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Newsletter
No. 4, 2015
April 2015
Website: http://www.crystalcitycivic.org/
Previous newsletters are listed on the website
What is the
Crystal City Civic
Association?
The Crystal City Civic Association was established on
January 28, 2014, with the purpose of advancing the
common interests of the residents of the Crystal City
neighborhood in Arlington County, Virginia. Arlington
County's long-term plans for Crystal City entail decades
of major change, in accordance with the Crystal City
Sector Plan approved in 2010. Those plans call for
density to increase by 60% and the number of residents
to double by 2050. Such plans will require very
thoughtful implementation with input from everyone;
many projects are already underway. You can visit the
Crystal City/Pentagon City webpage for Arlington
County to get an overview of what is being planned:
http://sites.arlingtonva.us/ccpc/revitalization-2/.
As we grow, the CCCA will increasingly serve as a voice
of Crystal City residents. In future newsletters, we will
continue to inform our membership of key issues and
development projects that will impact all of us. We will
occasionally include more in depth articles to help
residents learn more about some of the issues our
community is facing. Commentary in italics reflects
our CCCA involvement and experience.
DUES REMINDER: The annual dues of $10 are now due
for the 2015 calendar year. Please send your dues to
Treasurer Diane Oksanen-Gooden at 1200 Crystal Drive.
We have over 135 members, and fewer than half have
paid their 2015 due Your CCCA is only as good as your
participation and support. We can’t do it without you!
COME JOIN US.CRYSTAL CITY NEEDS YOU.
If you are not yet a member of the CCCA, we encourage
you to join and become an active participant in crafting
the future of our neighborhood. We need lots of help on
our committees: Development Issues/Land Use;
Transit/Transportation; Open Space; Environmental
Issues; Public Safety; and other areas.
Volunteers Needed for the CCCA Executive
Committee: We Need You!
On January 28, we celebrated our first year of existence as
a civic association. We've come a long way in that time
and established ourselves as the respectable voice of
Crystal City residents. Arlington County, developers, and
other organizations contact us frequently to take a "sense"
of what residents want and what their concerns are. We
are setting into a pattern of General meetings every 2-3
months to provide opportunities for residents to meet with
key representatives of government and the private sector
NEWSLETTER NO.4 – CRYSTAL CITY CIVIC ASSOCIATION
who play a major role in the present and future of Crystal
City. Your Executive Committee takes the lead on these
meetings and follows the issues in order to hear from
CCCA members and keep them informed.
Why Should You Pay or Renew Your
Annual CCCA Dues?
Ever wonder what your dues get you? Among other
things they help cover expenses such as:
 Rental costs of facilities when needed, for
example, the subsidized, but still quite
significant costs, of using Synetic Theatre for
the October 2014 with Jay Fisette)
 Website hosting costs (if we want to improve
our website design, we will also have to pay for
that in the future)
 Registration and other organizational
paperwork involved in being a not-for-profit
organization
 Annual CCCA membership dues to the
Arlington County Civic Federation (all civic
associations belong to this umbrella
organization for the County)
 In the future, costs that to date have been born
by the executive committee, including flyers
and posters to advertise meetings and provide
refreshments, etc.
We've heard folks say that they can get the CCCA
Newsletter for free, so why should they bother
paying the $10 CCCA membership fee? What does
it get you? Your Executive Committee has been
very active and, with the combined weight of our
membership, we've been able to influence County
and developer thinking. The County's agreement
to turn the lights on Long Bridge Park from 6 am in
the morning so joggers don't have to jog in the
dark is one example. What about that reduced
train noise at night? Do you feel there is some
opportunity now to speak directly to those in
power that have an impact on our lives? Have you
attended any of the several CCCA meetings with
interesting guest speakers (Fusarelli, Fisette,
Bonanno) or plan to attend the upcoming meetings
with County planning and transit staff and in June
with the BID? And are you more informed about
things happening in Crystal City now? Well, you
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have to admit that $10 is not a lot of money, but
you get a lot back.
So please do your part and renew your individual
membership now or sign up, if you haven't done so.
Next CCCA General Meeting: Tuesday, April
14
Save the Date. Our January 28 CCCA General Meeting
with Mitch Bonnano as guest speaker for Vornado on
Development in Crystal City was well attended and
provoked an extensive question and answer period.
Turning from the private to the public sector, we plan to
have several guest speakers from Arlington County at
our next General Meeting that should also be of interest
to all.
First, Crystal House and Steve Yaffee of the Department
of Environmental Services' Transportation Division have
requested 10 minutes to brief members on their current
process of updating the 6-year Transit Development
Plan for the County and then distribute a short survey .
They would like to include the input of the areas for
which they serve on desired changes in ART and
Metrobus routes. This should be a very informative
meeting. Note: The next article on the Transitway
raises questions and concerns about where the shuttle
buses are going to be stopping in Crystal City in the
future.
Afterwards , Arlington County Planning Director, Bob
Duffy, and Anthony Fusarelli Jr, the newly appointed
Planning Coordinator for Crystal City, Pentagon City,
and Potomac Yard, will make a brief presentation on
their planning and the planning process and then
respond to questions.
Plan to attend April 14 from 7-9 pm. Note the change
of venue: we will be meeting this time in the
community room of the Crystal Gateway Condominium
at 1300 Crystal Drive.
Development and
Planning Issues
Crystal City Potomac Yard Transitway
The Transitway will be opening this spring and several
streets in Crystal City will become dedicated bus lanes.
Starting in June, shuttle buses will not be allowed to stop
or operate on these curb lanes during weekday peak
hours, except to make right hand turns:
NEWSLETTER NO.4 – CRYSTAL CITY CIVIC ASSOCIATION

Northbound on Crystal Drive between 26th St. S. &
the VRE station

Southbound on Clark & Bell Streets between 15th St.
& 26th St. S.
There will be a meeting with Arlington County Transit on
April 14 at 11:00 in 2001 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite
505, to discuss options for where shuttle buses will be
able to operate in Crystal City and to learn more about
how the Transitway will impact shuttle bus service.
Contact Info: Crystal House, Transit Communications
Specialist for Arlington County, 703-228-3545
Transitway Update
Updated schedule
The construction schedule for work on Transitway
stations has been updated. Transitway construction
completion and service opening are now expected in
summer 2015, rather than spring, due to delays from
winter weather and unforeseen conditions at station
sites. All station construction is currently scheduled for
completion in June, as the contractor is adjusting work
schedules in order to complete similar elements at each
site at the same time.
Weekend work
Until further notice, crews will be working on Saturdays
from 7 a.m.to 4 p.m. at all station locations. This work
will adhere to the requirements of Arlington’s Noise
Ordinance.
Arlington County, APS Launch Facilities
Planning Effort
In January, 2015, the Arlington County Board and the
Arlington School Board launched a broad-based, yearlong community facilities planning effort. The two
Boards appointed the 24-member Study Committee,
giving them a charge to lead a long-range, collaborative
planning effort that will build a consensus framework
regarding the community’s future funding and facility
needs. The effort will inform County and School Board
decision-making related to meeting the community’s
requirements for additional school, fire station, vehicle
storage sites and other facility needs in the context of
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Arlington’s and the region’s projected economic and
demographic growth. The Resident Forum, a group open
to all interested Arlingtonians, meets with the
committee and provides broad input throughout the
process.
