Aurora Highlands Civic Association (AHCA)

Live Music & Picnic Saturdays: Gary Chambers
2020-09-19 18:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | Virginia Highlands Park West-side fields, 1535 S Joyce St, Arlington, VA, 22202, United States
Enjoy live music in the park, performed by local neighborhood musicians.

Sept 5. Gary Chambers
Sept 12. The Carter Farm Boys
Sept 19. Gary Chambers
Sept 26. Jim Sheats

*Musicians are playing for free for our community, but please consider a tip donation of at least $5. It will make a big difference in the support of our local musicians. Performers will provide their details for virtual tips.

We now have movable chairs and various lawn game, made possible by a generous donation from JBG Smith. Or bring your own blanket, chair, and games for your own picnic space. Please consider supporting local restaurants with take out for your picnic dinner.

Safety first! There is plenty of room to safely social distance at the park.

Location 15th St and Joyce St S (softball field area).
Time: Music from approximately 6:00-7:30pm. Every Saturday, weather permitting.
Bring your blanket or a chair to listen to a local musician. Local neighborhood musicians The Carter Farm Boys join the September lineup with returning musicians Jim Sheats and Gary Chambers.
For your picnic. Consider one of the many local and diverse restaurants and pick up your picnic dinner from them! Here is a list of restaurants with to go and delivery options: https://nationallanding.org/city-life/eat-and-shop/delivery. Food trucks may be on site – Kovi on the 12h and Pepe from Jaleo on the 19th.
Lawn games which dont interfere with social distancing, picnics and the music are very welcomed!

Ride In Reels Movie Night: The Goonies
2020-09-24 19:00 - 21:00 | The Lot at 33rd & Crystal, 33rd St & Crystal Drive, Arlington, 22202, United States
The National Landing BID has partnered with Lidl to bring you a month of drive-in movie nights!
Movie Schedule:
9/3 – Little Women (POSTPONED)
9/10 – Finding Nemo
9/17 – Just Mercy
9/24 – The Goonies
10/2 – Little Women (Rain Date)
How to Sign Up:

You must be signed up for the National Landing BID’s newsletter.
The link to sign up will be included in Monday’s newsletter for Thursday’s movie
When you register, select your vehicle type or one of the limited number of non-vehicle spaces
Please note: once you make your selection, you should complete you registration quickly because Eventbrite does not reserve “tickets” that are in your cart

Safety protocols:
To ensure we can continue to provide our FREE outdoor movies safely, all patrons should adhere to the following protocols:

Prior registration is required to attend Ride in Reels
Public restrooms are NOT available. Please plan accordingly.
Attendees should remain in their vehicles — or designated space for walk-up patrons — at all times.
If you are in a vehicle and need assistance or need to leave during the movie, turn on your hazard lights and a volunteer will assist you.
Outside food and drink is permitted.
Alcohol and smoking is strictly prohibited.
Face masks/coverings should be worn as you arrive and exit. They may be removed during the movie.
Staff reserves the right to ask patrons to leave if they violate these protocols or in any way create an unsafe environment for our volunteers or guests.

Zumba Saturdays
2020-09-26 10:30 - 11:20, 2020-10-03 10:30 - 11:20, 2020-10-10 10:30 - 11:20, 2020-10-24 10:30 - 11:20, 2020-10-31 10:30 - 11:20 | Virginia Highlands Park West-side fields, 1535 S Joyce St, Arlington, VA, 22202, United States
This 50 minute class is perfect for all ages and levels. Dance and exercise with plenty of room to socially distance yourself.
.

FREE event! But please consider a tip of $5 for our local volunteer instructor, Natalia.
.
WHAT YOU NEED: Bring water, towel, and wear exercise clothing
TIME: 10:30am-11:20am
LOCATION: Virginia Highlands Park (Pentagon City metro) in the softball fields near the hearts.
.

Note: Tuesday evening Zumba is not currently possible due to conflicts with County-wide softball programming.

