Barcroft News Vol 114, Issue 4 Ten with Winter Interest By John Gunn best in light shade to full sun. at Mid-Atlantic Gardener Winter Daphne (Daphne odora) – This Many shrubs with winter interest evergreen is legendary for two things: its flow- could be perfect candidates for your yard, and ers’ intensely sweet aroma, and its finicky na- some on our list have the added benefit of ture. The flowers are typically pink in bud, being natives. Who wouldn’t enjoy beautiful opening to white in February. The most com- blooms, foliage, and fruit; interesting forms or mon cultivar, ‘Aureo-marginata,’ has a subtly branch structures; fragrances, and other im- variegated leaf. Give it light shade and excel- pressive attributes of these shrubs during the lent drainage. It will slowly reach three feet cold winter months? tall. Les Parks, Curator of Herbaceous Continued on Page 6 at Norfolk Botanical Gar- Please join us for Barcroft’s den, led “The Tidewater Garden In Winter” lecture and tour on No- vember 17, 2016 at the Gardens in Annual Holiday Party Norfolk, Virginia. I asked Les if he’d share his favorite shrubs with winter interest. Here’s his re- Thursday, December 1 sponse (not in ranked order). 7 p.m. Winterhazel (Corylopsis ) – There are several spe- Featuring food, children’s activities, cies of winterhazel, all of which singing and a visit from have clusters of lantern-like yellow flowers that hang from bare a special guest from the North Pole. branches in early March. Size var- ies by species, but they typically Please bring a dessert to share. grow six to 10 feet tall, and do

Go Green with Public Barcroft News Editor: Alyssa Ford Morel Transportation 703-907-9318, [email protected] Advertising: Jennifer Tomlinson By Markarius Nealis [email protected] Arlington is now even more accessi- Publisher/Mailing: Christine Hopkins, ble with public transportation. Metro has chopkins4149@gmail .com 703-350-2101 added several new express bus routes and Next Deadline: December 15 has started to upgrade their aging train sys- BSCL Officers tem. ART buses schedule has been changed President : Chris Kupczyk, [email protected] to come more frequently. Vice President: Joe Knarich, [email protected] Treasurer: Jennifer Lis If you are a student you should con- [email protected] sider getting a student bus pass. The pass Recording Secy.: Christine Hopkins, chopkins4149@gmail .com allows you to ride ART buses for only 85¢. Membership Secy.: Joanne Rodewald If you need help with finding infor- [email protected] mation on Board Members: Michael Behringer, Keith Fred, Daniel Weir, Eric Parker how to go Contacts and Committees somewhere, Community House Rental Manager: consider us- Barbara Swart barcrofthouserental ing Metro/ @yahoo.com ART trip Web: Daniel Weir, [email protected] planner. Fundraising: Chris Ditta There are Landscaping: Scott Brinitzer, 703-892-0308 also tons of Traffic Committee: Vacant 4th of July Parade: Heather Meade and Jim Moran transit apps. (Moovit is my favorite.) Columbia Pike: Keith Fred, Charlie Smiroldo Also consider biking. You can find Demeter House: Darlene Mickey Parks: Shirley Gay bike maps that show bike lanes and trails Signs: Glen Li either online or at commuter stores. The NCAC Rep.: Deborah Wood website carfreediet.com provides tons of [email protected] NCAC Alternate: Neal Martin information as well as events to help you Arlington Civic Fed. Delegates: Eric Harold, Christo- get acquainted with biking in Arlington. pher Hoh, Chris Kupczyk, Randy Swart Alternates: Joseph Knarich, David Michelson, Mark Wigfield Don't forget to wear lights, a helmet, and bright clothes. Always respect the rules of Visit Us Online: www.bscl.org the road and be a predictable rider.