The first committee meeting was held February 11;
apart from planning and housekeeping, there was one
presentation by the County’s CFO on the current/recent
revenue situation. A second meeting was held February
25 with the Resident Forum, and included speakers on
regional economic analysis and issues relating to
Arlington's economic sustainability. The March
Community Facility Study meetings focused on looking
at Arlington’s demographics, forecasts and school
enrollment projections. Breakout discussions with the
Resident Forum discussed key questions, such as how
changes in demographics will determine the needs of
different neighborhoods, who we want to be as a County
and what steps or solutions we should take to get there.
You can follow happenings and read the key takeaways
here:
http://commissions.arlingtonva.us/communityfacilities-study/
Proposal to Modify the Crystal Plaza 6 Project
to Combine the ‘WeLive’ and the ‘WeWork’
Concepts
As we reported last summer, the County Board approved a
plan to convert the vacant office building at 2221 S. Clark
Street (corner of 23rd Street) to small, innovative
residential apartments with a "neighborhood culture," the
"WeLive" concept. The conversion is already underway,
but the owner, Vornado, has now come back with a
proposal for an amendment. The intention is now to
convert the top two floors of the building to open, flexible
office space, where small enterprises or individuals can
acquire a small suite, a finite area of even just a desk, with
modern technology and infrastructure. This is the
"WeWork" concept, which has recently become popular in
D.C., New York and other locations. That success
suggested that the time is ripe to introduce the concept in
Crystal City, in the same building as the WeLive
arrangement, and even with an expectation that in some
cases individuals will acquire both living and office space.
Talk about reducing your commute!
The amendment proposal was recently discussed, without
any substantial concerns, in the County’s Site Plan Review
process, where our Civic Association is represented. We
did not have any issues with the amendment but simply
NEWSLETTER NO.4 – CRYSTAL CITY CIVIC ASSOCIATION
took the opportunity to ensure that some commitments
which we had sought in the initial process last summer,
e.g.. streetscape improvements, adequate on-site space
for active recreation, and sufficient parking, remain as
integral conditions for the project as it is now being
amended. The proposal will now move forward to the
County’s Planning Commission and to the County Board in
the month of May, so that Vornado and their
WeLive/WeWork tenant will be able to pursue the intended
reconfiguration.
Moving Forward After Streetcar
On March 17 the County Manager and staff presented
an update (PDF) to the County Board on post-streetcar
planning efforts, which, since January, have included an
inventory of County plans that included streetcar, and
proposals for near-term bus service enhancements along
Columbia Pike and in Crystal City-Pentagon City. The
presentation also describes how work to develop longerterm transit improvements for these corridors will start
this year as part of the County’s Transit Development
Plan. For future updates, visit the new Moving Forward
project page.
Metroway will get more dedicated bus lanes
this summer
Metroway, the region’s bus rapid transit system that
opened last August with about a mile of dedicated bus
lanes in Alexandria, is performing better than
anticipated and soon will add another mile of transit
lanes, officials say. The new portion of dedicated bus
lanes will be along S. Glebe Road and Crystal Drive.
When they open, Arlington also is planning to start peakhour bus lanes on another 1.3-mile stretch on Crystal
Drive and Clark Street, north of 26th Street, transit
officials said. This will ensure more efficient service with
buses traveling faster in the heavily congested corridor.
Ridership numbers are strong in the five-mile stretch
between the Braddock Road and Crystal City Metro
stations where buses travel part of the route along the
Jefferson Davis Highway using a lane separate from
regular traffic. The opening, originally scheduled for this
spring, was pushed back to the summer “due to delays
from winter weather and unforeseen conditions at
station sites,” Eric Balliet, a spokesman for Arlington
County said. Read the Dr. Gridlock article in the
Washington Post for more details:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/drgridlock/wp/2015/03/27/metroway-will-get-morededicated-bus-lanes-this-summer/?wprss=rss_localarlington-social&wpisrc=nl_arlington&wpmm=1
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Metro's first 7000-series train to debut April
14 on the Blue Line
Metro announced March 26 that the system’s first 7000series train will enter passenger service Tuesday, April
14, on the Blue Line. The introduction of the first new
train will be the most significant milestone to date for a
project that has spanned nearly five years from approval
and funding, through design and engineering, to testing
and certification. The first train in regular passenger
service with eight 7000 series cars will depart from
Franconia-Springfield shortly after 7 a.m. on April 14.
http://www.wmata.com/about_metro/news/PressRel
easeDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=5906
Proposed Potomac Yard Metro Station
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) as the Federal
lead agency, in cooperation with the City of Alexandria,
the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
(WMATA), and the National Park Service (NPS), has
prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
for the proposed Potomac Yard Metrorail Station. The
proposed project includes the construction of a new
Metrorail Station located at Potomac Yard within the
City of Alexandria, Virginia along the existing Blue and
Yellow Lines between the Ronald Reagan Washington
National Airport Station and the Braddock Road Station.
The Draft EIS is available for review and comment and
can be accessed from the project website at the
following link: http://potomacyardmetro.com
Written comments on the Draft EIS will be accepted until
May 18, 2015:
By email: [email protected]
Or: [email protected]
By mail: Potomac Yard Metrorail Station EIS
P.O. Box 16531
Alexandria, VA 22302
Or: Office of the Secretary
WMATA
600 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
A public hearing on the Draft EIS will be held as part of
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process
at: Thursday, April 30, 2015 at 6:30 pm
Cora Kelly Recreation Center
25 W. Reed Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22305
NEWSLETTER NO.4 – CRYSTAL CITY CIVIC ASSOCIATION
The report, released last week by the Federal Transit
Administration, details the station’s potential impact on
the community, overall development, wetlands and
views from the George Washington Memorial Parkway.
The station has a projected opening date of 2018. The
city is studying four build options for the station, each
with varying impacts on green space, wetlands and
surrounding neighborhoods. The costs range from $228
million to $539 million.
For more details, see two Washington Post articles:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcom
muting/plan-moves-forward-for-metro-station-atpotomac-yard-in-alexandria/2015/03/30/2c9e7c24d6f0-11e4-ba28-f2a685dc7f89_story.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/drgridlock/wp/2015/03/31/learn-about-the-proposedpotomac-yard-metro-station/?wprss=rss_localvirginia-social&wpisrc=nl_va&wpmm=1
Construction Begins on Washington Boulevard
Bridge Near Pentagon
VDOT announced March 25 that this$29.3 million
project replaces the Route 27 (Washington Boulevard)
bridge over Route 110 (Jefferson Davis Highway) in
Arlington County. The existing bridge carries three lanes
of traffic in each direction, a concrete sidewalk on each
side and a 6-foot-wide concrete raised median. The
bridge was built in 1941 and is considered structurally
deficient.
The bridge will be widened to accommodate a 14-foot
shared-use path on the east side, and an 8-foot sidewalk
on the west. The superstructure will be replaced and
widened, increasing the length of the bridge to 470 feet
by reconfiguring the end spans. The new bridge
superstructure will also be raised by more than a foot
and a half, increasing vertical clearance for westbound
Route 110 to 16.75 feet. The bridge's new aesthetics will
include decorative wrought-iron picket fencing, LED
road and pedestrian lighting, gateway pillars, and a
recessed concrete pattern on the parapets. The
crowning touch will be signature medallions on the
bridge’s gateway pillars honoring the Army, Navy,
Marine Corps, and Air Force. The project is being
constructed by Judlau Contracting, Inc. and is expected
to be complete in May 2018.