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** If you’d like for Zumba and other community events to continue, please take a minute to write to the Aurora Highlands Civic Association to tell us why you’ve enjoyed the park, the art and the community events, so that we can work with the County to keep it going!
Write to info@aurorahighlands.org
Also when you write in, we’ll add you to the park event notification list.
Follow @aurorahighlands for updates on this event and others
http://aurorahighlands.org/calendar/
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Live Music & Picnic Saturdays: Jim Sheats
2020-09-26 18:00 - 19:30 | Virginia Highlands Park West-side fields, 1535 S Joyce St, Arlington, VA, 22202, United States

Livability 22202: Route 1 Working Group
2020-09-30 19:00 - 21:00 | Zoom
Please register online to participate in Wednesday’s update by the Livability 22202 Route 1 Working Group and BID staff. In addition to the items sent in the initial draft agenda, we will have brief comments on the PC PDSP 22202 Transportation study update and new information on the VDOT Route 1 feasibility study.

NOTICE OF LIVABILITY22202 ROUTE 1 FOLLOW UP MEETING
7 PM WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
On August 26, we held an initial joint civic association meeting to inform 22202 residents about planning for “improvements” to Route 1 through a VDOT feasibility study set to begin shortly and last for a year. These could include a business plan to lower Route 1 (Richmond Hwy) to ground level at 15th and 18th Streets. Whatever is decided by VDOT will likely have a significant impact on our 22202 community.
The September 30 virtual Zoom meeting will provide an opportunity for residents to weigh in on their concerns and needs about crossing Route 1 and to hear from the National Landing BID about their thoughts on “Reimagining Route 1.”
Register below to attend this follow up meeting to learn where matters currently stand and to weigh in with your questions and comments. Registration is limited to 100 participants but the meeting will be live streamed on the CCCA Facebook page.

The agenda is:
1. Project Updates and Introductions (includes PC PDSP transportation study update)
NEW: VDOT Route 1 feasibility update, including comments on 1st task force meeting (tonight)!
2. Results of the Livability22202 survey of residents on Route 1
3. Community Needs and Concerns (your input)
4. BID presentation: “Reimagining Route 1?”

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEuduqurTgpGNckXXhwC_7ILdv2AdBqIOlS
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Live Music & Picnic Saturdays: Gary Chambers
2020-10-03 18:00 - 19:30 | VA
Last month for music this year! Please join us for this fun and talented line up for October:

Sat, Oct 3rd Gary Chambers, guitarist https://garychambers.us/
Sat, Oct 10th Jim Sheats, guitarist
Sat, Oct 17th Bella and Waylon band https://www.instagram.com/bella.and.waylon/
Sat, Oct 24th The Carter Farm Boys band

FREE event, but please consider a $5+ cash tip for the volunteer musicians. Their virtual tip information (Paypal or Venmo) will be available near their tip jar.
Enjoy new lawn games and chairs courtesy of JBG Smith. (Thank you!) Please bring a blanket or chair to sit on, in case the chairs are in use.
Consider supporting local restaurants with take out for your picnic dinner! Some evenings there will be a food truck nearby. And order pizza from Extreme Pizza Pentagon City for delivery to the park!

Safety first! There is plenty of room to safely social distance at the park.

Location 15th St and Joyce St S (softball field area).
Time: Music from approximately 6:00-7:30pm. Every Saturday, weather permitting.
Bring your blanket or a chair to listen to a local musician. Local neighborhood musicians The Carter Farm Boys join the September lineup with returning musicians Jim Sheats and Gary Chambers.
For your picnic. Consider one of the many local and diverse restaurants and pick up your picnic dinner from them! Here is a list of restaurants with to go and delivery options: https://nationallanding.org/city-life/eat-and-shop/delivery. Food trucks may be on site – Kovi on the 12h and Pepe from Jaleo on the 19th.
Lawn games which dont interfere with social distancing, picnics and the music are very welcomed!

Live Music & Picnic Saturdays: Jim Sheats
2020-10-10 18:00 - 19:30 | Virginia Highlands Park West-side fields, 1535 S Joyce St, Arlington, VA, 22202, United States

AHCA October Monthly Meeting
2020-10-14 19:00 - 21:00 | Zoom
>> Register Now for October AHCA Meeting <<<

