January 2000 Barcroft News
Volume 97, Number 5
January Meeting: Arlington 3rd District Police Commander Steve Holl Visits
Steve Holl and some of his fellow police officers will be our guests at the January 6th meeting, to introduce themselves, to meet us, to report on recent crime and other police matters, and to take our questions. Please come out to welcome them and air any questions or concerns.
If you'd like to send questions in advance, you may contact Commander Holl, by email at sholl@co.arlington.va.us, or by phone. If you are interested in receiving his regular updates by email, just send him an email with your request and email address.
The Ground Floor
For months, the renovation committee has been discussing what is the best way to repair or replace the scuffed and worn tile floor of the community house. Now, the committee is ready to present three options for a vote by the general body at the Barcroft School and Civic League's January 6 meeting. Discussion of the floor will begin at 7:30 at the community house, 800 S. Buchanan St.
A new floor is an essential part of the ongoing renovation of our 83-year old hall. The original oak floor was covered over with the tiles untold years ago. A return to wood will dramatically improve the hall's appearance, making it a place that neighbors can use with pride, both for community gatherings and private parties. It'll also make it easier to raise the rates to outside groups renting the house for weddings, receptions and other events.
That'll ensure a stable financial future for the community house. Plus, our community house is on the National Register of Historic Places, and it's up to us to not just preserve it but improve it for the future.
Here is what will be proposed in general terms. More precise cost figures will be released at the meeting. FYI, as of Dec. 1, the community had raised about $3,100 for the floor through the “no sweat'' fund-raiser. That's not enough to pay for any of the options yet, so more fundraising is in store.
Finally, the “plusses'' and “minuses'' listed after each option are an attempt to summarize the issues that have arisen in the committee.
Option 1: Installation of a pre-finished oak floor by Bruce Hardwood floors or similar over top of the existing floor. This would include a 1/2 inch plywood subfloor laid over top of the existing tiles. The Bruce flooring costs around $6/sq. foot. Installation costs n another $2 and subfloor, about $1. However, some discount on materials may be available. Estimated cost: between $6,000-$9,000.
Plusses: No finishing required. Solid installation guaranteed because of subfloor.
Minuses: Cost, possibly too formal a look for our folksy building, high transitions at doorways because of additional material.
Possible modifications: use thinner “Luan'' as subfloor.
Option 2: Barcroft's own professional wood floor installer Mark Trone has proposed installation of a yellow pine floor on top of the existing tiles. Mark does not believe a subfloor is necessary. He has volunteered his labor, and would provide materials at cost. Obviously, the more neighbors who volunteer to help him, the faster the job will go. Mark says he can get yellow pine for $2/sq. foot. Installation is free. Sanding and finishing would follow by another contractor, at roughly $1.60 -- $2.00 sq./foot. Estimated cost: Between $3,600-$4,000.
Plusses: Low cost, appearance in keeping with building character, recommendation by professional floor installer who is also a Barcroft neighbor.
Minuses: Pine may dent, original floor was oak, “waves'' in original floor may be evident without subfloor.
Possible modifications: use oak.
Option 3: Remove tiles and refinish floor. Cost estimates not yet available.
Plusses: Restoration rather than renovation maintains building's historical integrity. No transition problems at door sill. May be low cost, depending on cost of removing asbestos tiles.
Minuses: Condition of floor unknown. Mastic used for tiles could be difficult or impossible to remove. Tiles difficult to remove, and floor could be gouged during process. Conflicting information about asbestos hazard.
Happy New Year from the Staff of the News!
In the Saint Nick of Time
Yes, Santa Claus, there is a Virginia…and the Barcroft Community thanks you for visiting it during the December BSCL Meeting. The Joy that shone from the eyes of our children made it a night to remember.