There are no major traffic impacts anticipated until May,
when crews will need to reduce traffic on Washington
Boulevard from three lanes to two in each direction.
VDOT will maintain a minimum of two lanes in each
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direction on both Routes 27 and 110, other than
temporary night closures to install bridge girders.
Pedestrian traffic will be shifted to a temporary bridge in
2016.
http://www.virginiadot.org/newsroom/northern_virgi
nia/2015/construction_begins_on_washington81039.a
sp
Arlington to Re-examine Long Bridge Park
Plans
The Arlington County Board asked the County Manager
March 17 to seek broad public input in a review of Phase
2 of the 2013 Long Bridge Park Master Plan. Phase 2
includes the aquatics, health and fitness facility; with 10
acres of parkland; continuation of the esplanade; and
more environmental remediation. A robust civic
engagement process begins in April to see whether a redesigned project within budget could meet the
community’s goals. Suggestions and comments will be
gathered through a County-wide survey, open meetings
and focus groups, and conversations with
neighborhoods, County commissions and user groups.
County staff, led by the Department of Parks and
Recreation (DPR) and Department of Environmental
Services (DES), together with a reconstituted Long
Bridge Park Advisory Committee, will review the
suggestions and comments. The County Manager’s
recommendations will be presented to the County Board
in January 2016.
The Long Bridge Park Design Advisory Committee,
renamed the Long Bridge Park Advisory Committee, will
be reconstituted to collaborate with this effort. It will
support civic engagement efforts and help staff evaluate
the results and develop final recommendations. Its
membership will be adjusted as needed. The Board
further instructed the Manager to continue to seek
partnerships or sponsors for the Aquatics facility or
entire Phase 2 building effort.
Meanwhile, the County continues to improve Long
Bridge Park. New play areas have been designed with
help from the community’s children for the south end of
the park adjacent to 6th Street South. DPR staff met
NEWSLETTER NO.4 – CRYSTAL CITY CIVIC ASSOCIATION
with two different age groups of children from the
County’s after school program at Lubber Run and asked
them to draw what they liked in a playground. The final
design includes tunnels, a unique climbing structure,
mounds and bridges, as well as shade and seating areas.
Construction will begin summer 2015 and should be
completed by early 2016.
http://newsroom.arlingtonva.us/release/arlington-tore-examine-long-bridge-park-plans/
The 2015 Arlington Real Estate Market
Review and Forecast: Future of the Office
Market
Join area developers, real estate brokers and business
leaders for a comprehensive review of how the Arlington
real estate and business markets performed in 2014 and
how they stacked up against the region. Also, find out
what the future of the Arlington office market holds for
2015. Presented by Arlington Economic Development
and sponsored by the Arlington Real Estate Group, the
meeting will take place April 7 (rescheduled from March
5) from 7:30-10 am at George Mason University,
Arlington Campus, Founders Hall Auditorium, Room
136, 3351 Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22201.
Registration of $40 includes breakfast and parking.
Register online:
https://www.regonline.com/Register/Checkin.aspx?Ev
entID=1677385. For more information, please contact
Melissa O'Connor at (703) 228-0826.
Marriott Picks New Site for Headquarters
Marriott International CEO Arne Sorenson announced
April 1 that the world's largest hotel brand will undertake
an extraordinary move of its corporate headquarters to
the center of American Legion Bridge by 2022, to be
built on an unprecedented platform constructed above
Interstate 495 at a cost estimated to exceed $3B, which
will be paid by the states of Virginia and Maryland.
Crystal City and Rosslyn had been among speculated
locations.
https://www.bisnow.com/archives/newsletter/localreal-estate/washington-dc/4546-breaking-newsmarriott-picks-new-site-for-headquarters/
6
Arlington County
Issues
Arlington County Manager Donnellan to
Retire in June 2015
Arlington County Manager Barbara M. Donnellan
announced March 13, after serving the Arlington
community for nearly 32 years, she is retiring.
Donnellan’s last day on the job will be June 30, 2015.
http://newsroom.arlingtonva.us/release/arlingtoncounty-manager-donnellan-to-retire-in-june-2015/
Arlington County Democratic Candidates
The Arlington County Democratic Committee (ACDC)
and the Arlington Young Democrats will host a number
of debates for candidates in April and May seeking the
Democratic endorsement for Arlington School Board
(April 1) and to become the Democratic nominees for
Arlington County Board (April 15). The Democratic
primary election for County Board will be held Tuesday,
June 9; voters cast ballots at their regular polling
locations between 6 am-7 pm. All these events are
listed on the ACDC calendar:
http://www.arlingtondemocrats.org/calendar/
Arlington Conducts Fourth Resident
Satisfaction Survey
Arlington is conducting its fourth Countywide,
statistically valid survey of residents. Watch your
mailboxes – you could be one of those randomly chosen
to give your opinion of County services. The survey is
designed to measure residents’ satisfaction with major
County services and to gather input about issues facing
the community. This survey will also show any shifts
from the last survey, conducted in 2012.
The statistically valid survey is conducted by ETC
Institute, a professional market research firm. The 2015
survey will be mailed to approximately 3,600 randomly
selected Arlington households in all parts of the County.
Survey questions cover a wide range of topics, including
public safety, parks and recreation, public works,
transportation, and human services. Survey results will
be available on the County’s website in the late spring
2015.
http://newsroom.arlingtonva.us/release/arlingtonconducts-fourth-resident-satisfaction-survey/
NEWSLETTER NO.4 – CRYSTAL CITY CIVIC ASSOCIATION
Arlington County Board Invites Community
Conversation on Housing Needs and
Affordability
The public will have multiple opportunities in the coming
months to weigh-in on a draft Affordable Housing
Master Plan and Implementation Framework through a
series of meetings, events and on-line engagement, the
Arlington County Board agreed during a recent work
session.
The Board reviewed the drafts, which outline affordable
housing goals, objectives, policies and tools to meet the
community’s shifting needs, in a March 23 work session
with the County Manager and the Affordable Housing
Study Working Group.
The County is seeking a comprehensive approach to
providing the full range of housing affordability in
Arlington. Ensuring a range of housing options,
affordable to persons of all income levels and needs
throughout the County, creates community
sustainability because it supports our people, improves
our neighborhoods and strengthens our economy.
http://newsroom.arlingtonva.us/release/arlingtoncounty-board-invites-community-conversation-onhousing-needs-and-affordability/
Arlington County Listened to Us!
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http://arlingtonva.s3.amazonaws.com/wpcontent/uploads/sites/4/2015/03/FAQs-TemporaryDisinfectant-Switch_2015.pdf
E-CARE Set for Saturday, April 18
The countdown is on for Arlington’s Environmental
Collection and Recycling Event (E-CARE)! The event will
be held on Saturday, April 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at
Thomas Jefferson Middle School, 125 S. Old Glebe Rd. ECARE is an event where residents can safely dispose of
household hazardous materials (HHM), recycle bikes,
small metal items, shoes, clothing and much more!
HHM are products found in the home that are
flammable, corrosive, poisonous or potentially
hazardous. They include items such as automotive fluid,
car care products, fluorescent light bulbs, corrosives,
household cleaners, and propane gas cylinders.
Before you come to the event, talk to your neighbors.
Combine your items and save a trip to the collection site.
Place all materials in the original container or label
materials clearly, overpack any leaking containers, and
bring your ID to verify that you are an Arlington resident
or employee.
