Friday, February 26, 2010

Where's Toto and Dorothy?


Wow is it windy today! Almost like a scene from the Wizard of Oz. Please be careful and notify the office if you see any wind damage to buildings or trees.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Everyone Wants to Talk about Parking...

From blog reader:

"To move on to another parking issue, this morning I noticed contractors from the building across the street from Barton parking in the village. They were parking in the big, long, white truck."

I'm sure other people have noticed the workers on Columbia Pike working on the Giant complex are parking in the Village as well.

Also it was noted in other posts that it is supposed to get really windy, please tie down your chairs, markers, wine racks, whatever you are/were using to mark your spots.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Question: Mold in AV Bathrooms?

This was posted yesterday by Jackie. The blog loves suggestions so email avcondoowner@yahoo.com if you have any other ideas. Thanks Jackie for the post!

"Does anyone have a good solution to eliminate mold from building up in the bathroom. I dont have a fan in my bathroom, and dont know if we
are able to install one. I have painted my bathroom in a sealant, hoping that the mold would not accumulate but it has. I even keep the door open with the fan on
when I shower so the fan in the hallway hopefully keeps the air flowing. But nothing that I have tried has seemed to work. Does anyone have any suggestion or tips that might be helpful?"

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

AV Blast from the GREEN TEAM...@ this Thursday

Keep the Heat Inside: Improving Energy Efficiency in our Homes.
A talk with Architekt David Peabody AIA, LEED


The Environmental Resources Committee invites you to a talk with architect David Peabody a long time specialist in energy efficient building.

What is the overall state of our buildings with regards to energy efficiency today?
What improvements are recommendable on the short, medium and long run?
How much of a difference can new insulation under our concrete slabs make? How much of a benefit does changing windows bring?
What would any decision entail in terms of material and financial planning?
How would any investment of this kind impact our property values?
David Peabody visited our Village several times. He interviewed with our staff and took a closer look on our buildings.

Village-Talk aims to open an informed dialog within our community on what can be done to improve and update our common and individual properties under a realistic longer term strategy.

Snacks, tea and refreshments will be offered.

The event’s materials, literature and presentations will be made available to all participants.

When: Thursday, Feb 25th 2010, 7pm - Doors open at 6:45pm
Where: AV Community Room

Monday, February 22, 2010

Agenda for AV Board Meeting on 2/23

7:35 PM
I.RESIDENTS’ FORUM (Limit 5 minutes each, 20 minutes total)

7:55 PM
II.ROLL CALL

7:56 PM
III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

8:18PM
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES for January 26, 2010

8:18 PM
V. GUEST REPORT (if needed) (Limit 10 Minutes)

8:20 PM
VI.MANAGEMENT REPORTS (limit 20 minutes each)
Facilities Manager’s Report
General Manager’s Report

9:00 PM
VII. COMMITTEE REPORTS (Limit 5 minutes each)
A. Assets Management – Chair Rob Elsroad
B. Communications – Chair Deborah Katz- see minutes included in packet
C. Covenants – Chair Richard Pelkey- see minutes included in packet
D. Environmental Resources/ Water Conservation
E. Grounds - Chair Eric Lerch
F. Security- No report
G. Columbia Heights Civic Association/ Penrose – Director Miltenberger


9:45 PM
VIII. PRESIDENT’S REPORT: President Greg Mesack

10:00 PM
IX. TREASURER’S REPORT: Treasurer Jenny Ericson

10:15 PM
X. OLD BUSINESS: (Limit 5minutes each)
Office and Community Room renovation proposals (vote required)
Five requests to waive late fees

10:25 PM
XI. NEW BUSINESS: (5 MINUTES)
Insurance Renewal Proposals (vote required)

11:00 PM
XII. EXECUTIVE SESSION

11:10 PM
XII. ADJOURNMENT

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Subject from Blog Reader...

Snowy wrote in asking about this in the last post:

"From the Metro section in the Washington Post on Sunday:

Arlington County Board unanimously voted to propose a tax rate of 96.5 cents per $100 of a property's assessed value, a 10.3% increase over the current rate of 87.5 cents.

Also proposed: higher fees for driver's licenses, sewer and sanitary services, etc."


Thoughts about what Arlington County is doing to our tax rates?

Friday, February 19, 2010

Missing the Point

I think people didn't understand yesterday's post. It was supposed to come across as humorous. As if...look what these idiots in Philadelphia are doing/saying.

I know it is hard to have a sense of humor about the parking situation in Arlington Village. Noone is happy. It has taken people 3 times the normal time to commute to their jobs all week and then when they get home their spot is taken or some AV staffer has moved their chair/table/what have you.

Who wouldn't or shouldn't be angry about that scenario?

All I can say is that I hope this weekend brings lots of sun and plenty of shovelers. Perhaps the staff, AV residents and mother nature can come together to get rid of this snow?

Thursday, February 18, 2010

You Think AV Has it Bad with Parking...

Check out what's happening in Philly...straight from "Getofftheinternet.org".

