Calling all Candidates for the Arlington Village Board

Yes, it is that time again...not only do we have Presidential Elections in November we also have to vote on 4 new Board Members for Arlington Village.

The call for candidates went out September 22nd (even though the Crier stated it would happen by the 12th).

The due date to submit a candidate statement is confusing in the letter. It says that they are due BEFORE Monday, October 6, 2008. Does that mean it has to be to the office by October 3rd? Can you slip it through the mail slot on Sunday the 5th? Hmmm...anyone on the election committee help me with this question?

You can fax or email your candidate statement of 500 words or less to the AV office. (703/920-2534, avcondogm@aol.com .

I'd love to be able to ask the candidates questions on the blog...any takers? Email me at avcondoowner@yahoo.com .

Notary in Arlington Village?

Just wondering...but wouldn't it be nice to know if we have some Notaries in the Village? Perhaps they would like to post their email addresses or something so that people can use their services. Does anyone know if Arlington Village has someone in the office that can do those duties?

Don't Forget - Invasive Removal Day Tomorrow!

Can't think of a better way to spend my Saturday morning than helping make our ravine a more beautiful place. The event starts at 9:30 AM and people are asked to meet on the S. Edgewood side of the ravine. Pizza and Refreshments will be served afterwards.

Remember to wear long pants, long sleeves and closed toe shoes. You are going to get dirty. Equipment and basic instruction will be provided.

Last time around there were over 20 volunteers. Let's double it tomorrow.

E-mail arlingtonvillagegreen@yahoo.com if you have any questions.

Pike Business of the Week: Pines of Naples

Yes...it is true...Pines is the place to be for Italian on the Pike. I love this hole in the wall restaurant. To be honest...it is a bit hard to find if you don't know where you are going. It is down the street from the Cinema Drafthouse and you have to walk upstairs to get to the dining room. Yes you can walk there from Arlington Village...which is always a plus.

The food is great and they have lots of vegetarian options. I've had mussels, lasagna, spaghetti, etc...and it has always been fantastic. The house wine isn't too bad either. It is served up by a family and the woman that usually is there is just darling and so Italian! The prices are very modest and every time I've brought friends there...they say they have a new favorite restaurant.

Here's a review I found online:
"Our family has been going to this restaurant for over 15 years. It is owned by an Italian family who makes authentic, traditional Italian cuisine. The food is marvelous! The owners are the sweetest, warmest people and treat their regular clients like family. It is hidden on a second story, so it is easy to pass by. Don't judge the place by its looks. Believe me, you want to eat here!"

As the reviewer said...it is not the Ritz Carlton...but it is a great place for food and very laid back and relaxed which is a nice change of pace in DC. Hope to see you there!!!

Pines of Naples
3205 Columbia Pike
Arlington, VA 22204
(703) 521-7551

Unwanted Examiners on your Porch? It's an epidemic!

This issue was brought up at last month's board meeting. It seems that the Examiner is being dropped off on doorsteps even though the residents don't have a subscription. We have other neighbors in the 22204 area that are also dealing with this annoyance. Perhaps this note below from the 22204 Listserve can help some Arlington Village residents.

I'll gladly gather a list of addresses per Capt. Nuneville's
suggestion. Anybody who doesn't want the DC Examiner is invited to sign my online petition at:

http://www.petition online.com/examiner/petition.html

Name, email, and address are required--this information will NOT be displayed online and will NOT be available to the general public. I will accept signatures from anyone in the region but will forward only 22204 addresses to Capt. Nuneville.

Please share this info with anyone else you know who is sick and tired of getting the Examiner. If you know somebody who doesn't want the Examiner and is unable to sign the petition online, please let them know they contact me by phone to be included.

Maria Lauron
Penrose

Don't forget about the Board Meeting Tonight!

Lots of important issues and plenty of open seating for all. Feel free to bring your notebook and send the blog your observations. Please post your notes to this posting. Thanks in advance.

Rumor Mill: Free Car Washes?

So...I've heard that it may be possible to get free car washes for the folks on S. Cleveland Street and 13th Road because of all the construction related to the water main mayhem. Has anyone else heard about this?

Important Board Meeting on Tuesday

Just a reminder that the Board Meeting will be taking place THIS Tuesday the 23rd. They will be discussing a new lighting project at 7 PM, then they will discuss the budget as well as replacing our management company.

Maybe someone can ask during resident's forum...why the Call for Candidates hasn't gone out yet? According to our bylaws...won't the election now have to be put back?

