August - Lake Barcroft

AUGUST 2006
Labor Day fun
and games
By Joe Pisciotta
Special to Barcroft News
Bring back those good old days! Well,
here they are! The Labor Day Games,
Monday, Sept. 4, is an annual Lake Barcroft tradition not to be missed by kids or
adults. Find your way to Beach 3 for the
last big event of the summer. Depending
on the weather, this event has been
attended by more than 300 community
members. All activities are coed and
age-grouped for kids and adults. Some
events are parent/child combos. Expect
prizes and surprises for all who participate in the day’s fun events. Refreshments will be available for purchase as a
fundraiser for the JEB Stuart H.S.
Call chief organizer, Joe Pisciotta
([email protected] or 703-9141453), to volunteer a little of your time to
help make this a successful neighborhood
event. First event needs 12 volunteers for
20 minutes only. Registration Table needs
6 volunteers for the first hour rush. Need
two barges at 1:45 p.m. to ferry swimmers to Beach 2. Need coins for the
Penny Pile.
. . . more on Page 4
Read on ...
Lake water quality and what
to know on Pages 5 and 7.
Nearby breakfast places on
Page 11.
Enter the 2006 Lake Barcroft
Photo Contest on Page 19.
Photo by Joel Gregorio
Swim teacher and lifeguard Bink Stewart in his classroom with his students.
LBA President’s Report
Proposed rules to levy limited fines
By Stuart Feldstein
On Page 5 you will find a description
of proposed procedural rules to implement LBA’s statutory authority to levy
limited fines and restrict a member’s
access to LBA’s services and facilities for
clear and unremedied violations of LBA’s
rules and covenants. In all likelihood,
these sanctions would most frequently
come into play in cases of violations of
the covenant requirement that prior
approval must be obtained for any external structural change on houses.
The community has a 90-day comment
period before the Board’s final decision.
The Board, although voting to adopt this
proposal, recognizes that the matter is not
clear-cut. The rationale for being able to
impose such sanctions is that, at present,
the Board’s only enforcement mechanisms are a court action and, for non-pay-
ment of dues, withholding of beach privileges. The ability to impose fines and/or
suspend a member’s use of LBA services
and facilities would give the Board an
intermediate remedy. Although the community has enjoyed a gratifying level of
compliance with the rules and covenants
over the years, there are always some
people who flout the rules and a method
short of going to court should be available to deal with them. On the other
hand, precisely because the community
has thrived on voluntary compliance for
so long, formalizing a sanction process to
reach a few violators might erode that
sense of togetherness. Moreover, the
Board’s decisions in particular cases
could engender controversy. In other
words, use of this new process might
cause more problems than it cures.
. . . more on Page 4
| Lake Barcroft Newsletter
2
Milestones
Published by
LAKE BARCROFT ASSOCIATION, INC.
Our Milestones column is looking for news of our neighbors— honors and awards,
graduations, honor rolls, retirements, births and deaths. If you have information for Milestones,
please call 703-941-0112 or email [email protected].
Carol Donlan, Editor
6516 Jay Miller Drive
Falls Church, Virginia 22041
Telephone: 703-941-0112
Email: [email protected]
Ellen Feldstein, Associate Editor
6361 Dockser Terrace
Falls Church, Virginia 22041
Telephone: 703-941-1723
Email: [email protected]
Photography
Tom Donlan, Photo Editor
Sam Corl, Photographer
Joel Gregorio, Photographer
Alice Lima-Whitney, Photographer
George McLennan, Photographer
Production/Layout
Debra M. Lee and Don Christian
Reporters
Andrew Cambern, General Assignment
Allan Cromley, General Assignment
Kevin Howe, Nature
Gloria Pearlstein, General Assignment
Sandy Tugwell, Poet Laureate
Betsy Washington, Horticulture
Publications Committee
Frank Aukofer, Chairman
Mark Cavich
Don Christian
Carol Donlan
George McLennan
The Lake Barcroft Newsletter is published
monthly by the Lake Barcroft Association.
Please submit articles to [email protected] or
Barcroft News, c/o 6516 Jay Miller Dr.,
Falls Church, VA 22041.
Deadline for September newsletter is August 20.
Advertising Rates
back cover $300/mo.
1/2 page $150/mo.
1/3 page $125/mo.
1/4 page $100/mo.
business card $75/mo.
business card service ad $350/yr.
Advertising Sales
Chris and Vince Lawson
Telephone: 703-941-2547
Fax: 703-941-1535
Email: [email protected]
Photo by David Gottlieb
Michael Gottlieb of Whispering Lane (center) received the 2006 George Mueller Award honoring a
graduating Princeton senior for combined excellence in engineering and intercollegiate athletics.
Shown holding the Men's Varsity 8 Championship cup at Eastern Sprints, Michael and his fellow
rowers went on to win their final championship at the 2006 Henley Royal Regatta.
Michael Gottlieb of Whispering
Lane, a member of Princeton University’s
Class of 2006, graduated magna cum
laude in civil and environmental engineering. He received the George Mueller
Award, which honors a graduating senior
who has combined excellence in engineering with intercollegiate athletics. His
senior thesis examined the role of cuts
and levees as a means of flood protection
along the lower Mississippi. Mike and
other members of the Ivy League champion Princeton Men’s Heavyweight 8+ are
rowing at the 2006 Henley Royal Regatta
at Henley-on-Thames, England. He will
then join UNAVCO to work on the
National Science Foundation’s EarthScope project, where he will be installing
high tech strainmeters to measure the
movement of the earth along the San
Andreas Fault line.
Will O’Neil writes: Bill Cook of Farm
Hill Place is bicycling across America,
and telling about it. He and a group of
other cyclists of widely varying ages left
Seattle on 22 June for the 3,300 mile
journey from Seattle to Washington, D.C.
They should finish in early August.
Helene Pack, a longtime Lake resident of Blair Road, died on July 15.
She is survived by three sons: Kenneth,
Spencer and Warren and by six grandchildren.
Mary Byrd Braun died at her
Dockser Terrace home on July 4. A 1995
graduate of Sweet Briar College where
she served as president of the student
body, Mary will be remembered for her
great warmth, lovely smile and many
friendships. She is survived by her husband John and young son Andrew (Drew)
Carter Braun.
