Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Board Meeting Tonight

Just a reminder to stop by the AV office this evening so that you can see what's happening in Arlington Village. The meetings aren't really highly attended. Please stop by and be an audience. The Board allows residents to address them at the beginning of the meeting if they have any announcements, problems or want to give someone a pat on the back. Please send any feedback from the meeting to the blog.

I still would like the committees to send in their notes from their meetings. I think that residents would like a more direct way of seeing what takes place at both the committee and board meetings. Perhaps more people would get involved if they felt more included in the process?

Who knows, maybe we could even webcast the meetings?

Friday, June 26, 2009

Pike News from CPRO

Shop Local Shop Arlington!
Arlington's new retail campaign, Shop Local: Shop Arlington, is designed to help all Arlingtonians – whether you are working, living or visiting – shop local. In tough economic times, your dollars mean business.

Adams Square Demolition
The long awaited start of the 28 month Penrose Square construction project occurred last week as the building at 2405 Columbia Pike (which previously housed the Lady Hamilton store and others) was reduced to rubble. The old strip shopping center was built in 1952 and 1964, and will be replaced by a new 7 story mixed-use complex with a new Giant store, 30,000 sq. ft. of other retail, 299 apartments, and a new public square. Demolition of the remaining Giant pharmacy and Giant grocery buildings is expected in the next 30 days.

M&R Mini-Market Grocery Opens!
New mini-market grocery located at 2609 Columbia Pike, just down the street from the old Giant Grocery. M&R Grocery offers a variety of every-day items (milk, bread, soda, eggs, cereal, etc.) as well as lots of party supplies and more. Store hours are 9:00 am-9:00 pm Monday – Saturday and 10:00 am-7:00 pm on Sunday. Parking is available just a few doors down in the parking lot adjacent to the CVS.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Movies on Mondays in Crystal City

Do you have a comic book collection or just like to dress up as Superman in your spare time? Crystal City has an outdoor film festival, presenting heroes, villains and super powers. You can bring a picnic and a blanket and watch your favorite super hero every Monday. Movies are held rain or shine, except in cases of severe, inclement weather.

Dates: Monday Nights, through September 21, 2009
Time: Sundown
Location: 18th and Bell Street, across from Arena Stage and the Crystal City Metro Station
Crystal City, Virginia
Free garage parking is available at designated Crystal City garages after 4:00 pm.

Repeat Showing for Kids: Since the movies run late in the evening, this year the Crystal City BID has partnered with the Crystal City Sports Pub to re-broadcast each movie at 2 p.m. every Wednesday following the outdoor showing. The Crystal City Sports Pub is located at 529 23rd St. South.

June 29 - Superman 4: The Quest for Peace (1987)
July 6 - Superman 5: Superman Returns (2006)
July 13 - X-Men (2000)
July 20 - X2 (2003)
July 27 - X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)
Aug 3 - Fantastic Four (2005)
Aug 10 - Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)
Aug 17 - Batman (1989)
Aug 24 - Batman Returns (1992)
Aug 31 - Batman Forever (1995)
Sept 7 - Batman & Robin (1997)
Sept 14 - Batman Begins (2005)
Sept 21 - Batman: The Dark Knight (2008)

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Do Board Members Follow the Rules?

OK...I've gotten a few emails from people wanting me to post about this subject. Here is the problem, an unnamed Board Member planted a row of plants on the corner of S. Cleveland and S. 13th Road. I walked down there to look at it...feel free to do the same. From what I've been told, it is in violation of AV rules to plant anything in the common area outide of your established beds.

After the plants were spotted both the Grounds Committee and the Board said that the plants needed to go. So far...the plants are still there. So...does the Board Member get to stay on the Board even though they have blatant disregard for the AV rules?

Personally, I really don't care what happens with this situation. I think it points to a bigger problem in enforcement of rules. It seems that a lot of people do whatever they want and possibly get a letter scolding them from the office. Whereas other people ask permission to do what they want (whether planting or remodeling) and are taken on a 3 or 4 month journey through meeting after meeting or email after email to make sure they have just the right measurements or a non-invasive plant species for their garden.

So it doesn't surprise me that even a Board Member would rather ask for forgiveness than permission. However if the Board Member doesn't have to follow the rules that they themselves voted for...why should anyone else have to follow the rules?

Friday, June 19, 2009

Columbia Pike Blues Festival

Th Blues Festival is this Saturday June 20 from 1-8pm. It will have great music, delicious food, cold beer, arts and crafts, kids activities and more at the 14th Annual Columbia Pike Blues Festival!

ADMISSION IS FREE!

Deja Blue 1:00 pm

Paul Mark & the Van Dorens 2:00 pm

Danny Blew & the Blues Crew 3:30 pm

Nadine Rae & the All-Stars 5:00 pm

Memphis Gold 6:30 pm

Location: S. Walter Reed and Columbia Pike

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Happy Anniversary!

Big shout out to the "What's Happening in Arlington Village" blog today! It's our year anniversary of spreading the news about the AV community. Thanks to everyone who sends in good comments and ideas to the blog.

Tuesday Entertainment...Check out the Arlington Rap!

Had to post this clip from You Tube...it will brighten your day!

Monday, June 15, 2009

What can you plant in Arlington Village?

It's summer and I see people out tending their flowers and watering their little daisies and daffodils. However, how many Arlington Villagers are aware of the rules when it comes to planting in their flower beds? We've talked before about illegal tomato plants...however is it OK to dig up the bushes in front of your house? Is it OK to plant ivy?

Has anyone had problems or been told that they shouldn't have planted something? Does your neighbor have questionable landscaping abilities or did you inherit a plot of land that your non-green thumb has helped to kill?

Just wondering since I see in the Board notes that they approve dead bushes being replaced all the time.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Vote for local Arlington School!!!

Yes, a local Arlington school has made it to the finals in Walmart's "Earth Day, Every Day School Challenge"!

You can help determine which school wins the $20,000 grant! Simply register with this website and vote for the Arlington Traditional School.

The school that receives the highest number of votes will be awarded the $20,000 grant. Don’t delay: the voting ends at 11:59 PM ET on June 19, 2009.

Monday, June 8, 2009

Bike Room

Since the Crier has been such a hot topic...I'm sure you've read the front page story about getting rid of all bikes in the bike room that don't have AV stickers. I'd suggest for all you bike riders with bikes in the room to go check your stickers.

Also, if you have your bike in the bike room illegally...go get a sticker. No reason not to follow the rules. Right?

You have until Friday, July 31st to get your bike out or tagged. Afterwards, the bikes will be dontated to a charity.

A great charity would be Phoenix Bikes (see past posting). They are just down the street and do great work with the local community.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Monthly Crier

I was reminded yesterday by another poster that the Crier is past due. I was under the impression that it would come out a week after the Board Meeting. I can't wait until we can get the online version.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Knee High Grass?

I know that the mowers are out today but I got a note from someone that said they had knee high grass in their courtyard. To be honest I didn't believe it until I went to "said courtyard" and saw it for myself. That is crazy. If that were my courtyard I would harass the office every day until it was taken care of. That's why we have a Grounds Committee right?

Speaking of Grounds...they are having a town hall meeting. It's going to be on
Tuesday, June 16th, 7:00pm , in the Village Meeting Room, adjacent to the Management Office. The Grounds Committee and Kate Davidson, the Arlington Village Landscape Architect, will be presenting pending Grounds landscaping projects slated to take place this upcoming Fall planting season. Please attend to learn what is in store for Arlington Village and share your valued input.

Perhaps someone should suggest in their valued input to mow the grass that we have and plant more where it is bare?