V.w.verweij

This biweekly column is sponsored by the Arlington Office of Emergency Management.

Our weeklong initiative to design and implement a girls summer camp and leadership development has concluded, and we are happy with the results thus far, taking note of adjustments for next year.

The Office of Emergency Management now heads into preparation for National Preparedness Month in September, and we’ll be at several events in July and August.

Family emergency communications is one topic that came up many times during the HERricane summer camp run by the Office of Emergency Management. An element of the camp was to increase awareness of natural and man-made hazards. Being informed is the first critical step in developing a Family Emergency Communication Plan.

There was a special focus during the camp on building a family emergency kit. Students reflected that they learned to consider nontraditional items in their kits to provide comfort during an emergency.

They also had an opportunity to participate in an Iron Chef-styled competition only using ingredients most households would have on hand during an emergency, such as canned foods. One student, age 15, remarked that she felt more prepared to be creative with food choices in the event she and her family need to rely on their emergency kit.

Remember to be informed by signing up for Arlington Alert, make a plan with your family in the event of an emergency, build a kit, and get involved with a volunteer group such as ANCHoR.

HERricane Arlington empowers women to pursue careers and leadership roles in emergency management through a week-long “camp,” and also includes long-term professional development opportunities. HERricane will be hosting follow-up events throughout the school year. In September camp students will receive a tour of the Emergency Call Center and complete a related service project.

September is National Preparedness Month and this year the Office of Emergency Management is focusing on family preparedness.  For more information, follow us at ReadyArlington on Facebook and @readyarlington on Twitter.

“Dear PoPville,

I wanted to spread the word about Check It, the first and only documented LGBTQ gang in America. They are located right here in DC. A documentary was made and is available on LouisCK.net for just $5. They opened a storefront in Anacostia (1920 MLK Ave SE) in June to pursue their dream of designing and selling fashion. Please let the community know to check them out and support their ventures into a better life.”

The movie’s about page says:

“At first glance, they seem unlikely gang-bangers. Some of the boys wear lipstick and mascara, some stilettos. They carry Louis Vuitton bags, but they also carry knives, brass knuckles and mace. As vulnerable gay and transgender youth, they’ve been shot, stabbed, and raped.

Once victims, they’ve now turned the tables, beating people into comas and stabbing enemies with ice picks. Started in 2009 by a group of bullied 9th graders, today these 14-22 year old gang members all have rap sheets riddled with assault, armed robbery and drug dealing charges.

Led by an ex-convict named Mo, Check It members are now creating their own clothing label, putting on fashion shows and working stints as runway models. But breaking the cycle of poverty and violence they’ve grown up in is a daunting task.

Life for the Check It can be brutal, but it’s also full of hope and an indomitable resilience. At its heart, CHECK IT explores the undying friendship that exists between these kids – an unbreakable bond that is tested every day as they fight to stand up for who they are in a community relentlessly trying to beat them down.”

1213 U Street, NW

Enjoy! I had to post for posterity : )

Many more after the jump.

Large doggos. The trilogy is complete!

Cheat a raven just once and they'll recall your misdoing for at least a month, a new study finds.

The last thing I want is for my kids to feel frightened and pessimistic about the future. More than anything, I want them to love Earth.

This week’s Arlington Pet of the Week is Betty, a Lost Dog rescue pup that’s a mix of Corgi and Jack Russell.

Here is what her owner, Krista, had to say about her:

This sweet girl was adopted from Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation in November. Although Betty originally hails from St. Croix, this island girl is happy to now be an Arlington pup!

Betty’s favorite place is the Shirlington Dog Park. She loves making friends with dogs of all sizes, but always seems to seek out the biggest dog at the park to play with! Betty also loves playing fetch, especially with her squeaky raccoon toy.

Much to her human’s dismay, the squeaky raccoon also must accompany Betty to bed each night (aka the human’s bed). She also enjoys car rides, belly rubs, people-watching from the window, moving shoes to different locations all around her house and scrambled eggs.

This snuggle monster’s unique look always manages to bring a smile to the face of strangers she meets in her apartment building or on her walks. Betty would love if you said hi to her if you see her around town!

Want your pet to be considered for the Arlington Pet of the Week? Email arlingtonnews@gmail.com with a 2-3 paragraph bio and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos of your pet. Please don’t send vertical photos, they don’t fit in our photo galleries!