*New this year: Exchange your old CFL lightbulb for a
new LED bulb with Arlington Initiative to Rethink Energy
(AIRE).
For a full list of acceptable items, go to:
http://recycling.arlingtonva.us/household-hazmat/ecare/
The Scoop on Poop
After a year of lobbying from the CCCA and the Friends
of Long Bridge Park Association, the County's
Department of Parks and Recreation agreed to turn the
lights on at LBP from 6 am to dawn during the winter
months. County policy has been that parks don't open
until dawn, but LBP is wide open and used by many in
the early morning hours. Safety concerns for joggers
and others who had to use the park in the dark prompted
the agreement. Thanks, Arlington County!
Notice from Arlington County Environmental
Services
Residents may notice a change in smell and taste of their
water from March 23-May 4 due to a safe routine
disinfectant switch from chloramine to chlorine. The
annual switch is to clean and maintain our drinking water
system.
Choruses of 'pick up your dog’s poop' are heard far and
wide across our region, but many don’t understand the
full story behind why picking up is so important. Thanks
to the Department of Environmental Services Natural
Arlington blog of March 25, here are a few reasons why
bagging and trashing the poop is so important.
http://environment.arlingtonva.us/2015/03/scooppoop/
EasyPark, Arlington’s New in-Vehicle Parking
Meter
Arlington County Treasurer Carla de la Pava announced
March 23 the latest convenience in Arlington parking –
the EasyPark in-vehicle parking meter. The successor to
NEWSLETTER NO.4 – CRYSTAL CITY CIVIC ASSOCIATION
Arlington’s popular iPark device, EasyPark combines the
ease of coin-free/credit card-free parking with the
convenience of Internet customer service. You can
purchase and add parking money to your EasyPark online, and even download a copy of your recent parking
history for tax and expense account purposes. Best of all,
your EasyPark will automatically update itself with new
parking rules every time you connect. Visit
www.easyparkusa.com/arlingtonva to get started.
The website offers live chat assistance, and a help line
for telephone support. Arlington EasyParks cost $30,
which includes $25 for the EasyPark device and $5 for
parking time. An additional $5 in parking time is added
at no cost to you for a total of $10 in parking time.
There is $1.50 in Virginia sales tax charged for each
EasyPark device. Shipping and handling charges apply.
You can avoid shipping and handling charges by
purchasing your EasyPark at the Arlington Treasurer’s
Office.
http://newsroom.arlingtonva.us/release/easyparkarlingtons-new-in-vehicle-parking-meter/
And yet, parking costs to go up?
Arlington County is considering increasing
metered parking rates and expanding the hours of
enforcement. Learn more at the Transportation
Commission meeting on April 2. More details can be
found on the website. Arlington County Parking
Website:
http://transportation.arlingtonva.us/parking/
Arlington to Ease Parking Citation Appeal
Process
The Arlington County Board voted March 14 to adopt a
change to the Motor Vehicles and Traffic Code that will
allow the County Manager to streamline the process for
appealing certain parking citations. The Board voted
unanimously to amend the code to expand the County
Manager’s authority to designate who shall be
authorized to abrogate parking citations. The Board’s
action will allow the County Manager to establish a more
efficient and consistent method for handling compliance
violations, whether they are issued when a vehicle is
stopped by a uniformed police officer, or issued to a
parked car.
8
http://newsroom.arlingtonva.us/release/arlington-toease-parking-citation-appeal-process/
Department of Parks and Recreation
Community News
For the latest on activities you can join in County Parks,
check out the Parks and Recreation website:
http://parks.arlingtonva.us/
Family Night @ the Mill
Join us at the new Arlington Mill Community Center for
FREE family friendly programs. Come out Saturday,
April 10 from 7-9 p.m. for Families Giving Back . This
family night is about giving back to the community.
Several stations will be set up, offering you and your
family an opportunity to give back. For more info visit
our event page.
Metrobus: 16ABDGHJ
ART: 41, 45, 75
Family and Teen Skate Nights
Come skate with us–Saturdays, 6:30 - 9 pm April 11 and
18 at Thomas Jefferson Community Center. You and
your family will enjoy a live DJ, Moon Bounce and fun on
wheels! Café open for snacks, cash only. Perfect for
birthday parties! Teens can stay for teen night 9:30 -11
p.m. and partake in basketball, soccer, volleyball, track
and use fitness equipment. For more info visit
http://parks.arlingtonva.us/ keyword: skate night.
Creative Preschool Registration
Arlington County half-day preschools are designed to
provide children ages 3-5 with their first social group
experience outside the home. Choose from two, three or
five-day-a-week programs from 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.,
September to May. Emphasis is placed on experiencing
age-appropriate recreation activities, being part of a
group, cooperating, listening, sharing, developing play
and movement skills, and discovering nature.
Registration for returning participants begins April 22
and April 26 for new participants. For more info visit our
program page.
Arlington County Police Update
The 48/49 Beat covers all of the South Arlington part of
the 2nd District from Crystal City to the area around
Oakridge/Gunston Schools up to 395.
The reported crime in the 48/49 Beat decreased in
February by 17% based on the five (5) year average. The
average number of incidents reported in this geographic
area over the last five years is approximately 78 and we
had 65 incidents reported this year. Of the 65 reported
incidents, 39 were shoplifting cases where individual
NEWSLETTER NO.4 – CRYSTAL CITY CIVIC ASSOCIATION
stores at the Fashion Center and the surrounding
shopping centers have been effective in detecting and
apprehending shoplifters.
At least four lockers were broken into on March 28 at the
L.A. Fitness south of Crystal City (3550 S. Clark Street).
According to Arlington County Police Department
spokesman Dustin Sternbeck, the lockers in the men’s
locker room were all locked with digital locks, and it’s
unclear how the suspect was able to open them.
To receive monthly notices of County crime statistics,
sign up for email notices on the Newsroom website:
Potential Fraud
In the past police had reported fraud attempts via the
telephone using the Arlington County Sheriff’s Office or
as IRS agents. The perpetrators of these schemes either
impersonate a Deputy Sheriff claiming the victims have
missed jury duty and they can avoid arrest if they pay a
fine by providing their account information or buy a
prepaid credit card or as IRS agent for unpaid taxes.
Neither the Arlington County Sheriff’s Office nor the
Arlington County Police Department ever solicit
payments over the phone nor threaten to make arrests if
payments are not made. Additionally, we are not aware
that IRS will call you over the phone for unpaid taxes.
Never give out any financial information to strangers
over the phone. If you suspect there is a fine
outstanding or a warrant for your arrest, please contact
the corresponding agency directly. If you feel you have
been the victim of this fraud, you can report the crime
via the following options :
Non-emergency number – 703-558-2222
Online reporting link http://police.arlingtonva.us/online-police-reportingsystem/
What's that taste in the water?
According to a Washington Post March 18 article, tap
water in the District, Arlington and Fairfax County could
have an unusual odor or taste beginning March 23, when
part of the region’s drinking water supply will be
temporarily treated with chlorine, water utilities said.
The Washington Aqueduct will use chlorine to disinfect
water until May 4 as part of an annual program to clean
and maintain local drinking water systems. Such
cleanings are routine for U.S. water systems that use
chloramine as a disinfectant the rest of the year, said DC
Water officials.
