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The Arlington Forest Citizens Association has
the distinction of having published an outstanding news bulletin
for longer than any other civic association in Arlington County.
The distinctive Arlington Forester
masthead, showing the stores and trees in the shopping center,
at Arlington Boulevard and North Park Drive, was designed in 1948 by Forester Tom Cullen (Southside). This design with only minor changes is still being used nearly 60 years later.
How neighbors can help neighbors to stay comfortably in the Forest despite debilities of aging continues to draw our attention. Groups are springing up all over the country devoted to having neighbors help with tasks from shopping to lawn care to a trip to the beauty parlor that may become more difficult over time, particularly when age or death removes one member of a couple. Under the temporary heading of Aging in the Forest a meeting of interested community members took place April 19 to hear about how three other groups have organized to deal with these issues.Andy Mollison from Palisades Village, Bob Guttman from Capitol Hill Village and Mary-Carrol Potter from Mount Vernon at Home shared their tips and lessons learned. Among the salient points were the need for a large enough member base to hire a coordinator of volunteer services, ways to organize help and references for services too technical for neighbors to perform, and the need for proper legal organization as a charitable group. We also learned that Americans don't like to be reminded of aging-we are determined to view this as something that happens to others-so we're seeking a new name. With perceptions sharpened by the experiences of others the group is now beginning to focus on specific questions that need answers.
The purpose of the meeting is to start creating a structure for "our aging in place" group. We will need to make decision such as
Anyone interested in joining this project should contact our webmaster: enieweg@capaccess.org Linda Winston, Greenbrier Arlington County has completed improvements to the pedestrian crosswalk at Harrison Street and North Carlin Springs. Thanks to the support of Arlington Forest residents, AFCA, and the Arlington Forest Club, the flashing overhead beacons are now pedestrian activated. In addition, flashing beacons on a pole have been placed in the median, shark's teeth have been painted on the road to indicate where drivers are to stop, and additional signage has been installed to increase the crossing's visibility and remind drivers to yield to pedestrians. We hope that these improvements will encourage Arlington Forest families to walk to the Arlington Forest Club pool and other points north of Carlin Springs and prompt drivers to notice and yield to pedestrians using the crossing. We would be interested to know about your experience using the improved crosswalk to determine whether future upgrades, such as the installation of a pedestrian-activated stoplight, might still be warranted (send comments to Linda Winston via the webmaster: enieweg@capaccess.org). Thanks once again to everyone who helped to support the effort to improve the crosswalk.From Valerie L. Lee, PE, Arlington County Senior Transportation Engineer "I am pleased to announce that the continuously flashing warning system has been replaced with a pedestrian-activated warning system with additional signage, lighting fixtures, and pavement markings. The system is designed to be activated by a pedestrian who wishes to cross Carlin Springs Road at Harrison Street. Pedestrians must activate the system by first pushing the button and then waiting for vehicles to yield the right-of-way to them and then cross Carlin Spring Road within the crosswalk. Through signage and pavement markings, drivers are instructed to yield to pedestrians within the crosswalk. "The Transportation Engineering and Operations (TE&O) staff is confident that this type of warning system will have a positive impact on the community by increasing drivers' awareness of pedestrian activity especially when the Swimming facility is open. A warning system similar to this one was installed a few years ago at the intersection of Columbia Pike at Frederick Street. It has had tremendous influence in driver and pedestrian behavior and safety since its installation. "There are a few signage issues that we are currently tweaking at Carlin Springs Road at Harrison Street and hope to resolve in the next few weeks. Other than that, the system is operational. If you have any questions, please contact me at your convenience. Thank you."AT COMMUNITY YARD SALE The Arlington Forest Community Yard Sale map in this newsletter marks the sites of those who decided to join the sale before this issue's copy deadline. But you still have time to get your sale marked on the final map if you contact Chris Scheer at 702-276-9725 and provide your name and address by May 28. A final map will be distributed the following day to all yard sale participants to post so customers can make their way to all the sales going on in Arlington Forest that day. And if you miss that date and want to join the sale, no problem! The more the merrier. AFCA will post classified ads the week leading to the sale in the Post and local newspapers. Don't forget to put up a sign or two; and take them down at the end