To Lake Barcroft families,
Thank you for the time you may
have taken to say a consoling word
or a prayer, send a card or flowers,
make a meal, or perhaps make a
donation in memory of Mary Byrd.
We appreciate your act of kindness
during this time of our sorrow.
Mary Byrd touched many lives with
her grace, beauty and compassion.
With Deep Gratitude,
John, Drew and
the entire Braun Family
. . . more on Page 4
August 2006
|
3
Neighbors
A series of profiles on some of the extraordinary people at the Lake and those who
have made Lake Barcroft an extraordinary place to live. If you know someone who
should be profiled, please contact Carol Donlan.
Al and Marian Cromley
2006-2007 OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Stuart Feldstein, President.........................703-941-1723
David Goslin, Vice President.....................703-256-1254
Lark Lovering, Secretary...........................703-354-4948
Gerald Mendenhall, Treasurer...................703-578-3746
Frank Aukofer, Director ............................703-820-4232
Mark Cavich, Director...............................703-992-7085
Carolyn Coldren, Director.........................703-671-4029
Bill Herz, Director.....................................703-256-5533
Kevin Howe, Director ...............................703-941-6325
Steve Klein, Director.................................703-642-8745
Mike Stahl, Director ..................................703-658-1380
Shirley Timashev, Director........................703-820-1105
Pete Walker, Director ................................703-354-9693
LBA COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS
Photo by Tom Donlan
HOME STORY: Al and Marian Cromley met at the University of Kansas in 1946. He had
served as an infantry second lieutenant in the Battle of the Bulge in Europe. She was the
editor of the student daily newspaper. They married in 1949, and both worked as reporters.
They moved to Washington in 1953, when he was named bureau chief of the Oklahoma
City Oklahoman and Times.
Architectural Review
Kevin Howe..........................................703-941-6325
Community Watch/Security
Peter Walker .........................................703-354-9693
Environmental Quality
Bill Herz ...............................................703-256-5533
Finance & Audit
Gerald Mendenhall ...............................703-578-3746
Improvements
Steve Klein ...........................................703-642-8745
Charles de Seve (WID).........................703-998-6050
Legal
Stuart Feldstein.....................................703-941-1723
Membership
Carolyn Coldren ..................................703-671-4029
Publications
Frank Aukofer.......................................703-820-4232
Special Events
Shirley Timashev ..................................703-820-1105
Water Safety & Beach Maintenance
Mike Stahl ............................................703-658-1380
LBA Management Office..................703-941-1927
Chris Lawson (Monday–Friday)
6425 Lakeview Dr., Falls Church, VA 22041
www.lakebarcroft.org
Watershed Improvement District.......703-820-1300
They attended a party at Lake Barcroft in 1961, and, says Marian, “We were just stunned.” After a three-year search for a house they
could afford, they bought their hilltop home on Stoneybrae Drive for $37,000.
CAREERS: Al, 84, retired in 1996 after 40 years with the Oklahoman and Times. He covered all presidential nominating conventions
from 1955 (Eisenhower) to 1987 (Bush), as well as the Kennedy assassination in 1961. He has also been president of the National Press
Club and the Washington Gridiron Club and served on the board of the National Press Foundation. He has been named to two journalism Halls of Fame. Marian, 78, worked part-time as editor of a suburban weekly, then as a freelance food and travel writer for the
Washington Post and other major dailies. She serves on the advisory board of the Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation,
which distributes $4 million annually in grants.
MOVIE ROLE: Al had a five-word role in the 1962 movie Advise and Consent: “What about that, Mr. Leffingwell?’ he asked Henry
Fonda, who played the Secretary of State. “We used the $200 he earned to buy our first dog,” Marian recalls.
OTHER ACTIVITIES: Al is a reporter for the Lake Barcroft newsletter. Marian, who earned a degree in art at age 68, is a self-taught
expert in the Japanese art technique of gyotaku, or fish printing. Two of her prints were chosen for Smithsonian art shows. She helped
create the Nature Printing Society, which now has 350 members worldwide. She is a regular at the Lake Barcroft Woman’s Club morning club. A survivor of a rare and dangerous type of breast cancer, she also serves as a certified peer counselor for Y-Me National
Breast Cancer Organization. Both enjoy swimming and are regulars at Beach 4. They also own a beach house in Nags Head, NC.
CHILDREN: Son Carter is director of public relations and industry analyst relations for an information technology company in Herndon. Kathleen is executive producer of the National Geographic channel in Washington, and Janet is a featured writer for the health
section of the Los Angeles Times.
WHAT MAKES LAKE BARCROFT SPECIAL: They agree: “The Lake, the tree-shaded community filled with fascinating active
people working to care for their precious natural environment.”
— Gloria Pearlstein, Barcroft News Staff
| Lake Barcroft Newsletter
4
Out of house and home
for four months
More milestones
From Page 2
Photo by Tom Donlan
White House photo
Connie Lawn, far left, and husband Charles Sneiderman, far right, with
President George Bush and First Lady Laura Bush.
Connie Lawn of Stanford Circle, for two generations of New
Zealanders the radio voice of America, will receive a Lifetime
Achievement Award at a reception at New Zealand’s Parliament
on Aug. 15. In putting her forward for this award the committee
noted the Washington correspondent’s generosity over the many
years in showing visiting New Zealand journalists the Washington ropes and generally guiding their way through the Beltway
power structure.
The Karpicks’ house on Rusticway Lane undergoing reconstruction for
storm damage caused by a fallen tree.
During a July storm, a tree smashed onto Ron Karpick’s
house on Rusticway Lane crashing through the roof and doing
major damage. (It was pictured on Page 1 of the July Newsletter.) Ron and his family are still dealing with the fallout. In a
note he wrote shortly after the storm, he wrote: “We cannot live
in the house. The wiring in the attic was destroyed, so most of
the electricity is turned off. We have USAA insurance and the
company they suggested has been working since the first day.
The roof is off and the walls are torn down. The house looks
terrible. ... We will be out of our home for at least 4 months.”
Labor Day Games
Lake water quality
From Page 1
From Page 1
Schedule
11 a.m.
