for green meetings go to Artisphere

Artisphere's living wall is flourishing with lush greenery.  For getting together with family, friends, or colleagues to talk about environmental sustainability and going green, there's no better place than Artisphere for a creative, environmentally aware meeting.

dangerous intersections for leaving Rosslyn

About 6pm this evening, a car leaving Rosslyn at the intersection of Marshall Dr. and Rt. 110 collided with another car.  That's a hazardous intersection because cars are coming fast around the corner of Rt. 110.  The exit ramp from Meade St. into Rt. 50 is similarly treacherous. 

To avoid bad situations, stay in Rosslyn as much as you can.

new bike path to Rosslyn now open

A new bike path is now bringing bikes and other human-powered transit from the intersection of Rt. 50 and N. Pershing Dr. to the intersection of Queen St. and Arlington Blvd. in Rosslyn.  Now you can take N. Pershing Dr. to the Henry Gate of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, and then zip down into Rosslyn to enjoy events such as the Rosslyn Jazz Festival, art exhibits at Artisphere, and Rosslyn's unique Potomac-shore eateries such as Heavy Seas Alehouse and the Quarterdeck.

The path currently has a fair amount of debris on it, including some small rocks. So use some caution.  The exit into Rosslyn is also currently a bit bumpy.  But a few bumps are nothing comparing to the thrill and joy of getting into Rosslyn.

journalist refuses to work on Saint Monday's Day

The Ode Street Tribune's journalist has informed management that today is St. Monday's Day.  The journalist stated that he cannot work on St. Monday's Day.  Therefore no Tribune will be published today.

Sunday's video

Rosslyn offering more personal ambassador services

Rosslyn is a golden place beckoning to persons worldwide.  Intensifying its outreach to the rest of the world, the Rosslyn BID is expanding Rosslyn's personal street ambassador services to evening hours.  Purple-shirted Rosslyn ambassadors will now be working Rosslyn's streets weekdays until 7:30pm.  As all ambassadors should be, the Rosslyn street ambassadors are friendly, diplomatic, and eager to help.  They will be equipped with a mobile information cart to provide free literature on Rosslyn's customs, traditions, culture, and tourist attractions.  That literature unfortunately will not include the Ode Street Tribune due to budgetary constraints.  Victor Carcamo, who established a high reputation for Rosslyn ambassadors, will oversees this expansion of the Rosslyn embassy outreach as the new Rosslyn operations manager.  The extended personal ambassador services should further enhance Rosslyn's standing and reputation among the many persons traveling to Rosslyn from the rest of the world.

Along with improved transportation to Rosslyn, new restaurants in Rosslyn are likely to increase the flow of visitors to Rosslyn.   In a recent article on the Rosslyn restaurant scene, Rosslyn BID President Mary-Claire Burick noted that Sip Wine Tasting and Tapas, Secret Chopsticks, and SpinFire Pizza have all announced that they are coming to Rosslyn.  In addition, Burick stated that "an exciting new concept from North Carolina is planning on opening in Rosslyn and is in the final stages of negotiations."  The Ode Street Tribune is working its network of covert informants to get more information on this development.

Melanie Kehoss' Glow Tableaux worth a go

Melanie Kehoss' wonderful exhibit, Glow Tableaux, will be in the Artisphere's Terrace Gallery only for a few more days.  The exhibit closes this Saturday, August 23.  If you haven't yet seen Glow Tableaux, it's definitely worth a go.

These daedal, filigreed boxes glow preternaturally.  They tell multi-layered stories.  One of the most intricate pieces conceptually is entitled "How to Embarrass Your Date 2010."  The artist has depicted her date taking a picture of his shrimp cocktail at a fancy restaurant.  He then posted the photo on Facebook.  That guy surely would be very embarrassed to see this tableau hanging in Artisphere.  But embarrassment is temporary.  These tableaux make the mundane glow with eternal beauty.

Army Band's 1812 Overture Concert this Saturday night

The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” will perform its renowned 1812 Overture Concert this Saturday, Aug. 23, at 7:30 pm at Rosslyn's Ft. Myer, now part of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall.  The program is spectacular and concludes with cannon fire:

Alongside patriotic favorites by John Philip Sousa, the program includes dance-inspired music by Jerome Kern, George Gershwin, and Alexander Borodin. Also featured on Saturday’s program will be Arlington, Where Giants Lie Sleeping, by “Pershing’s Own” composer/arranger Sgt. Major Paul Murtha. Written to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Arlington National Cemetery, this powerful and emotional work pays tribute to generations of American servicemen and women buried in Arlington.

The concert concludes with a bang – literally. Tchaikovsky’s inimitable 1812 Overture was written to commemorate the Russian defeat of Napolean’s Grande Armée. Perhaps one of the finest examples of storytelling through music, Tchaikovsky calls specifically for live cannon fire to musically fight off the advancing Napoleonic army, symbolized by the French anthem La Marseillaise. Church bells, chimes, and the chorus of Russia’s God Save the Czar celebrate the Russian victory. The Presidential Salute Battery of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) lends their special talents to the performance with four 5,775-pound WWII-era anti-tank guns. 

