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.
“Here is our pug Thor from Dupont Circle! His Instagram is @winston_thor”
“Luciano was adopted last month from the Washington Humane Society. He enjoys cuddles and begging for human food.”
“Dora is a sweetheart and rescue who was adopted. She’s been a loyal and loving resident of the Bloomingdale neighborhood for years. She just got an Instagram account at @DoraDoes”
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.
“Meet Turbo of Chinatown!”
“Moseley in Hill East, ready for his close-up.”
“Labradoodle brothers from Dupont Circle. Douglas is 5 years old and Calvin is 3.5 months old.”
“Great news for David and All Souls! On the other side of T, sad news with Zenebech Injera closing in 6 months for the new 7 story building coming in.”
“Zenebech Restaurant is a family business that was started in 1993 as an injera bakery. Zenebech Dessu and Gebrehanna Demissie started the business as a means of survival after being laid off from work. The bakery was located on 11th & V NW and served both restaurants and markets all over the DC metropolitan area.
In 1999 Zenebech Restaurant relocated to it current location and expanded to include both the injera bakery and carryout orders . Over the years, we have added more dishes to our menu while using authentic Ethiopian spices and freshly baked injera.
As a small family business we take a lot of pride in our food and strive to make the tastiest Ethiopian dishes for you.
(Updated at 5:20 p.m.) For every dozen Millennial-led households in Arlington, one is making more than $350,000 per year.
That’s according to the real estate website Zillow, which just compiled a list of places that are home to the most affluent Millennials in the U.S.
“Not everyone in the 22-34 age group is scraping by,” Zillow says. “Whether they made their money lobbying lawmakers at the Capitol or cashed in on a tech IPO, rich millennials are clustered in cities where there are lots of high-paying professional jobs.”
Arlington topped the list, with 8.7 percent of Millennial-led households making more than $350,000. That’s even higher than the percentage of Arlington residents 55+ making more than $350,000, which is 7.9 percent.
(A “household” counts both singles and the combined income of a couple or group of people living in the same house or apartment.)
San Francisco, which has almost double the median home value and rent of Arlington, is second on the list with 7.8 percent of Millennial households making more than $350,000. Another California city, Huntington Beach, in the L.A. area, is third with 5 percent.
California Coastal National Monument, BLM California, by Bob Wick, BLM
BLM Wyoming
Bodie Hills Wilderness Study Area, BLM California, by Bob Wick, BLM
Dominguez Escalante National Conservation Area, BLM Colorado, by Bob Wick, BLM
Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument, BLM Montana/Dakotas, by Bob Wick, BLM
Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area in Florida, BLM Eastern States, by Bob Wick, BLM
Alabama Gulf Shores, BLM Eastern States
Gulkana Wild and Scenic River, BLM Alaska, by Bob Wick, BLM
Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, BLM Oregon/Washington
HAPPY WORLD WILDLIFE DAY!
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres in 23 states, with some of the nation’s most ecologically diverse and essential habitat for wildlife. In fact, the BLM manages more wildlife habitat than any other federal or state agency. CLICK HERE to learn more about wildlife management at the BLM.
This week’s Arlington Pet of the Week is a studious French Bulldog named after the great city of New Orleans.
Nola is a happy two-year-old pup who isn’t afraid to put small yard critters and other dogs in their rightful place in nature’s pecking order. Here’s what owner Mary had to say about her Frenchie.
Je m’appelle Nola. I am a 2 year old French Bulldog. I am named after New Orleans for many reasons, 1. I’m a French Bulldog, 2. My biological mom’s name is Las Vegas, keeping with the U.S. city theme, and 3. My new mommy got me around her 30th bday which she celebrated in New Orleans!
My hobbies are chasing squirrels and rabbits, one day I will catch one! I also like playing chase with the neighborhood dogs!
I often forget that I’m a small dog because I’m used to bossing around 2 bull terriers when I visit my second home Pittsburgh. I grew up with them so I really don’t know any better.
Other than that you can find me cuddling with just about any human at home and saying hi to just about every human I meet on the streets of Arlington! I am very spoiled with attention! I won’t lie, I am the apple of my mommy’s eye and I work that to my advantage Au revoir!
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.
“Cherrypicker, a web app that locates DC cherry trees near you so you can enjoy the annual blossoming without braving the crowds at the Tidal Basin.
This app uses DDOT street tree data, which covers more than 6,500 cherry trees throughout DC. I built it as a little reminder that beauty isn’t confined to the Mall (and as a way to scout out trees on my walk to work).”