11:30 a.m.
Noon
12:30 p.m.
1 p.m.
1:30 p.m.
1:45 p.m.
2 p.m.
2:30 p.m.
3 p.m.
2 -3 p.m.
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
3:30 p.m.
4 p.m.
Photo by Tom O’Rourke
2005 Labor Day Sack Race.
Volunteers Assignments
Registration Begins
One Mile Run (Over hill and dale.)
Penny Pile for Pre-school to 12 yrs. old
Three-legged Race
Gunny Sack Race
Hula Hoop Contest
Lake Swim from Beach 2 to Beach 3
(Will be taken by barge to Beach 2.)
Canoe Race, Beach 3 to Beach 2 and back.
PFDs required.
Small Kayak Race (None over 10 feet, no sea
kayaks). PFDs required.
Sand Castle Judging
Fishing Contest — catch of the day.
Tug of War or traditionally, battle of the sexes.
Have a Terrific Year!
***
Pages 5 and 7 of this newsletter contain an article by LBA Environmental Quality Committee Chairman Bill Herz discussing possible risks of swimming in our Lake, and an article by Board member
Kevin Howe on testing the water. Lake Barcroft is an open body of
fresh water. It is continuously being replenished and replaced by
water flow from upstream in the watershed. As such, our Lake, like
all such bodies of water, contains significant numbers of bacteria
and viruses, some of which may be, in the right circumstances,
harmful to humans. Bill points out that certain common sense precautions can be taken, particularly by those most at risk. As somebody once said, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Kevin explains why testing the water is not an answer.
***
Now that another great July 4 is in the books, I want to express
thanks to Jean Meyer and her crew for a fun and patriotic parade,
and to Amon Nixson and his crew for a bang-up fireworks show.
Finally, all of this might not have gone so smoothly if it wasn’t for
the extraordinary job done by the WID’s employees and trustees, not
only during the storm but also the post-storm cleanup. Let’s have a
round of applause.
August 2006
|
5
Proposal to
implement LBA’s
authority to impose sanctions for rule violations
Lake Barcroft
and bacteria:
What you
should know
By Stuart Feldstein
LBA President
By Bill Herz
LBA Environmental Quality Committee Chairman
The Virginia statute governing property owners associations
like LBA authorizes associations to levy fines and suspend a
member’s rights to use common facilities and services for violations of the association’s rules and covenants. Fines are limited to $50 per violation or $10 per day for a continuing violation for a maximum of 90 days.
For LBA to levy such fines and/or to suspend a member’s
rights to use LBA’s facilities or services, a due process procedure must be in place. The Board of Directors has proposed to
adopt such a procedure.
In accord with LBA’s rulemaking process, the community
has 90 days to comment on this proposal. Comments should be
in writing and sent to LBA’s administrative office at 6425
Lakeview Drive, Falls Church, VA 22041.
The proposed procedure for imposing fines and other penalties is outlined below. The full text of the proposed rules can
be accessed on the Lake Barcroft website,
www.lakebarcroft.org. Go to “Association” and then to “Pubs
and Docs.” Look on the right side for the reference.
1. If facts alleging a rule violation are brought to the
Board’s attention, the Board can decide to send a written
demand letter to the alleged violator seeking compliance.
2. The alleged violator can come into compliance within the
timeframe set forth in the letter or request a hearing
before the Board.
3. If the violation is not remedied and the alleged violator
does not request a hearing, the Board may impose a fine
and/or suspend a member’s rights.
4. If a hearing is requested, a notice will be sent to the
alleged violator detailing the violation and possible
penalties, and setting a time and place for the hearing.
5. The hearing process affords protections for the alleged
violator, including the right to present evidence, call witnesses and be represented by counsel.
6. The Board must issue a written decision within seven
days after the hearing has been completed.
Questions regarding this proposal can be addressed to me at
[email protected].
Recently a Lake resident contacted me concerned with her
young daughter’s persistent bacterial toe infection, possibly
from playing in the Lake. The girl, about two years old, had
damaged a toenail playing, and bacteria entered through the
open wound. There’s no telling whether this infection came
from the Lake, but it’s good to remember some basic facts
about freshwater and bacteria.
All freshwater lakes contain literally thousands of different
types of bacteria — the good and occasionally the bad. Bacteria
capable of infecting humans, although rare, exist in most freshwater lakes.
The Environmental Protection Agency says the populations
most susceptible to these infections are typically the very
young (3 and under), the elderly, and those with compromised
immune systems.
To reduce chances of infection, the first rule is just common
sense: Take a shower or bath after swimming or playing in
the Lake. Some others:
Open Wounds — Don’t go into the Lake with open
wounds. Use an antibacterial agent and a waterproof bandage
— and change the bandage after you shower at home. Consider
not going into the Lake until the wound seals itself completely.
More Protection — Eye goggles and ear plugs can
provide some protection for swimmers. For children and those
prone to ear infections, put a couple drops of alcohol into each
ear prior to swimming and after bathing. To prevent exposure
to mucus membranes, keep your head above the water.
Lake Barcroft is an open system. We have complete “flow
through” or water turnover. This is a good thing in terms of
bacterial growth and persistence. This also makes it extremely
complex to measure or predict bacterial levels.
We do not test for bacteria levels in the Lake, as the results
are generally not useful or timely for predicting the potential
for increased risks for swimmers. (See Page 7 for a companion
article by Kevin Howe.) A red flag is sometimes posted at
beaches for 24 hours following large storms, ones in which an
inch or more of rain falls in a day. The rationale is to close the
beaches while allowing the larger amounts of runoff with associated currents and debris to move through the system and out
of the Lake.
6
| Lake Barcroft Newsletter
August 2006
|
7
The ins and outs of water quality testing and bacteria
By Kevin Howe
Barcroft News Staff
The What and the Why
There are literally thousands of potentially pathogenic bacteria (and viruses and parasites) present in freshwater and marine
bodies of water, and no entity could possibly test for all of them.
In the first place, the tests have not been developed and standardized for all the different pathogens. So currently, only the bacterium Enterococcus is considered. Although this bacterium is capable of producing illness itself (pathogenic), it is also an indicator
of fecal contamination. If contaminated, there are many other
human intestinal pathogens that could be present.
