Friday, February 28, 2014

Central Place under construction

The hard work of realizing Rosslyn's new Central Place is now underway.  The magnificent new Central Place building will be built across from the Rosslyn metro station.  Central Place will have a publicly accessible observation deck featuring magnificent views of the greater Rosslyn metropolitan region.

You can keep abreast of this exciting development via the Central Place blog.  That blog is now covering the Central Place utility work that is currently blocking some traffic lanes on N. Lynn St.:
In first 2 weeks of construction Clark has discovered 5 unidentified utilities directly in conflict with new construction. This past Saturday and Sunday Clark worked to expose an existing water main in conflict with the first structure to be set at the intersection of North Lynn and 19th. The water main in question serves a number of the surrounding buildings including residential. For this reason, the main will be capped next Saturday (3/1), in a coordinated shutdown. 
Capping a water main in the course of normal construction isn't as exciting as the heroic work capping the gushing Deep Soil Rosslyn Water Spill.  But all infrastructure work has to be ready to deal with the unexpected.

Thursday, February 27, 2014

magnificent vision for Rosslyn

The Pre-RTA Draft Rosslyn Plan Framework has been released!  It offers a magnificent vision for Rosslyn.  The vision is formulated in six vision principles:
  1. Rosslyn will be accessible via unparalleled transportation connections and choices.
  2. Rosslyn will be a global destination with its dynamic skyline, unique vistas, and exceptional value.
  3. Rosslyn will be a walkable neighborhood connecting people with community and choices.
  4. Rosslyn will be a good neighbor that relates to adjacent communities.
  5. Rosslyn will be an urban district that celebrates its connections to nature.
  6. Rosslyn will be a dynamic place inspired by its unique mix of people and activity.
Imagine this:
It is a hot summer day, and Rosslyn’s riverfront is alive with activity. A woman steadies her canoe before disembarking at the Rosslyn boat house. She is looking forward to the cooling breeze during her short bike ride up to the Esplanade where her friends are meeting her for lunch. From the restaurant terrace, they will contemplate whether to head over to Gateway Park to ensure good seats for the concert that afternoon or just stay and enjoy the view. 
Rosslyn is great right now, but Rosslyn will be even greater. Stay abreast of the process and schedule for ongoing Rosslyn planning.

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Westmoreland to renovate three roofs

Last night the Board for the historically important Westmoreland Terrace Condominiums voted to have three roofs renovated.  The contractor will be Culbert and the total cost about $210,000.  Having a roof over your head is what you want in a home.  The renovated roofs should lessen risks of leaks.

Other items from the meeting:
  • A large share of owners still haven't voted on the amendment to the condo bylaws.  This is an important issue for the condo association.  All owners should consider the matter and place their votes.
  • The board approved expenditure of $3375 for an audit and $350 for preparation of taxes for 2014 by the Goldklang Group.
  • A resident brought up the idea of expanding storage lockers in the basement.  The Board will look into rules governing such action.
Attending the meeting were Board members José Calvo, Jennifer Feinleib, Joe Ruland, and Gretchen Sprehe; residents Chris and Douglas; and Zalco Property Manager Lenard Goldbaum. The next regularly scheduled condo board meeting will be on Mar. 31.

Artisphere not acquiring Corcoran Gallery collection

Among art-world insiders, speculation has been swirling for months about the possibility of Artisphere working with the struggling Corcoran Gallery to creative more innovative exhibits more closely engaged with community development.  The Corcoran's announcement of a proposed collaboration with the National Gallery of Art and George Washington University leaves open the question of how Artisphere will contribute to a better future for the Corcoran. 

The Corcoran Gallery was founded to be "Dedicated to Art and Encouraging American Genius."  With exhibits such as Alicia Eggert's kinetic art and the upcoming FERMATA sound art exhibit, Artisphere is expanding the horizons of creative genius.  The Kennedy Center is evolving in the direction of Artisphere.  The Corcoran should also look to Artisphere for a new model of cutting-edge art and community engagement.

