1. education
2. school

APRIL 2015
Ashton Heights News
The Newsletter of the Ashton Heights Civic Association
In Our Neighborhood
Take Survey to Identify Issues
and Goals for Ashton Heights
Jim Feaster / [email protected]
Starting today, all
Ashton
Heights
residents can share
their thoughts about
the neighborhood
and its priorities.
A survey, available
online and in hard
copy by request,
will be used to
update the Neighborhood Conservation Plan and is an
important part of
the county’s decision-making in the
area.
Last updated in
2000, this critical
document
priori- N. Piedmont Street before and after a sidewalk and guttizes our neighbor- ter improvement project. Project was completed in 2013.
hood improvement
and preservation goals. Changes resulting from the previous
effort included lowering the speed limit on Pershing Drive, improving drainage on N. Irving Street, sidewalks and gutters on N. Ivy,
N. First and N. Piedmont Streets, and the expansion of Mosaic
Park and plans for its improvement.
Links to the survey will be distributed via email and the neighborhood listserv. The web address will also listed on the Ashton
Heights website: www.ashtonheights.org.
Complete the survey now:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/AHCA2015
If you would prefer a hard copy, contact:
•Jim Feaster / [email protected], 703-525-4150
•Patricia VandeMeulebroecke / [email protected]
•Elizabeth Collaton / [email protected]
Please complete only one copy per household and mention this to
any neighbors who may not have access to email or the listserv.
Deadline for completion is May 1.
www.AshtonHeights.org
AHCA Monthly Meeting
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 7 – 9 P.M.
7:00 MINGLE WITH YOUR NEIGHBORS
7:30 ADMINISTRATIVE AND COMMUNITY UPDATES
8:00 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN CONFLICT ZONES: THE CASES
OF AFGHANISTAN, COLOMBIA AND SYRIA — CHRISTINA SCHULTZ,
CHEMONICS INTERNATIONAL
CLARENDON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
N. IVY AND N. SIXTH STREETS — Enter on N. Ivy St. and follow the ramp
down to the social hall. Accessible entrance located at the church parking
lot (enter the lot on N. Ivy St. or N. Irving St.)
ASHTON HEIGHTS ONLINE
OFFICIAL SITE — www.AshtonHeights.org
AHCA MEMBERSHIP — www.AshtonHeights.org/Join-AHCA
SOCIAL — www.Facebook.com/Groups/AshtonHeights
DAILY EMAILS —http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AshtonHeights
New AHCA Executive
Committee; Volunteers Needed
The Ashton Heights Civic Association will hold elections
for its executive committee and officers at the May 20
meeting, held at 7 p.m. at the Arlington Arts Center.
Consider volunteering to serve on the executive
committee or run for an officer position. Terms run
August through May. Positions and committees include:
•President
•VP-Programs
•VP-Membership
•Development/Zoning Committee
•Transportation Committee
•Schools Committee
If you’re interested or would like more
information, contact Ken Matzkin / kenmatz1@
gmail.com, the AHCA nominations chair.
Final nominations are due by Wed., April 15.
www.ashtonheights.org | Next Meeting: April 15
PAGE 2
Kids, Inc. Entrepreneurs
Ashton Heights Civic Association Volunteers
Civic Association Mission
AHCA’s mission is to promote the welfare and interaction
of Ashton Heights and Arlington. Meetings, usually held
the third Wednesday from September to May, are open
to all residents, although only paid members can vote.
>See membership form and dues information on page 3<
Active participation is welcome. AHCA keeps you informed
through meetings, this newsletter, and the website:
www.ashtonheights.org. You can volunteer by contacting
the Executive Committee.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Jim Feaster
[email protected]
President/Scott Sklar
[email protected]
703-522-3049
VP, Programs/Susan Koski-Grafer
[email protected]
703-528-1922
VP, Membership /Jim O’Brien
[email protected]
703-528-0376
Treasurer/Doug Williams
[email protected]
Secretary/Jodie Flakowicz
[email protected]
Members-at-Large
Jim Richardson
jim.richardson@
ashtonheights.org
703-522-5826
Joan FitzGerald
[email protected]
Ken Moskowitz
[email protected]
Rachel Wilhelm
[email protected]
Committees
Development/Zoning
Jim Richardson
Joan Fitzgerald
Neighborhood Conservation
Jim Feaster
Transportation
Patrick Lueb
[email protected]
Schools
Gregory Morse
[email protected]
Caroline Rogus
[email protected]
NEWSLETTER
Editor/Layout
Rachel Wilhelm
[email protected]
202-509-6788
Distribution
Bea Camp
[email protected]
Julie Mangis
[email protected]
Advertise with us!