This bacterial test was developed and standardized for drinking water by the federal government and is meant to indicate that
a body of water may be contaminated by human fecal material
and therefore, may not be potable and may, if the bacterium is
present, have other more pathogenic bacteria present. This is the
only widely used test but its goal is just as an indicator and oriented toward drinking water.
Photo by Tom Donlan
Beach scene — We enjoy the waters and beaches of our Lake.
The term “water quality” is not easily defined. Sometimes it
refers to the physical attributes (such as the clarity or turbidity of
the water), other times it refers to the chemical attributes (such as
oxygen or phosphate or nitrogen in the water) and still other times,
it refers to the biological nature of the water (such as the populations of fish or bacteria). Of course, often it means all three.
For an urban body of water, Lake Barcroft is exceptional in
terms of overall water quality no matter how it is measured. One
of the best indicators of water quality is the very healthy populations of fish and wildlife in and around the Lake. There are a
myriad of reasons for this, but two stand out above all others:
1) the flushing rate of the Lake is fast, allowing the water to be
refreshed in a relatively short time (days to weeks); and, 2) the
Lake is and has been very well managed by the WID and the
LBA for more than 30 years. From aeration to trash pickup, the
WID has been extraordinary.
From the early 1990s until 2003, the Lake was tested for several attributes including bacteria. The testing was stopped
because the tests are expensive and all of the data indicated the
Lake was healthy and within “normal” bounds. There was simply
no need to continue.
Recently, there has been some discussion in the Community
that perhaps the testing for bacteria should be started again.
Everyone should understand the basics of the test — the what,
why, how and when. The what is the bacteria Enterococcus, the
why is for fecal contamination, the how is by sending a sample
to a laboratory. The where is everywhere (maybe) and the when
is often (maybe). Let me explain ...
The How
The bacteria test for water quality is done by a professional
water quality laboratory and consists of submitting a sample of
water. The bacteria in the sample are extracted and allowed to
grow in a growth medium for 24 hours, then checked for the
amount of Enterococcus. If the population has reached a statistically calculated and standardized level, the sample is considered
“positive.” Keep in mind, the lab results are not reported back for
several days.
Until a few years ago, all water bacterial tests focused on
Total Coliform bacteria, not Enterococcus. More recently, labs
are now focusing on Enterococcus because the test is somewhat
faster than the Total Coliform test and there is a better correlation
between Enterococcus and human intestinal contamination.
The When and the Where
Samples should be taken throughout a water body and
throughout the day. This makes sense in a closed body of water
(swimming pool) or at a sewage outfall (Blue Plains) but in an
open body such as Barcroft the most important factor is the flush
rate (rate at which water flows through) of the Lake. Barcroft has
such a relatively rapid flush rate that any sample taken is not an
accurate picture of the Lake. While this rapid flush rate causes a
sampling nightmare, it does, as much as any other factor, show
there is little need for testing because bacteria simply isn’t present long enough to cause an outbreak.
Based on everything outlined above, the WID and the LBA
have concluded that bacterial water quality testing is simply not
useful and not needed in Lake Barcroft. Although the Community has a number of knowledgeable individuals considering the
. . . more on Page 22
8
| Lake Barcroft Newsletter
August 2006
|
9
News from Mason District Station’s
Citizen Advisory Committee
By George McLennan
Barcroft News Staff
It’s the time of year when we
begin to see more than a few solicitors in the neighborhood.
Before you answer the door there are a few things to keep in
mind. Every individual solicitor not associated with a school or
nonprofit organization must have a county license on their person. The license has that individual’s photo and fingerprints.
Representatives of nonprofits must carry a letter from the
Commonwealth of Virginia confirming their status as solicitors.
The schools get a break on the licensing requirement but nearly
all school solicitors will have an adult chaperone within sight.
Contractor fraud continues to be a problem throughout the
County. This season there has been a rash of contractors taking
deposits and down payments then skipping out on the work. To
protect yourself see a contractor license. The license is required
by the County and the state for projects exceeding $1,000.
Here are some red flags:
The contractor asks you to get the building permit,
Contractor’s business identification doesn’t match his
name or the business he claims to represent,
Contractor can’t show you his business license,
Contractor doesn’t provide a written estimate on a business
form.
Half Moon Circle Party
If you do get ripped off, please report it to the police department’s
Consumer Protection Division for two very important reasons:
First, if you don’t, the shady operators will continue to run
their scams and rip off your friends and neighbors. The Consumer Protection Division and the FBI work together using the
patterns of reported incidents to uncover and shut down such
operations.
Second, the FBI has linked such scams to financing for U.S.based terrorist cells.
You can make a report to the Consumer Protection Division
directly by calling 703-222-8435. You can also file a report online via the County website at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/consumer/.
***
The DWI Coordinator, who among other things manages the
sobriety checkpoints, reported that there were 23 alcohol-related
traffic deaths and 759 injuries in the County in 2005. Also in
2005 there were 27,348 drivers screened at checkpoints resulting
in 64 DWI arrests. Since its inception in mid-2003 alcohol-related automobile accidents are down by 18 percent.
Note: The police officer who has made the highest number of
DWI arrests in the County (and he is still a young guy) works
Route 50 between Arlington County and the Beltway (actually
Jaguar Trail). His superiors say he is particularly good at his job
because he really enjoys traffic enforcement and has a knack for
identifying impaired drivers.
Sandy Augliere’s 90th
Photo by Tom Donlan
Photo by Kevin Howe
There was music and dancing in the Street when Half Moon Circle held
its annual block party.
Sandy Augliere of Crosswoods Circle, surrounded by her family on her
90th birthday. From left, grandchildren, Kim and Lucian Marts, and their
mother Noel Augliere Marts (in foreground), all of Atlanta. To the right of
Sandy, her son Reed Augliere of Littleton, Mass., and his family: Caroline and (in back row) Michelle, Ty, Reed's wife Deb; and Sandy's niece
Lee Lougee of Annapolis.
| Lake Barcroft Newsletter
10
Barcrofters Coffee
10 a.m.
