow."

Many of the trees in Arlington Woodlands were cut down.  The display board reports:

Thousands of Union soldiers occupied Arlington during the war.  They cut down much of the forest to build roads and fortifications, to provide firewood and to clear fields of vision and fire for their guns.  Even in the midst of war, the soldiers made a conscious effort to save some of the largest, oldest trees around the mansion, including some of the trees here.

The proposed cemetery expansion preserves the section of the Woodlands just behind Arlington House.  The section proposed to be cut down is shown in yellow in the above map. It is best viewed from the western end of the loop road (Humprey's Avenue) or from across the boundary wall on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall.

Having these trees cut down would be a great national loss.  The need for additional ground for honored military burials forces recognition of even greater losses from recent wars.  The Ode Street Tribune urges that the wood from trees cut down be saved and pieces be given to the families of the dead as a mementos of the sacrifice made to honor their sacrifices.  And walk in Rosslyn's Arlington National Cemetery and enjoy those trees while they are still there.

Sunday's video

take a walk in Rosslyn's Arlington National Cemetery

Memorial wreaths are now decorating graves in Rosslyn's Arlington National Cemetery just a short distance from the center of Rosslyn.  Now is a great time to take a walk around this hallowed ground.

Chewy the Epiphany Camel is coming!

This Sunday, January 6, at 10am, Chewy the Epiphany Camel will be making a guest appearance at the Church of the Covenant on Military Road in the greater Rosslyn area.  Camels are amazing animals.  They can endure great swings in temperature.  They can also go a long time between drinks. Coming just after New Year's Eve, that's a capacity worth investigating.

The Ode Street Tribune's Armchair Investigative Bureau reports that camels were used on the Silk Road from China to the Mediterranean.  However, donkeys and horses outnumbered camels on the Silk Road.  According to a leading Silk Road authority:

Camels could carry loads across the desert, but they were difficult and irascible, and most travelers preferred to ride horses and donkeys or to travel in carts drawn by them along dirt roads.

If you have resolved to adopt camel-like drinking habits, you should warn your family and friends.  They may then prefer to spend time with horses and asses.

You don't see many camels along the roads and multi-user human-powered travel paths in this part of the world.  Don't miss Chewy the Epiphany Camel's visit to the Church of the Covenant right here in the greater Rosslyn area!

making new local connections

The Arlington Mercury provided excellent news coverage of a recent Site Plan Review Committee meeting about redeveloping the property at the south side of N. Pierce St. and 16th St. N. in Rosslyn.  For more enjoyment, our readers' beloved Ode Street Tribune presses deeper.

On Pierce St., just across from the proposed redevelopment site, wires are hanging disconnected on a sturdy telephone pole.  Why is this so? This area of Rosslyn has intricate aeriel wire patterns.  Perhaps this disconnection is a network reconfiguration related to the redevelopment.  Perhaps Comcast is pushing fiber-optic connectivity closer to the building.  How does this disconnection relate to the wait since 2008 for Verizon Fios in some Rosslyn apartment complexes?  Take and walk and take a look for yourself.  Make some new connections in the coming new year!