BCA Meeting This Wednesday: 3/25, 7:30 pm at ATS

[SSSundburg]

Attention Bluemont Civic Association (BCA) Members:

March 25 General Membership Meeting—
7:30 pm at ATS
Environmental Landscape Supervisor Patrick Wegeng will be on hand to discuss the Bicentennial Flower Garden and the reconfiguration of the Bon Air Rose Garden. Proposed cuts to the 2010 Parks budget are significant and will further restrict the types of flowers that Wegeng’s landscaping team will be allowed to plant in the Bicentennial Flower Garden.

At the February meeting, the membership selected a replacement for the fencing removed from Bluemont Park in August. The design includes intermittent landscaping. Although plant selection will take place at a separate meeting with county staff, Wegeng may be able to provide the membership with some insight and advice on what kinds of plants might be suitable for the site.

If you haven’t yet paid your 2009 dues (your renewal date appears on the newsletter address label), please bring $15 cash or check to the meeting. Renew your membership now in order to keep receiving the newsletter. (If you did not receive a March newsletter, then your membership has expired.)

April General Membership Meeting
To Be Held on April 29
The membership voted to move the April meeting from the 22nd to the 29th. The meeting’s location will be announced in the April newsletter and on BCA’s Web site at www.bluemontcivic.org.

County Budget Hearings March 24 & 25, 7 pm
Here are some of the County Manager’s proposed cuts to programs and services: • Lubber Run amphitheater programs • library branch hours • access to Bluemont Park’s train caboose interior • Gulf Branch Nature Center (close and demolish) • mosquito control efforts • the invasive plant removal program • police, fire and court system budgets. To review all the proposed cuts, visit www.co.arlington.va.us/Departments/ManagementAndFinance/budget/page67119.aspx. The advertised maximum real estate tax increase is 3 cents per $100. To speak during the comment period for the County Board’s public hearings, sign up in advance online at www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/CountyBoard/meetings/speakers/Default.aspx or in person at 6 pm (before the meetings begin).

Artfest 2009
March 27–April 3
Artfest 2009 is a week-long arts celebration sponsored by the Arlington Artists Alliance at Fort Smith Park, 2411 N. 24th Street. In addition to an art show and sale (35 Arlington artists) in the historic Hendry House, there will be demos, workshops and free entertainment. Check www.arlingtonartistsalliance.org for a detailed schedule of programs, workshop age requirements, registration forms, and a list of material fees.

April 15 Field Trip to the Career Center
Arlington’s Committee of 100 is sponsoring a field trip to the Arlington Public School’s Career Center on April 15. In addition to the student-led tour, dinner will be prepared and served by the Center’s Culinary Arts curriculum students. The price is $24 per person for members and $26 for nonmembers or guests. Send reservations via e-mail (including your name, the name(s) of your guest(s), and the total number in your party) to Committ...@aol.com or call 703-921-1124. Reservations and any cancellations must be made by 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 11.

Reserve Your Free Tree(s)
Now Thru Earth Day (April 22)
Place your order for a FREE tree by contacting Nora Palmatier at nora...@verizon.net or 703-527-2349. Select a bur oak (up to 80') or an American hazelnut (up to 18'), limit of one of each species per household. Provide your name, address, contact information, species and quantity you prefer. (Note: If extra trees are available, requests for additional trees will be granted.) Nora will contact you in late April with your pickup date—this date may vary based on weather and demand.

Bur oak facts: www.cnr.vt.edu/DENDRO/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=72
Hazelnut facts: www.cnr.vt.edu/DENDRO/DENDROLOGY/SYLLABUS/factsheet.cfm?ID=208

Neighborhood Day Barbecue
Moved To May 16
Neighborhood Day, originally scheduled for 5/9, has been moved to 5/16. Our neighborhood barbecue will be held from 11:30 am to 1 pm on the 16th behind Fire Station #2. To volunteer, contact Judah dal Cais at jdal...@verizon.net. The Walk for the Animal (benefiting the Animal Welfare League of Arlington) will still be held on May 9 in Bluemont Park. For details, visit www.awla.org.