AHCA Meeting – 9.15.2021

Scott Sklar, AHCA President, brought the meeting to order at 7:32 PM.

26 participants. 

Scott Sklar Update

Scott called the meeting to order at 7:33 PM, thanking the Clarendon Methodist Church for hosting our first in-person meeting in 18 months. 

Corporal Kenny Giles, ACPD 

Corporal Giles is in community outreach and currently assigned to Crystal City. He reports that our area has 356 police calls so far this year, down from last year. Last year, there were 5 stolen vehicles, and as of the meeting we are at 14. The biggest trend he sees when it comes to stolen vehicles are unlocked vehicles and found keys, including spare keys in cars. He emphasizes the importance of the 9 PM routine – locking your car, house, etc. He notes to register bikes with the county to assist in recovery in the case of theft. Register your bike on the Arlington website: https://police.arlingtonva.us/bicycle-registration-form/, or by emailing Lieutenant Heather Hurlock at hhurlock@arlingtonva.us.

Development Committee Update from Jack Spilsbury and the Clarendon Plan

Jack noted the range of development projects in the western part of Clarendon, including the current sites of the Highlander Motel, Joyce Motors, Silver Diner, St. Charles Church, and others. AHCA is working closely with civic associations from Lyon Village and Lyon Park on development issues. Jack asks that people review the development plan and reach out to him on development issues or to get more involved.

Ashton Heights 100^th Birthday 

Jim Terpstra and Peter Dickson on the history of Ashton Heights

• AHCA is looking for volunteers to review the twelve studies by George Washington University students that were done in the 1990’s, in an effort to summarize them for the AHCA newsletter. If interested, please contact Jim at terpstras4@msn.com.
  • Study topics include an interview with Frederick Westenberger, a local builder, a history of the Arlington County Street Railway System, a description of residential changes since 1940, and other topics.
• Jim and Peter both reviewed Ashton Heights’ remarkable history from  sparsely settled region dominated by farmsteads, to a growing area sold by the Hunter family to Ashton Crenshaw Jones and Frank Lyon, to the neighborhood we call home today.
  • Jim Terpstra handed out copies of a collection of summaries and records from the National Register of Historic Places.
  • Peter Dickson’s work can be found in his Ashton Heights: Its Origin and History, a written history of our neighborhood which includes fascinating advertising and photography from Ashton Heights history. Copies are available for $10 if you contact Peter at pwdbard@aol.com.

Ann Felker, Julie Mangis, and Brooke Alexander provided a preview of the Ashton Heights Birthday Bash, which will take place on Saturday, September 25^th.

Tree Tour and Plant Giveaway

Brooke Alexander and Ann Felker provided a preview of the Ashgton Heights Notble Tree Tour, to take place on Saturday, October 2^nd, from 10 a.m. to noon. They are still in search of volunteers. Following the tree tour, join us in the Methodist Church parking lot for tree stories, music, snacks (including ice cream!) and a tree sapling and plant giveaway.

• Fun fact – feeding one bunch of chickadees requires 6,000-9,000 caterpillars!

The meeting adjourned at 9:01 PM.

Respectfully submitted by Chris Armstrong, AHCA Secretary, September 27, 2021.