9
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/drgridlock/wp/2015/03/18/some-washington-area-tapwater-soon-could-have-chlorine-smelltaste/?wprss=rss_local-arlingtonsocial&wpisrc=nl_arlington&wpmm=1
Mental Illness in Employment & Housing:
Overcoming Stigma
The Arlington Human Rights Commission is doing a
community outreach event on April 9th at the Central
Library focused on mental illness in the workplace in
housing. The Commission is a statutory body that
enforces the human rights ordinance, which protects
against discrimination based on gender, race, disability,
age, and many other classes, in employment, housing,
and several other contexts. Commissioners are
appointed by the Arlington County Board and serve at
their pleasure.
In January, the Commission held its first community
outreach event on the topic of affordable housing. The
next event is titled: “Mental Health in Employment &
Housing: Overcoming Stigma,” and will include a
moderated panel discussion with experts in the field.
Beginning at 6:30PM with a reception, the program will
commence around 7PM. The full program details and
RSVP forms can be located at:
http://www.eventbrite.com/o/arlington-humanrights-commission-8015080555
RSVPs are not required, but help provide an accurate
count for refreshments.
Bad Weather Reminder
Stay informed before, during and after a winter storm
with the County’s Snow and Ice Central webpage,
including information, phone numbers and tips on
dealing with snow and ice in Arlington, VA:
http://emergency.arlingtonva.us/weather/snow-ice/
Other News:
Arlington is 7th Most Hipster City
A March 4 article by Natalie Morin "The Most Hipster
first decided to only look at cities with over 50,000
people that also had a high population of people
between the ages of 20 and 34. Then we looked at the
cities with a fairly educated population (a high
percentage of residents with at least a Bachelor’s
Degree), many cafes and yoga studios. We calculated a
composite score for each city by multiplying the number
of yoga studios per 10K people with cafes per 10K
NEWSLETTER NO.4 – CRYSTAL CITY CIVIC ASSOCIATION
people, and used this final number to rank the cities."
Arlington's ranking was based on these factors:
Population: 214,861
Percent of Population Aged 20-34: 35.4%
Percent of Population with Bachelor’s Degree: 71.7%
Yoga Per 10K Residents: 0.9
Cafes Per 10K Residents: 7.9
"Cities inAmerica" in FindtheHome listed Arlington as
the 7th most hipster city in the country. FindTheHome
determined four important attributes that define a
“hipster city” and "found 19 cities that fit the bill.
http://places.findthehome.com/stories/3615/hipstercities-america
Arlington as America's Most Walkable Suburb
The latest article by Jay Walljasper, What America’s Most
Walkable Suburb Can Teach Towns Everywhere,
highlights the growing trend of suburban leaders
recognizing the power of walkable spaces to attract
young people, families and businesses to their
communities. Jay examines Arlington County, VA,
named one of America’s most “Walk Friendly”
communities and a town profiled in an America Walks
Case Study last year. - See more at:
http://americawalks.org/what-americas-mostwalkable-suburb-can-teach-towns-everywhere/
You've Been Thinking About Crystal City All
Wrong
Bisnow held a Tale of Two Cities event at The Westin in
Crystal City March 27. Crystal City BID CEO Angie Fox,
the morning keynote speaker, said Crystal City and
Pentagon City shouldn’t be thought of as two cities, but
one growing together. (Note: The BID covers Pentagon
City, but for the moment, Pentagon City is part of the
Aurora Highlands Civic Association, rather than the
CCCA.)
Cooper Carry principal David Kitchens has been helping
turn Crystal City into a walkable, urban environment
since 1999, when Charles E. Smith asked his firm for
ideas. David said communities need a public realm, or
no one will come. He feels public parks in the '60s were
very designed and thought out. Aside from more
10
restaurants and retail, David said Crystal City’s parks
need to be more usable for casual and formal
gatherings. Streets are also becoming more walkable
instead of forcing visitors to run from cars. (Now
everyone runs 5k races together every Friday.)
Boeing manager Todd Yeatts explained why the
defense contractor bought a facility in Crystal City (its
first owned-facility in Virginia). It plans to be in the space
for several decades, and it only made sense financially
to own it. The US Marshals Service is taking Boeing’s
old space at Crystal Gateway.
The office market in Crystal City, where Vornado owns
8M SF, has changed more in the last five years than the
last 20, says Vornado SVP Mitch Bonanno, whose firm
recently entitled Penn Place for 1.8M SF of office, hotel
and potentially residential. Changes in the office market
mirror the changes going on in residential over the last
10 to 15 years. Read more at:
https://www.bisnow.com/washingtondc/news/commercial-real-estate/youve-beenthinking-about-crystal-city-all-wrong-44365
Crystal City FRESHFARMS Markets Open
The popular FRESHFARMS Market returns to Crystal
City on Tuesday, April 7th. Spark Fresh and shop from 20
local farmers and producers with seasonal fruits and
vegetables, fresh-cut flowers, container plants and
herbs, farm-raised eggs, all-natural meats, artisan baked
goods, specialty foods and much more. Celebrate the
return of the FRESHFARMS Market with a beer and wine
garden serving refreshing drinks from the Washington
Wine Academy.
When: Every Tuesday, starting April 7th through
November 24th from 3 PM – 7 PM, along Crystal Drive,
between 18th and 20th Streets
Need Tax Help?
AARP Tax Foundation Tax-Aide is reportedly the
nation's largest free, volunteer-run tax assistance and
preparation service. Or you can volunteer to help others.
If you are an AARP member, you can look into this here:
http://www.aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide/?cm
p=NLC-WBLTR-DSO-MCTRL-032015-TS4515816&encparam=QMJ7+BmpSITQ49rzbjrHfjE8oasj
N+qeWHIUHBxiDH8=
NEWSLETTER NO.4 – CRYSTAL CITY CIVIC ASSOCIATION
Congressman Connolly Town Hall on
Environment
If you want a chance to get involved in combatting
important environmental issues such as waterway
degradation and climate change, then come to a town
hall meeting to be held on April 6th at GMU’s Fairfax
Campus. The event, co-hosted by Environment Virginia
partnering with GMU and other environmental
organizations, will feature Representative Gerry
Connolly as a speaker and will touch on important issues
such as the EPA’s proposed clean water rule.
The Waters of the United States Rule, proposed by the
EPA in April of last year, is set to close loopholes in the
Clean Water Act that would extend protections to over
57% of waterways nationwide and 28,000 miles of
streams in Virginia alone. While the passage of the final
rule would represent a historic achievement for clean
water across the country, big oil, gas, and agribusiness
have been throwing their resources into a campaign to
block the rule in Congress. Clean water champions like
Rep. Gerry Connolly have recognized the stakes for all
Virginians and have stepped up to publicly defend the
rule.
There will be free parking and food, and strategy
sessions will be held after the speakers conclude. RSVP
for the town hall now.
