The Latest
One-day Gardening Blitz
Don't let the Barcroft Community House gardens be shamed by the homes featured on The Gardens of Barcroft Tour! Join your neighbors for a few hours of beautifying the Community House gardens on Saturday, May 19th.
We'll be out there between 8:30 AM and noon so drop by for some, or all, of that time. As added incentive, we'll provide a BBQ lunch following. And yes, we'll be checking for dirt under fingernails before feeding. J
Any questions? Contact Judith Richter at jarichter@juno.com or 703-998-0965.
Barcroft House Landscaping Committee
The Gardens of Barcroft Tour
Sunday May 20, 12 noon to 4:00 PM
Come join your friends and neighbors on this self-guided tour
of some of the prettiest and most interesting gardens in Barcroft.
Tickets are available now:
$10.00 for adults---under age 18 are free, with a ticket holder.
Most of the gardeners will be available during tour hours to answer questions.
From 3:00-5:00 PM, ticket-holders and gardeners may enjoy light refreshments at 510 S. Wakefield St.
Three of the gardeners will be selling same-day tickets during tour hours. Please bring exact change:
Elaine Squeri 216 S. Abington St.
Keith Fred 4840 S. 7th St.
Noreen Atkinson 510 S.Wakefield St
We are looking forward to a wonderful afternoon with neighbors as we share gardening ideas and help our Community House Restoration Fund.
For ticket information, contact:
Noreen Atkinson
noreenatkinson@verizon.net
703-979-4868
President's Report for May
by Pat Williamson, BSCL President
What a great time was had by all who attended the 2012 Easter Egg Hunt at our Community House! Thanks to all who planned this event and to the those that participated.
At the April meeting Michael Nazaretz was elected to fill the Executive Committee position term left vacant when Dave Peacefull moved away. Congratulations to Michael and thanks for this commitment. Michael has also joined with the team of Randy and Barbara Swart, Jim Kerr, Michael Behringer and others who are working on constantly improving the condition of the Community House and grounds.
The May regular monthly meeting will be held at 7:30 pm on Thurs., May 3. We will then be on hiatus until the September 6th meeting begins our new year. Of course we will enjoy the Garden Tour on May 20, the 4th of July Parade and the August 7 National Night Ice Cream Social in between!!
At the May 3 meeting we will say thanks to Gary and Peg Lefebvre for their many years of service to BSCL as they move to their new home not too far away. We will hold the election of officers to fill their seats and others. We are still seeking a candidate for the Recording Secretary position. Neighbors who have stepped forward to be candidates for the following leadership spots are:
President -- Pat Williamson
Vice President -- Eric Harold
Treasurer -- Jennifer Lis
Executive Committee Term to end in 2015 -- Bryant Monroe
Fay Cheung has accepted appointment to position of Membership Coordinator.
We will have a presentation by Jeremy Watson of Arlington County staff on planned improvements to S. George Mason Drive. In 2010, the County Board approved an increase in the vehicle decal fee from $25 to $33. Revenue from the twelve dollar increase is dedicated for the design and implementation of transportation improvement projects. Three projects were completed in FY 2010 and three more have been programmed for FY 2012. One of which is S. George Mason Drive.
The project limits are between Arlington Boulevard and Columbia Pike. Most, if not all the improvements, are aimed at creating a safer environment for pedestrians, transit riders, and bicyclists. The project will relocate the crosswalk at Arlington Boulevard and install new pedestrian ramps. Curb extensions and/or bus nubs are being proposed at the crosswalk in front of the Army National Guard Center, at the 4th St. intersection, and at the 6th St. intersection. A pedestrian signal has also been proposed in front of the Army National Guard Center. Lastly, "sharrows" will be installed on both sides along the entire stretch. Sharrows are shared-lane markings painted on the street. The project is funded for design and construction, which is scheduled to begin this summer.
We are hopeful that State Delegate Patrick Hope will stop by the deliver a brief update on this year's session of the legislature.
See you there at the BSCL meeting on May 3 at 7:30 PM
Need a Chandelier or a big coat rack?
After the renovation there are some items left from the Community House that we hope to find a good Barcroft home for. The first is the three chandeliers. Two are in good shape, but there is a clumsy clamp repairing the third. There is one set of matched globes, but the others are mixed. Those can be replaced from a lamp store or online. Any of the chandeliers would need rewiring. They are here on the Web page.
