The September 2021 newsletter is linked below. If you have any comments or questions, email editor@ashtonheights.org.
Back on Track: Full Speed to Autumn by Scott Sklar, President, AHCA
Activities have been full speed this summer, but before I get into that detail, we have had some wonderful cooler mornings in the 60’s with low humidity. So unlike a Washington, DC area summer – very nice! That said, we have had some residual tree mite bites from our earlier influx of cicadas, and it appears the eye infections and deaths of birds have receded, which is good news.
As of this August printing, our host at the Clarendon United Methodist Church (CUMC) has yet to establish a policy for public meetings held at the church. Please check the AHCA listserv or the AHCA website for information on our Fall AHCA meeting, to be held on Wednesday, September 15th at 7:30 p.m. – It will either be held in the social hall of CUMC or via Zoom.
We still have COVID-19 Delta issues to deal with. Good news is Arlington County is over 63.4% vaccinated, higher than the national average. (https://data.news-leader.com/covid-19- vaccine-tracker/virginia/51/)
The State of Virginia will be imposing certain vaccination requirements for state employees that I assume counties and cities will follow. Please visit Arlington’s COVID dashboard for stats and facts. And all questions COVID goes to AHCA’s Martha Casey: mlcasey@oacpc.com.
All our AHCA Committees have been working through the summer. Brent Burris who Chairs the Open Spaces Committee is working with Arlington County on the opening event of Mosaic Park, which our association has been the guide and vanguard. Brooke Alexander who Chairs the AHCA Tree Canopy & Native Plants Committee has been active on Arlington planning meetings, as well as County plans on park upgrades and replanting.
Our AHCA 100th Anniversary Committee, chaired by Jim Terpstra, has also been working hard and planning a celebratory event at the Arlington Art Center with free food and celebrations. Note: They have yet to adopt my amazing idea of a giant cake where Ashton Heights founder Ashton Jones jumps out, but I am hopeful.
The AHCA Development committee led tirelessly by Jack Spilsbury has been involved in both the Long Range Planning Committee activities and the Clarendon Sector Planning Activities. The Committee is very active, and of course, all with strong opinions. But the good news is that Ashton Heights is the focal point and has enlisted the surrounding Civic Associations to join us to strengthen our position for more open space and park, building setbacks and tapering and for more light, among other requests. A shout out to Jack, especially, for being innovative, working long hours in this zero-pay job, and spending time assimilating every ones’s ideas and concerns. And the Committee has also been great, and the Association owes you much for your attention to detail, principle, and for putting in the hours. So, thank you on behalf of our community.
Other notes, AHCA also pushed for the crossing walk light on North Irving St across 10th Street North which has been installed (which took years). Thank goodness for the little wins.
I need to apologize for yet another hack on our website, even after we upgraded to a higher cyber-protected host, where a similar e-mail address to mine went out to you asking for gift cards. Again, I will only “ever” ask for whiskey in bottles. We will try to address again.
As I do every fall, I ask you to email me with any ideas, suggestions, or concerns. The Association is here for all of you. I would be remiss if I didn’t add what a great community we live in, and it has been great to work and interact with each and every one of you.
A most happy Fall 2021. Be safe.