Each week’s winner receives a sample of dog or cat treats from our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, along with $100 in Becky’s Bucks. Becky’s Pet Care is the winner of six consecutive Angie’s List Super Service Awards, the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters’ 2013 Business of the Year and a proud supporter of the Arlington County Pawsitively Prepared Campaign.

Becky’s Pet Care provides professional dog walking and pet sitting in Arlington and all of Northern Virginia, as well as PetPrep training courses for Pet Care, CPR and emergency preparedness.

Medium dog breeds

The Eurozone? The European Economic Area? The European Free-Trade Area? The European Customs Union? Whaaat?

A graphic that hopefully clarifies the complexity the European Union and the UK’s various routes for Brexit.

Inspired by this Bloomberg graphic.

» See the visualization

New York City had Pizza Rat. And now it has Trash Bag Rat.

But Arlington now has something much classier: French Bread Squirrel.

This ambitious squirrel was spotted in Fairlington this morning, deftly scaling a fence and jumping onto a tree, all while hanging on to a piece of French bread about twice its size.

After the video stopped rolling the squirrel cleverly hid its prize in the tree branches and retreated to a safe distance to watch for any would-be bread thieves.

The video quickly became a sensation after we posted it on our Facebook page.

“Here in Arlington, our squirrels like a nice French baguette,” said one commenter. “That’s how we roll in A-Town.”

Members and residents of the WeWork and WeLive in Crystal City (2221 S. Clark Street) will get to experience the wonders of the Goat Yoga craze on Friday.

Real, live baby goats will be brought to the office’s beer garden from 6-8 p.m. They will roam around during a yoga class, nuzzle up to participants and sometime climb on top of their backs.

“After the practice we will hold a happy hour where you can mingle and chat about your experience,” says a poster for the event.

For those who’d prefer practicing yoga with pets rather than barnyard animals, Arlington-based yoga instructor Beth Wolfe is hosting a Kitten and Adoptable Pet Yoga session next week at the Animal Welfare League of Arlington (2650 S. Arlington Mill Drive), featuring roaming, cuddly pets that are up for adoption.

Wolfe is also hosting “Silent Disco Yoga,” featuring participants listening to music via wireless headphones, at Shirlington’s Energy Club gym rooftop on Friday. Additionally, she hosts a monthly “Beer Yoga” at Capitol City Brewing in Shirlington, with the next session scheduled for Monday.

Photo courtesy C.J. Cross/Facebook

This week’s pet of the week is Charlie, a dog who was so excited at the prospect of being Pet of the Week, he decided to write his own biography.

Here is what Charlie had to say about life in Arlington:

Hi Arlington!

My name is Charlie and I’m almost 2 years old. My mommee adopted me in November 2016 from the Vieques Humane Society. Since my adoption, I have really embraced Arlington life! My mommee was worried I would be cold when I first got here, so she went a little overboard and bought me seven or eight sweaters to keep me warm. I don’t really care too much about the sweaters.

My favorite thing is my stuffed lizard that my nana got me. One of my favorite games is when someone throws the lizard into the living room and I jump off the bed and go get him. I bring him with me everywhere and my mommee thinks it’s the silliest thing because he’s almost as big as me!

Speaking of, I’m a mix of unknown descent, but my mommee and nana say that I’m a “Boxhund” because I look like a mix between a Boxer and a Dachshund. I guess that’s good because I’m only 23 pounds or, “apartment size.” Mommee says I have a “bum wheel” because when I was little I got hurt in Puerto Rico and my left hind leg healed badly, so I just don’t use it. It doesn’t bother me though, I’m just as hyper and happy as I can be!

Mommee says I fake the discomfort because when I see a squirrel I dig down with all four legs – but what does she know anyway? I have lots of nicknames too: Squish, Bubbies, Little Metronome, Charleston Chew, Chargon and Young Charles (YC). I like Chargon best because I like to think I’m tough like the dragon babies from Game of Thrones.

Mommee and I go to the dog park all the time. Have you been? It’s so fun there! I like to visit with all the dogs, but the big ones are my favorite. I’m not scared at all (except when there are lots of big dogs who all want to play at once – then I ask my mommee to pick me up).