Join us Wednesday, 7-9pm for our October meeting. This month’s meeting will cover a range of topics in a relatively quickly paced news format. Most topics should be less than 5 minute recaps with the opportunity to ask questions and provide comments.
* Officer Nominations
The proposed slate of candidates from the nominating committee will be presented. Others may be nominated at the meeting, though we’d much rather anyone contact info@aurorahighlands.org beforehand to work out the best slate of positions!
* Schools Working Group
A Livability22202 working group focused on education is being formed. Hear from neighbor and parent Shaz Akram about how you can help.
* ZeroWaste and Energy Goals
Miriam Gennari will review the county’s goals that the community should consider when thinking about future area planning.
* Open Floor / Discussion
With so many projects, events, and proposals going on in the neighborhood, we’d be happy to talk more about any anything that’s going on, hear your thoughts, and answer as many questions as we can. This will include:
Ives park progress & donation request
VHP programming, field lights
Halloween activities
VHP dog park progress
Route 1 update
Underground update
Arts update
Substation
Any attendee suggestions
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED TO JOIN THE ZOOM MEETING. Pre-registration is not required, but if you do, you can easily add it to your calendar and avoid delays joining when the meeting starts.

>> Register Now for October AHCA Meeting <<<

If you have an issue that you feel needs to be raised, please contact an officer or email info@aurorahighlands.org.

Live Music & Picnic Saturdays: Bella and Waylon band
2020-10-17 18:00 - 19:30 | Virginia Highlands Park West-side fields, 1535 S Joyce St, Arlington, VA, 22202, United States

Live Music & Picnic Saturdays: The Carter Farm Boys
2020-10-24 18:00 - 19:30 | Virginia Highlands Park West-side fields, 1535 S Joyce St, Arlington, VA, 22202, United States

HALLOWEEN Scavenger Hunt and more
2020-10-31 | Virginia Highlands Park West-side fields, 1535 S Joyce St, Arlington, VA, 22202, United States
Free, safe event.
HALLOWEEN Scavenger Hunt and more
Oct. 31. Look for ghosts, jack o’lanterns, and more throughout the park. Scavenger hunt list will be near the hearts on the softball field or follow @aurorahighlands to get your virtual hunt list and to learn about more possible event activities. All ages welcome. Costumes encouraged! More Halloween activities at the park may be coming. Look for event updates.
** If you’d like for Zumba and other community events to continue, please take a minute to write to the Aurora Highlands Civic Association to tell us why you’ve enjoyed the park, the art and the community events, so that we can work with the County to keep it going! Write to info@aurorahighlands.org
**All activities and events are weather permitting.
Location: Near the hearts in the north softball field. Lots of room to safely social distance.
Follow @aurorhighlands for updates http://aurorahighlands.org/calendar/

Live Music & Picnic Saturdays - Special Afternoon
2020-11-07 16:00 - 17:30 | Virginia Highlands Park, 1537 S Joyce St, Arlington, VA, 22202, United States
Did you think with music at the park was over?
Well, we have a very special encore musical event on Saturday Nov. 7 from 4-5:30pm. Please, join us for local Celtic-American band, Ardmore.

AHCA November Meeting
2020-11-11 19:00 - 21:00 | VA
Wednesday, November 11, 7pm – 9pm
VIRTUAL — Zoom meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0pf-msrDwtGtyRXygKi8EHQvYryHcPaZY2
Agenda:

Officer Elections
Meet and vote on the officer candidates for next year.
31st Street Lot Plans
Arlington Dept. of Environmental Services will present their plans for the lot on 31st Street across from the treatment plan that currently serves as a gravel parking area.

https://aurorahighlands.org/wp-content/uploads/31st-Lot_FINAL-11-11-20.pdf

Alternatives to Calling the Police
SURJ NoVa share some info about their group and their Alternatives to Calling the Police resource for Arlington and why it’s important to pursue these alternatives whenever possible.

https://aurorahighlands.org/wp-content/uploads/ENGLISH-Flyer-Arlington-ATCP.pdf
https://aurorahighlands.org/wp-content/uploads/SPANISH-Flyer-Arlington-ATCP.pdf
https://aurorahighlands.org/wp-content/uploads/ENGLISH-Flyer-BW-Arlington-ATCP.pdf

Residential Parking Permit Program Changes (addition)
Neighbor Rob Douglas will be providing some background on proposed changest to the RPP that may have an impact on may households in the neighborhood. The changes are expected to go before the County Board in December.

https://aurorahighlands.org/wp-content/uploads/Arlington-Parking-November-2020.pdf

For anyone unable to join via Zoom, we expect to also stream the view-only event live to Facebook @aurorahighlands ( no app or Facebook account required: https://www.facebook.com/aurorahighlands/live ).