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Rosslyn snow sphinx remains standing

As of 6:30pm this evening, the Rosslyn snow sphinx remains standing, struggling valiantly against the onslaught of warm weather.  The snow sphinx mysteriously appeared in Ft. Myer Heights Park about a week ago.  The chances of it surviving through this weekend appear to be grim.

Artisphere's influence apparent among regional artists

Foon Sham's Chapel Oak Vessel, now on the grounds of the Arlington Arts Center only about two miles west of the center of Rosslyn, indicates Artisphere's influence.  Artisphere is about expanding one's total experience of the world.  Foon Sham's Chapel Oak Vessel invites persons to enter for a heightened experience of the natural world of wood.  Within this sphere, you can experience the smell of wood and a sonically peaceful environment. 

The sonic dimension of Foon Sham's Chapel Oak Vessel provides a nice prelude to FERMATA, a major sound art exhibit opening at Artisphere on April 24.  FERMATA will present a broad spectrum of sounds:
FERMATA is a celebration of sound as a form of expression in all of its elasticity. From artists integrating field recordings into composition to scientists using sine waves to audiate data, Fermata showcases individuals using sound in a variety of ways, inviting visitors to temporarily disregard such classifications or any preconceived notions of sound and simply listen.
Sound art is a vibrant field of cutting-edge contemporary art.  But it's also controversial.  Stuckists or the Anti-Humbaba Action Coalition may protest against FERMATA.  Peaceful art protests are no cause for fear.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

goodwill to car drivers & concern for global warming must have limits

Helping drivers by reducing traffic on the road and lessening global warming, five bike commuters road to Rosslyn under treacherous conditions this morning.  There was only a half inch of snow.  But what you can't see can hurt you.  Underneath the snow right here was slick ice.  Fortunately, no cyclist seems to have gone down.  Cyclists' multi-modal charity toward car drivers and concern for the environment need not be taken to heroic extremes.

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Rt. 50 clear for traffic to Rosslyn

Rt. 50 is clear but wet, allowing brave travelers a safe road to Rosslyn.  Falling temperatures tonight are likely to create ice. 
Local roads are in much worse shape.  Cars have major risk of sliding and getting stuck on the local roads.  As of 10am this morning, Ft. Myer Dr. south of Rt. 50 is blocked by a stuck bus.  Even central Rosslyn roads such as Wilson Blvd. are in bad shape. 
Despite the heavy, wet snow, there is no reason for panic.  Essential services -- public safety agencies, the Rosslyn Safeway, and the Ode Street Tribune -- are fully operational and continuing to serve the public.

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Rosslyn Safeway shoppers keep calm and carry on

At 9pm tonight, despite dwindling supplies of broccoli, shoppers at Rosslyn's mysterious and intriguing underground Safeway were keeping calm and carrying on.  Cashiers were working three registers and moving fairly short lines briskly through checkout.  There was no indication of panic.  One shopper happily exclaimed, "I've got a bag of Safeway Farms Rainbow Chard.  I didn't know Safeway had chard."   A good stock of brussel sprouts probably contributed to maintaining calm and confidence.

When sensational stories of a storm are threatening, residents should keep abreast of a quality news source.  The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

cycling south across Meade St. Bridge in Rosslyn

On the south end of the Meade St. Bridge in Rosslyn, a new sign states, "Right Lane Must Turn Right, Except Bicycles."  The exception for bicycles recognizes the wrong-headed hostility that motorist sometimes display toward bicyclists apparently riding in the center of the road.  But those cyclists are actually choosing the better way.

A cyclist riding on the edge of the road and going straight through the intersection will take path 2 above.  Unfortunately, such cyclists run the risk of the dreaded "right hook." That's getting hit by a car taking a right turn right in front of you.

For calm-nerved cyclists and motorists, a better choice is for the cyclist to move out just to the left of the right turn lane. The cyclist is then more clearly visible to motorists.  Motorists wanting to turn right can come in to the right of the cyclist and have a clean right turn. 

Motorists shouldn't always get upset at cyclists riding away from the edge the road.  Cyclists moving away from the edge of the road can make for safer, more smoothly flowing traffic.