Holiday carols were celebrated through the talents of Kathy Kerr, MC and fiddle; Jack Turner, trumpet; Julie Gorka, keyboard; Randy Swart, mandolin; Barbara Swart, banjo; Michael Nazareth, accordion; Steve Wilson, flute; Maureen Wilson, guitar; the Cackley family singers, with Cecilia Cackley and Lauren Wilson. Mary Ann O'Rourke gave a spirited reading of “The Night before Christmas.”
Thanks to TJ Murphy for making the flight arrangements for Santa Claus.
No-Sweat Fundraiser Not Ready to Chill Out Yet
Donations to the "No Sweat" Fundraiser for community house renovations topped $3,100 as of December 1. Thanks much to all who have given. This community has contributed nearly $22,000 toward community house renovations since 1995, a fantastic showing of support. Unfortunately, it's still short of what we need for the next phase of the renovation, installation of a wood floor. Give now and help us get the job done.
Please send your donations to:
The Barcroft Community House Fund
c/o Treasurer, BSCL
812 S. George Mason Drive
Arlington VA 22204
For the next phase of renovations, our Delegate Karen Darner, a Barcroft resident, has informed us of a Virginia grant program which may help. BSCL President Mark Wigfield is completing the paperwork, and Karen has promised to shepherd it through the legislature next session. But we will need other grants to match this one. Help from anyone schooled in the art of scouting out and getting grants would be greatly appreciated. Call Mark e-mail him.
Barn Dance at the Community House
On Friday, January 28 at 8:00 p.m. the Barcroft Community House will be dancing with Liz Donaldson calling and Jump Start providing live (and lively) music. Jump Start features Kathy Kerr on the fiddle, Jim Besser on guitar & concertina, and Julie Gorka on the piano
November's dance was lots of high-energy fun, drawing dancers and non-dancers of all ages. The plan will be the same in January: a "barn dance" with Liz Donaldson teaching all dances so you don't need to know how to dance to have an enjoyable evening. Admission: $7/adults; $5/kids; $15/families. parents. Call Julie for information.
County Board Votes Six-Month Renewal For Demeter House Permit
The Arlington County board on December 14 voted unanimously to renew the use permit for the Demeter House drug rehabilitation program on S. Sixth Street, with another review to follow in six months.
The motion by member Chris Zimmerman (D) reflected the recommendation of the Barcroft School and Civic League. The BSCL asked the board to retain all conditions of the permit, and to review the facility's compliance in six months, rather than a year as is typical.
Deborah Voltz, President of Vanguard Services Unlimited, which runs Demeter, said she had no objection to the six-month review. Demeter has also corrected other minor problems brought up by the neighborhood by contracting with a professional landscaper to tend the yard, buying additional trash cans to avoid overflow, and reviewing safety instructions with a Demeter van driver reported to be speeding.
The proposal in 1996 to locate a residential rehabilitation program for women with substance abuse problems in a large house on an infill lot on a quiet Barcroft street “was one of the most contentious issues'' to come before the county board in years, said Zimmerman. “Few things reached the level this one did.''
He said he was impressed that the community has moved as much as it has to accept the program. Demeter's success story so far would have seemed extremely unlikely during the heated debates of 1996. “But the wounds are still healing,'' Zimmerman added. “That is a compelling reason to have a six month review.''
Zimmerman echoed neighborhood objections to the Sixth Street siting of Demeter in 1996, and worked to reduce the program's size from 22 to 18 women and children once county board approval became inevitable. Now, he said he is “optimistic'' that Demeter will be able to go to a full-term use permit after its next review.
The BSCL in November found no grounds for denial of the use permit, but asked that all conditions, which limit program size, traffic and other parameters, remain. And to show that its earlier objections were with the county siting process and not the Demeter House women, the neighborhood also voted to extend honorary, non-voting memberships to the residents.
County board chairwoman-elect Barbara Favola (D), who was not on the county board in 1996 but was not seen as friendly to the neighborhood's position when she ran for election, said Demeter “is an example of how a facility can integrate into a community.'' She thanked Vanguard for running the program well and working with the neighborhood. And she thanked the neighborhood “for being open-minded over the past three years.''