of the day. There is no weather date, but if things get rained out, don't hesitate to set up shop on Sunday. And don't hesitate to invite neighbors to combine resources and hold collective sales, or ask elderly or disabled neighbors if they have items you can sell for them. Kids get involved, too. Toys and children's clothing move fast. And if you're not having a sale of your own, get out and see what your neighbors are offering. It's a great way to get acquainted with folks you haven't seen all winter. The Arlington Forest Community Yard Sale is a spring tradition that brings Foresters together after a long, cold winter. Seller participation is key to the yard sale's success. The more sales in one neighborhood on one day, the bigger the incentive for shoppers to come to Arlington Forest from throughout Arlington and beyond. That's why it's important to get your sale listed on the map. But there's more to yard sale prep than that. First of all, you don't have to be on the map to have a sale. That's totally up to you. Second, the hours, content and "style" of your sale also are your call. Third, there is no rain date, but if the weather chooses not to cooperate, there is nothing keeping you from coming back strong on Sunday. There are few formal rules. Selecting the date and providing a map of sale locations is about as structured as things get. Sellers are encouraged to post signs at key intersections leading potential buyers into the neighborhood and to their sales. They are also asked to remove the signs when their sales end. There are no set hours, but one yard sale "rule" worth observing is that the real buyers are out early and the freebie hunters are out late. People who make yard sales their business will be out soon after sunrise looking for earnest sellers offering interesting merchandise. If you're serious about selling, begin setting up at 7 a.m. At the end of a long and (we hope) profitable sale day, consider leaving some of those bargains that didn't sell and that you don't want to see again out front with a "take me" or "for free" sign. For many, success of the annual yard sale is not measured by profit, but how much "stuff" is moved off the property. It is a complement to spring cleaning - a time to offer up the winter gear that you don't want to return to attic or basement and the summer things you've pulled out of storage and don't know why you kept past last September. Yard sale day is a great day for kids. Want to get that room, closet and toy trunk cleaned up? Allow your children to select toys, games, etc. for their own "kids' table" at your yard sale. Remember, though, the sellers also become buyers when they find they have some extra money to spend. Don't forget the older folks on your street. Organizing a sale of their own may be too much for them, but you can offer to include a few of their items in your sale, or escort them to the sales on your block. Many sales become group efforts as families along a block or on a cul de sac join forces in staging one big bazaar. In addition to starting early, here are a few tips from yard sale veterans:
Be Green to Your Neighbor Has everyone received their new recycling carts on wheels? They are a generous size, bright blue, with a cover and on wheels! If you haven't received yours by June 1st, please contact the County. You should have received some literature with the cart explaining exactly what is accepted and what is not, etc. Please be sure to read the information through...there is even a magnetic list of the accepted materials that you can keep nearby as a reminder. With only two people and an animal in the house, there is not enough garbage produced in a week's time to have to roll out the garbage bin; however, the recycling bin needs to go out every week! Hopefully, more of us can recycle more of our things under this new program using the new carts on wheels. Recycling materials and keeping things out of land dumps only helps the population at large...and that means you are being good to your neighbor. After all, isn't that what we're all about here in the Forest? Other ways to help out your neighbors — especially in the spring growing season — is to not use chemicals on your lawns. Or, if you feel you have to use something, use mixtures that are non-toxic. If you have a lawn service, check with them to be sure they are not using harmful solutions for your plants, trees and lawn. In this way, you are taking good care of yourself as well as your neighbors and their children and their pets … not to mention, the environment. Be good to your neighbors — and, see you around the Forest!Julie Kirchhoff Although I took over this column from longtime writer Joe Cockrell only last fall, this is my last essay. Next month, my U.S. Foreign Service career takes me to Iraq to lead a Provincial Reconstruction Team for a year.If you are interested in writing this column permanently or at least for the next year, contact Arlington Forester editor Chris Sheer at scheer4@comcast.net. The time commitment is modest: write eight short essays a year (September to May, excluding December). For my final report, I will continue with the community spirit theme that has been the explicit or implicit topic of many of my columns. Having lived abroad in underdeveloped nations for nearly half my adult life, I am keenly aware of how good we have it