"In a city as old as Philadelphia, there are a great many time-honored traditions- the Mummers Parade, the yearly collapse of the Eagles, threatened garbage strikes, Justice Department probes of city employees and so on and so forth, et cetera, et cetera. In today’s Daily News (“The People Paper”) we are afforded a glimpse at another time-honored Philadelphian institution- that of using various pieces of furniture to hold your parking space, a precious commodity on the city’s narrow streets.

In the last two weeks, these spaces have become even more precious, due to some of the largest snowstorms in the city’s history. When people dig those spaces out, they want to save them by any means necessary, though doing so is technically illegal. The article is one of those slice-of-life pieces, giving many examples of the lengths to which people will go to save their spots and Mayor Michael Nutter even vaguely gives a winking approval to the practice. And, of course, with this being Philadelphia and this being the internet, there must be a group of reasonable citizens ready to weigh in on the matter, right?

i saw the news story where the woman complained of her tires getting slashed. She called it selfish. My thing is she was too lazy to park a bit further and WALK to her destination. Who is selfish now?

Yes. Reasonable.

A woman and her dog once pooped right on my sidewalk and left it. I scooped it up, followed her home and dumped, no spreaded it, all over her front steps. Since then, no on parks in my shoveled parking spot. And all I put there, was a bucket of sugar.

From ‘Beauty’-

don’t touch my chair in my spot…if i shovel you better believe i don’t want anyone else benefitting from my hard work…i’m petty enough to do something to your car if your bold enough to move my chair and trash can i use as my space holder…"

Click to see entire post.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Straight from AV Office

To: All Residents of Arlington Village Condominiums
From: Datosha Williams, General Manager
Date: February 16, 2010
Re: Parking Concerns, Snow Removal Efforts, and Update of Gutters and Roofs


Parking: Management has received several complaints regarding violations of the Parking policy. Please be reminded that Arlington Village does not have “reserved” parking. Parking spaces are available to residents and their guests on a “first come-First serve” basis. While we certainly understand that many of you have shoveled individual spaces, that particular space cannot be reserved exclusively for your unit. However, residents are encouraged to work together and shovel out additional spaces. This act of kindness will ultimately create more parking for everyone.

Snow Removal: The staff has worked diligently to manage the snow removal throughout the Village. Additionally, in an effort to create more parking for residents J&L contractors were contracted by the Village to assist with the removal/relocation of accumulated snow piles. They were able to create some additional parking but ran out of places to relocate the snow.

Roofs and Gutters damage: A property inspection has been completed and many roofs and gutters were damaged due to the snow storms. These damages have been noted for repair/replacement and will be addressed as soon as the weather permits.Please contact the office if you see any leaks in the ceiling or walls of your unit as a result of the snow melting.

Thank you in advance for your time, attention and patience with the matters above. Should you have any concerns please contact the management office at avcondo@aol.com or 703.920.1000.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Chlorinated Water?

Mark asked in the last post if people's water was tasting more chlorinated in Arlington Village since the snowstorm? I think mine is...how about yours?

Friday, February 12, 2010

Parking in the Village

Over the last few days there has been quite a stir about parking in the Village. Do you think that AV should have parking stickers? Do you feel that you can always find a spot near your unit? Are there commuters that park near you? Other thoughts about parking?

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

From Arlington County Website


Updated 2/10, 8:00 a.m.: Emergency shelter open at Washington Lee High School, 1301 N. Stafford St.; enter through door #1. Ample parking available (no transportation provided), and it is within walking distance of Ballston Metro. No pets allowed, with exception of service animals.

Reminder: Crews continue to work through neighborhoods, but must return to priority roads during the new storm. Report snow issues to snow email (snow@arlingtonva.us; don't forget to include your street address) or call 703-228-6485.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Beware of Falling Ice

Please be careful when you go out your front and back doors. There is a large amount of ice and snow on the roofs.

Also, if you can, knock off any snow that is on low hanging tree branches and shrubs. If we get another wallop of snow tomorrow there is a high chance that many branches will come down. Helping shake snow off of the trees will decrease that chance.

I also got a report of a big tree limb by the units that are near the LA Bar and Grill.

Please be careful.

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Superbowl Poll

1. Are you watching it at your house or braving the streets to go somewhere else?
2. Saints or Colts?

Friday, February 5, 2010

Did you steal my shovel?

Keep your shovels close over the weekend. Both my shovel and my neighbors were stolen yesterday. Perhaps they were just borrowed and they will magically reappear...but who knows. Whereever you are shovel you will be greatly missed this weekend. I'm sure you are getting lots of action where you are! On that note...how long do you think it will take Arlington County to plow our streets this time around?

Monday, February 1, 2010

More New Businesses on the Pike

As was mentioned in a recent post, Twisted Vines (Wine shop) will be opening soon on the Pike.

It also looks like World Gym has signed a lease for space at the Halstead. The 10,292 square foot health club will include a mezzanine and is slated to open in Spring/Summer of 2010.

More info --

http://www.columbiapike.org/enewsletters/index_E.html