Outgoing board member Mike Lane (R) said there were “legitimate questions raised'' about whether the Sixth Street location was appropriate for Demeter. But the program's performance has earned Vanguard his support, he said.
Although its permit was approved in 1996, the Demeter program's move to the south Sixth Street House was delayed until last spring by a legal challenge that delayed financing and renovation efforts. A recent county staff report and Barcroft's own neighborhood advisory committee gave Demeter top marks for compliance with its use permit over the initial six months.
But at least two Barcroft families sold their Sixth Street homes and moved out of Arlington County after losing their fight to stop Demeter.
Spaghetti Dinner
On Sunday, January 23rd at 5 p.m. the BSCL will be holding its first famous spaghetti supper of the new millennium featuring delicious spaghetti sauce from an old family recipe. Additionally available will be delicious sausage, crisp Italian salad, warm bread and plenty to drink.
The evening will include live musical entertainment and desserts donated by Barcrofters. In past years our Barcroft residents have really enjoyed this event. I’m sure this year will not be different.
Tom Palance will need volunteers to help prepare, serve, cleanup, and also to donate your favorite dessert. If you are interested in helping with the supper or baking a cake (or both!), call Tom at 521-1116 and leave a message with your number.
The cost is only $6 for adults, $4 for kids 6-12 years old and under 6 years old will be free. If you can't stay and eat at the Community House take out will be available, all you have to do is call 521-1116 between 5 and 7pm and your dinner will be ready for pick up within minutes! The proceeds will help support the Community House renovation fund.
Come warm up on a cold winter day, eat all you can, meet the neighbors, and join in on the fun. Bon Appetit!
A Letter From Barcroft Principal Miriam Hughey-Guy
So true is the African proverb, "It takes a village to raise a child." Almost certainly, it will take a neighborhood to build a safe playground for our students, your children. Several Barcroft parents and community members attended a recent meeting at Barcroft to discuss the expansion of our playground. The energy and ideas from this meeting gave me hope that new playground equipment will become a reality. Instead of standing back and waiting for the school system to fund our critical need, there was an outpouring of support and ideas for resolving this matter.
In the November edition of the BSCL newsletter, Eileen Putman described the need for more playground equipment at Barcroft. Six years ago, we had 420 kindergarten through fifth grade students enrolled at Barcroft. During the past two years, our student enrollment has increased by 120 students. As a result of this increase, four large classroom trailers were installed, taking up a large portion of the play area. This means more students in a smaller school yard, a problem made worse by the fact that the existing playground equipment was not designed to safely serve our current enrollment of 540 students.
On behalf of the staff and students at Barcroft, I extend our deep appreciation for the attention you are giving to this matter. Please remember that Barcroft's playground is your playground. Come over and enjoy the facilities after school and on the weekends. However, I do recommend that you plan your playground time around our lunch period, 11:00 a.m. - 1:35 p.m.
If you are interested in assisting the Barcroft School community in seeking funds to expand our playground equipment for the safety of our children, please contact me at Barcroft, 228-5838.
In Memoriam: Two Barcroft teachers suffered tragic losses in early December. Lucy Odell's husband died. Mrs. Odell is the instructional assistant in Ms. Childers' kindergarten class. Art teacher Marel Sitron's father died. Our sympathies go out to these families.
Around the Neighborhood With Kathy Kerr
Congratulations to Chris and Kim Whelan on S. Woodstock Street.. Their new baby, Christopher Bartholomew (Bart) was born Oct. 11, 1999. Bart’s big sister is Justine, age 7. She is now in 2nd grade at St. Thomas Moore. The Whelan’s have lived in Barcroft for two years.
Judith Shaw of 8th St. S. reports that her son, Andrew, accepted a one year teaching position in China. He is currently teaching 2nd grade at the Xiamen International School. The Shaws moved to Barcroft about 13 years ago. Andrew attended Kenmore Middle School and graduated from Wakefield High School in 1992. In 1996 he graduated from Elon College, NC, with a teaching degree. He taught in Boulder, Colorado prior to heading on to China. His students are from all over the world, but many are Americans. Andrew is learning Chinese, eating all sorts of unusual foods and uses his school breaks to travel all over Asia. He’ll be back next summer.