Congressman Donald Beyer’s Small Business
Government Procurement Conference
will be held on Tuesday, May 12, 8:00am-12:30pm, at the
George Mason University, Arlington campus, Founder’s
Hall, 3351 Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA. The purpose of
this event is to bring together small business owners
who either currently are/or are interested in working
with the federal government. The conference focuses on
building the skills needed to procure contracts, providing
opportunities to meet prime contractors and agency
representatives, networking, and sharing government
and economic updates. Specifically, the agenda includes
presentations from Capitol Hill/agency staff, regional
economists and the Small Business Administration on
the future of small business procurement in Northern
Virginia. There will also have a “pitch competition”
where potential subprimes will present their proposals to
primes. Click here to sign up for the Beyer e-News
More From Dr. Gridlock on I-66 Planning
The future of travel on I-66 is being discussed by Virginia
Transportation, and no one is happy with what's coming
up. Follow Dr. Gridlock in the Washington Post for
11
continuing ideas and discussion of HOT, double deck,
and lane expansion.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/drgridlock/wp/2015/03/23/double-deck-i-66-travelersstack-up-against-it/?wprss=rss_local-arlingtonsocial&wpisrc=nl_arlington&wpmm=1
Oakridge Elementary School Capacity
Petition
The Oakridge Capacity Team of the school's PTA is
seeking signatures on a petition to the Arlington county
School board.

Oakridge, originally built for 674 students, has added
4 relocatables to accommodate its growing
population.
 Next year Oakridge is projected to have almost 800
students making it the county’s largest elementary
school.
 Oakridge is expected to have 7 Kindergarten classes
next year.
 By 2019 Oakridge is projected to have over 900
students.
 In ten years Oakridge is expected to exceed capacity
by 30% more than all other elementary schools.
Here is what YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW:
1.) Sign the Petition: it takes less than 1 minute!! The
change.org petition asks the School Board to find
immediate and long-term solutions that provide
capacity relief to Oakridge by September 2016. With
each signature added to the petition, an email is sent to
the School Board. To read the content of the email and
our reasoning for why capacity relief is important, and to
add your name to the online petition, go to:
https://www.change.org/p/capacity-relief-foroakridge-elementary-school. Please sign by April 9th.
2.) Email the Oakridge Capacity Team at
[email protected] with any of your questions or
ideas on how to help our effort! Read about the APS
More Seats for More Students campaign online at:
http://www.apsva.us//site/Default.aspx?PageID=1909
9And you can read the School Board’s joint statement
concerning capacity at:
http://www.apsva.us//site/Default.aspx?PageID=2911
3
District Trivia at Highline RxR
Every Monday at 7 PM, District Trivia will have its first
trivia night at Highline RxR. It's free to play, just show up!
Participants can play as an individual or with a team,
NEWSLETTER NO.4 – CRYSTAL CITY CIVIC ASSOCIATION
with no limits on the size of a team. Winners will get $25
for the First Place Prize and $10 for the Runner Up Prize.
Arrive early and enjoy Highline's Happy Hour from 3:00
PM - 8:00 PM.
New Food Delivery Service
Savory announced that it would begin delivering latenight meals between 10:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. on Friday
and Saturday nights in the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor,
Crystal City and Pentagon City. This includes delivery to
Virginia Hospital Center. Pre-orders can begin at 6:00
p.m. All orders have a delivery fee of $3 and the meals
are delivered chilled with microwave or oven heating
instructions.
http://trysavory.com/
Metro Safety Information for Arlingtonians
On March 26, Metro released a new set of safety videos
to show riders what they should do in the event of an
emergency involving smoke or fire on a train or in a
station. Encourage friends, family, neighbors and
coworkers to take a look; the videos are well worth 3
minutes of anyone's time who rides Metro.. The videos
can be found at:
www.wmata.com/about_metro/news/PressReleaseDe
tail.cfm?ReleaseID=5905
Coffee and Donut Speaker Series: Todd A.
Stottlemyer
Wednesday, April 15 @ 7:30am - 9am at Arlington
Economic Development - 1100 N Glebe Road
This speaker series features different guests from the
technology arena. As CEO and a member of the Board of
Directors of Acentia, Mr. Stottlemyer has a vast
background in health, information technology,
biomedical, engineering, international business and
other industries. This event is free, but registration is
required.
Metrorail: Orange and Silver Lines - Ballston Metro
Station
Metrobus: 1ABEZ, 2A, 10B, 22AB, 23AT, 25AB, 38B
ART: 51
Leadership Arlington Legislative Breakfast
Friday, April 17 @ 7am - 9am, at Westin Arlington
Gateway - 801 N Glebe Road. The Annual Legislative
Breakfast provides you with first-hand access to local
senators and delegates. These legislators will share their
leadership lessons while at the Virginia General
12
Assembly. Join us to obtain expertise, leadership advice
and insight into their unique experiences.
Arlington's Car-Free Diet Connector
For a variety of activities, check out the Car-Free Diet
Connector newsletter which is published monthly for
Arlington's Car-Free Diet Partners.
http://www.carfreediet.com/pages/about/
Oakridge Elementary School Spring Fling
Oakridge Elementary School's Spring Fling and Silent
Auction will be held May 17 from 2-6 pm at the school:
1414 South 24th Street. Bring the whole family for an
afternoon of carnival games, rides, an old fashioned cake
walk, petting zoo, children's used book fair, pony rides,
and silent auction. Proceeds help the Oakridge PTA fund
critical student programs not covered in the school
budget. Donate your gently used children's books for the
Book Fair in the designated bin inside the Aurora Hills
Library beginning March 18, or in the designated bin
inside the Oakridge Elementary School entrance
beginning April 7. Collection closes at both locations on
Thursday, May 14.
Ball-Sellers House Museum Inaugurates 40th
Season
The Ball-Sellers House – the oldest building in Arlington
County, Virginia – opens to the public for the 2015
season on Saturday, April 4. This year marks the 40th
anniversary of the Arlington Historical Society receiving
the house from Marian Sellers in 1975 for $1. The house
was built in the 1750s by John Ball and named the BallSellers House to honor both the builder and the donor.
The museum has planned a number of fun activities
that are free and open to the public.
Opening day is Saturday, April 4, and free tours are
offered from 1:00 – 4:00pm with free colonial snacks and
beverages. The Ball-Sellers House will be open every
Saturday, April through October, from 1:00 – 4:00pm.
The museum gives visitors an opportunity to see how
ordinary Virginians lived in colonial times. The
Ball-Sellers House is at 5620 S. 3rd Street in Arlington,
Virginia.
On Sunday, May 3, the Ball-Sellers House will co-host
“Glencarlyn Garden Day” with the Glencarlyn Library
Community Garden and the Arlington Food Assistance
Center (AFAC) from 10:00am – 3:00pm. Tour the house
and then visit a unique AFAC Plot Against Hunger
designed to resemble the colonial era kitchen garden the
Ball family would have planted in the 1750s. Get tips
from the gardeners about green sustainability and how
to get the most out of their vegetable gardens. Then
NEWSLETTER NO.4 – CRYSTAL CITY CIVIC ASSOCIATION
13
stroll through the tranquil library garden for their plant
sale and enjoy locally sourced tropicals, ferns, shrubs,
trees, and annuals with their master gardeners.
become a better place to ride. Bike to Work Day is a
FREE event and open to all area commuters. Register
at BikeToWorkMetroDC.org.
The Ball-Sellers House will be open on Memorial Day,
Monday, May 25, from 1:00 – 4:00pm to honor the
veterans of the Civil War, Spanish-American War,
and World War I who owned the house or lived there.
Arlington will host six pit stops for Bike to Work Day.