Thursday,
Sept. 7
6332 Lakeview Dr.
Coffee, juice, sweets, savories
$6 per person
Call Roxanna Douglas, 703-256-4855
August 2006
|
11
Breakfast with George and Debra
By George McLennan and Debra M. Lee
Barcroft News Staff
Photo by Joel Gregorio
We have been having breakfast out a couple of times a week for nearly as long as we
have lived in the community. Over time we have come to know a surprising number of
nearby diners and other inexpensive spots and thought we would share them with you.
We’ve noted our preferences, which are based on an early opening, being somewhat clean,
offering quick service, not minding our being a bit rumpled, and being generally pleasant
and comfortable. Two favorites are missing from the list. Golden Diner and Four Seasons
Diner have very recently closed. Let us know if we missed your favorite spots.
Debra Lee and George McLennan of Crosswoods Dr. at one of their 14 breakfast stops.
Diner/Restaurant
(asterisks represent
our preferences)
Notes:
(1) Substitutes are usually apple sauce, sliced tomatoes or cottage cheese and Egg Beaters.
(2) Diner clean — Clean tables, crumbs on the floor, often crumbs on the seats.
Opens at/ Price:
Substitutes
Breakfast 2 eggs+meat+potatoes for potatoes /
eggs
o 3-egg omelet
Hours
What we liked
What we didn't
8 a.m. /
weekend
only
24 hours /
24 hours
5.45
o 5.95 - 6.95
- 8.95
Yes /
Yes but extra $$
Very clean; cheap
Opens late; limited hours;
greasy; A/C set too low
5.75
o 5.95
- 8.25
6.59
o 10.59
- 5.99 - 7.69
Cheap; friendly staff; and for
George, the artery hardening
Special
Cheese blintzes; comfortable
and quiet; very clean
Barely diner clean; A/C set
too low
7 a.m. /
until 11a.m.
24 hours /
24 hours
6.49
o 4.49 - 7.29
- 7.99
Yes /
Yes plus egg
white dish
No potato with
two-egg dishes /
Yes
Yes / Yes
No smoking; 4 bacon strips;
outdoor seating
Diner clean; floor needed a
good sweep
24 hours /
24 hours
5.55
o 5.55 - 7.35
- 10.95
No / No
Shabby; worst restrooms in
dinerdom; a bit greasy
8 a.m. /
all day
6.29 w/o spuds
o 7.99 & up
- not on menu
Yes / Yes
Fast service; they wouldn't bat
an eye if we showed up in our
pajamas
Offers traditional deli items;
clean restrooms; 4 bacon strips
6 a.m. /
until 11a.m.
7.00
o 6.50 - 8.00
- 13.25
Yes /
Yes, but $1 extra
Very clean! Prompt service;
good Muzak; 5 strips of bacon!
Sometimes a bit greasy but
otherwise, what's not to like?
8 a.m./
cost extra
after 11 a.m.
6:30 a.m. /
all day
5.75
o 6.95
- 9.95
Yes (fresh fruit!) /
Yes but extra $$
Very clean; food not greasy
Never sure when their doors
will actually open
6.29
o 6.99 & up
- 14.99
Yes / Yes
Open; airy; bright; coffee on the Barely better than diner clean;
table
fresh fruit old; skimpy bacon
6 a.m. /
all day
5.59
o 6.99
- 8.99
Must pay for extra Clean; friendly staff; very clean
side / Yes
restrooms
Pricey extras; A/C set too low;
only 2 bacon strips
6:30 a.m.
(7 on Sun.) /
until 5 p.m.
6 a.m. /
24 hours
5.29 with croissant
o 6.99
- not on menu
Only offered as
side /
Yes
Yes /
Yes, but extra $$
Fast service; very different
menu; friendly staff; choice of
coffees
6 bacon strips!! Very clean
A/C set too low; cafeteria style;
no one to refill coffee; diner
clean
Priciest; too shiny at 7 a.m.;
too far away
No / No
Quiet; very clean; cheap; cozy
fireplace in winter; 4 strips of
bacon
32 oz. juice servings; cleaner
than average; different menu
Avoid if tour bus outside; sometimes have to wait for check
- Steak & eggs
Anthony's ***
309 W. Broad St.
(near the Post Office)
Barnside Diner **
6306 Little River Trpk.
(near Beauregard)
Bentley's ***
6654 Arlington Blvd.
(Quality Inn)
Bob & Edith's ***
4707 Columbia Pike
(at Four Mile Run)
Brinkley's *
6315 Leesburg Pike
(at 7 Corners Sunoco)
Celebrity Deli **
7263A Arlington Blvd.
(Loehmann's Plaza)
City Diner ****
5616 Leesburg Pike
(Bailey's Crossroads)
Fairfax Inn Rest. ***
2946 Sleepy Hollow Rd.
(near fire station)
IHOP **
6655 Arlington Blvd.
(at Annandale Rd.)
Juke Box Diner **
7039 Columbia Pike
(at John Marr Dr.)
La Madeleine ****
5861 Crossroads Ctr.
(next to Borders)
Metro 29 Diner ***
4711 Lee Hwy.
(at Glebe Rd.)
Miguel's ****
6633 Arlington Blvd
(in the Best Western)
Silver Diner **
8150 Porter Road
(in Merrifield on Gallows)
7.25
o 9.00
- 19.95
7 a.m. /
4.25
until 11 a.m. o 4.75
- not on menu
7 a.m. /
6.99
all day
o 6.49 - 8.99
- 14.99
Yes / Yes
but both extra $$
Stuffy décor; slightly greasy
eggs; too much butter on toast
Opens late; diner clean
Too far away; we were over
charged
12
| Lake Barcroft Newsletter
August 2006
|
13
Bamian dinner with the
Newcomers’ Club
Lake Barcroft
Calendar
Photo by Andrew Cambern
Compiled by Ellen Feldstein,
[email protected]
Newcomers' Club enjoyed an evening out at Bamian, a new Afghan
restaurant at Bailey's Crossroads.
By Andrew Cambern
Newcomers’ Hospitality Chairman
Despite a vicious thunderstorm that swept through just before
starting time, the Newcomers’ Club enjoyed another successful
dinner outing on July 12. Dozens of neighbors braved the elements to enjoy a family-style dinner at the Bamian Restaurant,
which offered a wide variety of dishes and provided an excellent
sampling of their menu. Several recent residents ventured out to
join us and mingled with our more established neighbors.