The Ashton Heights News is distributed to 1,200 households
September – May. Our readers like to do business locally.
2014/15 Ad Rates: Business Card: $55, 1/4 Page: $80, 1/2
Page: $135, Full Page: $235, Full Back Page: $285.
Contact: [email protected]
A – leaf raking, shoveling D – odd jobs/errands
B – babysitting
E – lawn mowing
C – pet/plant sitting
F – house sitting
Connor Banks (1999-B,C,E)
524-8122
Ellie Berlin (2000-C,D,G) 525-2978
James Berlin (1997-A,B,C,E,F)
525-2978
Lydia Boles (1999-C) 615-8934
Nora Boles (1997-B,D,G)
615-8934
Henry Bramham (1997-A,B,D,E) 243-4684
Noah Colston (2001-A,C,F) 351-4481
Kevin Dannaher (1996-A, C)
527 8265
Alexandra Davis (2002–A,C,D)
527-6126
Christopher Davis (2001–A,C,D,E)
527-6126
Bryn Edwards (1997-B,C,D,F,G)
812-8059
Zoe Edwards (1999-B,C,D,F,G)
812-8059
Deena Faraby (1999-B,C,D,F)
362-7636
Ethan Hall (2001-A,C,D,F) 243-5950
Martha Hays (2002-C,G) 807-0015
Sophia Hays (1998-A,B,C,D,F,G)
807-0015
Clara Helms (2001-B,C,D,G)
908-0121
Matt Jenkins (2001-A,C,F) 524-2355
Will Jenkins (1999-B,C) 524-2355
Jake Leland (2003-C,F) 525-3580
Hope Mathias (1999-B,C,D,G) 528-4625
Hudson Mathias (2002-A,B,C,D,E) 528-4625
Ali Michalowski (1998-C,D,F,G)
527-8687
Emma Miller (2002-A,C,F,G)
528-0447
G – mother’s helper
(birth date)
Madeline Miller (2000-B,C,F)
528-0447
Miriam Morse (2002-C,D,F)
524-8182
Yasmeen Moustafa (2002-B,C)
655-6228
Neil Murray (1999-C) 841-9019
Amy Parr (2001-C,G) 243-4129
Emily Parr (1997-B,C,G) 243-4129
Grace Rafferty (2001-B) 400-9704
Seneca Randolph (2001-A,C,G) 812-5181
Sierra Randolph (1999-A,B,C,F) 812-5181
Nadia Scharf (2000-B,G) 465-2327
Annie Schutz (2001-B,C,G) 841-7313
Theo Schuz (1998-A,C,D) 841-7313
Anna Secrest (2003-C,F,G)
294-6686
Declan Secrest (2001-A,B,C,D,E,F) 294-6686
Henry Skalbeck (2001-A, C)
465-0488
Brian Sweeney (1998-C,F) 276-9027
Brooke Tanner (2001-A,B,C,G)
528-8852
Mia Tanner (2003-A,C) 528-8852
Alec Tober (1997-A,C) 276-7902
Jack VanDemeulebroecke (1998-E)
778-2009
Sydney VanDemeulebroecke
(2001-C,F,G) 778-2009
Anna Williams (2001-B,C,D,F,G)
243-4979
Kathryn Williams (1999-B,C,D,F,G)
243-4979
Katie Zetkulic (1998-A,B,G)
516-0024
Patsy Zetkulic (1998-A,B,G)
516-0024
KIDS, INC. offers a robust roster of willing and able local youth
to help out when the household hands are not enough. Birth
years are listed in parentheses; while we manage the directory, you define the work and determine the pay scale.
**Never give anyone a bare key. Attach something large
and bright to the key and do not put your address on the key.
