TLHCA

Potential New NCAC Project

The Tara Leeway Heights Civic Association (TLHCA) is considering new projects to adopt as part of its ongoing support of Arlington County’s Neighborhood Conservation Program. Over the years TLHCA has supported this program by initiating community improvement projects through the Neighborhood Conservation Advisory Committee (NCAC). The civic association regularly solicits the community for project recommendations and then works to nominate a project to submit to the NCAC for approval. The civic association, in partnership with the county, then works to fulfill the adopted project.

While beneficial examples of this program within the community are numerous, the improvements to Big Walnut Park (on N. Harrison St., near 20^th St.) perhaps best exemplify the program’s positive impact upon the Tara Leeway Heights neighborhood.

Recently a TLHCA resident offered a new NCAC project for consideration that would further support the initial improvements made to Big Walnut Park. The goal of the suggested project is to improve safety and access for families crossing Harrison St. to gain access to the park. The resident suggests the addition of “bump-outs or other modifications” in order to achieve this. If adopted professional county planners will guide the exact nature of the road crossing improvements.

The TLHCA board is currently considering this proposed project and welcomes all community input. This proposal will be up for discussion and further review at the civic association’s annual meeting on 5/21/13. If you wish to contribute to the discussion or offer up your own NCAC project for consideration you may do so by attending the meeting or contacting the TLHCA board via email to comments@taraleeway.org.

For more about the County’s Neighborhood Conservation Program, please visit http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/CPHD/ons/conservation/CPHDOnsConservationProcess.aspx

New elementary school boundaries

The Arlington School Board recently approved new elementary school boundaries, wrapping up an eight month community process. “Variation B” was adopted.  It will shift elementary school boundaries and result in the reassignment of 900 students.  The changes will take effect for the 2015-2016 school year.  More info is available at www.arlnow.com

2013 Tree Canopy Fund Program

Free trees may be available to Tara-Leeway Heights residents via the 2013 Tree Canopy Fund Program. This program includes free consultation with a master gardener who will provide advice on tree selection and location. The trees are even planted on your property by a master gardener.

The Tree Canopy Fund gives grants to community groups to plant and maintain trees on private property. The fund is administered by Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment (ACE) and the Arlington County Urban Forestry Commission. Details are available at http://arlingtonenvironment.org/community-action/trees/

This year’s volunteer coordinator for the Tara-Leeway Heights Civic Association is Barbara Green. If you’re interested in applying for one or more trees, contact Barbara at Bkgreen5@verizon.net or by phone at 703-237-8420 (email is preferred).

TLHCA Annual General Membership Meeting

You are encouraged to attend our civic association’s annual General Membership Meeting, which includes the election of new officers and general members of the Board of Directors.

Where:  Westover Library
Date:  Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Time:  7:15 – 8:45 PM

The nominees are:

Officers (one-year term 2013-2014)

• President: Kim Person
• Vice-President: Diane Burstein
• Executive Secretary: Ronald Haron
• Treasurer: Fred Blott

Board of Directors (Serving two-year term 2012–2014):

• Bill Braswell
• Adel Kotb
• Alicia Mitchell
• John Roman
• Tracy Shiplett

Board of Directors up for election (two-year term 2013-2015):

• Alyssa Cowden
• Matt DeZee
• Barbara Green
• Ray Keaney
• Stacy Leff
• Dan Miller
• Patrick Speice

WETA Tower Work

For our neighbors in the vicinity of Big Walnut Park, WETA sent us a notice of emergency repair work to be performed on the 19^th Road tower.

Per the notice:

The work will occur during the daylight hours of  Wednesday, May 1, through Friday, May 9, or as soon after as possible, weather permitting. Vertical Technologies climbers will scale the tower to perform the work.   All equipment and vehicles will be parked within the WETA gates.

It is our understanding that this activity will not pose any noise or other problem to, nor adversely affect, the neighboring area. If you have any questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact me at 703-998-2888 or on my cell phone at 703-887-8514.  William Harrison will be on the premises the entire time and may be reached via 202-271-0000.

Intruder Enters Home

Please be advised that on Monday April 22 at 3:45 AM, an intruder entered a home near the corner of Harrison St. and 18^th through an unlocked back door.  A resident who happened to be up at that time coincidentally entered the same room and the two men startled each other.  The intruder immediately fled on foot and was observed heading west on 18th St.  Police responded to a 911 call and searched the area.

This information was relayed to us by a resident.  Arlington police have the official account.  The non-emergency police number is 703-558-2222.

Solicitation to Serve on the Board

The Tara-Leeway Heights Nominating Committee is preparing a list of recommended nominees to serve on its Board for 2013-2014/15. If you would like to serve on the Board to help address issues affecting our neighborhood, or have questions, please contact the Nominating Committee by Saturday April 20th.

Nominating Committee:
Kim Person  703-200-6006    kimperson@rocketmail.com
Ron Haron   703-534-4713    rharon@verizon.net

The Board anticipates at least one vacancy, and will publish the list of nominees by May 7th. The Board will then hold its annual election of officers and Board members at the Civic Association’s Meeting on May 21st.

Fraud Alert: Police Warn of Recent Utility Scams

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Arlington County Police Department is warning the public about a utility scam that is targeting Arlington residents.

Since the beginning of March, over two dozen Arlington County residents have become victims of a utility scam. Victims in these cases have received phone calls from individuals posing as utility company employees. The caller states that the victim has failed to pay utility bills and has an outstanding balance, and threatens to shut off the utility service if a payment is not made immediately. Arlington County cases have resulted in losses ranging from $200-$1,000.

If you receive a call of this nature, make sure to verify that it is actually from your utility company by calling the number on your latest bill or on the utility company’s main website.  Don’t use the phone number provided by the caller.

If you find that you were a victim of a scam or were a target, please file an online police report at www.arlingtonva.us/departments/police/incident/new/start-report.html or call the non emergency police line at 703-558-2222.

Proposed Bus Route Changes

Do you live near N. Lexington Street or Westover?  Would you like new bus service to/from Metro?

If you answered yes to either of these questions, Arlington Transit (ART) would like your feedback on two alternative proposed changes to the ART 53 route.  Each option would provide 30 minute peak service frequencies for your commute (70 minute midday/night).  Community input will help decide which option will attract more new riders.

To provide feedback please fill out this short survey:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GY7XNMS
The survey will remain up until March 16.

For more info, email Crystal House at chouse@arlingtonva.us
or call 703-228-RIDE (7433)

Arlington County Board is coming to our neighborhood

The Arlington County Board invites all residents to come to the upcoming Neighborhood Town Hall in our area:

During 2013, the County Board is holding a series of eight Neighborhood Town Halls and two Neighborhood Town Walks, holding them in every corner of Arlington. All residents of the County are welcome to attend any session.

See the complete schedule and maps here:
www.arlingtonva.us/departments/CountyBoard/page88148.aspx