The second item is the big coat rack. After years of scarring walls and trim, we are reluctantly letting it go. It is at the bottom of the above Web page.
Please let Randy Swart know if you can use a chandelier or the coat rack, or if you want to come by and see them. We want them to stay in Barcroft if possible, since they are pieces of neighborhood history.
Easter Egg Hunt!
Great fun. Easter Saturday, April 6
Weather Forecast for Barcroft
The link on the right at the top of this page is the result of Barcrofter Eric Parker's years of recording our weather and sending data to Weather Underground. Their new system integrates the historic data from local stations like Eric's to produce micro weather forecasts. So thanks to Eric we now have a real Barcroft weather forecast.
We celebrated the renovated Barcroft Community House on Feb. 2
Jim Kerr, our Project Manager, and Chris Ditta, our Fundraiser
We had a party to celebrate the conclusion of our major renovation project on the main hall. The results are spectacular. Commonwealth Renovations did a first class job for us, and finished on time.
Here is the Sun Gazette's article. It appeared on their Web site within 12 hours of our party! Scott McCaffrey took a nice photo of the assembled Barcofters, while we all said "Barcroft!" The paper edition of the Sun Gazette that arrived on your doorstep on February 8 has the same article, with color photo.
Eventually there will be a plaque on the wall with names of all who have donated $100 or more to the renovation. If you are not sure how much you contributed, or to donate, you can email BSCL Treasurer, Gary Lefebvre: gary@bscl.org
Community House Renovation: It's Finished!
Here is Wendy Jordan's design for the interior lighting, ceiling fans and paint colors.
Chandelier: Troy Alexander F2668
Sconce: Murry Feiss Morningside Sconce WB127OGBZ
Ceiling Fan: Casablanca Panama Energy Star - 50" Snow White finish
Paint: Wall and Ceiling -Sherwin Williams Navajo White SW6126, Trim and Wainscot- Sherwin Williams Alabaster SW7008
Here is our page of photos showing progress to date.
Have you paid your dues? Check here!
Photos from Chalk 4 Peace at Barcroft Elementary School
This link to the Barcroft PTA Website will open up the gallery of photos from this past Saturday's CHALK 4 PEACE event in front of the Barcroft Elementary School.
In addition to the fun and enjoyment the children and families experienced in the name of peace, there were also several amazing works of art for our community viewing pleasure if you have not witnessed them in person. From the Mona Lisa to Sponge Bob and a Sit-in Bench to a Walkway of Peace there is something for everyone. Please enjoy! - Chris Ditta
National Guard headquarters issues
Next meeting: Thursday, September 8th at the Community House. 7:30pm
Storm Damage
Some had none, but on Abingdon Street there were three large trees down. Here is the one at the Cackleys.
And you can see it in Arlington's storm damage report. The first three slides are Barcroft homes on Abingdon.
Barcroft Fox
This red fox appeared in Barbara and Randy Swart's back yard (7th and Wakefield)
about noon on August 19th. You can see the Youtube video here.
The picture and video were taken at 26x zoom.
Barcroft Players
On August 4 and 5 the Barcroft Players presented
A Most Notorious Woman by Maggie Cronin
The story of Grace O'Malley, Ireland's pirate queen.
Here is the production page with photos.
Voting in Barcroft
A memorable day for Barcroft election officials in August 2011. Primary election plus earthquake!
Our 4th of July Parade
Here is the Parade Page, with photos and videos!
The Piantanidas (David, Lisa, and Bodie) produced this excellent video complete with music.
We are still lacking some photos. Please send yours to randy@bscl.org.
You may need: Permit Parking Process
The County's info on how it works..
In May we elected new officers for 2011-2012
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President: Pat Williamson
Vice President: Jason Kiker
Secretary: Jennifer Lis
Treasurer: Gary Lefebvre
Membership Secretary: Peg Lefebvre
New Board Member: Bryant Monroe
More of Our Current Issues
- Community House Renovation fundraiser
- Chris Ditta is running a drive to collect funds.
- Status of Buchanan Gardens rehab
- APAH is converting the apartments to affordable housing.
- 8th St House Partially Burned, then Wrecked
- Fire Department examined their policies afterward.
- New Park Takes Shape for 2012
- Barcroft moms worked with the County on the design.
