Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Rosslyn fish seeking river prompts massive rain

Approximately 8:30am this Monday morning, a Rosslyn bike-commuter noticed a fish crossing the road in Rosslyn Vista Park.  The bike-commuter snapped the photo above and reported the incident to the Ode Street Tribune's Investigative Journalism Bureau (IJB).

The IJB has been pondering why the fish crossed the road in Rosslyn Vista Park.  One expert suggested that the fish crossed the road to get to the other side. But what's the point of a fish getting to the other side of the road? A fish needs water.

The IJB has surmised that the fish crossing the road in Rosslyn Vista Park was headed toward the Potomac River.  Unfortunately, Rosslyn still lacks easy access to the river.  That's why we got so much rain on Monday and Tuesday.  Rosslyn cosmic forces blew into action to help the fish get home.

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Westmoreland Condos adopts 2.47% condo fee increase

At tonight's annual condo association meeting for the historically important Westmoreland Terrace Condominiums, the condo Board adopted a 2.47% increase in condo fees.  Here's a list of annual Westmoreland Terrace condo fee increases from 1995 to 2012, with a comparison to price indices.  Last year the condo fee rose 3.77%

In the mailing announcing the annual meeting, owners were mistakenly sent last year's budget.  The actual budget for the past fiscal year and the forthcoming fiscal year will be sent to owners shortly.

The Board stated that the roof renovations to buildings 1301, 1307, and 1309 will start on June 2 and take about 60 days to complete. The roofing company will have to move the heat pumps. If you're in one of the buildings with a roof being renovated, testing the functioning of your air-conditioning and heating immediately after the roof renovation would be a good idea. 

The Board is exploring possibilities for buying washing machines when Westmoreland's current rental contract expires in 2015.

Board member José Calvo, serving as Chairman, was re-elected to a three-year condo Board term.  Calvo has lived in Westmoreland since 1995.  He has served on the Board since 1996.  Over nearly two decades, Calvo has done more unpaid work for Westmoreland Terrace than has anyone else.

Attending the meeting were just enough residents to achieve a quorum, Board members José Calvo, Joe Ruland, and Gretchen Sprehe; and Zalco Property Manager Lenard Goldbaum. The regularly scheduled condo Board meeting for May is canceled. The next open Board meeting will be June 30.

Friday, April 25, 2014

wild tulips actually planted daffadils

Recently the Ode Street Tribune led all other news sources in breaking a story about flowers blooming next to the Rt. 50 entrance ramp to Rosslyn.  The Tribune identified the flowers as wild tulips.  They are actually planted daffodils.

In today's hyper-competitive news industry, the rush to break stories sometimes leads to mistakes.  The Tribune apologizes for its mistake and thanks well-informed readers for their contributions to identifying the flowers.

Further investigation has revealed that many years ago the Virginia Dept. of Transportation planted flowers in rights-of-ways.  Daffodils are perennial bulbs that can last a long time.  Another planting of daffodils exists along the Mt. Vernon Trail just north of Memorial Bridge. 

In further flower news, trees with spectacular pink flowers are currently decorating the sidewalk next to the historically important Westmoreland Terrace condominiums.

Thursday, April 24, 2014

free family fun May 4 at Artisphere

On Saturday, May, 4, from noon to 4pm, Artisphere will be hosting a free family fun open house.  The special fun will include two, 45-minute performances of a clown duo, a superstar band catering to the single-digit-age crowd, and a splotch monster art-making extravaganza.  The whole family can also enjoy gathering inspiration from the artwork on display from the Congressional Art Competition.

If you can spare some bucks, you can start the fun early with performances of The Intergalactic Nemesis this Friday and Saturday night at the Spectrum Theatre right next to Artisphere.  The Intergalactic Nemesis is a live-action graphic novel about "an impending invasion of sludge monsters from the planet Zygon."  It's an all-ages show sure to please everyone from super-hero cartoon fans to science-fiction aficionados. 

Artisphere is for the whole family. Whatever your interests, stay informed about what's going on at Artisphere.
splotch monster art-making
splotch monster art-making
splotch monster art-making

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Rosslyn offers extraterrestrial view

Check out the landscape just above the main entrance to Rosslyn's new 1812 N. Moore St. supertower.  It looks like the surface of the moon.  The vision of Rosslyn encompasses the cosmos.

Rosslyn prominent in Congressional Art Competition

Artwork in the Congressional Art Competition is on display at Artisphere through May 4.  This exhibit features a wide variety of works by student-artists from Northern Virginia. One of the most outstanding works in the exhibit is Austin Zveare's majestic night portrait of Rosslyn.  Zveare is a student at Washington-Lee High School.  Another exceptionally powerful work is Orlando Cabrera's stylized photograph of Rosslyn's Iwo Jima Memorial.  Cabrera's photograph captures the intensity of the moment even better than does the memorial itself.  Cabrera is a student at Yorktown High School.
Young, innovative artists are increasingly turning to Rosslyn for inspiration.   Get some Rosslyn inspiration into your own creative life!

Friday, April 18, 2014

tulips blooming in Rosslyn Vista Park

Tulips are now blooming in Rosslyn Vista Park.  No place is more beautiful than Rosslyn in springtime.  Rosslyn Vista Park and Artisphere are premiere locations for wedding ceremonies and wedding receptions.  You can see why for yourself.

Thursday, April 17, 2014

massive pile driver going to work in Rosslyn

Central Place construction in downtown Rosslyn is heating up.  You can follow all the action on the Central Place construction blog.  Look for McDonald's to be demolished soon.  And marvel at the massive pile driver now on location.  You can bet Rosslyn will feel the earth move when this huge tool swings into action.