Add or remove names: contact Ann Felker at 527-8053 or
[email protected]
www.ashtonheights.org | Next Meeting: April 15
Local Charities
Lyon Park Community Center
The South Arlington Kiwanis Club hosts its 25th Annual
Auction/Social on Fri., May 1, from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. at The
Woman’s Club of Arlington, 700
S. Buchanan St. Event tickets
are $25 and raffle tickets are
$10 each or three for $25.
Jeannette Wick / [email protected]
Kiwanis Auction, Breakfast
Contact Harro or Janie Wulf for tickets:
[email protected] / 703-243-5245.
The Kiwanis Club of Arlington hosts
its Annual Pancake Breakfast on
Sat., May 2, from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
at the Clarendon Methodist Church,
606 N. Irving St.
Kiwanians, Tom and Edie Smolinski
A moon bounce, face painting, antique
cars and raffles will also be featured.
Tickets are $8 for adults, $4 for children 5-10 and free for children
under 5 with a paying adult. Contact Julie Mangis / jmmangis@
aol.com / 703-525-7513) for tickets. For more information,
contact [email protected] or 703-533-2953.
Proceeds from the South Arlington social benefit the Oakridge
School, Arlington Free Clinic, Arlington Food Assistance Center,
and nonprofits. The breakfast benefits the ELIMINATE Project, a
UNICEF and Kiwanis International campaign to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus, a disease that kills 160 babies each
day across the world. Events like this help immunize more than
100 million mothers and their future babies.
AHCA MEMBERSHIP SIGN-UP
AND DUES PAYMENT FORM
Ashton Heights Civic Association annual dues are $15 per household or
$10 per individual member or $25 per household for two years. Anyone
residing or owning property in Ashton Heights who is at least 18 may join
and then vote at AHCA meetings.
Send this form and a check payable to AHCA to Jim O’Brien, 643 N.
Kenmore St. 22201 528-0376, or bring it to this month’s meeting.
Name(s):
Children (and ages) (optional):
Street address:
Phone:
Resident since:
E-mail address:
Neighborhood interests:
PAY DUES ONLINE at www.ashtonheights.org/join-ahca/
PAGE 3
Renovations Underway, New
Rates for AH Residents
The Lyon Park Community Center’s renovation project is moving
along, although to the naked eye, it still looks like that same big
cement hole that has been there for several months. The good
news is that so much
is happening and much
of it affects Ashton
Heights residents.
At this time, the building’s south end has been
razed and the foundations for the new kitchen
and sunroom poured.
Note that on the west
side, the builder, Webb
Construction, poured two
parallel walls. The inner wall will support the sunroom addition. The
outer wall is the edge of a ramp accessible to mobility-impaired people.
Several AH residents discussed concerns about the Community
Center and our fundraising efforts. To date, AH residents have contributed roughly 12 percent of funds designated for renovation. We
thank you. This is noteworthy and humbling.
Per a decision by the Board of Governors subcommittee, AH
residents will be offered the resident rental rate, effective immediately. Rates for all AH and Lyon Park residents will increase
slightly after renovation and non-resident rates will increase significantly, reflecting the modernized facility and rental rates at
comparative area facilities.
We thank you for your continued support as volunteers and donors.
Please consider making LPCC’s Renovation a charitable priority.
Soon, we will need to draw on our line of credit for the remaining
$600,000 needed. Every dollar donated early is a dollar we will not
need to borrow. Completion is expected in August.
You can donate using a credit card or PayPal here: http://
lyonpark.info/donations.html. Please contact me at jywickrph@
aol.com or 703-629-6459 if you have questions. Read more
about the renovation plans and updates: www.facebook.com/
lyonparkcommunitycenter.
www.ashtonheights.org | Next Meeting: April 15
PAGE 4
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Arlington-Alexandria Acupuncture
4141 N. Henderson Rd. (#14)
Arlington, VA 22203
401-533-2790
Rebecca Reynolds MSN/L.Ac.
Timeless
medicine
for modern
times from a
fellow
Ashton
Heights
resident.
Now open
for business!
