April 2017 Newsletter

[View the printed-format newsletter here]

All Aurora Highlands residents are invited and encouraged to come to our monthly meetings where we meet neighbors, discuss topics of interest, and share information. MEETING – Wednesday, April 12 at 7 p.m. Aurora Hills Library, Back Room 735 18th St. S. Refreshments provided by Nando’s PERi-PERi at 6:45

Aurora Highlands Civic Association Newsletter – April 2017

Meeting Agenda

• Sin & Saint. This new neighborhood establishment, in the former Grill Kabob location at 23rd and Eads, has applied for a use permit for a Deejay and dancing on Fridays and Saturdays. The applicant and County staff will be at the meeting to discuss the application and answer questions.
• Virginia Highlands Park Renovation. Arlington’s Capital Improvement Plan included funding to begin public outreach in anticipation of west-side park renovations (everything west of the soccer fields). Parks & Rec staff will be at our meeting to talk about the best way to engage the community in the redesign process (funding is not yet available for the design). It was only a year ago that the newly renovated east side reopened after a frustrating public engagement process that left many feeling that community input had been disregarded. Please come and let DPR know how you feel about the park and how you want them to get public input.
• Christian Dorsey. One of the two newest members of the County Board, Mr. Dorsey will be at the meeting to talk about his priorities, hear about yours, and listen to the DPR’s presentation on Virginia Highland Park. Come with your questions.

Community Updates

• School Board Candidate Update. On March 16th the Arlington Ridge Civic Association, in a joint effort with AHCA and CCCA, hosted a Candidate Forum for the three Democratic candidates running for the open seat on the APS School Board. James Lander (incumbent), Maura McMahon, and Monique O’Grady each spoke about their vision for how to improve instruction, communication, and the capacity crisis within APS. See below about the Democratic caucus for selecting School Board (and County Board) candidates.
• Elections. Still energized by the 2016 elections? Wishing you didn’t have to wait till 2018 to feel that election buzz again? Well, you’re in luck. Virginia is only one of two states (the other being New Jersey) with a gubernatorial election the year after the Presidential election, providing, as the Election Law Society puts it, “a quick fix for the electoral junkie who didn’t quite get enough the last go around.” In addition to the governor, we will be holding elections for all statewide offices and, in Arlington, for municipal offices including County Board and School Board. The General Election will be November 7, but before that there will be Democratic and Republican primaries for statewide offices on June 13, and a Democratic caucus for County Board and School Board on May 9, 11, and 13. The Democratic County Board candidates will participate in a debate at 8:15 on April 12 at Marymount University’s Gerard Phelan Hall. For information on the candidates, where and when to vote (including that oxymoron “in-person absentee” voting), to change your address, or check your registration status, visit https://vote.arlingtonva.us/elections/.
• Arlington County Native Plant Sale. Do you want to improve your yard for local birds and butterflies? Then it’s time to Grow Native! Choose from a great selection of plants that are accustomed to local climate and wildlife, for sun to shade. Order Deadline: 4:00 pm April 18, 2017. Pick-up: Friday, April 28, 3:00–6:00 pm and Saturday, April 29, 10:00 am–4:00 pm at Long
  Branch Nature Center, 625 S. Carlin Springs Road. Other spring natives will also be available for purchase on Saturday, April 29, 1–4 pm. Payment for plants on the day of the sale by cash, credit, or check. For more info on what’s available and to order, visit https://parks.arlingtonva.us/2017/03/2017-spring-native-plant-sale/.
• Aurora Hills Community/Senior Center. Renovations of the Center, ongoing since the fall, are almost done. We anticipate that we’ll be back in there for our May 10 meeting, but stay tuned.
• For the Love of Reading Book Drive. The Arlington County Police and Fire Departments are partnering to conduct a book drive benefiting Arlington Public School students. The drive is part of the Everybody Wins! DC literacy program. Community members can donate new books for students in grades K–5, either one of your own choosing or one from the book wish list on the website. Visit https://newsroom.arlingtonva.us/release/for-the-love-of-reading-book-drive/. Donation boxes will be in the lobby of the Aurora Hills Fire Station (door on S. Hayes St.), the County building at 2100 Clarendon Blvd., and all other fire stations until April 30.
• AHCA Socials Make a Comeback. Join old friends and meet new ones at the Crystal City Sports Pub, second floor, 529 23rd Street. Next social: Tuesday, April 18, 6:30 p.m.
• Advertising. As you can see, we’ve started advertising again. This will provide AHCA with revenue to continue support many worthy community and school programs. If you are interested in advertising (and to learn about how many neighbors we reach in print and online), please email Stacy Meyer at ahcanewsletterads@gmail.com.

Please sign up with the Aurora Highlands group at Nextdoor.com to stay informed about happenings in the hood, including AHCA-related issues, and to share events and other items with your neighbors.

Aurora Highlands Civic Association       P.O. Box 25201       Arlington, VA 22202

www.aurorahighlands.org

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