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December Barcroft Elementary Update

By Jennifer Weber, PTA Secretary stride-5k-2016. All proceeds go to the Barcroft Please join us on Saturday, December PTA. Lace up those running shoes, grab your 3 for the Snowball Stride 5K. This fun, family- holiday sweatshirt and run or walk with us on friendly event starts at Barcroft Elementary December 3! School and is run primarily on the W&OD trail. Barcroft students and staff kicked off Prizes are awarded for best holiday race cos- the second semester in mid-October. We had tume and top male and female race winners our first Spirit Day on Friday, October 28 and it by age categories. Registration is $25 for ages was also a pajama day! Barcroft PTA held a 15 and older and $15 for 14 and un- Family Sleepfauxver that evening and Barcroft der. Registration is available at http:// family and friends gathered to watch movies www.active.com/arlington-va/running/ in the gym and multipurpose room. November distance-running-races/barcroft-snowball- brought the launch of Eagle Eyewitness News, an exciting new method for morning announcements. Congratula- tions to Barcroft teacher Kristin Shy- moniak who was rec- ognized as an out- standing education leader by the School Superintendents As- sociation. She is one of seven finalists for the organization’s 2017 Women in School Leadership Awards. We are so Students and staff all enjoyed pajama day on October 28. proud!

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Dues News: December Update

By Joanna Rodewald, Membership Secretary a family membership. The application form is I am writing this article in mid No- provided on page 5 of this newsletter or vember but already have a calendar full of online at our website (http://www.bscl.org/ holiday commitments for December. I imag- membership). ine this is a busy time for everyone. But I Barcroft is a vibrant community and hope before you get preoccupied with your your dues help maintain the Community shopping, meal planning and social engage- House and fund many festive activities that ments you will take the time to happen in the neighborhood. renew your BSCL 2016/17 mem- Please join the 144 households bership -- or join if you are not that have already given their sup- already a member. Dues are still port. Wishing everyone joy and only $5 per individual or $10 for peace in the upcoming month.

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BSCL MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION or RENEWAL Sept 2016 - Aug 2017

Please complete the entire form and return with dues

To: Barcroft School & Civic League Check One: c/o Treasurer New Member Application 811 South Taylor Street Membership Renewal Arlington, VA 22204

___ Individual Membership ($ 5.00) $______Couple/Family Membership ($10.00) $_____ Additional Tax Deductible Contribution to the Community House Conservation Fund $ Total (Please make check payable to BSCL) $_____ Check Number ______Name: ______Address: ______Apt: Home Phone: ( ) Cell Phone(s): ( )______E-Mail Address(es): ______

I/we would like to volunteer to help with: Snow Removal for Elderly/Disabled Yard Work for Elderly/Disabled Barcroft Players Food Events (Dinners, Cook-outs, etc.) Distribution (Newsletters, Flyers, etc.) 4th of July Parade & Picnic Grant Writing One-Time Efforts (as they arise) Serve on a Committee -- Specify which: ______(Crime Resistance, Parking, Traffic) _ Other (please specify): ______

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Ten Shrubs with Winter Interest, continued

Continued from Page 1 to 15 feet and all of them have colorful fall Paperbush/Edgeworthia (Edgeworthia foliage, as well. Light wooded shade is best. chrysantha) – In November and December, Another native alternative is Hamamelis ver- this is graced with downy silver buds that nalis. hang from bare branches. In February the Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata) – buds open to clusters of sweetly fragrant gold- This native holly is unlike others in that it is not en flowers. Though tolerant of sun, they prefer evergreen, but that just makes the bright red light shade and will reach six feet tall and fruit really stand out in winter, especially when wide. One of the best winter-blooming shrubs. dusted with snow. Although birds will eat win- Cork Tree/Winged terberry, they usually leave it for late in the (Euonymus phellomanus) – Once the leaves fall season. Tolerant of wet soils, it prefers full to from this plant you can appreciate its unusual partial sun, and grows eight to 10 feet tall. wide, flat“ wings” along its stems. When back- Winter Jasmine (Jasminum nudiflo- lit by the low winter sun, rum) – Often mistaken these wings have a for forsythia, winter jas- beautiful tawny glow. In mine blooms much ear- fall, lipstick-pink seed lier, usually in January. capsules emerge holding Although it is deciduous, bright orange fruit. the stems remain green Winged euonymus pre- through winter. It pre- fers full to partial sun fers full sun in lean soils, and will slowly reach six where it will reach three to 10 feet. to four feet tall with a Witchhazel sprawling habit (not for (Hamamelis x interme- Wnterberry Holly at the Glencarlyn Library the obsessively neat dia) – Although the mid- Community Garden with a Mockingbird. gardener). Atlantic region is home Winter Honey- to the fall-blooming common witchhazel (H. suckle (Lonicera fragrantissima) – This virginiana), the showiest winter blooms come looks nothing like the more vining members of from this group of Asian hybrids. There are its family, nor is it a great beauty to behold. number of colors available, several selections However, its ivory white flowers have a deli- have a delightful fragrance, most will reach 10 Continued on Page 7