 A ticket isn't needed for this not-to-be-missed concert.  Admission is free.  The family-friendly event even features a special kids' activity sheet.  Bring the whole family (except for non-human pets) and enjoy another great free concert in Rosslyn.

journalist refuses to work on St. Louis of Toulouse's Day

The Ode Street Tribune's journalist has informed management that today is St. Louis of Toulouse's Day.  The journalist stated that he cannot work on St. Louis of Toulouse's Day.  Therefore no Tribune will be published today.

Sunday's video

Tribune rival bows out of bidding for top Rosslyn spot

Politico, a Rosslyn-based news source, has signed a long-term lease for office space in the curvaceous 1000 Wilson Blvd. tower in beautiful downtown Rosslyn.  That move signals that Politico has given up on gaining the top spot in Rosslyn atop the new 1812 N. Moore St. tower.  The Ode Street Tribune, which has made clear its interest in Rosslyn's top spot, remains very much in the running to move its corporate headquarters to that coveted position.

bike cannibals leave meat on bike bones

Bike cannibals have fed on a bike that's been locked up for longer than a year in front of Rosslyn's CVS on N. Lynn St.  But there's a lot of meat left of those bike bones.  The cables, pedals, cranks, bottom bracket, front fork, brakes and other stuff could be salvaged.  Why not call in the young mechanics at Phoenix Bikes to ensure that no bike parts are left to languish in Rosslyn?

behind Lincoln Memorial is prime viewing spot

When you have visitors to Rosslyn or meet tourists in Rosslyn, encourage them to go across the Potomac to behind the Lincoln Memorial.  That's a great spot for viewing Rosslyn.  From there you can see Rosslyn building windows glistening golden in the sun, the 1812 N. Moore St. tower thrusting skyward (longer and thicker than the Washington Monument), and the beautiful garland of green that embraces the Rosslyn skyscape.

journalist refuses to work on St. Clare's Day

The Ode Street Tribune's journalist has informed management that today is St. Clare's Day.  The journalist stated that he cannot work on St. Clare's Day.  Therefore no Tribune will be published today.

Sunday's video

abandoned bikes taking up needed parking spaces

Given the attractiveness of downtown Rosslyn, parking spaces can be scarce.  At the popular bike parking site just outside of Riverplace Condominiums, two apparently abandoned bikes are taking up prime parking spaces.  These bikes would make a good donations to Phoenix Bikes.

Even with the removal of non-functioning bikes, more bike parking is needed outside of Riverplace.

Jerry Garcia, John Coltrane at Rosslyn Jazz Festival

This year's Rosslyn Jazz Festival will be on Saturday, September 6.  The official line-up is superb:

• Rebirth Brass Band: New Orleans Grammy-winners who uphold the tradition of brass bands while bringing in funk and hip-hop rhythms.
• Red Baraat: Eight-piece pioneering band from Brooklyn that merges North Indian bhangra rhythms with elements of jazz, go-go, brass funk and hip-hop.
• Ghost Train Orchestra: Founded by composer/arranger Brian Carpenter, a critically-acclaimed ensemble whose bold, energetic performances reimagine jazz from the 20s and 30s.
• The Corey Wallace DUBtet: A five-piece band led by Baltimore trombonist Corey Wallace, who’s been called one of the area’s “best and most consistently exploratory” musicians by the Ode Street Tribune.

But there's more.  According to an anonymous, unconfirmed report, Jerry Garcia and John Coltrane will make guest-star appearances at the Rosslyn Jazz Festival in honor of the 30th anniversary of Dark Star Park.  That's plausible.  John Coltrane is thought to live under the Rosslyn metro escalator.  Jerry Garcia is thought to have been seen in a haze enjoying herbs while sitting within the cosmic serenity of Dark Star Park. If Coltrane and Jerry are Rosslyn regulars, why wouldn't they perform at the Rosslyn Jazz Festival?

Realize Rosslyn thoroughly studying Rosslyn's figure

The Realize Rosslyn community planning process is now moving to its final phase.  As part of this phrase, the subcommittee on building height and massing has produced a massive 70-page document looking at Rosslyn from every angle.  Enjoy!

Sunday's video

Afropop sensation Noura Mint Seymali at Artisphere this Friday

Given Rosslyn's place in cosmopolitan world culture, Afropop sensation Noura Mint Seymali has chosen to perform at Artisphere in Rosslyn.  Seymali and her husband combine an extraordinary range of musical influences:

Unique among the “desert blues” music that is emerging mostly from Mali, Noura Mint Seymali’s band presents a unique interpretation of traditional Mauritanian music. Noura’s success stems from her ability to combine a rare classical mastery and a griot’s cultural authority with musical idioms that speak to the emergent realities of youth culture in West Africa and beyond. Composing for an ensemble with traditional instruments at its core—ardine (harp), tidinit (lute), and t’beul (bowl drum)— and fortified by Western bass and drum-set, Noura employs the instruments and modal structures essential to Moorish tradition while simultaneously delivering ideas within the format of the pop song.

Noura’s husband Jeiche Ould Chighaly, who is the guitarist for the band, is influenced by western musicians such as Dire Straits and Jimi Hendrix, infusing both funk and psychedelic into their music. Noura cites Etta James as an influence and in her singing you can hear multiple influences, reggae, flamenco and rock.

Seymali is playing only this Friday night at Artisphere.  Tickets are $18.