Sometimes, we go down to the river and check out the rocks. I like to rub my face on them. Mommee just laughs at me, but I like the way they scratch my cheek. I’m too scared to go in the water right now but mommee says that when we go to Vermont in the summer, she’ll get me a life jacket and teach me how to swim in the lake!

I’m a good boy most of the time but when I get anxious sometimes I take it out on mommee’s stuff. A couple of months ago, mommee went to the grocery store and while she was gone, I ate her bedroom door. She wasn’t too mad though since I was just little and I scared. She got me a nice crate and put a really comfortable bed in it with all my toys and treats!

Sometimes I try to tear the bed but mommee always sews it back together for me. I love everyone though, so if I see you when I’m walking with my mommee I’ll always come up and say hi!

Want your pet to be considered for the Arlington Pet of the Week? Email arlingtonnews@gmail.com with a 2-3 paragraph bio and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos of your pet. Please don’t send vertical photos, they don’t fit in our photo galleries!

Each week’s winner receives a sample of dog or cat treats from our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, along with $100 in Becky’s Bucks. Becky’s Pet Care is the winner of six consecutive Angie’s List Super Service Awards, the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters’ 2013 Business of the Year and a proud supporter of the Arlington County Pawsitively Prepared Campaign.

Becky’s Pet Care provides professional dog walking and pet sitting in Arlington and all of Northern Virginia, as well as PetPrep training courses for Pet Care, CPR and emergency preparedness.

left June 1st, right June 20th

There is a tremendous amount of excitement about the new Ben’s Chili Bowl mural on U Street. As there should be. But equally as important is the refresh at the famed Watermelon house. Thanks to Chris for sending!

11th and Q St, NW back in June 2008 when I first laid eyes on this beauty

Sanctuary cities are making arrests harder for ICE, D.C.'s porn habits changed during Comey testimony, and more. [ more › ]

Reader photo of the day, starring psychedelic sea slugs!

Small dog breeds

If you have any animal/pet photos you’d like to share please send an email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail(dot)com with ‘Animal Fix’ in the title and say the name of your pet and your neighborhood. Your photos will go into the queue (usually 2 weeks wait) and will be posted in the order I receive them. If you’ve already entered your pet and would like to do so again – that’s no problem – just space the entries out a bit. Please try to send horizontal photos 640×480 (medium size on your iphone) if possible. If you’re not using an iphone any size is fine.

“Roxie of U Street lounging on a lazy Sunday afternoon.”

“Joplin, the no-seeing-eyes dog of Mt. Pleasant, who will sacrifice her dignity for a joke.”

See this tweet from Ward 5 Councilmember McDuffie:

CM McDuffie high above DC & showing off #Ward5's great tree canopy, from the n'hood w/ the best views in DC: #FtLincoln! #DCFlagDay #Ward5 pic.twitter.com/FPX7GWHjSC

— CM McDuffie's Office (@CM_McDuffie) June 14, 2017

As we near the end of #DCFlagDay, THX to @51stDC & the #ward5-er behind it, @JBurchDC (& the ppl who support the guy: Amy, Carina & Nicolas) pic.twitter.com/g6tYKy8Orf

— CM McDuffie's Office (@CM_McDuffie) June 15, 2017

Thanks to Cassandra for sending from Woodley Park. Need this, this morning. Also, somebody show that kid this app!!

This week’s Arlington Pets of the Week are Zoey and Rue, two mixed rescues who enjoy picking up litter and causing mischief together.

Here is what their owner, Amy, had to say about them:

Meet Zoey and Rue. First came nine month old Zoey, who we adopted through Lost Dog & Cat Rescue. Zoey is a sweet mix who befriends every dog and human she comes across. It’s her personal mission to keep Potomac Yards free of trash (especially water bottles). She insists on picking up and carrying home any litter she comes across

With Zoey’s urging, we decided she needed a sister. We began attending various adoption events to find the right match when Zoey met Rue, a ten week old rescue through Operation Paws for Homes. Now a family of four, Zoey’s helping Rue to learn the ropes including how to sit on the back of the couch (which will get interesting for us as Rue grows to around 60 lbs), that all rawhide belongs to Zoey (which will get interesting for Zoey as Rue quickly outweighs her), and that the funnest way to cool your paws is by standing directly in your water dish.