Zumba Saturdays
2020-11-14 10:30 - 11:20, 2020-11-28 10:00 - 11:20 | Virginia Highlands Park, 1537 S Joyce St, Arlington, VA, 22202, United States
This 50 minute class is perfect for all ages and levels. Dance and exercise with plenty of room to socially distance yourself.
.
FREE event! But please consider a tip of $5 for our local volunteer instructor, Natalia.
.
WHAT YOU NEED: Bring water, towel, and wear exercise clothing
TIME: 10:30am-11:20am
LOCATION: Virginia Highlands Park (Pentagon City metro) in the softball fields near the hearts.

***This event will be held at the park weather permitting***

Zumba Saturdays
2020-11-21 10:30 - 11:20 | VA

Arlington Turkey Trot
2020-11-25 08:00 - 2020-12-01 17:00 | VA
Now entering its 15th year, the Arlington Turkey Trot was founded in 2006 by Pastor Brian Webster and his wife Diane of Christ Church of Arlington. They came to our community to assist the poor and needy—those in search of a friend, good food, child care—a place to call home.
Given COVID-19 and the importance of maintaining social distancing, the Arlington Turkey Trot 15th anniversary will be a virtual run in 2020

AHCA January Monthly Meeting
2021-01-13 19:00 - 21:00 | Zoom
>> Register Now for January AHCA Meeting <<<

Join us Wednesday, 7-9pm for our January meeting.
Current proposed agenda:
Pentagon Row – Site Plan Changes
Federal Realty will explain changes they are seeking to the types and size of tenants at Pentagon Row, including the requirement to provide a “full service” grocery.
Arlington Broadband Proposal
ArlFiber, a group of Arlington residents, is proposing to open the County’s fiber infrastructure to provide broadband Internet to any business or residence. Hear their plan and ask questions.
Melwood / Miracle on 23rd Donation
The executive committee pledged a $250 donation in November to support this long-standing community event. Vote on a motion to approve this donation.
2021 Budget
Recap of last year’s budget and the general plan for 2020 spending.
Residential Parking Objections
Hear and vote on a motion to oppose RPP parking changes.

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED TO JOIN THE ZOOM MEETING. Pre-registration is not required, but if you do, you can easily add it to your calendar and avoid delays joining when the meeting starts.

>> Register Now for January AHCA Meeting <<<

If you have an issue that you feel needs to be raised, please contact an officer or email info@aurorahighlands.org.

MLK day clean up
2021-01-18 13:00 - 16:30 | VA
Let’s start off the New Year by cleaning up garbage in and around Virginia Highlands Park! Meet at 1pm on January 18 by the Hearts at the softball field. We’ll spread out around the park and in the surrounding streets. Masks required. Please bring bags, gloves, and any other supplies you would use.

Livability Meeting on County Planning and Affordable Housing
2021-02-09 19:00 - 21:00 | VA
Agenda: 7:00-7:30 County planner Matt Mattauszek on County plans for 2021; 7:30-8 Washington Housing Conservancy Kimberly Driggins on purchase of Crystal Houses and goals for affordable housing; 8-9 pm Livability Housing Working Group Ben Davanzo and others on our housing report and the County’s Missing Middle Study. Registration required.

AHCA February Monthly Meeting
2021-02-10 19:00 - 21:00 | Zoom
>> Register Now for February AHCA Meeting <<<

Join us Wednesday, 7-9pm for our February meeting.
Current proposed agenda:
Cherry Blossom Festival
Find out what to expect as the Cherry Blossom Festival comes to our area and how you can help. Hear from Festival organizers as well as our local Neighborhood Champion volunteers,
Livability Open Space Report & Walking Path
Hear about the Open Space priorities for our area and progress to meeting these needs from our neighborhood working group lead.
Highlands Urban Garden
The Urban Garden installed at Virginia Highlands last year is doing well; find out more and how you can join this year.
2021 AHCA Budget
We’ll review our spending for last year and the anticipated budget for 2021. This may include a vote to approve the budget; if so, the proposed budget will be published before the meeting on aurorahighlands.org.

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED TO JOIN THE ZOOM MEETING. Pre-registration is not required, but if you do, you can easily add it to your calendar and avoid delays joining when the meeting starts.