We look forward to seeing everyone again soon, perhaps at
the Labor Day Games.
Aug. 21
—
First Day of School for
Stuart and Glasgow
Sept. 4
11 a.m.
Labor Day Games
Beach 3
Sept. 4
—
Beaches Close
Sept. 5
—
First Day for Elementary Schools
Sept. 6
7:30 p.m.
Sept. 7
10 a.m.
Sept. 9
6 p.m.
WID Meeting
WID Compound
Barcrofters Coffee
6332 Lakeview Dr.
Newcomers’ Club Barge Party
6436 Lakeview Dr.
Sept. 13
11:30 a.m.
Woman’s Club Luncheon
6306 Crosswoods Circle
Sept. 13
7:30 p.m.
LBA Board Meeting
6425 Lakeview Dr.
Sept. 29
10 a.m.
Morning Book Club
3405 Mansfield Rd.
Newcomers’ Club Barge Party on Sept. 9
By Samira West
Special to Barcroft News
Mark your calendar for Saturday, Sept. 9. That’s the date of
the Annual LB Newcomers’ Club Barge Party, a fabulous tradition you won’t want to miss. All Lake Barcroft residents are
invited to attend this adult-oriented event. Hosted this year by
Gabe Nassar and Ann Gamber of 6436 Lakeview Dr., the
evening will begin at 6 p.m. with tours of the Lake complete
with appetizers and cocktails.
Following the cocktail cruises, a wonderful catered dinner
and music will entice you to dance the night away under the
stars. This is a great opportunity to meet new neighbors, reconnect with old friends and enjoy our Lake. Rain date is Sunday,
Sept. 10.
Tickets are $50 per person for LB Newcomers’ Club members,
$60 for non-members. RSVP with pre-payment before Aug. 25.
Register early. Don’t wait until the last minute, this event
fills up quickly.
Not a Newcomers’ Club member? Join now. Membership is
$20 per household. Renew now and save all year on reduced
rates to every Newcomers’ Club event.
Please send a check made out to LB Newcomers’ Club plus
your name, address, phone number and email (in case of a bad
weather) to: Samira West, 6213 Waterway Dr., Falls Church, VA
22044. Registration forms are available on the Lake Barcroft
website, www.lakebarcroft.org. Questions? Contact Samira West,
[email protected] or 703-256-8777.
14
| Lake Barcroft Newsletter
August 2006
|
15
AMAZING TAILS: An occasional column about nature in Lake Barcroft
Think you’re such a tough guy?
Get out of that mirror and fight like a bird
By Kevin Howe
Barcroft News Staff
A few weeks ago I was at a gathering of folks in Lake Barcroft where everyone was smiling, sharing the latest rumors,
telling some tales, having some libation and realizing how lucky
we were to live here. In the many chats I had, the most captivating was from a neighbor and friend who absolutely fascinated a
number of us with the tale of a particular American robin that
seemed to be trying to commit suicide at her house.
It seems that this male robin was constantly flying at full
speed into various windows and skylights on her house. She
seemed to think the robin was following her around the house so
I suggested that this particular robin could not find a mate and
had decided to pursue her.
But the truth is that it had nothing to do with her (even though
she is attractive and tells a fascinating story — name withheld,
though I don’t know why). The male American robin is very territorial during the breeding season (March-April) and defends this
territory from all types of intruders, even humans. You may have
been dive-bombed by a robin. Many dive-bomb any animals if
they feel their young are threatened or their territory trespassed.
Photo by Joel Gregorio
Final set of group swim
lessons starts on Aug. 7
A group of youngsters learning to swim in Lake Barcroft.
Final session of group swimming lessons will begin on Monday, Aug. 7, and continue for two weeks, Monday through Friday, from 5 p.m. to 5:45 p.m., at Beach 4. Minimum age is three
years old. Cost is $80 for one child, second child is $60. Sign up
Beach 3 or Beach 4.
But robins are even more territorially aggressive than nearly
any other birds. Their territory is about the size of our lots in Barcroft (1/2 acre) and is protected by both the male and female,
although the male is more aggressive (as if we did not know that
was a male trait). Male and female robins look quite similar – the
female is slightly paler.
Robins are particular aggressive toward other robins – they do
not want their mate “stolen.” So when robins see other robins,
they often attack at full speed with great fury.
Having a bird brain does have its disadvantages because they
cannot tell the difference between actual birds and their own
reflections. When they see their reflections, they attack. Flying
full speed into a window has killed many a robin. Quite messily.
And the attacks are not just to windows; car side view mirrors
and chrome bumpers are popular targets.
Research suggests that more than half the robins return to the
same area each year to set up a territory and raise their young. So
I guess my neighbor will be seeing her robin’s soul mate next
spring, if it doesn’t kill itself attacking its own reflection.
The Robin
She built her nest in the rhododendron bush
We watched each twig take its place
And looked through the window as each day went by
To see four blue eggs fill the space
Each morning when we arose from bed
We looked out to see her there
Sitting on her eggs to keep them warm
A job she could not share
At night we went to bed in the dark
Afraid to turn on the light
In case she'd be scared off the eggs
And flee the nest in fright
And then one morning she was gone
No sign of her anywhere
We looked through the window but saw no eggs
The nest was totally bare
We felt so sad for the mother bird
And wondered where she'd gone
And if she felt as sad as we
In this early dawn.
— Sandy Tugwell
16
| Lake Barcroft Newsletter
August 2006
|
17
Community Bulletin Board
From the office of Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross ...
Want to find out what’s developing locally?
Within Mason District there are two separate revitalization
districts, one that encompasses downtown Annandale, and another that encompasses the commercial centers at Bailey’s Crossroads and Seven Corners. The revitalization districts are areas
that Fairfax County has recognized to be of particular importance
within the community for their intense commercial activity.
Revitalization districts are recommended to develop at a higher
intensity within the Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan and
thus hold great potential for serving as commercial destinations
for the community.
Each revitalization district is managed on a local level by a
community-based nonprofit organization. The Annandale revitalization district is managed by the Annandale Central Business
District Planning Commission (ACBDPC). The Bailey’s Crossroads/Seven Corners revitalization district is managed by the
Bailey’s Crossroads Revitalization Corporation.