Stop by a pit stop along your route to join in the
celebration of bicycling as a clean, fun and healthy way
to get to work. Registration is free. To register and for
more information: http://www.bikearlington.com/
On Saturday, May 30, the Ball-Sellers House will host
the Washington Forest History Walk with local historian
Kevin Vincent. After the Revolutionary War, George
Washington returned to Virginia and surveyed the 1200
acres he had bought before the war with John Ball’s
brother, Moses. The three-mile walking tour will visit the
Ball-Sellers House, survey markers used by Washington
in 1785, a DC boundary stone, and the site of a mill built
by George Washington’s step-grandson. The walk will
start at the Ball-Sellers House at 1:30 pm and is free.
Participants should wear good walking shoes.
In addition to these scheduled events, the Ball-Sellers
House will be publishing a second edition of Martha
Orth’s book “The House That John Built” in paperback
with diagrams, maps and photos. Roving exhibits about
the Ball-Sellers House will appear at Arlington Central
Library’s Center for Local History, other library branches,
and the Arlington Historical Museum. And a new
brochure is forthcoming that describes family life for
the Balls in the colonial era and how the house was
preserved and made into a museum.
Private groups of any age are invited to tour the house
throughout the April – October 2015 season. Contact
Annette Benbow to arrange a date and time at:
[email protected] or
703-577-7042. For more information, please visit
www.arlingtonhistoricalsociety.org
Bike to Work Day is Back Again!
On Friday, May 15, 2015, BikeArlington invites you to
join thousands of area commuters for a celebration of
bicycling as a clean, fun and healthy way to get to work!
Meet up with your neighbors at one of more than 70
regional pit stops, ride to work with an experienced
commuter convoy and wear your FREE Bike to Work Day
t-shirt at work with pride. Help the Washington region
Bike to Work Week Crystal City
For the 5th year, the Crystal City BID is challenging area
commuters to take the Bike to Work WEEK (BTWW)
Challenge and ride to work every day of the week.
During the week of May 11th - 15th the Crystal City BID
will greet area commuters in the Crystal City Water Park
from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM with breakfast and prizes. The
100 riders that show up the most number of mornings
during pit stop hours, will receive a free, Custom Crystal
City Cycling Jersey! Complimentary showers will be
provided by Sport & Health all week so you can freshen
up before the start of your day. Sign up for the Bike to
Work Week Challenge and try out your bicycle
commute. Sign up online.
Spark Cycling in Crystal City (organized by
the BID)
Even though Wednesday Night Spins is over, there are
still plenty of cycling opportunities in Crystal City.
Whether you need your bike checked, are looking to sign
up for a competitive race, or want to learn more about
biking to work, save the date for these upcoming Crystal
Ride events:
Everything Esmonde
WHEN: Every other Thursday starting April 30
8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
WHERE: 1900 Crystal Drive (corner of 18th Street and
Crystal Drive)
WHAT: Get those nagging bicycle repairs taken care of
while you work with the Mobile Bicycle Services
provided by Everything Esmonde. Simply drop off your
bike on Thursday morning and have it tuned up and
ready to ride before heading home. Everything Esmonde
will be set up at 1900 Crystal Drive from 8:00 AM to 3:00
PM every other Thursday through October.
Appointments are suggested (email
NEWSLETTER NO.4 – CRYSTAL CITY CIVIC ASSOCIATION
[email protected]), but walk ups are
always welcome.
Crystal City Phoenix Derby
WHEN: Saturday, May 2nd
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
WHERE: 1900 Crystal Drive Parking Garage
WHAT: The Crystal City Phoenix Derby is a unique
cycling event that combines speed and high-energy fun
in a cool urban environment while showcasing the D.C.
region’s only youth-oriented bike nonprofit
organization. We invite riders of all abilities to test their
skills on our race course designed and built in an
underground parking garage. The Crystal City Phoenix
Derby features a variety of race formats including a noncompetitive open course ride, a head-to-head stationary
sprint race, team relays, and a special kid’s course. The
general public is also invited to try out the course or just
watch the action from the chic confines of the Phoenix
Lounge, a display area of bikes build by Phoenix Bikes
youth and bar built in the center of the action.
Registration is open!
Air Force Association Cycling Classic - Crystal
Cup & Challenge Ride
WHEN: Saturday, June 14th
7:00 AM - 3:00 PM
WHERE: 2121 Crystal Drive
WHAT: Get ready to start training for this year's Air
Force Association Cycling Classic (AFACC), the region’s
premier cycling event. Part of the USA Cycling National
Criterium Calendar, AFACC features the Clarendon Cup
(Saturday, June 13th), Challenge Ride (Sunday, June
14th) and Crystal City Cup (Sunday, June 14th) and Kids
Races on both days. The Challenge Ride kicks off the
events in Crystal City when participants compete against
themselves in an effort to complete as many laps as
possible within the 3.5 hour allotted timeframe on a
closed and car-free 15km course. Medals are awarded for
completing 6 or more laps (gold), 4-5 laps (silver), and 13 laps (bronze). Following the Challenge Ride, it's nonstop speed and excitement as professionally ranked
Men’s and Women’s racers and teams vie for the Crystal
Cup on the 1.3km Criterium course in the heart of Crystal
City. Registration is open for the kids races and the
Challenge Ride! Register today!
Techshop Bicycle Maintenance Classes
WHEN: See Class Schedule
WHERE: 2110-B Crystal Drive
WHAT: In this bicycle maintenance class, you will learn
14
how to inflate tires, change inner tubes and outer tires,
patch tires, adjust brakes, replace brakes, adjust
derailleurs, and lubricate and replace chains. In other
words, you will learn how to fix some of the most
common bike problems so you can make more repairs
yourself and hassle less with taking your bike to a
professional mechanic. This course also provides a
foundation of introductory knowledge and skills you can
build on for more ambitious projects like modding and
building custom bikes.
Fixtation and Repair Stand: Under
Construction
WHEN: Open 24/7
WHERE: Crystal City Water Park across from 1750
Crystal Drive and adjacent to the entrance to the Mount
Vernon Trail.
WHAT: The Fixtation is currently undergoing a
renovation that will add a new water fountain and
consolidate all of the equipment onto a new pad directly
off of the Crystal City Connector Trail. The Fixtation is
intended to provide needed products and repair
equipment in a pinch offering a range of bicycle-related
merchandise such as tubes, patch kits, lights, energy
bars, drinks, and more. A repair stand with basic tools
and an air pump accompany the machine offering a
convenient place to address any tune-up needs right at
the Mount Vernon Trail entrance.
5K Fridays
Every Friday in April, Crystal City hosts this popular
evening race where you can hit the pavement after work
and head to dinner or a local watering hole after crossing
the finish line. Runners that register for the entire
series will receive a complimentary Crystal Run
shirt. Registration is now open.
https://www.runpacers.com/race/crystal-run-5kfridays/
Other Crystal City BID Events
See the BID's website for other activities in Crystal City
and sign up for their weekly newsletter.
http://www.crystalcity.org/
A Match Made in Social Sports Heaven: USS &
SSA
Social Sports of Arlington announced a partnership with
United Social Sports! USS was founded in DC back in
2009 and has grown in to one of the biggest and
brightest social communities in the DC Metro area. With
their offerings of over a dozen different sports our
NEWSLETTER NO.4 – CRYSTAL CITY CIVIC ASSOCIATION
players will be able to expand their social sport horizons!
For the spring season everything will still be the same as
ever with our leagues, locations, registration
process,etc. This partnership means one thing to you
the player – MORE! More leagues, more parties, more
events, giveaways and MORE! Our founders will still be
involved during the transition period and hey they may
even pop in on a league as a player or “celebrity ref”
from time to time! If you have any questions about the
new movements feel free to contact Daniel (USS)
[email protected].