[email protected]
A-A-Acupuncture.com
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Fabulous Toys, Hobbies, Crafts, Books, G portin
ood g
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hoe and the most beautiful Children’s Clothes.
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1220 N. Fillmore St.
Arlington, VA 22201
2 blocks east of the Clarendon Metro on the Orange Line
Street level below Gold’s Gym on Fillmore St. in Clarendon
web: www.Kinderhaus.com
(for news and events)
email: [email protected]
7 DAYS A WEEK
703•527•5929
**** Tuesday is Grandparents Day at Kinder Haus -- 10% off all full-priced
merchandise just for grandparents. Offer expires Jan. 1, 2016 ****
www.ashtonheights.org | Next Meeting: April 15
President’s Message
AHCA Busy as Ever
Scott Sklar / [email protected]
The Ashton Heights Civic Association has been raising issues
with local developers and county officials to maintain the quality
of life within our neighborhood.
After meeting with the developers, we
sent a letter to the county board, raising
issues of lighting, time of operation and
noise on the soon-to-be built 10th Street
Flats rooftop deck. This is what we do.
We approached county officials again to
address issues of parking spilling into the
neighborhood from the Arlington Community Residences, Inc. on N.
Jackson Street. In addition, we wanted to ensure that the facility is
being used for care, as zoned, and not as an administrative center.
This is what we do.
AHCA sent another letter to county staff objecting to the proposed building height of the redeveloped Ballston Mall, as well
as parking and truck egress issues to ensure enough site parking and no spillover into our neighborhoods. This is what we do.
Last year AHCA figured prominently on Route 50 and Columbia
Pike reconstruction, guaranteeing more neighborhood-friendly
construction and more native trees and plants. This interaction
continues with state and county officials, for this is what we do.
Also, AHCA has been conferring with county officials to make
sure that the ratio of building-to-land area stays within the rules
and we don’t have “perimeter size creep” of our buildings.
And AHCA had representatives on the county planning group looking at the Thomas Jefferson Middle School site, protecting open
areas while providing options on school space expansion.
As North Arlington urbanizes and becomes denser, we truly need
to be vigilant. Our development, school and transportation committees track these issues and our monthly meetings inform and
discuss these issues with our neighbors.
We are well organized and tracking these issues and threats. We
need more participation to share this work and make sure we
continue to broadly represent our community. I invite many of you
who have not been to our AHCA monthly meetings or to our committee dialogues to do so. You will be most welcome.
PAGE 5
Local Schools
Faith Lutheran Preschool
Celebrates 25 Years
Ann Felker / [email protected]
Faith Lutheran Preschool is planning a 25th anniversary
celebration on Sun., April 26, from 3 -- 5 p.m. to commemorate
an important spring in 1990 when two Ashton Heights mothers
recognized a problem and devised a solution.
Mary
Hibbits,
a mom of two,
saw children who
needed a local preschool and, with the
help of her church
community, started
Faith Lutheran Preschool. Her neighbor Lora Rinker
created the Arlington Street People’s
Assistance
Network, or A-SPAN, to serve Arlington’s homeless population. Those
two groups have had a long-lasting impact for Arlington county.
Everyone is invited to come to the field at Faith Lutheran at 3313
Arlington Blvd., for good memories about good beginnings. Little
ones will be entertained with a moon bounce, an ice cream vendor and some age-appropriate activities while grown-up graduates are invited to visit the classrooms where their life-away-fromhome began. Parents are expected to come along because it was
their participation and support that has kept FLP a strong and
popular place to grow and learn in Ashton Heights.
The first staff members hired by Mary Hibbits, Anne Larsen and
Ann Felker, will be retiring at the end of this school year. This is a
valuable opportunity for former “caterpillars” and “frogs” to say
goodbye to these two teachers associated with those classes.
Larsen and Felker plan to share their memories with as many of
their former students as possible. Nothing validates a teacher
more than visits from past students.
Please pass the word around the neighborhood and among your
circle of friends. Kindly RSVP, so the FLP family can plan enough
food and fun: www.flp25th.eventbrite.com. If it rains, come to
the Fellowship Hall, aka, “The Ball Room.”
PAGE 6
www.ashtonheights.org | Next Meeting: April 15