These groups serve as public forums where community members can become involved with the planning process of the revitalization districts. At the public meetings of the Annandale and
Bailey’s Crossroads groups, Fairfax County staff members often
give presentations and answer questions regarding County initiatives within the revitalization districts, developers with proposed
or ongoing projects within the revitalization districts also give
presentations and answer questions, and updates are regularly
given regarding large-scale redevelopment projects that are
either proposed or ongoing within the revitalization districts.
Our community is currently at a crossroads with several major
redevelopment projects on the table, and through grassroots
urban planning by way of the revitalization committees we can
work with the private and public sectors to insure that any development is carried out in a way that is considerate and beneficial
for the community.
The revitalization groups meet once a month and the meetings
are open to the public. If you would like more information about
the revitalization committees, or if you would like to receive the
agenda for each meeting one week in advance, please call my
office at 703- 256-7717 and speak with the Land Use and
Development Aide.
Community Crime Statistics
If you would like to learn about crime activity in Fairfax
County, data is readily available to residents. By calling the
Community Crime Statistics Information Line, 703-246-7932,
residents can request crime statistics for areas in Fairfax County.
Leave your name and phone number, fax, email or mailing
address and a geographical area of interest. You will receive a
report based on the frequency of calls dispatched to that area
over the previous 12 months. Note: Requests take five to seven
business days to complete and are limited to two reports per per-
son per week. At www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police/crime_w.htm
information is available on: Daily Incident Reports, Wanted Persons, Fugitives, Incident Activity Summaries, Arrested Persons,
and other Crime Information. To report crime activity, call the
Police Non-Emergency Number, 703-691-2131, or in an
emergency, call 911.
Pandemic Flu Town Meeting
Fairfax County is coordinating its approach to a possible a
pandemic flu outbreak, holding a Pandemic Flu Town Meeting.
Deputy County Executives Rob Stalzer and Verdia Haywood
co-chair the county’s Pandemic Flu Executive Team. It provides
guidance to the county’s Emergency Management Coordinating
Council, which oversees two work groups, a Public Health Coordinating Committee and a Critical Infrastructure and Resource
Management Coordinating Committee. The county’s planning
efforts include representatives from approximately 30 county
agencies.
As residents, we should prepare by having a two-week supply
of food and supplies, a battery operated radio, and a Personal
Preparedness Plan, with information such as emergency contacts,
medical conditions, and allergies. We can limit the spread of
germs and prevent infection by washing often with soap and
water, stay home when sick, and cover coughs and sneezes with
tissues. These actions are some of the simplest, yet most effective, actions to help prevent the spread of germs.
A Pandemic Flu Business Summit was aired lived on Fairfax
County’s cable television Channel 16. Streaming video of a Pandemic Flu Town Meeting, a County Magazine Segment and segments on emergency preparedness in Fairfax County are avail. . . more on Page 22
Photo by Tom Donlan
The Eastern Towhee is a jealous bird during mating season, striking out
at other Towhees, or their reflections. More than one Lake resident has
been forced to put bags on their cars' side view mirrors to keep angry
Towhees away.
18
| Lake Barcroft Newsletter
August 2006
|
Photo Contest
through
Nov. 1
By Joel Gregorio
Barcroft News Staff
Photograph a Lake Barcroft event,
a family get-together, or an interesting
or unusual moment and share it with
us. The 2006 Lake Barcroft Photo
Contest is open through Nov. 1. We’re
looking for photographs that entertain,
inspire and amuse. Not only might
you win the 2006 Lake Barcroft Photo
Contest, but your photo may be one of
the dozen selected for the Lake
Barcroft 2007 Calendar.
Themes:
Our Community — family and
neighbor shots
Seasons — outdoor shots to show
the changing beauty of the community
My Neighborhood — the Lake,
beaches, nature scenes, gardens
Barcroft History — photos more
than 25 years old.
Entrant Categories: Pre-Teens —
Teens — Adults
Digital photos should be at highest
resolution and saved as .jpg or .tif files.
Please send digital photos as attachments, not as imbedded images, to
[email protected]. Send prints
and slides to Tom Donlan, 6516 Jay
Miller Dr., Falls Chuch, Va. 22041.
Please include photographer’s name,
address and category. Explain where and
when the photo was taken and who is in
the shot. Please attach only one photo to
your email message, although individuals may submit up to five entries in
separate emails per month.
Photographs will appear in the Lake
Barcroft Newsletter later this year. All
entries may be used by the Lake Barcroft Association for publication and
promotion.
19
20
| Lake Barcroft Newsletter
August 2006
|
21
The Lake Barcroft Ladies Marching Kazoo Band
By Marie Glass
Special to Barcroft News
The Lake Barcroft Ladies Marching Kazoo band gave a “heated” performance in the 4th of July parade. Realizing that volume
has a lot to do with successful kazoo band performance, this year
we were 16 marchers/players strong.
Our newest member, Diane Kilbourne, along with Denise Patton-Pace, Marlene Einstein, Vicki Haugen, Nancy Jones and Diane
Davidson with her specialized kazoo, all marched. Also marching
were Lisa Novins, Lani Kurtzig, Evelyn Novins and Marie Glass,
who comprise the nose flute section. This is another first for the
band, a marching nose flute rendition of Stars and Stripes
Forever.
Several guests helped us achieve the volume we needed: Jamie
Bowerman, Lake Barcroft; Alyssa Feller from Florida, guest of
Marlene Einstein; and Helen Hill from Illinois, Sona Arzoomanian
from Rhode Island, and Lynn Strawbridge from Virginia, all guests
of Evelyn Novins.
Songs were aptly conducted by Denis Patton-Pace, who does a
wicked solo interlude during Stars and Stripes Forever. We were
well organized for the march by Vicki Haugen (This activity is
analogous to herding cats) and Marie Glass, with much assistance
from Lani Kurtzig, who kept the cadence.
We were led by our star banner carriers,
Tina and Drea Prinz. Their mom, Gamine,
is a great help in this area as well as keeping the band organized.