The 2008 Alexandria Film Festival: Reel Politics

The 2008 Alexandria Film Festival: Reel Politics will be held from Thursday, September 25 through Sunday, September 28. Thursday night's opening activities, beginning at 7:30 p.m. will take place in Market Square in Old Town, all other screenings will take place at the Nannie J. Lee Community Center, 1108 Jefferson Street in Alexandria.

Tickets for the festival are $10 for a one-day pass or $30 for entire festival, with a discounted price of $25 if you purchase in advance. Tickets may be purchased on-line with a credit card at www.alexandriacommissionforthearts.org or at any point during the festival with a check or cash. The screening on Thursday night in Market Square is free and open to the public.

If you are interested in volunteering during the film festival or for any of the other programs and events of the Alexandria Commission for the arts, please email aca.volunteer@yahoo.com.

Visit the Alexandria Commission for the Arts for more information on the films and schedule or to purchase tickets.

PARKFAIRFAX NATIVE PLANT SALE

September 26-27, 2008 -- 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Eleven vendors from Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia will be at the 11th Parkfairfax Native Plant Sale, which has been held twice a year since October 2003 and grown into the largest native plant sale in the Washington D.C. area. Several of the vendors carry native trees and shrubs as well as perennials, and several of the vendors specialize in some aspect of native plants, such as fruiting shrubs, wetland plants, carnivorous plants, or native azaleas. A few of these vendors do not come to our local area for any other plant sale.

For a list of vendors, and links to their websites, please see the plant sale website and click on the "vendors" page.

The sale is entirely organized and run by volunteers. No one makes money from it except the vendors. The purpose of these sales is to promote native plant gardening in our region because gardening with natives is better for our watershed, our woodlands, and our wildlife, especially birds. Bringing together a variety of growers makes it easier for local gardeners (especially those new to native plant gardening) to find quality plants and encourages greater demand for natives in the nursery industry.

Please pass this email along to your interested friends. This sale depends entirely on word-of-mouth support. Thank you for helping to spread the word!

Weekend Printmaking Workshop with Steve Prince

I'm not usually one for spiritual stuff...but the printmaking sounds neat. Here's the info in case you are interested:

September 20 - 21
An Experience of Printmaking and Healing, with Steve Prince

Hand tools, power tools, plywood, linoleum, a single steamroller and the opportunity to explore what it is to be a community, with renowned artist. Prepare for a wild ride!

Join us for a hands-on, multi-generational workshop. Participants will create an individual handmade print, and help produce a large collaborative work as well. No experience is necessary, and all are welcome.

Saturday September 20, 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
All-day printmaking workshop.
Sunday September 21, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Community printing, picnic, and celebration.

A very special tuition of $25 for this event. Scholarships are available.

Register online at www.faithrenaissance.org
For more information email arts@arlingtonumc. com.

Faith Renaissance Studio
at Arlington UMC
716 South Glebe Road
Arlington, VA 22204

Don't Forget Today is the Dog Swim!!!

The dedication is at 5:20 PM. The event is from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. See you there.

No Parking on S. 13th Road and S. Cleveland for 5 weeks???

I'm assuming that the County knows way in advance that they are going to do a construction project. So why are they giving residents a few days notice? They aren't going to allow parking for 5 weeks? Can't AV say something on resident's behalf?

Note from AV Office:

Please be advised that Arlington County has placed parking restrictions on South Cleveland Street, between South 13th Road and South 11th Street, to install a new water main.

The parking restrictions are from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday to Friday. Any cars parked on South Cleveland Street between those times are subject to towing by Arlington County at the owner’s expense.

The work is scheduled to start on Monday, September 15, 2008, and should be finished within five weeks.

If any of your neighbors are out-of-town and you know how to contact them, please do so or call the management office at 703-920-1000 so our staff can try and notify the absent owner(s).

If you have any questions regarding this County project, please contact the Mr. Sims (Construction Manager, Engineering Division) at 703-228-3592.

Have you heard of Freecycle?

If you are into recycling...then read about this unique organization:

On May 1st, 2003, Deron Beal sent out the first e-mail announcing The Freecycle Network™ to about 30 or 40 friends and a handful of nonprofits in Tucson, Arizona. At the time Deron founded The Freecycle Network, he worked with a small nonprofit organization, RISE, which provides recycling services to downtown businesses and transitional employment to Tucsonans in need.