Letter to the Editor
This is to comment on Katherine Murphy’s Letter (News, November 1999). The problem in Barcroft is not about accepting diversity, but about accepting littering, loitering, and even trespassing. She missed the point while trying to defend “those people” that litter, and get drunk in the streets and parks. She is also the one who single-out one group that, in my humble experience of more than 40 years of living and travelling in Latin America, does not exist. I am proud to be a person who does not litter, who respects others’ property, and who does not drink in public places. In her definition am I one of “us” or one of “them”?
I have lived in Barcroft with my Spanish-speaking wife, children, and two other Spanish-speaking individuals for almost nine years. We have blended in the community the way people do: by becoming part of it, not by forcing others to change to accommodate our needs or desires. I have never noticed uneasiness with us on the part of Barcrofters because we are from different backgrounds. Or because of our chopped English, or accent, or our preference for using Spanish over English, or for expressing our national or cultural identity in public.
After living in the community for almost nine years I have known many people who are Spanish speakers. None of them have expressed to my family any problems arising from their cultural or ethnic realities. Many of them are still around. Others regret that had to move out of the area. I assume they are, and were, as comfortable as our family is with the welcoming we received. This is nothing unusual in our neighborhood, as Mrs. Murphy should have noticed in her own case.
Unfortunately there are certain realities in the neighborhood. Increased littering, loitering, the use of car horns as door bells for people to come our of their houses, public drunkenness, etc. If the people present at the meetings were not the ones doing these things and others not present were doing them, then the use of WE and THEY is quite appropriate. But as a Spanish speaker maybe I am missing some English lessons.
It is not about income levels, skin color, accents, bad English, or even being loud. It is about having to avoid knocking someone down who is coming from underneath a car when that person is illegally repairing a car in the street. It is about horns…before six in the morning! It is about having to evade a drunk chasing your spouse. It is about littering. But, O.K., let’s shoot the messenger!
I am writing this note not to confront Mrs. Murphy, to whom I extend our family’s warmest welcome, but to express my gratitude to other Barcrofters. You are doing a great job at keeping our neighborhood neat for the benefit of our families. Thank you!
Jaime Alvarez, South 8th Street.
The Editor welcomes your comments. Letters may be edited for space and clarity.
Unsafe Corners
The Automobile Association of America has identified the most dangerous intersections of Arlington in 1998. The highest number of accidents occurred at Columbia Pike and Glebe (42 accidents), Columbia Pike and Washington Boulevard (36 accidents), and Glebe Road and South 24th Street (33 accidents).
Still, Corporal Justin McNaull of the Arlington County Police notes that “Arlington is small enough so that if we see an intersection posing a problem, we can work with the traffic department and deal with it on an individual basis. We try to get a message of safety out there. [We] try to get people to stop running red lights and stop speeding.”
Arlington has a reputation for taking speed control seriously. Another feature of Arlington’s roads is that the city has a lower speed limit. Motorists who obey speed laws have an increased reaction time at intersections, so when crashes do occur, they are mostly low-speed impacts.
Source: “High-Crash Crossroads,” AAA World, Sept/Oct 1999.
Trav Fick Says
Make a resolution
Be part of the solution
Safety, peace and quiet
Reduce our speed
“Stop distance” – take heed
Gently proceed….to the future.
Long Branch Nature Center: Upcoming Events
Snakes Alive! Thurs. Dec. 30, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Families. Join us for a fun and fact filled program all about these misunderstood reptiles. Spend a little of your winter break meeting some snakes up close and personal. Reservations required.
Bird Walk Wed. Jan. 5, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Adults. Join members of the Northern Virginia Bird Club for an informal walk to learn to identify some common resident birds. Bring binoculars and a field guide, if you have them. Meet at the Long Branch Nature Center parking lot.