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Rosslyn Plan Framework discussion this Wednesday

At the County Board meeting this past Saturday, the County Board approved the Rosslyn Plan Framework.  The Rosslyn Plan Framework has been attracting leading planning talent to make Rosslyn an even more spectacular riverfront jewel.  Among the planned changes are converting Lynn St. and Ft. Myer Dr. into two-way streets in downtown Rosslyn and eliminating the Ft. Myer Dr. tunnel.  Removing two of the overhead walkway street-crossings has already helped to open up downtown Rosslyn.  Rosslyn will become even more airy, open, and exciting in the future.

The Rosslyn/Ft. Myer Heights neighborhood association (RAFOM) is sponsoring a discussiong of the Rosslyn Plan Framework this Wednesday, April 16, at  7 PM in the Belvedere Condominium Party Room, 1600 N. Oak Street.  Brian Harner, Chairman of the Process Panel, and Anthony Fusarelli, County Planning staff, will be there to discuss the Rosslyn Plan Framework and the Rosslyn Sector Plan Update.

Monday, April 14, 2014

Rosslyn's wild tulips lead in exuberance

While flower aficionados eagerly await the blooming of Rosslyn's famous Iwo Jima formal flower gardens, wild tulips next to the Rt. 50 entrance ramp to Rosslyn are already welcoming everyone.  Rosslyn tends to be associated with urbanity.  But if you take the time to get to know Rosslyn, you'll notice a wild side of irrepressible exuberance.  

Friday, April 11, 2014

Rosslyn vistas enrapture cherry blossom visitors

Thousands of visitors to the National Cherry Blossom Festival enjoyed blossom-draped vistas of Rosslyn today.  The new 1812 N. Moore St. tower was an eagerly anticipated addition to the skyline. "It's bigger than the Washington Monument," said one viewer.  "Look at the way it thrusts into the sky!"  Some viewers paddled out into the tidal basin to get a better view of the Rosslyn skyline underlined with cherry blossoms.

Thursday, April 10, 2014

finalized election results

The Ode Street Tribune has finalized the results of its news coverage election survey.  Readers do not want to read about the "Duke Blue Devils."  A plurality (41%) voted against coverage because the "Duke Blue Devils" are satanic.  Another 21% voted against coverage because the Tribune is for serious local journalism.  In recognition of the results of this democratic election, the Tribune will not cover Duke basketball games.

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

light voter turnout shows need for public to be informed

John Vihstadt won today's County Board special election with a voter turnout that was only 16% of registered voters.  That's ridiculous.  Would the other 84% of registered voters prefer to live under a hereditary monarchy?  Probably not.

The fundamental problem is that not enough persons are staying informed about local news.  The rise of tabloid journalism and celebrity news spread through Facebook and other new media is distracting the public from quality news.  Help save our democracy by encouraging your friends to read the Ode Street Tribune. 

Monday, April 7, 2014

vote in County Board special election on Tuesday

This Tuesday is special election for a seat on the Arlington County Board.  A full slate of four candidates are running for the office, with positions ranging from a conservative "keep Arlington great" to a people's revolution platform.  Here's full video coverage of the candidates' statements at the important Rosslyn candidates' forum. 

Rosslyn has two distinct polling places adjacent to each other.  One is the Wilson School precinct (1601 Wilson Blvd) and the other is Fire Station #10 (1559 Wilson Blvd).  Make sure to go to the polling location for which you are registered.  You can check your voter registration here.

Candidates and leading media are likely to watching Rosslyn voting carefully.  A large Rosslyn voter turnout will underscore Rosslyn's vital position as the riverside ambassador and gateway of Arlington County.  Vote!

Friday, April 4, 2014

Cuban music sensation Tiempo Libre brings timba to Artisphere

You can still get tickets for Cuban music sensation Tiempo Libre playing this Friday night at Artisphere in Rosslyn.  Tiempo Libre reflects the diversity and dynamism at the soul of Rosslyn:
Equally at home in concert halls, jazz clubs and dance venues, Tiempo Libre’s Miami-based members are true modern heirs to the rich tradition of the music of their native Cuba. Classically trained at Cuba’s premier conservatories, today the group is a hit in the U.S. and abroad, celebrated for its sophisticated performances of timba, a joyous mix of high-voltage Latin jazz and the seductive rhythms of son.
The international reputation of the Rosslyn Jazz Festival helps Rosslyn to attract leading groups like Tiempo Libre.  Take advantage of Rosslyn's pulling power and enjoy some fine Cuban music.

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

view of Rosslyn from Ode Street Tribune corporate headquarters

Don't settle for seeing Rosslyn in photographs and models.  Experience Rosslyn yourself in-person every day.

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Rosslyn blossoming leads National Cherry Blossom Festival

Every year, about a million flower fans come to the greater Rosslyn metropolitan region for the National Cherry Blossom Festival.  Visitors are already eagerly awaiting views of Rosslyn's majestic skyline framed by the cherry blossom trees surrounding the tidal basin.  The peak bloom is predicted to be from April 8 to April 12.  

Those who want to get an early view of blossoms should come closer to the center of Rosslyn.  The Wooster and Mercher Lofts' cherry trees along Pierce St. are already blooming. Some fine flowering trees can also be seen outside of 1501 Pierce St.  Once again, Rosslyn has led the National Cherry Blossom Festival.

new park in Rosslyn

Some cold, hard asphalt has been transformed into a park at the intersection of Clarendon Blvd., 16th St. N. & N. Scott St, across from the new 1919 apartments.  With a few more fine spring days, flowers are likely to spring up in this park.