As the team recycled, rather than watching perfectly good items being thrown away, they found themselves calling or driving around to see if various local nonprofits could use them. Thinking there had to be an easier way, Beal set up that first Freecycle e-mail group in a way that permitted everyone in Tucson to give and to get. Freecycle was off and running.

The Freecycle concept has since spread to over 75 countries, where there are thousands of local groups representing millions of of members -- people helping people and "changing the world one gift at a time." As a result, we are currently keeping over 300 tons a day out of landfills! This amounts to four times the height of Mt. Everest in the past year alone, when stacked in garbage trucks!

By giving freely with no strings attached, members of The Freecycle Network help instill a sense of generosity of spirit as they strengthen local community ties and promote environmental sustainability and reuse. People from all walks of life have joined together to turn trash into treasure.

If you click on the link above...you can find the closest Freecycle group or you can go to yahoo groups and look up Freecycle Arlington, VA.

Pike Business of the Week - The Air Force Memorial

Well...it is 9-11 and even though the Memorial isn't technically a business...it is a great place to visit on the Pike.

The Air Force Memorial is a great tribute to our men and women in the Air Force. It is also a beautiful place at night with a great view of Washington, D.C.

Attention Please Read: Flooding Damage to Storage Area Under Unit 113

Does anyone know more about an incident of flooding that happened on Monday in the storage area under 113? I was e-mailed about it and the sender was also wondering if the bike room or any other basement rooms get flooded in storms?

The description of the situation was as follows, "There was at least an inch of water on the floor and a little more in some areas. Everything that was on the ground was soaked and boxes are soaking up the water. It is also starting to smell like a swamp. I called the management office but I do not think they will do anything or tell anyone about the event."

I think this is very serious. I'm hoping that everyone that has a storage space under 113 has been given notice about the situation.

Board Member Fired?

I didn't know you could fire a volunteer but I guess that is the case. I received an e-mail last night that one of the Board Members was thrown off the Board by certified mail. I don't have all the details but perhaps if you see a Board Member tonight at the Budget Town Hall meeting you can ask them.

I'm assuming that they will fill the position temporarily until the election? Does anyone know how that process will work? Can residents ask to fill that position?

Any information on how this will work out will be fantastic!

Hear Ye...Hear Ye...Budget Town Meeting

If you aren't on the AV Blast...you should know that there will be a Budget Meeting tomorrow night!!! It's really too bad that the Crier hasn't come out yet...maybe it will be under your door this afternoon? I fear that the word hasn't gotten out about the meeting and that's the way Arlington Village likes it.

You would think such an important meeting would at least qualify for flyers or something. You can barely see it listed on the sandwich boards.

Perhaps they will talk about the new management companies they are looking at; how much are we going to budget for 13th Road renovations; or how much money do we spend on employee overtime? Please post what questions you'd like to see answered.

As sent out by Arlington Village:

Please join the Treasurer and the Assets Committee for an informal presentation and Q&A session on the draft 2009 budget, Scheduled for Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at 7:30 pm in the Arlington Village Meeting Room.

Something to think about THIS week - Traffic Alerts for 9/11 Memorial Dedication

TRAFFIC ALERT: 9/11 Memorial Dedication

The Arlington County Police Department will close numerous intersections on Thursday, September 11 for the 9/11 Memorial Dedication held at the Pentagon.

The following roads will be closed from 3 am to 2 pm:

* Washington Blvd Eastbound closed at I-395 and Columbia Pike
* Washington Blvd Westbound from Memorial Bridge
* Washington Blvd Westbound from I-395
* Washington Blvd Westbound from Hayes Street
* I-395 Northbound HOV–no access to Washington Blvd
* I-395 Southbound to Pentagon South Parking
* Columbia Pike closed from Joyce Street to Pentagon South Parking

The following roads will be closed at 3 am and will open when possible:

* S. Fern Street from Army Navy Drive to the Pentagon
* S. Eads Street from Army Navy Drive to the Pentagon
* Rotary Road closed throughout Pentagon South parking
* North /South Connector road at Pentagon
* I-395 Northbound HOV–access to Eads Street, must exit to Army Navy Drive

Question of the Day - How do I get on the AV Blast???

This question was posted a few days ago. For those that would like be on the Arlington Village E-Blast you can either call the office at 703-920-1000 or you can e-mail them at avcondo@aol.com .

This E-Blast system tells Villagers about security problems, Village notices, basically anything that can make an impact on residents. There isn't much traffic from it...so don't worry about it filling your inbox with useless information.

******

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT YOU ONLY HAVE 2 MORE DAYS TO SIGN UP FOR THE DOG SWIM TO GET THE 1/2 PRICE DEAL!