Hawk Talk Sat. Jan. 8, 1-2 p.m. Adults and children age 6 and older. Learn about hawks native to Northern Virginia and their important role in the environment. Meet a live red-tail hawk. Reservations required.
Winter Plant ID Sat. Jan 15, 2-4:30 p.m. Adults. Join volunteer naturalist Melvin Little for an informal look at some of our native plants in winter. Reservations required.
Flying Squirrel Lore and More Sat. Jan. 22, 4:30-5:45 p.m. Families. Join us in viewing our local flying squirrels as they glide in for an evening meal. Find out all about these common but often overlooked pixies of the night. Reservations required.
All events are at the LBNC, 625 S. Carlin Springs Rd and are free. Call for more information or to make reservations.
Police Investigating Stabbings as Part of Series of Knife Robberies
Three people suffered non-life threatening stab wounds during four weekend robberies that police believe are part of a series of robberies in two Arlington neighborhoods.
Three of the robberies happened in apartment complexes off of Columbia Pike. Around 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19, a 22-year-old Arlington woman was robbed of her purse as she entered an apartment building in the 800-blk of S. Greenbrier St. Around 4 p.m. Sunday, two Arlington men, ages 24 and 36, were robbed in apartment buildings in the 900-blk of S. Buchanan St. and the 1200-blk of S. Thomas St., respectively. Both of them were stabbed in the abdomen. Investigators believe this past weekend's series of robberies is related to five purse snatch-type robberies that occurred in the same communities during September and October.
Some of the robberies have been committed by a pair of robbers. In some cases, a car was seen parked nearby. The robbers are described as two black men. Both appear to be in their 20's. One is 5'8" to 5'11" with an athletic build. He might have a mustache and/or goatee. The other is about 5'5" to 5'8" with a stocky build. Both a maroon Ford Taurus and a gold or silver Toyota-type car have been seen near two of the robberies.
Anyone with information about these robberies is asked to call Arlington County Crime Solvers at 703-522-TIPS (8477). Tipsters remain anonymous and can receive a reward of up to $1000.
Arlington County Police Lt. Franz Desimour says police have responded with increased plainclothes patrols. But he also notes that the holiday season, unfortunately, is accompanied by increased robberies, purse-snatchings and the like. And the recent stabbings seem motivated by pure maliciousness. While most of the incidents have been in apartment complexes and nearby side streets, there are purse-snatchings all around. In male-on-male incidents, the suspect appears to be with a gun -- or something that looks like one under clothing. So he advises people to keep their eyes open and be aware of their surroundings.
After press time, this item arrived from the Police via Arlington Crime Solvers:
Dressing Room Sex Assault
Around 5 p.m. on December 14, 1999, a woman was shopping in a retail store in the 4700-block of Columbia Pike. After trying on clothing in the dressing room, she encountered a man who intimidated her into returning to the dressing room. He then sexually assaulted her.
Arlington County Crime Solvers is offering a reward of up to $1000 for information that leads to the arrest of this man. An additional reward of $1000 is being offered by the business where the assault occurred. Tipsters can remain anonymous and do not have to testify in court.
Suspect: White, Hispanic man
20-25 years old
4’10” tall, chubby build
Dark complexion
Slight mustache
Wearing a red and black plaid jacket with a zippered front; a white shirt; blue jeans; black ball cap
Car: Grey, older model Toyota Tercel, 4-door
If you can help us catch this man, please call Crime Solvers or Detective Henenberg.
From the Editor: Rom’s Reflections
Last month I received a letter from Kristin Goss, who is moving into our neighborhood on South Abingdon St. Kristin is a Ph.D. candidate at Harvard, where she is working with Robert Putnam.
Putnam is most famous for his article “Bowling Alone: America’s Declining Social Capital” in which he argues that “There is striking evidence…that the vibrancy of American civil society has notably declined over the past several decades” as fewer people participate in voluntary associations, especially those working within their community. Putnam worries about the decline of “good neighborliness” and “social trust.” He concludes that “High on America's agenda should be the question of how to reverse the adverse trends in social connectedness, thus restoring civic engagement and civic trust.”
