Friday, January 31, 2014

explorer penetrates remote region of Rosslyn

An Ode Street Tribune journalist-explorer has bushwacked to the southern-most tip of Rosslyn's Roosevelt Island.  The area of Roosevelt Island south of the Roosevelt Memorial Bridge is typically very wet.  But recent cold, dry conditions have made it passable for those daringly seeking to penetrate mysterious areas.
While Rosslyn's towers dominate the region's skyline, Rosslyn also has largely unappreciated natural wildness.  Take a hike on the Rosslyn Potomac Trail or on Rosslyn's Roosevelt Island.  Rosslyn offers a wide range of amazing adventures.

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Rosslyn Safeway has oyster mushrooms

Rosslyn's mysterious and intriguing underground Safeway is now selling oyster mushrooms.  Don't just eat iceberg lettuce.  Branch out into more exotic vegetables.  Oyster mushrooms taste great sauteed in olive oil in a cast-iron pan. 

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

safety goggles for cold-weather bike commuting

Showing the creativity and innovation for which Rosslyn is famous, a Rosslyn-based bike commuter wore safety goggles to bike-commute in the bitter-cold weather today.  Ski goggles are specially designed for cold-weather comfort.  But not everyone has ski goggles.  You've got to learn to make do with what you have.

In an exclusive interview with the Ode Street Tribune, the bike commuter said that the safety goggles worked well.  But he acknowledged, "I was happy when I returned home to the warmth of Rosslyn."

Monday, January 27, 2014

hike the Rosslyn Potomac Trail

On winter days when ice on the roads makes cycling treacherous, hiking is a good alternative.  Rosslyn features outstanding wilderness hiking on the Rosslyn Potomac trail.  Access the trail from the Custis Trail just north of the Roosevelt Island parking near the trail bridge over Rt. 66. 

This ancient trail is thought to have brought back travelers disappointed with the California Gold Rush and disillusioned with what they found at the end of the Oregon Trail.  Travelers weren't disappointed when the Rosslyn Potomac Trail finally brought them to Rosslyn.

Saturday, January 25, 2014

water spill in Rosslyn; not yet major threat

Another water main break has occurred close to the site of the massive Deep Soil Rosslyn Water Spill.  Emergency personnel from the Arlington County Department of Environmental Services have surveyed the scene and are planning for a repair operation.  If repair cannot be finished before nightfall, be on the lookout for large patches of ice in the area.

In January of last year, another water main break occurred along Ft. Myer Dr. across from the park.  Given the frequent water main breaks in this area, it's not surprising to find dinosaurs fossils there.

Thursday, January 23, 2014

mysterious view of Rosslyn

As you enjoy the many spectacular views of Rosslyn in person, ponder the view of Rosslyn in the banner on the right above.  Where is the person who enjoyed that view of Rosslyn?  An enlarged photo is below.
The Ode Street Tribune prides itself on its industry-leading boots-on-the-ground coverage of Rosslyn.  But the Tribune's corps of grizzled news gumshoes is baffled by this view.  Take a good look around Rosslyn, and see if you can identify that view. 

10-hour power outage upcoming on 1300 block of Ft. Myer Dr.

A re-arrangement of power cables on a two telephone poles near 1301 N. Ft. Myer Dr. will create a 10-hour power outage in the immediate vicinity in the near future.  Currently a power line rises from an underground duct up along the smaller telephone pole.  Wires at the top of the smaller pole convey power to the larger pole.  The goal is to eliminate the smaller pole and have the power line rise directly on the larger pole. 

Originally the work was scheduled for this Thursday.  But with the exceptionally cold weather, Dominion Power didn't want to interrupt residents' power. The switchover will probably take place next week.

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

rush to Rosslyn

People are rushing to get to Rosslyn.  If you're already in Rosslyn, be grateful.

Monday, January 20, 2014

Rosslyn mushrooms reduce global warming

The recent sensational story of the Rosslyn killer mushroom should not be used to stereotype mushrooms and promote hate toward mushrooms in general.  Recent research indicates that mushroom play a major role in sequestering atmospheric carbon and reducing global warming.  According to an article in the journal Science:
Boreal forest soils function as a terrestrial net sink in the global carbon cycle. The prevailing dogma has focused on aboveground plant litter as a principal source of soil organic matter. Using 14C bomb-carbon modeling, we show that 50 to 70% of stored carbon in a chronosequence of boreal forested islands derives from roots and root-associated microorganisms. Fungal biomarkers indicate impaired degradation and preservation of fungal residues in late successional forests. Furthermore, 454 pyrosequencing of molecular barcodes, in conjunction with stable isotope analyses, highlights root-associated fungi as important regulators of ecosystem carbon dynamics. Our results suggest an alternative mechanism for the accumulation of organic matter in boreal forests during succession in the long-term absence of disturbance
The online journal TreeHugger has approvingly discussed this research.  Even with a few killer mushrooms, mushrooms are essential to both trees and humans.

Friday, January 17, 2014

see art everywhere in Rosslyn

With Artisphere, Rosslyn has become a magnet for art and creativity.  That art and creativity isn't confined to artifacts displayed in galleries.  Awarding-winning designer Ignacio Ciocchini is working with the Rosslyn BID to create new experiences on Rosslyn's streets.  Here's what's coming:
We’re creating great street furniture and amenities that look to the future, incorporate technology, and are made, whenever possible, with recycled materials. We’re looking at ways to balance the space allotted to cars and people. We’re creating places for people to work and relax outside. The products include park benches, trash cans, streetlights, bike racks, pop-up cafés, and a branded information kiosk, among many other things.
Innovative art is happening everywhere in Rosslyn.