Pike Business of the Week - Lost Dog Cafe

Hey...this blog is going to the dogs this week! hahaha

Lost Dog Cafe isn't on the Pike yet...but is set to be one of the new business's moving in after all the construction has cleared. I love this place! Not only does it have great food...it does great things for stray dogs and cats.

Here's what they say about themselves, "The Lost Dog Café has been serving up great pizza, hot sandwiches and beer from around the world in Arlington’s Westover neighborhood since 1985. Wellknown as a place to get great food at a great price, the café also serves up a hefty slice of compassion with each pizza. Café owners Ross Underwood and Pam McAlwee have been rescuing stray dogs and cats almost as long as they have been in business and the effort continues.

It began with a few “lost” dogs needing a place to stay until they could find new homes of their own. In 2001, thanks largely to the success of the Lost Dog Café, the pair established a non-profit foundation dedicated solely to the cause of helping homeless and abandoned dogs and cats find forever homes. Today the Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation (LDCRF) places almost 2000 animals per year into permanent, loving homes—each one spayed or neutered prior to adoption. The foundation’s efforts continue to be supported by the Lost Dog Café and its sister restaurant (just a few doors down), the Stray Cat Café."

If you want to check them out before they move in...go to:

5876 Washington Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22205
703-237-1552

Hours:
Sunday, 11:00AM - 10:00PM
Monday - Saturday, 11:00AM - 11:00PM

Delivery Info.:(Limited Delivery Area)
Last Delivery Order 15 Minutes Before Closing
FREE DELIVERY on Small or Large Pizza or $15.00 Sandwich Order

Please Tip...Our Drivers Work For Tips
10% Gratuity Will Be Added To Orders Over $50 On Delivery
Personal Checks Not Accepted

It's Dog Swim Time...you are running out of time to register early!

Dog Swim Registration Now Open!
By Sharyn Fitzgerald, Arlington Village Dog Swim Committee

We can’t wait to see you and your pups on September 14th from 5:30-7:30 for another great doggie day at the pool!

Registration is now open for the Jim Walton Memorial Dog Swim at Arlington Village. Registration forms can be downloaded from the Arlington Village website (www.arlingtonvillage.com ), or you can pick up a hard copy from the pool or in any laundry room. Please note the early registration deadline: 4:00pm on September 10. Registration fees, which will be donated to the Animal Welfare League of Arlington, are a donation of $5/dog if you register by September 10, or donation of $10/dog at the door on the day of the Swim. Please remember, if you register at the Swim, to bring your dog’s vaccination records.

Please also join us at 5:20 for a short dedication by State Senator Patsy Ticer in memory of our former neighbor LTC Jim Walton, for whom the Dog Swim is named. Jim, active in past dog swim planning, lost his life earlier this summer while serving in Afghanistan.

We encourage spectators to attend the Swim! Please note that there will be a minimum donation of $1 per person for spectators. Also, if you will be bringing children, we will ask that you sign a waiver upon entry to the pool area.

A new feature at this year’s swim is that we’ll have dog treats for sale! The treats we're making include fruit (apple and banana), meat (chicken and beef), and peanut-butter flavored biscuits. They're all home-made with all natural dog- (and cat and human)-safe ingredients. Look out for Buster's Peanut Butter Bones, Willow's Apple Drops, and Molly's Beef Bites. Treats will be offered for a suggested donation of $1.

Alert - Car Break-In?

I got a note today that said someone spied a car on 13th Road that looked like it was broken into...basically broken glass all over the street, back window broken out. If this is the case...this happened a few months back in the same location. Please keep valuables out of your cars at night. I'd hate for any AV residents to become a victim of such a crime. Please comment if you know any more about this incident.

What's happening in AV tonight and all month long?

Yes...we are in September and there is a Covenant's meeting this evening at 7:30 PM. You can go and ask the committee to keep your neighbor quiet or hear if they will decide to take down the swing next to the tennis courts.

Also, please put these events on your calendar...

Sept. 9: Grounds Committee Meeting, 7:00 PM
Sept. 10: Budget 2009 Townhall Meeting, 7:30 PM
Sept. 14: Dog Swim, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Sept. 16: Environmental Resources, 7:00 PM
Sept. 17: Communications Meeting, 7:30 PM
Sept. 18: Assets Meeting, 7:30 PM
Sept. 23: Board Meeting, 7:30 PM
Sept. 24: Security Meeting, 7:00 PM