March 2020 - Page 1 - MARCH 2020
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Ashton Heights Civic Association Newsletter - March 2020 - Page 1 - www.ashtonheights.org MARCH 2020 Five Trends in Arlington: Ashton Heights AHCA Monthly Meeting “Front & Center” Wednesday, March 18, 2020, 7 – 9 PM Scott Sklar, President, AHCA 7:00 Refreshments and mingling As we move into Spring, I am feeling the need to encourage a 7:30 Committee Reports & Community Updates creative dialogue. I am not advocating one way or the other on 7:45 Speakers: the points below, but using this column only to stir discussion. ▪ The Census - MS. Elisa Ortiz (Co-Chair, Arlington Complete Count Committee) Trend #1: Housing Density and Affordability. Discussions in ▪ Development Plans near AHCA - Bob Duffy (Director, Richmond and with the Arlington Board are not only addressing Planning; County Department of Community Planning, affordable housing, but the nature of residential Housing and Development neighborhoods. Many of us strongly want to keep the single 9:00 Adjournment home character of our community, yet others see multiplexes, townhouses and other approaches to offer a variety of living Meeting Location is the Clarendon United Methodist Church approaches to allow more flexibility, affordability, and livability. at N Ivy St & Sixth St N - Accessible entry is on Ivy St, take stairs or elevator down to the ramp leading to the social hall. Trend #2: Climate Change: Trees, Energy, and Buildings. The Arlington County Board voted unanimously in November 2019 on an updated Community Energy Plan (CEP) to reduce Trend #5: Aging in Place. The older population in Arlington - greenhouse gas emissions, Clean Air Act regulated emissions, those ≥65 years of age - grew more rapidly than the rest of the and significantly increase energy efficiency and renewable population in each of the last three decades. It will continue to energy. Aside from announcing a contract with Dominion for grow rapidly and at a faster rate. Northern Virginia’s older old over 100 MW of solar, efforts to nudge builders and developers population, those ≥75 years of age, is the region’s most rapidly to incorporate these approaches significantly in their projects growing population group. Growth in this age group will and buildings since residential (26%) and non-residential (53%) exceed 50% in each of the next two decades. Yours truly, is buildings use 79% of our energy. More pressure on how our planning to age-in-place in my home. This means more buildings are built, renovated, and how we behave in them, are walkable community, in-house services, and more county and going to be ever increasing. Native trees are also in this game various association tailored programs to my demographic. plan for soaking in carbon, providing food and shelter for wildlife, and softening the urban character of our community. I hope, as a community, we can discuss how we fit best into these trends among others not mentioned, so as to be Trend #3: Convenience & Personalization of Transportation. proactive on addressing our future. Only through shared We all know Uber/Lyft, scooters, well-marked roadways, bike vision, community dialogue, and volunteer time – can we lanes, and density around Metro stops, all address not only create a joint vision to help drive our consensus visions to traffic, but convenience, and livability. We can have food reality. delivered by any restaurant, Amazon and others drop off any goods, and more and more in-home and in-office services are at Details of Ashton Heights 100th Anniversary plans for next year our fingertips. How that impacts personal time, comfort, and are underway (see page 4). We have had some very prescient family is being studied by many. Arlington residents and leaders that helped fashion the community we have today. This perspective should help all of Trend #4: Multi-use Spaces and Buildings. Our schools and us and guide all of us on pathways to the future. government buildings are not only used for their prime use, but also for community meetings, the arts and education. And now We have a great community and we have a long road to we are seeing private buildings, have public meeting space in further many past and present great ideas to make it an even the lobby, the NRECA building used for public meetings, as does better community. AHCA and Little Beginnings Day Care share the Clarendon Happy Spring! United Methodist Church facilities. Ashton Heights Civic Association Newsletter - March 2020 - Page 2 - www.ashtonheights.org Ashton Heights Civic Association Volunteers CIVIC ASSOCIATION MISSION AHCA’s mission is to promote the welfare and interaction of Ashton Heights and Arlington. Meetings, usually held the third Wednesday from September to May, are