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Democrat firehouse primary for county board seat

Arlington County Board member Chris Zimmerman is retiring from the County Board early this February.  So far three Democratic candidates are seeking the Democratic nomination.  Those candidates are, in reverse alphabetical order, Cord Thomas, Alan Howze, and Peter Fallon.  They will participate in debates on Saturday, January 18, 2-4pm at Campbell School; Thursday, January 23, 8-9pm, at Glebe School, and Monday, January 27, 8-9pm at Drew School.  The Democratic firehouse primary will take place on Thursday, January 30, 7-9pm at Key Elementary School, and Saturday, February 1, 11am-7pm at Kenmore Middle School.  Votes will be recorded and tabulated in accordance with instant runoff voting.

The Arlington County Board plays an important role in keeping Rosslyn a premiere place to live, work, or have a business.  Moreover, Rosslyn is a riverfront gateway to Arlington County and the face of Arlington County to Washington, DC.  Voters should consider carefully candidates' understanding of Rosslyn's importance and their support for Rosslyn.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

green landscaping enhances the Weslie

With spring just around the corner, now is the time to plan for new plantings. The Weslie's recently completed front-entrance renovation has added beautiful gardens.  The wonderful array of plants greatly enhances the Weslie and its neighborhood.  Well-informed persons know that the VirginianSuites replaced ten parking spaces with trees.  All Rosslyn residents should consider how they can add new trees, gardens, and plants to their living spaces.

possible new park discovered

Just in time for the warmer weather and picnicking opportunities, the Ode Street Tribune's intrepid journalist has discovered an apparent park at the east end of Rosslyn's wildlands.  The Rosslyn wildlands are a segment of land between Ft. Myer Dr. and N. Oak St., behind 1310 N. Oak St.  The apparent park is a paved area with a grill at one end.  The area is not explicitly marked as a park, but it seems to be associated with a public path.  The grill is like those in the Ft. Myers Heights Park.  The Tribune will seek official confirmation of this discovery.

Update:  According to the Arlington County mapping system, the Rosslyn's wildlands and the paved area is property of the Prospect House Condominiums.

Saturday, January 11, 2014

torrential rains undercover fossils in sand pit

The sand pit in the magnificent, new children's playground in Ft. Myer Heights Park has long been rumored to contain fossils.  Today's torrential rains uncovered what appear to be fossilized dinosaur eggs.  Ok kids, as soon as the weather clears up, check them out and write up the story for your favorite local news source.

Friday, January 10, 2014

everything you feel but haven't expressed

"A rock sits on the keyboard of a Macbook Air laptop, typing the letter 'Y' into infinity."  The Macbook with the rock on top is running Microsoft Word.  You understand.  See this and many other unbelievable works of ineffable being at Alicia Eggert's exhibition, Everything You Are Looking For, at Artisphere in Rosslyn through Feb. 2.

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

arborist to examine Rosslyn mushroom tree

The Rosslyn mushroom tree, which has been expertly identified as a white oak, will be examined by the Arlington Country Arborist.  In an exclusive email interview with the Ode Street Tribune, local Urban Forest Ranger Steve Campbell wrote:
I can say the tree has unfortunately been declining in health for several years now.  The decline has been quite slow until the last couple of years, and last year the decline was more marked.  Last fall I noticed this tree also likely has a disease called bacterial leaf scorch (BLS).  BLS will eventually cause the tree to die back, branch by branch, until it is dead.  
The tree is not dead yet.  Enjoy it while it is still there.

Update: The Arlington County arborist is aware of this tree.  The tree is on private property.  The arborist does not think that it's likely to fall imminently.  He will examine it further this spring.  

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

moon over Rosslyn

Some nights in the middle of Rosslyn, you can hear howling and moaning.  Look up and listen for the werewolves of Rosslyn.

Monday, January 6, 2014

Clarendon erects corridor of light

After threatening Rosslyn with covered bike parking, Clarendon has erected a corridor of light just outside the metro station.  The light give a majestic sense to the Clarendon metro plaza.  This space, however, has none of the grandeur of Rosslyn's Lynn St. parade route from Key Bridge to the Iwo Jima.  When Rosslyn installs her corridor of light, Clarendon's light will look dim indeed.

Saturday, January 4, 2014

park sign stands against cold and wind

In addition to its superb new children's playground, Rosslyn's Ft. Myer Heights Park now features a majestic new sign.  The sign appropriately echoes the design for the Radnor-Ft. Myer Heights neighborhood signs.  Despite the recent cold and wind, the sign has stood rigidly at attention, defying the elements and exemplifying the spirit of Rosslyn.

Friday, January 3, 2014

Rosslyn mushroom discussed on Mushroom Observer

Rosslyn's extraordinary mushroom is being scrutinized by mushroom experts around the world on leading mushroom site Mushroom Observer. The tentative conclusions are deeply troubling.  This appears to be a KILLER MUSHROOM.  Mushroom authority Danny Newman stated:
The very presence of a fruiting body is indicative of mycelial colonization having become more or less systemic throughout the tree. A local arborist should have the last word on what to do.   Saving it is likely out of the question. It may also be at risk of falling.
In the language of news reports, this large, majestic white oak may be doomed.  This tree is located at the corner of Nash St. and 14th in Rosslyn, about 200 yards west of the Iwo Jima Memorial.  The Ode Street Tribune will bring it to the attention of local Urban Forest Ranger Steve Campbell and the Arlington County Department of Environmental Services.

As always, stay alert and be careful if you venture out of bed.