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Ten Shrubs, continued Continued from Page 6 most garden centers, it is worth seeking out. ciously sweet fragrance, reminiscent of a bowl In late February to early March, its buds begin of Fruit Loops cereal. It will grow six to 10 feet opening to form long chains of small flowers, tall and prefers full to partial sun. cloaking the tree with pale yellow fringe. It will Baby’s Breath or Gold Thread Spirea grow well in full sun or partial shade, and can (Spiraea thunbergii) – This is the first spirea of reach 10 feet tall. the season to bloom, typically in February or John Gunn is a longtime Arlington resi- early March. ‘Fujino Pink’ has distinctive pink dent and certified Master Gardener. ’He s also buds opening to blush colored flowers. ‘Ogon’ the owner and publisher of Mid-Atlantic Gar- has pale pink buds opening to white flowers, dener at www.MidatlanticGardener.com, a followed by chartreuse foliage. This plant free website for finding regional gardening blooms best in full sun and can reach five to news, upcoming gardening, and gardening tips six feet tall and wide. and how-to information from people who are Stachyurus (Stachyurus praecox) – experts in the Mid-Atlantic region. Although this plant is not readily available at

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Holiday Greetings from OSLS

By OSLS National Junior Honor Society after that Amazon.smile will automatically One of our chapel offerings for the contribute a portion of your purchase to our months of November and December will go to school. It’s super easy. Thank you to everyone Doorways for Women and Families. Doorways who supports us. provides immediate and long-term, safe hous- The children of Our Savior Lutheran ing for women and families fleeing domestic School invite the neighborhood to their annual violence and homelessness. In addition, they Christmas program on Friday, December 16. also deliver holistic support services that teach The students have been working hard on individuals the skills and tools necessary to learning songs and want to spread the love of lead safe, independent lives. It is the mission Christmas through their angelic voices. The of Doorways for Women and Families to cre- program, “Christmas Remembered,” will be ate pathways out of domestic violence and held at Our Savior Lutheran Church, located homelessness leading to safe and stable lives. right across the parking lot from our school, Please consider helping this wonderful organi- with performances at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. The zation in your own way. Visit their website at event is free and everyone is welcome to en- www.doorwaysva.org for more information. joy this Christmas tradition as we celebrate. Many of us purchase items on Ama- Please join us at Our Savior Lutheran zon.com. Did you know that if you go to Ama- Church for Christmas worship services. We zon.smile, you can purchase the same items have Christmas Eve services on December 24 and a small portion will be designated back to at 5 and 7 p.m. There will also be a Christmas Our Savior Lutheran School? Just list Our Sav- Day service on December 25 at 10 a.m. We ior Lutheran School as your designated charity would love to have you come and worship when you sign on to Amazon.smile. Every time with us as we celebrate and rejoice. Holiday House at Fort CF Smith

The 11th annual Holiday House Craft and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Wednesday, Show and Sale will be held at the Hendry December 7 the show will be open from noon House at Fort CF Smith Park at 2411 North to 8 p.m. All items are created by local arti- 24th Street, Arlington, from December 3 to 11. sans. This is your last chance to get a unique The hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays gift. Questions? Call 703-243-7329.

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Why Plant Native Plants?

By Plant NOVA Natives Campaign which are increasingly dominating our land. Do you want to save the environ- Do you also want a beautiful proper- ment? Start by planting native plants. ty with little maintenance required? Native The future of songbirds, frogs, and all plants are the ones for you! There are hun- the other wildlife we love is dependent on dreds of native species to choose be- our making room for their habitat on our tween, all of them adapted to our particular properties. The crucial first step for creating growing conditions and therefore requir- habitat is to use native plants, because most ing no fertilizer or pesticides, and watering of the caterpillars and insects that larger only until established. Many are familiar to wildlife eat can only themselves eat the na- any gardener -- phlox, dogwood, redbud, and tive plants with which they evolved. They are black-eyed Susan are examples. incapable of surviving in a landscape domi- All the information you need to get nated by turf grass or other plants that were started in Northern Virginia can be found at introduced from other parts of the world, www.plantnovanatives.org.