>> Register Now for February AHCA Meeting <<<

If you have an issue that you feel needs to be raised, please contact an officer or email info@aurorahighlands.org.

Volunteer Meeting for Livability HUG
2021-02-11 19:00 - 20:00 | VA
Meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89949734074
The Highlands Urban Garden (HUG) is a temporary demonstration garden inaugurated September 27, 2020, next to the tennis courts in Virginia Highlands Park. It was created by the Open Space Working Group of Livability 22202–the 3 civic associations of 22202 Arlington Ridge, Aurora Highlands, and Crystal City–in partnership with Arlington Friends of Urban Agriculture, which is managing the project and providing design and technical expertise. The HUG is supported by Arlington County’s Department of Parks and Recreation and the National Landing Business Improvement District (BID). The garden is a pilot project which demonstrates how otherwise fallow spaces can be transformed into productive land that builds a vibrant ecosystem. It has the potential to be expanded to other areas of National Landing.
How can you help? Volunteers are needed! The HUG is entering the next phase of planning for spring planting. We are working on the design of the water barrels and signage to explain the project and the plants. We’re also looking for more volunteers who would like to participate in some aspect of the project: planning, planting, communications, budgeting, etc

Pentagon City Study Community Meeting
2021-02-15 18:30 - 19:30 | VA
Details to come. Arlington County is leading a community planning process for Pentagon City to reevaluate long-term goals for this area with an emphasis on its transportation network. The Planning Study will be informed by the community’s recent work on livability and include broad participation from residents, businesses, community groups, and stakeholders. Learn more at the study website.
https://projects.arlingtonva.us/plans-studies/pentagon-city-planning-study/

Eco-Shred Event
2021-02-20 11:30 - 13:00 | Melwood, 750 23rd Street South, Arlington, VA, 22202, United States
Sponsored by Geva & Jane Real Estate Group.

Livability Meeting with VDOT on Route 1 Feasibility Study
2021-02-22 19:00 - 21:00 | VA
The Livability Working Group on Route 1 provided VDOT with 19 pages of comments and requests for more data on their feasibility study.
Registration required https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYkfu2pqjkpH9HkvbA-vYFujoPpljvMMKFm

Livability Open Space Working Group
2021-03-02 19:00 - 21:00 | Zoom
Livability22202
Open Space Working Group
Update on progress and 2021 activities
Tuesday, March 2
7 – 9 pm
** Virtual ** Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86003221590?pwd=[REDACTED]

Open Space: Is it important to you?
COVID has shown us how important it is to have parks, trails, and open spaces. Yet 22202 is very lacking in those amenities. The Livability22202 Open Space Working Group created an Open Space Report in December 2020, but this is no time to rest on our laurels. There is so much more to be done.
Come join us March 2 from 7-9 pm to plan activities for 2021.
As demonstrated by three recent meetings, the Working Group is starting to have an impact. But it’s soooo important to expand membership to ensure participation, not only geographically across 22202 but also demographically, with emphasis on renters and owners in high rise multifamily buildings needing access to open space. And not just during the COVID pandemic, but year round. An Arlington County Civic Federation White paper shows residents in multifamily units have some of the least access to open space in the County.) Not a surprise to us, is it?
This is not a roll up your sleeves and dig the ground working group. We are looking for your ideas and input. See the current status here: https://livability22202.org/open-space/ The meeting will be mostly informational. If afterwards, you’d like to stay engaged, great! But join us March 2 to learn what’s happening and where you could join in, if you’d like to.
The agenda for our March 2 Open Space meeting includes:

Briefings on recent meetings with County staff (DPR, DES, CPHD) and the Parks & Recreation Commission
Presentation of the Civic Federation CivFed White Paper on Equity in Arlington County Open Public Spaces
Concept and definition of open space: What does OpenSpace mean to us?
Future of the HUG and further projects with FOUA, perhaps in Crystal City
Furthering the Integrated Pedestrian Map
Roaches Run Clean Up Days in April
Cherry Blossom Festival activities in 22202
National Landing BID project ideas for open space See you there!

Email Carol Fuller, Livability22202 Coordinator for Open Space, at fullercarols@gmail.com, or Natasha Atkins, the AHCA lead, at natashaatkins1@gmail.com for more information.