As
always
remember to have fun out there and – PLAY SOCIAL!
SSA & USS has many leagues to share with the Arlington
community, including two brand new Tuesday and
Saturday Kickball leagues! For a full listing visit that
includes soccer at Long Bridge Park and dodgeball and
volleyball at Gateway Sport & Health see
www.UnitedSocialSports.com
Master Gardener Events March 2015
VCE Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia
(Alexandria/Arlington) have scheduled a number of free
events in April.
Series of Wednesday evening programs on Urban
Gardening, April 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29, 7 to 9 p.m.,
Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy St., Arlington.
This series, taught by Arlington Food Assistance Center
volunteers and VCE Master Gardeners, is designed to
teach gardening skills to a wide audience. Topics by
date: April 1, Superfoods for Health: Learn to Grow and
Cook Them; April 8, Spring into Gardening:
Transplanting, Direct Planting and Readiness (handson); April 15: Edible Landscaping & Fruit in the Garden;
April 22, Container Gardens for Edibles; April 29, Water,
Irrigation & Rain Barrels. No registration required. To
confirm topic and room number, check the Arlington
Library Events Calendar at: http://library.arlingtonva.us
or call the library at 703-228-5990
Registration is requested for the following events. Sign
up online at mgnv.org. Questions? Telephone: 703228-6414 or email [email protected].
Saturday, April 11, Managing the Vegetable Garden,
9:30 to 11 a.m., Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S.
Stafford St., Arlington. This is the final in a series of
three programs on vegetable gardening. New gardeners
will learn about pollinators and other beneficial insects,
how crop rotation and companion planting can help
control garden pests and other challenges, and how to
maximize production from limited space.
15
Thursday, April 16, Opening of the Arlington Central
Library Plant Clinic, 6:45 to 8:45 p.m., 1015 N. Quincy
St., Arlington. The plant clinic will be open every
Thursday evening through mid-November.
Saturday, April 18, Opening of Arlington Farmers
Market Plant Clinic,8 a.m. to 11 a.m., N. 14th St. and N.
Courthouse Rd. The plant clinic will be open every
Saturday morning through September.
Saturday, April 18, Square Foot Gardening, 11 a.m. to
12:30 p.m., Burke Branch Library, 4701 Seminary Road,
Alexandria. Square Foot Gardening is the practice of
planning and creating small but intensively planted
gardens. it combines concepts from other organic
gardening methods, including a strong focus on
compost, densely planted raised beds and attention to a
small, clearly defined area. It is ideal of those who want
to garden but have little space. Certified SFG Instructor
and Master Gardener Renee Johnson will lead this
program.
Monday, April 20, Ornamental Edibles in Landscapes
and Containers, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Fairlington Community
Center, 3308 S. Stafford St., Arlington 22206. Learn how
to grow ornamental edible plants in containers on your
deck, balcony, or patio. This workshop will cover soil,
containers, maintenance and selection of suitable plants.
Tuesday, April 21, Managing the Vegetable Garden,7 to
8:30 P.m., Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S.
Stafford St., Arlington 22206. Repeat of the April 11
program, the final in a series of three programs on
vegetable gardening. New gardeners will learn about
pollinators and other beneficial insects, how crop
rotation and companion planting can help control
garden pests and other challenges, and how to maximize
production from limited space.
Saturday, April 25, Earth Day Alexandria, 10 a.m. to 2
p.m., Ben Brenman Park, 4800 Brenman Park Dr. VCE
Master Gardeners will help staff this event, which will
include educational exhibits, demonstrations, hands-on
activities for all ages, a tree sale, and more.
Saturday, April 25, Carlyle House Plant Clinic, 8 a.m. to 3
p.m., 121 N. Fairfax St., Alexandria. Held in conjunction
with the Carlyle House Annual Garden Day Herb & Craft
Sale.
Sunday, April 26, Bees and Butterflies for Every Garden:
How to Attract Pollinators to Your Home Garden, 1 to 3
p.m., Simpson Park Gardens, E. Monroe Ave at Simpson
Park, Alexandria. MGNV volunteers will demonstrate
how to incorporate native plants and plants that attract
NEWSLETTER NO.4 – CRYSTAL CITY CIVIC ASSOCIATION
16
pollinators into existing gardens, using examples from
MGNV’s demonstration gardens at Simpson Park: the
butterfly garden, the butterfly soak, the waterwise
garden, and the new shade garden.
Banneker Park; 10 a.m.-noon fourth Sundays, Fort
Bennett Park. For Information:
www.environment.arlingtonva.us. To register, 703228-1862 or [email protected]
Monday, April 27, Plan, Plant, and Use Herbs, 7 to 8:30
p.m., Burke Branch Library, 4701 Seminary Rd.,
Alexandria.
Virginia Hospital Center Auxiliary
Monday, April 27, Design Considerations for Sustainable
Gardening, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Fairlington Community
Center, 3308 S. Stafford St., Arlington.
Northern Virginia Conservation Trust will hold a
Leadership Arlington
seeks candidates for the Signature Program Class of
2016. To apply,
http://www.leadershiparlington.org/programs/apply/s
ignature-programapply. Deadline is April 30.
Information sessions will be held at: 6-7:30 p.m. March
24, Navy League Building, First Floor Conference Room,
2300 Wilson Blvd.; and 8-9 a.m. April 14, Westwood
College, 4420 N. Fairfax Dr. To reserve, 703-528-2522 or
[email protected].
Arlington County Invasive Plant program
The County needs volunteers to remove invasive plants:
9-11 a.m. first Saturdays, Haley Park; 2-4:30 p.m. second
Sundays, Gulf Branch Nature Center; 10 a.m.-noon third
Saturdays, Tuckahoe Park; 2-4 p.m. third Saturdays,
Madison Manor; 2-5 p.m. third Sundays, Long Branch
Nature Center; 10 a.m.-noon fourth Saturdays, Benjamin
There are opportunities to help on information desks,
the surgical center and in gift shops. 703-558-6401.
Potomac Watershed Cleanup on April 11. Meet at the
Buddie Ford Nature Center, 5750 Sanger Ave.,
Alexandria.www.handsonconnect.volunteeralexandria
.org.
Volunteer Arlington: Call the numbers listed below
or contact Volunteer Arlington at 703-228-1760 or
www.arlingtonva.us
Air Force Association Cycling Classic seeks help
with packets and registration. Shifts are available noon-7
p.m. June 9 and noon-3:30 p.m. June 10. 202-320-9659
or www.volunteer.truist.com.
Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing
needs an Amharic interpreter. Food distribution
assistants are needed Tuesday afternoons. 703-851-3621
or www.volunteer.truist.com.
Arlington Public Library system needs circulation
support at Shirlington Branch Library. To apply,
www.volunteer.truist.com. 703-228-7688.
CCCA
OFFICERS
President
Secretary
Carol Fuller
Contact us:
[email protected]
Treasurer
Diane Oksanen-Gooden
Communications Director
Vacant
Membership Liaison
Vacant
Established January 28,
2014
Graphics Designer:
Colleen Zellmer
Sandra Borden
Vice President for Policy and
Christer Ahl
Planning
Join on our website:
http://www.crystalcitycivic.org/
Or send a check for $10 to:
Treasurer, CCCA
1200 Crystal Drive
Arlington, VA 22202