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Leave the Leaves to the Trees

By Ann Marie Douglass spring meal away. Look to the balance in the Arlington Regional Master Naturalist and woods for validation and inspiration that Na- Tree Steward ture has got this covered. We can sip some Do you want to work less, save mon- warm cider and enjoy the beauty of Autumn, ey and live more knowing that our leafy lawn is just as with the rhythms Nature intended. and cycles of Nature? Leave your leaves to decompose in your lawn! A The leaf cover in tree’s living cycle the author’s own depends on the yard mimics the decomposition of its own and neigh- Fall Bazaar woods bordering boring leaves to nourish its roots the Barcroft throughout the winter. Essentially, neighborhood. raking takes your tree’s only winter/

Arlington Historical News

Arlingtonians are invited to visit the the week of October 24. The long-overdue Arlington Historical Museum. The hours are roof was coordinated by Robert White, Board Saturday and Sunday 1 to 4 p.m., and member and docent. Wednesdays 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. The Arlington The Ball-Sellers House Museum is Historical Museum, owned and operated by closed for the winter. the Historical Society, is located at 1805 South The Arlington Historical Society invites Arlington Ridge Road. The two-story brick you to support local history by becoming a structure was built in 1891 as the Hume member, attending a fun and informative pro- School, named for Frank Hume who gave grams, and visiting our museums. Check out some of the property for the school. It is the the latest news and programs on its Facebook oldest school building in Arlington County. page, Arlington Historical Society. The museum got a new roof during

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Neighbor to Neighbor Listings

These listings are free to BSCL members, and Becca Bean Babysitter: High school senior run on a space-available basis. The listings run available nights and weekends. Call 571-344- for three issues unless removal, renewal or 4134 or email: [email protected]. update is requested. Email listings and renew- als to [email protected].

Kevin's Media: Will convert VHS tapes, Juliet’s Housecleaning Service Honest, more than 10 years experience with TC30 tapes, Laserdiscs and 35mm photo- Excellent Barcroft-area References graph slides to DVD. Professional packag- LOW RATES! ing/artwork included upon prior request. Weekly, biweekly, monthly, or one-time cleaning. Please inquire for rates. Email [email protected] or text/call Call anytime: 703-628-3434, 703-354-3225, or 703-919-7605. 571-236-3700

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Barcroft School and Civic League 800 South Buchanan Street Arlington, VA 22204

Save Money by Sealing those Holes A recent article in Northern Virginia Magazine high- lighted the best places by zip code to live in the re- and Cracks this Fall gion; based not only on the residential real estate Task: Locate and seal cracks and spaces that let market, but also on what each neighborhood has to heat out and cold air in—along baseboards, wall/ offer. Next door neighbor Arlington Forest was on ceiling junctures, windows and doors, lighting fix- the list, and here is a quote: “Ballston, with Bucking- tures, switches, and electrical outlets. Energy savings ham and Arlington Forest in Arlington County, of- from reducing drafts range from 5% to 30% per fers the best of urban and country life in one place. year, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. (I would add Barcroft to that list as well!) To read Shortcut: Try these tricks to spot energy leaks. At the full article visit our blog at caseyoneal.com/ night, ask a partner to walk outside while you turn blog/zips-that-are-hip. off all lights and shine a flashlight along doors and windows. The light will illuminate large cracks. Small ones won’t likely show up. For those, light a FREE Notary for Barcroft Residents! candle or incense stick and pass it along potential Casey O’Neal, Associate Broker leak areas. If the flame or smoke wavers, you’ve got a leak. Call in the pros: A home audit that finds all RE/MAX Allegiance 703-217-9090 the nooks and crannies where energy escapes Curious about your home’s value? Visit costs $500 on average. Painters and/or Handymen www.CaseyOneal.com or call me ($50 to $100 an hour) can seal gaps with caulk and Put our 31 years of experience to work for YOU! install weather stripping.

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