here.One key to America's success is our spirit of volunteerism. So, we should salute our neighbors who volunteer for leadership roles in civic groups such as the Arlington Forest Citizens Association, the PTAs of our neighborhood schools, and the Arlington Forest Club. Arlington Forest would be an even better place to live if everyone found a way to "give back" to our community. In past columns, I have suggested such things as organizing neighborhood clean-ups, reporting broken street lamps, and shoveling a neighbor's ice-covered sidewalk. Other ways include chipping in for school fund-raisers and Girl Scout cookie sales or, as mentioned above, getting involved in AFCA or another volunteer group. An easy way to help maintain a sense of community is to stay informed about what is going on in Arlington Forest. AFCA has a listserv that sends out occasional messages about neighborhood issues. For example, recent messages announced a tree give-away program and a Virginia House of Delegates candidate forum. To join the 400+ subscribers to that listserv, just e-mail ArlingtonLife@gmail.com. Anyone can get the messages, but only those with Gmail accounts can view the message archive (that's Google's policy, not AFCA's). There is also an online discussion group in Arlington Forest. As befits its name "AFMoms," many of the messages are focused on children and families. But recent messages have also included notices of give-aways (e.g., free patio set) and discussions of the new Carlin Springs signal light and recent car break-ins. To join the 100+ members of this online community, go to: AFMoms. Once signed up, the message archive can be reviewed.John Naland Foresters who attended the April AFCA meeting were treated to a sneak preview of the new Arlington Forest Walkabout Tour video featuring AFCA President Julie Kirchhoff and her dog Tasha. Julie and Tasha take viewers on a video tour of Arlington Forest following the same basic tour that was inaugurated in September 2006 with a walking tour of some 80 people led by Walter Tejada and Paul Ferguson of the County Board.Julie and a county production crew video taped the tour in August. You'll be able to see it on the county Walkabout Web site in a few weeks, but it's already available on YouTube at Arlington Forest WalkAbout. IT PAYS TO PLAN Sooner or later you'll have to repair or replace many of your home's parts — inside and out. Knowledge of components' life expectancies is what homeowner associations use, in part, to build a reserve fund designed to spread, over time, the cost of the inevitable. When the roof goes, the appliances conk out, or the paint begins to fade, it's a lot easier to come up with the cash if you've already got some socked away for just this kind of rainy day. Last year, the National Association of Home Builders, along with the Bank of America developed the "NAHB/BoA Home Equity Study of Life Expectancy of Home Components" to help you take the guess work out of preparing for the worst. The report suggests you use the timelines as a general guideline. Local weather conditions, use habits, regular maintenance — or the lack of it — can all affect the life expectancy of many components. Personal tastes for contemporary upgrades, remodeling needs and other factors may also dictate replacing parts before their useful life time is up. In any event based on a comprehensive telephone survey of manufacturers, trade associations and researchers NAHB developed information about the longevity of housing components. From the foundation to the rooftop, here's a quick look at how long, on a national average, some of the most common home components are expected to last.
4435 N. Pershing Drive For information and registration for these and other activities, contact the Culpepper Garden Senior Center at 703-228-4403. AARP DRIVER SAFETY PROGRAM — June 16 and June 18, 10:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m., $14 or $12 for AARP members. Pre-registration and fee required for this AARP safe driving refresher course. You must attend both days to receive a certificate. Please pay by check only, payable to AARP and received at the center before the start of class. Space is limited. Please call to pre-register by June 12. SQUARE DANCE SESSIONS-DROP IN — June 22. Free, 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 noon. Join John Brooks and the Square Dance group at Culpepper Garden for a round or two of dancing. The group meets every Monday and is in need of new members. Novice or experienced dancers are welcome. It's a fun way to exercise! SALUTE TO FATHERS - BABE RUTH MOVIE — June 19, Free 10:00-11:30 a.m. The name Babe Ruth is synonymous with the game of baseball. This biographical movie looks at the man and player who achieved immortality with a bat. The Babes' home-run record stood for decades, and he is still the most revered hero of the great American pastime. Archival clips, photographs, and interviews with family, friends, colleagues and Babe Ruth, himself, show why he became an American legend. WII SPORT & GAMES DAY — June 26, Free 11:00 a.m.- 12:00 noon. Nintendo interactive video games deliver a fun mental and physical workout. Come and check out the newest Wii virtual games. Space is limited; call to register. Return to Home Page Reviewed/updated 15 May 2009
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