Monday, February 10, 2014

Claire Briggs at Rosslyn's Artisphere leads Washington's Hirshhorn

The Hirshhorn Gallery in Washington, DC, presents the best modern art of yesterday and today.  Rosslyn's Artisphere presents the best art of tomorrow.  To appreciate this fundamental difference, compare Barbara Kruger's BELIEF+DOUBT installation at the Hirschhorn to Claire Briggs's #Coping, now showing at Artisphere through March 5.  Kruger's installation boldly proclaims the insistent, old-media authority of simplified, capitalized ideas wrought in synthetic material.  Brigg's work presents humanely stitched, personal fabrics in the new-media world of networked twittering and hashtags.  Brigg's fabrics display the diverse colors glossed over in Kruger's white letters.  In contrast to Kruger's impersonal ideas, Briggs texts are grouped into emotional sections: denial, anger, depression, bargaining, acceptance.  Walking through Briggs's exhibition along the narrow path of Artisphere's Mezz Gallery takes you on an emotional course that many persons have traveled.  

Look forward to more than the best art of yesterday and today.  The best art of tomorrow is at Rosslyn's Artisphere.

Friday, February 7, 2014

Rosslyn welcomes persons driving cars

Many persons come to Rosslyn by metro, by bicycle, and by foot.  But even if you drive a car, you are welcomed in Rosslyn.  Rosslyn is for everyone.

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

deep-sea explorer docks in Rosslyn

Alvin Sputnik, deep-sea explorer, has arrived in Rosslyn.  He will be performing at Artisphere from this Thursday night to Sunday afternoon.  This adventurer represents the aspirations of the finest journalists and epitomizes the spirit of Rosslyn:
In a highly imaginative fusion of animation, puppetry, projections, live and recorded music, master storyteller Sam Longley tells the tale of Alvin Sputnik, deep sea explorer, and the search for his lost love in the seemingly endless depths of the ocean.

This exquisite multi award-winning one-man show is a unique and charming performance that’s emotional, uplifting, touching and funny – a heart-warming and beautiful experience that’s a remarkable pocket masterpiece of invention, staging and performance.

Using a constantly creative, beguiling and quirky blend of live action, puppetry, animation and music, Longley tells his story of love, loss and quiet heroism with engaging energy and an enchanting magic.
 Get tickets for the whole family before all of Alvin Sputnik's shows sell out.

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

innovative imaginary apps at Artisphere

Innovation starts with imagination.  Four video screens in Artisphere are currently presenting imaginary apps.  Here's one that could create billions of dollars in user value:
Assault on Batter is an application that rids your phone of energy faster than you can say, "Sorry I couldn't call you back, my phone was out of juice!"  The app turns on the most waste-tastic combination of components of your phone, polling GPS at alarming rates, jamming more data than fits up your Bluetooth antenna.  The result is a dead phone, an evening to yourself, an excuse for ignoring friends, family, co-workers ... 
Entrepreneurs interested in commercializing this product should contact inventors Jamie Allen (Canada), Ishac Bertran (Spain), Ian Curry (USA), Bernhard Garnicnig (Austria) and Elena Gianni (Italy). 

The exhibit of imaginary apps runs through Feb. 9.  See imaginary apps before they're gone.

Monday, February 3, 2014

Rosslyn is new Athens

The golden age of classical Athens was a time of remarkable innovation in arts and human skills.  The glory that was Greece is past, but those who come to Rosslyn and look up see a sign of the new Athens.  The resemblance between Rosslyn's Key Bridge Marriott and the Parthenon is readily apparent to the discerning eye.  Rosslyn is the new Athens ushering in a new golden age for human civilization.

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Tribune still eyeing top spot in Rosslyn

No information is yet available about whether the Ode Street Tribune has prevailed in bidding for the top floor of Rosslyn's new 1812 N. Moore St. tower.  The tower has an assessed value of about $200 million.  It will thus will pay about $2 million in taxes to Arlington County every year.  More importantly, the new tower symbolizes Rosslyn's commanding height in the region.  Check out a video showing views from the top of 1812 N. Moore St.