May 4, 2007 CPRO e-Newsletter
Columbia Pike Farmers Market Opens May 6
CPRO is delighted to present South Arlington’s favorite Farmers Market which returns for a new season on Sunday, May 6 in Pike Park, at the intersection of Columbia Pike and S. Walter Reed Dr. This year the market will operate from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. every Sunday through November 25. Come out for the opening day festivities which will include live music, catch up with long time vendors, and help us welcome new ones. Thanks go to Eckerd Drug Store and The Ski Chalet for helping to accommodate the Market.
Bob & Edith’s 2 Site Finds Buyer
The parcel at 4707 Columbia Pike that is home to the second Bob & Edith’s Diner has a sales contract pending. The .87 acre site attracted multiple bidders who were given an opportunity to submit best and final offers. Greg Bolton, the son of Bob and Edith, said he intends to use much of the capital to open additional diners. The name of the buyer will be released when the contract closes. According to the Columbia Pike Form Based Code the site can be developed into a 4-story mixed-use building.
Neighborhood Day Parade Set for May 12
The 11th Annual Neighborhood Day Parade, an Arlington hometown tradition, will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 12. This year the Arlington Cinema ‘N’ Drafthouse is sponsoring an old fashioned trolley for CPRO that will lead the Columbia Pike contingent down the parade route from Clarendon to Courthouse. Providing entertainment from the trolley will be local jazz musicians, Laissez Foure. Following the trolley will be groups of walkers from the neighborhoods that surround Columbia Pike. All are welcome. We will gather on Highland St. near 13th St. N in Clarendon beginning at 1:30 p.m. Come out and show your Columbia Pike pride!
State Transportation Legislation Good for Streetcar Initiative
On April 4, 2007, the Virginia General Assembly accepted Governor Kaine’s Substitute for House Bill 3202 which provides for transportation and land use funding and reform and greatly enhances the ability of Northern Virginia to implement transportation projects here. Specifically, it empowered the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) to raise and spend up to $400 million annually in regional taxes and fees such as a non-residential commercial property surcharge and use of special taxation districts. Arlington County Board Member Chris Zimmerman is the Chairman of the NVTA. For more information go to: www.novaregion.org/novatrans/index.html
Line-up Set for 12th Annual Columbia Pike Blues Festival
Headlining this year’s festival on Sunday, June 17 from 1:00-6:00 pm will be Smokin’ Joe Kubek and B’Nois King. Kubek is one of the hottest electric guitar players on the Blues scene today, while King’s softer, jazz-based guitar and vocals are the perfect accompaniment. Preceeding them on stage will be Memphis Gold, Ernie Hawkins, Karl Stoll & the Dangerzone, and The Curbfeelers. As always, the festival will feature tasty food from local restaurants and vendors, cold beverages, as well as crafts, civic information, and activities for kids. The event will be held on S. Walter Reed Dr. between 9th St. S. and the Pike. Thanks to the following generous sponsors for helping us keep the Festival free to the public: PikeRide, Washington Forrest Foundation, Silverwood Associates, Inc., Clark Ventures, Rakusin & Becker Management, and Buck & Associates.
CPRO Food Drive Aids Arlington Food Assistance Center
CPRO is sponsoring a food drive to benefit AFAC as part of their National Hunger Awareness Day activities. Last year the 25 organizations who conducted food drives for AFAC contributed more than 6,400 pounds of food in honor of Hunger Day. The demand for AFAC’s services remains strong in Arlington as 8% of households in the County live below the poverty line, and over a third of children in Arlington Public Schools qualify for the free lunch program. Please help CPRO help AFAC by bringing canned or boxed non-perishable food items to the CPRO office at 2611 Columbia Pike. Food will be collected through June 4.
Park Enhancement Grants Available to Civic Groups
The County’s Park and Recreation Commission is soliciting proposals for its annual Park Enhancement Grant (PEG) Program. Through this program the County awards grants to civic groups to implement small capital improvement and beautification projects in County parks, recreation facilities and public open spaces. The maximum grant award is $12,000. To be eligible, a letter of intent must be received by the County by Tuesday, May 15. Letters may be emailed to cperovshek@arlingtonva.us. For more information about the PEG Program visit http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/ParksRecreation/scripts/parks/ParksRecreationScriptsParksPegProgram.aspx
Columbia Pike Community Chorus to Perform June 10
Songs of peace and hope from around the world will be performed by the Columbia Pike Community Chorus at a free concert on Sunday, June 10 at 4:00 p.m. The show, entitled “The World Sings Peace” will be presented at Trinity Church, 2217 Columbia Pike.
Barcroft Spring Fling Set for May 5
The Barcroft Elementary School PTA is holding its annual Spring Fair and Silent Auction from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 5th. Moon bounces, games, and great food will be among the highlights of this popular community event. The festivities will take place on the grounds of the Barcroft School located at 625 S. Wakefield St.
Columbia Heights West Celebrates Re-Opening of Park
The 12th annual Columbia Heights West Neighborhood festival will be held on the afternoon of May 19 at Tyrol Hill Park. This year’s festivities will kick-off with a ribbon-cutting for the newly renovated park at 4:00 pm and will close with a bonfire at 7:00 pm. Other highlights include food for sale by Daks Restaurant, arts and crafts vendors and activities, County information tables, a moonbounce and children’s games. The park is located at 5101 S. 7th Rd.
Contact Us
As always, the CPRO staff welcomes your input. Email your suggestions, questions, comments, and offers of assistance to djohnson@columbiapike.org, or call 703-892-2776. Ask for Jim Whittaker, Dave Johnson, or Amy McWilliams.
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