Upon finding the Barcroft News on her doorstep, Kristin was compelled to write “I was delighted to see such social capital in our neighborhood - and I decided to find out who put out the newsletter and how I could join the group….I will definitely join your association to help defray the costs of the newsletter.”
Welcome to Barcroft, Kristin. Your letter reminded me how lucky we are to live in such a special place. Last January, Tom Palance and other volunteers hosted the annual spaghetti dinner so that we could all break bread together while raising money for the community house. Elaine Squeri and her traffic committee began meeting….and meeting…to make our streets safer. Lisa Rom, and later Michelle Herwig, established and coordinated a weekly playgroup for children and their mothers….In February, we celebrated Mardi Gras with the swinging Crawdads; Kathy Kerr helped arrange it. Jane Duffy, who had served long and well as the Publisher of the News, decided at last to rest her feet….March found Julie Gorka offering the first of several concerts at the community house. April brought showers, and Anna Peterson brought an Easter egg hunt back to Barcroft. Andrew Hunter already began planning the July 4th Parade then….In May Peter Woods hosted an AIDS benefit sale.…. David Michaelson and his team cooked several pigs over a barbecue; the rest of Barcroft pigged out on them. We celebrated the retirement of Fran Simms and Bernice Williams, who together had devoted over 50 years to Arlington schools….June was the time to thank Scott Brinitzer, Jill Herdon, and the others who worked so hard on developing the landscaping plan for the community house….while Bill Huddleston, Jim Kerr and others continued their efforts to restore it….and Barbara Swart, Daryl DePrenger, Sara Leigh Merrey, and Jack Turner finalized the plans for the neighborhood sign….We all celebrated our freedom and our neighborhood at the July 4th Parade and picnic…Mark Wigfield, Marie Korn, Peg and Gary LeFebvre, Sharon Tope, Bruce Atkinson, Randy Swart, Alake Hinton, and many many others continued their devoted, kind, and generous efforts. Thanks, everyone, for making Barcroft rich.
Membership Dues
September marked the beginning of a new membership year, and it is time to renew our Barcroft School and Civic League memberships. Dues remain the same, still $3 per adult ($6 per couple).
The BCSL offers events for our community throughout the year. All work for these events is done by volunteer members. We encourage you to become one of those people who help make things happen. The membership form shows several areas where help is needed. Some of the happenings have been around for a long time, while others are new areas of interest. Hopefully there is one that interests you.
Once again we ask for your continued support of the Barcroft Community House Fund. Through your generosity, major portions of the restoration have been completed. However, several significant tasks still remain (e.g., roofing, flooring, the main hall, and landscaping - which really needs to include a sprinkler system to survive). Any contribution you can make will help to complete the total effort and will, of course, be very much appreciated.
Please take a moment to fill out the membership form and mail it to the Membership Secretary at her home address shown on the form.
Barcroft News Staff
Editor - Mark Rom
Publisher/Mailing - Lisa Rom
Contributions - Mark Wigfield
Advertising Manager - Jim Kerr
Neighborhood News Kathy Kerr
Deadlines: 1st (ads) or 10th (editorial material) day of the month preceding the issue month.
BSCL Officers for 1999-2000
President - Mark Wigfield
Vice President - Marie Korn
Recording Secretary - Bruce Atkinson
Treasurer - Gary Lefebvre
Corresponding Secretary - Sharon Tope
Membership Secretary - Peg Lefebvre
Board Members: Scott Brinitzer, Jim Kerr Tom Palance, David Michaelson
Community House
Facility Manager - Tom Palance
Restoration - Jim Kerr
Fundraising - Bill Huddleston
Landscaping - Scott Brinitzer
Traffic Committee - Elaine Squeri
Parade - Andrew Hunter
Columbia Pike - Alake Hinton