Both girls are looking forward to spending the summer together and taking on new adventures. Their next stop is camping at Assateague Island, for where they’re already plotting how to befriend a horse and sneak him home.

Want your pet to be considered for the Arlington Pet of the Week? Email arlingtonnews@gmail.com with a 2-3 paragraph bio and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos of your pet. Please don’t send vertical photos, they don’t fit in our photo galleries!

Each week’s winner receives a sample of dog or cat treats from our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, along with $100 in Becky’s Bucks. Becky’s Pet Care is the winner six consecutive Angie’s List Super Service Awards, the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters’ 2013 Business of the Year and a proud supporter of the Arlington County Pawsitively Prepared Campaign.

Becky’s Pet Care provides professional dog walking and pet sitting in Arlington and all of Northern Virginia, as well as PetPrep training courses for Pet Care, CPR and emergency preparedness.

South Fork of the Snake River, Idaho. Photo by Bob Wick, BLM.


Photo of a solar eclipse. Photo courtesy of NASA.


John Day River, Oregon. Photo by Bob Wick, BLM.


Dubois Badlands Wilderness Study Area, Wyoming. Photo by Bob Wick, BLM.


Deschutes River, Oregon. Photo by Bob Wick, BLM.

Where will you be for the Total Solar Eclipse on August 21, 2017?

With wide-open spaces, and low light pollution, BLM-managed public lands offer some of the best locations to view the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse. Visitors traveling to watch the eclipse on public lands should plan ahead to ensure that everyone can enjoy their public lands safely during this memorable event. The eclipse’s path of totality will pass over BLM-managed lands in Oregon, Idaho, and Wyoming. Pictured here are some of the beautiful places for visitors to enjoy and explore, for the eclipse, or for future summer travels!

All reservable campgrounds on BLM-managed land are now booked, but there are some areas that operate on a first-come, first-serve basis, so contact your local BLM office for information about camping. Our Camping Guidelines also contain important information as you plan your trip.

Contact your local BLM State office for maps to find camping locations, directions, and more. Also check out our georeferenced PDF maps, which are downloadable for your mobile devices.

While you’re enjoying the eclipse, make sure that you respect and protect your public lands. More info here: https://www.blm.gov/solareclipse 

Photo by PoPville flickr user Ian Livingston

Welp.

From NPS:

“The National Park Service will drain the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool starting Sunday, June 11 for cleaning and treatment of a water-borne parasite that has affected the local duck population. The pool should be refilled and operational again on Monday, June 19.

Beginning May 20 and 21, approximately 80 ducklings have been found deceased in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Necropsy performed on the ducks by the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Wildlife Health Center suggests the cause of death was high levels of parasites that develop and grow in snails that live in the pool. Chemical treatments alone are not sufficient to fully reduce the parasite and snail population, so the pool must be drained and cleaned.

Humans who come in contact with the parasite could develop “swimmer’s itch” (cercarial dermatitis), an allergic reaction in the form of a skin rash; it is not contagious and rarely requires medical treatment. The risk of contracting it at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is extremely low, as it is only contracted by sustained contact with affected water, such as swimming or wading.

It will take approximately two days for the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool to fully drain, and crews will begin cleaning the pool bottom on Tuesday, June 13 utilizing skid steers, pumper and water trucks, and a sprayer. The cleaning should be complete and refilling will begin on Friday, June 16. After the cleaning and treatment are complete, the National Park Service will continue to monitor the water quality of the pool.”

If you have any animal/pet photos you’d like to share please send an email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail(dot)com with ‘Animal Fix’ in the title and say the name of your pet and your neighborhood. Your photos will go into the queue (usually 2 weeks wait) and will be posted in the order I receive them. If you’ve already entered your pet and would like to do so again – that’s no problem – just space the entries out a bit. Please try to send horizontal photos 640×480 (medium size on your iphone) if possible. If you’re not using an iphone any size is fine.

“This is Flopsy in his cone of shame. He was adopted through the Humane Rescue Alliance and made his post neutering debut at the Golden Triangle BID’s Farragut Fridays”

“Gus and Tula (rescued 12 years ago via Homeward Trails) napping in Adams Morgan.”

The Second Lady is the latest urban beekeeper in D.C. [ more › ]

Photo by PoPville flickr user DCbmyers

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Photo by PoPville flickr user DCbmyers