The traditional red convertibles accompanied the band. This year was quite an
impressive lineup. Joe North led, with
Devin and Shea North throwing candy.
They were followed by Sammie Guy, with
Walt Jordan filming the Band. The Band
was followed by Werner Schmidt, then
Marc Einstein, with Alyssa Feller’s parents, Lewis and Marianne, riding and Katy
Jones throwing candy.
Mickey Jordan, who with her husband
Walt drove up from Occoquan to film the
event, walked the parade route to capture
ground level photos.
The band wishes to thank all our supporters along the way on the 4th, as the
reverse in route due to the storms made
this mainly an “uphill” pull this year.
PS: Did you happen to notice our custom-made crocheted red, white and blue
socks?
Photo by Mickey Jordan
The Kazoo Band's formal portrait, July 2006.
| Lake Barcroft Newsletter
22
More from the
Community
Bulletin Board
From Page 17
able on the web through Channel 16’s Video-On-Demand service. (http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/cable/channel16/vod.htm)
Additional information about pandemic flu and additional
resources are available on the Fairfax County Pandemic Flu Web
page at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency/pandemicflu, the
Fairfax County Health Department Web page at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/hd, the Virginia Department of Health Web site at
www.vdh.state.va.us, the CDC Pandemic Flu Web page at
www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic and the official U.S. government Web
site for information on pandemic flu at www.pandemicflu.gov.
Residential Curbside Recycling
Unsure what items you can place out at curbside for recycling? Now all solid waste companies and the county service in
our area collect the same recyclable materials! Here is the YES
and NO on what you can put out:
* YES: (In the bin) — Plastic bottles & jugs ONLY: Check for
the neck, metal food containers, pill bottles (not
prescription vials), glass bottles and jars, soda bottles
and cans.
* YES: (In bin, bag or container) — Junk mail, magazines,
mixed paper and catalogs, flattened cardboard, newspapers, phone books, cereal and cracker boxes.
* YES: At the curb) - Grass, leaves, and brush.
* NO: Yogurt/dairy tubs, plastic bags, Styrofoam packaging,
plastic food boxes or trays, aluminum foil & trays,
foam take-out containers, pizza boxes, hard back
books, paper plates & napkins, lids, caps, tops, ceramics, lightbulbs, prescription vials, pots & pans, alkaline
batteries, propane tanks, rocks, bricks, logs over six
inches in diameter.
Please note: Recyclables should be empty and clean; no food
or soiled materials. Yard waste should be in paper bags, clear
bags, or a reusable container. For County information, call
703-802-3322 or visit the website at
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes/recycling.
Water quality testing
From Page 7
water quality issue, Bill Herz, the LBA
Environmental Chairman, recently contacted Roger Stewart of the Virginia
Department of Environmental Quality and discussed the Lake. Mr. Stewart agreed with our conclusion that we
do not need to test “given the unique
flow-through qualities of the Lake, as well as the fact that the
tests don’t tell you a whole lot and are lagging rather than forward predictors.”
But there are still a wide variety of pathogens present in the
Lake as there are in any natural body of water. Everyone should
show care of themselves and their children when going in the
Lake as outlined in a companion article by Bill Herz on Page 5.
Photo by Tom Donlan
Keep Sleepy Hollow Residential — Signs have sprouted all over the
Sleepy Hollow neighborhood in opposition to a proposal that would
rezone the area along Route 7 for commercial development.
August 2006
|
23
SERVICES
July started out wet
and ended hot and dry
`
From our weather watcher, Lowell L. Koontz on Oakwood Drive. For more information
go to Lowell’s Web site at http://www. annandaleweather.com.
More than 5 inches of rain fell, most of it in the first six days of the month. With the
storms of June, we had the wettest 15 days in my recordkeeping. From June 22 to July
6 15.52 inches of rain fell, an average of more than an inch a day. (I lost two tomato
plants with roots rotted by all the rain. Never had that happen before in many years of
gardening.)
The month’s average temperate (80 degrees) was the fourth hottest since I started
keeping records 26 years ago. That’s about 2 degrees above normal.
July had 18 days with 90° F or above temperatures. The record is 22 days set in
2002 which is the most for July since 2002.
Maximum wind gust was 32 mph from west on the morning of July 22, but most of
the month there was very little wind.
Eldercare. Competent and experienced
caregiver with Lake Barcroft references.
Full time or part-time. Call Monica at
703-248-4032.
Fall Knitting Classes start in Sept.
Knitting classes on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays on Crosswoods Dr.
Beginner and beyond beginner classes
offered. For more info, contact Debra at
703-354-6351, [email protected].
Housecleaning. Honest, excellent references in Lake Barcroft area. Low rates &
free estimates. Juliet/Luis, 703-354-3225
or 703-628-3434.
Housecleaning. Reliable and experienced
w/good references. Weekly, biweekly,
monthly, occasional, move in-out. For a free
in-home estimate, call Maryen or Raul of
R & M Cleaning Services at 703-321-5335.
House/Window Cleaning. Reliable,
good references and experience. Flexible
schedule. Reasonable rates. Preparing
homes for show, at settlement and regular
cleaning. Weekly, biweekly, monthly,
and move in/out. Call Dalila for a free
in-home estimate at 703-354-6272.
Classifieds
Lake residents may place free classifieds. We
will publish the ad for one month, additional
months are on a space-available basis and items
must be submitted by the 15th of each month.
Classifieds can be emailed to
[email protected]. Please include your name
and day and evening phone numbers so we can
verify information. Non-Lake residents may
purchase a classified by calling 703-941-2547
or emailing [email protected]. Placement is on a space-available basis.
Photos by
Tom Donlan
Morning Yoga on Beach 2 — Top photo: Geri Falek's yoga students greet the sun at Beach 2.
Bottom photo: Geri Falek of Lakeview Terrace, in foreground, leads an early-morning yoga
class. From left, the students are Alicia Agnese of Beachway Dr., Barry DeMarr of Lakeview Terrace, Lisa Levine of Stoneybrae Drive, Jane Morse, a past resident of Lakeview Dr., Debra M.
Lee of Crosswoods Dr., Bink Stewart of Tollgate Terrace and Joey Connor of Tallwood Terrace.
September
Newsletter
articles due
by August 20
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