- Resolution supporting Barcroft Elementary School
- We asked for a solution to teacher parking problems.
- Pike project delayed.
- Will finish in 2012.
What We Like About Our Neighborhood
We are a nice, quiet neighborhood originally established in 1903. We have about 800 mostly modest single-family homes, and about 400 apartments along our outer edge. Most of the houses here were built in the 1930-1970 era. We have an active civic association, an historic Community House and a monthly neighborhood ewsletter, The Barcroft News, first published in 1903.
The Barcroft School and Civic League sponsors neighborhood events ranging from an annual Fourth of July Parade to a Christmas visit from Santa Claus, meet-the-candidates nights before elections, spaghetti dinners and a coffeehouse to showcase neighborhood talent. These events retain the strong spirit of community existing here for over 90 years. This is a good place to live.
Neighborhood Highlights
- Our Neighborhood Conservation Plan
- Planning document for the decade 2008-18
- Our Neighborhood Goals
- Goals for the century to come
- Our Snow Shovel Brigade helps shovel walks.
- Seniors, physically handicapped aided by neighbors.
- Our holiday party is always great fun!
- Photos and more of our annual celebration
- Google Maps takes photographs of the neighborhood
- Highlights of what it saw in 2009.
- Eileen Melia honored as "Person of Vision"
- The award citation and more about her accomplishments
- Joan Mulholland honored as a Freedom Rider
- Interviewed by ABC on Inauguration Day 2009
- Barcroft Walkabout video on Youtube
- A ten minute walking tour of the neighborhood
- Bus info for Barcroft
- You can get there by bus.
- The Media
- Barcroft articles, TV and more.
- The Barcroft Players' most recent performance
In June 2008 The Barcroft Players presented "Three Generations of Imbeciles," an original play by Rick Hodges.
Here is more information about The Barcroft Players and all of their performances.
- Don't wade in Four Mile Run!
- Bacteria levels exceed water quality standards.
History
- Our History
- How we began in 1903 and how we got this way
- Our Historic Landmark
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The Barcroft Community House, neighborhood icon.
Our renovation plans
Fundraiser: Donate to Renovate
Rent the Community House
Community House dimensions
A Google map and directions.
- Our Centennial celebration in 2003
- A play by the Barcroft Players: Tales of Barcroft.
- Our resolution to name Anne Noll Park
- Parks rejected us and named it Arlington Hall Park
- Friendship Quilt from 1948
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The fascinating history and 500 Barcroft names
- How we lost our neighborhood bus line
- AB&W was for Alexandria, Barcroft and Washington
- Our current bus service
- Columbia Pike bus service
- Traffic calming worked in Barcroft!
- County report details good results.
- We have official permission to do park maintenance
- A letter from Arlington County Parks
- Barcroft School needs tutors.
- You can volunteer to tutor one hour a week
The BSCL
- Who We Are
- Our email directory, neighbors' Web pages, more
- Our Newsletter, Minutes and Bylaws
- The Barcroft News was first published in 1903
- Our Chat List
- Our chat list for neighborhood topics at eGroups
- The Barcroft Players
- Our neighborhood theater company
- Membership List
- Have you paid your dues?
- Membership form
- For Barcrofters only: join the BSCL.
- Donations and Tax Status
- For tax deductions, donate to our Community House Fund.
- More!
- Neighborhood lore, parades, County codes, more
Other Resources
- Barcroft's Elected Representatives
- County, State, National elected reps for our neighborhood
- Contacts for County Services
- People to call or email in County departments
- Infill development and Zoning
- Info developed by the Williamsburg Civic Association
- Energy Audits: A Barcroft Consumer's Experience
- Energy issues for Barcroft homes.
- Right Tree, Right Place, Right Now!
- Elizabeth Rives' PowerPoint presentation on tree planting.
- How to hire day laborers
- Ben Harris makes it easy to use Seek in Shirlington.
- Links
- Other neighborhoods and Arlington resources
Maps
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Here is a Barcroft neighborhood map.
The County has some nice maps of our neighborhood up.
And here is another from Google Maps.
And a nice aerial photo, too.
To Contact Us
Please send email to:
- Pat Williamson
President, Barcroft School and Civic League
or call her at 703-271-0944.
or email our Webmaster
Randy Swart
At least one page on this site was revised on: May 5, 2012.
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Welcome to Barcroft Neighborhood