open to all residents, although only paid members can vote. Active participation is welcome. AHCA keeps you informed through meetings, this newsletter, and the website: www.ashtonheights.org. You can volunteer by contacting the Executive Committee. Executive Committee President: Scott Sklar VP Programs: Jim Richardson VP Membership: Jim O’Brien Treasurer: Doug Williams Secretary: Jodie Flakowicz [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 703-522-3049 703-528-0376 Members-at-Large Cole Deines Jim Feaster Patrick Lueb Ken Matzkin [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Committees Betsey Lyon Crime and Safety Christina Schultz Listserv Moderator [email protected] [email protected] David Phillips Jack Spilsbury Patrick Lueb Development/Zoning Transportation [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Matthew Hall Christina Schultz Housing [email protected] [email protected] Playgrounds & Parks Brent Burris Tree Canopy and Native Brooke Alexander Subcommittee [email protected] Plants Subcommittee [email protected] Gregory Morse Caroline Rogus Schools [email protected] [email protected] Neighborhood Conservation Brent Burris Lutz Prager alternate Rep [email protected] [email protected] Newsletter Amy Miller Carmen Kosik Editor/Layout Advertising [email protected] [email protected] Bea Camp Julie Mangis Distribution [email protected] [email protected] It'll be a cold day in March without a little Chili. CHILI COOK-OFF March 28, 2020 Contact Betty Perfall ([email protected]) or Arshia Arvandi ([email protected]) to volunteer. ● Donate a pot of your spectacular chili ● Bake a tray or two of cornbread April 18, 2020, 8 a.m. ● Set up, serve, or clean up Running to help others! MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Where: Clarendon United Methodist Church FUN STARTS AT 5:30 PM 606 N. Irving Street, Arlington, VA 22201 Who: Competitive Runners; Fitness/Frequent Runners; Joggers/Recreational Runners and Walkers/Strollers. www.ArlingtonBunnyHop.org Ashton Heights Civic Association Newsletter - March 2020 - Page 3 - www.ashtonheights.org Coming Soon to Arlington: Restorative Justice Community Crime and Safety Corner By Christina Schultz Eileen was in desperate need of extra cash when she came of minds brought about by restorative justice processes across her co-worker Marie’s purse unattended in the can lead to break room. Eileen quickly grabbed the wallet out of the transformational purse and later used the cash and credit cards. After Marie changes in both contacted the police and credit card companies, the theft the lives of the was eventually traced back to Eileen. (Note: This case is victim and the fictitious for the sole purpose of using it as an example.) perpetrator. With support from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the Plans for Arlington country board, police and sheriff’s departments, Arlington include and the new Commonwealth’s Attorney, Parisa Dehghani- applying Taft, are coordinating to bring restorative justice to restorative Arlington. Restorative justice looks at crime beyond justice in schools, juvenile justice, and the criminal justice breaking the law and delves further into how it impacts system. It will also provide an alternative to the boarder individuals, relationships, and communities. It seeks to community, particularly those who may be reluctant to repair the harm caused by criminal behavior through a bring an issue to the police or courts. For more cooperative process involving willing stakeholders. information and to find out how you can get involved, Restorative justice has proved beneficial around the world contact the Restorative Justice Project Coordinator Liane in facilitating safety and healing. Rozzell at [email protected]. If Eileen and Marie are willing to try this alternative rather AHCA MEMBERSHIP SIGN-UP than taking the case to a criminal court, a mediator would AND DUES PAYMENT FORM bring them together to discuss both the harm and the Ashton Heights Civic Association annual dues are $15 wrongdoing and work out a shared resolution. A solution per household or $10 per individual member or $25 per could involve monetary repayment options by Eileen, as household for two years. Anyone residing or owning well as a written agreement detailing clear boundaries property in Ashton Heights who is at least 18 may join around possible future contact between them in order to and then vote at AHCA meetings. rebuild trust. The goal here is to reach a plan to “restore justice,” instead of a system of retribution, which is Send this form and a check payable to AHCA to Jim focused on punishment. When it works well, the meetings O’Brien, 643 N. Kenmore St. 22201, or bring it to this month’s meeting. Advertise with us! Name(s):