“Spring is here and honeybees sometimes go searching for new homes. They (and we) could really use your help. If you see a swarm of bees, please call or text (202) 255-4318 or email dcbees@dcbeekeepers.org and and a team of DC beekeepers will spring into action to give house-searching honeybees the home they are looking for! Insecticides will not take care of your situation, but we can.”
Perhaps this’ll soften the sting of the Crane & Turtle news – Slim’s Diner is hiring a General Manager:
“Slim’s Diner is a new Diner coming to the Petworth neighborhood in early April. Slim’s Diner is a traditional diner open early to late, serving breakfast all day long. Our in-house baker will produce pies, cakes, biscuits, brownies, doughnuts and much more.
We are seeking a General Manager to lead our team in the opening of Washington’s next great neighborhood spot.
Hours of Operation:
Sunday – Thursday: 7am to Midnight
Friday & Saturday: 7am to 2am”
March 4th, 2016: I have a new book coming out! It is called Romeo and/or Juliet and I think you will like it. That's what I think! I'm not gonna lie about it!!
By Crom! is Rachel Kahn’s joke-a-panel autobiographical comic featuring life advice and spiritual guidance from her favourite Barbarian. There are original comics available in Rachel’s BigCartel store and both comic prints and By Crom! shirts are available in her Society6 store.
It’s being rerun here in full on the Weald Comics tumblr over the next four months. Stay tuned to wealdcomics.tumblr.com for news on convention appearances and if you want to know more about getting this in print, sign up for my mailing list here!
All future comics here will be tagged “By Crom! rerun” and can be followed by that tag, btw!
This week’s Pet of the Week is named after a brunch dish.
Benedict Eggs Burns — Beni Burns for short — is a teacup poodle who apparently loves carrying around leaves in his mouth and is most certainly the apple of his mother’s eye.
Here’s what dog mom Mallory had to say about her little guy.
I am writing to you to submit my beloved little angel teacup poodle, Beni Burns (Short for Benedict Eggs Burns ;)) to Arlington Pet of the Week! I don’t even know where to start with Beni, but I will say that when a dog comes into your life, e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. changes. I was always told it’s going to be suchhhh a life change Mal, you don’t need a dog right now, you can’t go to happy hours after work right away anymore, you are going to pay so much. I could go on. What I wasn’t told, was the happiness that a tiny, four-legged, 2 lb., best friend would bring. The tiny paw prints that have already marked their place in my heart are something you cannot anticipate for. You can anticipate the money, the schedule change, the responsibility – but my heavens!! You cannot anticipate the love. The joy. He has changed my world in such a beautiful way. He has become my best friend, my precious little son!!
Beni is now 5 months old, pushing 2 pounds He is supposed to be 2.5-3LB total. Follow him on instagram at @Kingbeni_
He doesn’t yap, he goes potty outside, he sleeps under my neck, he is the epitome of a good dog and I am so blessed and so grateful that he is in my life.
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.
When armadillos are startled, they often jump straight into the air – it’s a self-defense move that was caught in action with this video from Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in Texas. Located along the coast, Aransas is home to diverse wildlife and serves as a winter refuge to the only wild flock of whooping cranes. Video by Laura Bonneau, USFWS.
We often hear claims about 200, 300-year old trees being removed or preserved in Arlington County, and, while we do have a handful of those, most trees are not that old. When aging or dating a tree, you have to take to take three major things into account: History, Site characteristics, and Species.
History
Urban foresters do informal tree ring counts on removed trees, and have employed outside support on comparing these ring counts to climate and other events. Rings will tell you the most information on the age of the tree, and you can often get within a decade of the tree’s birth.
That being said, doing some digging in the library can often get you a better idea of when a tree started growing. Here are some major aspects of Arlington County and events that strongly influenced trees in the area:
Civil War
While disturbance before the Civil war definitely happened, finding information on this is difficult. The war itself has sparse information, but one thing is common knowledge in aging trees. Sight lines for artillery and resource needs cause the removal of almost all trees in Arlington County. This means most of our trees are not likely to be older than 150 years. Where trees were preserved for shade for soldier, there is a chance for older-aged trees, and one of the two remaining old growth forests, on Arlington Cemetery, behind the Lee House, was preserved. This forest appears to have been unlogged since before the late 1700s, but is a striking exception to the rule.
Farming
Much of Arlington county was farmed, in the 1800s, and we have records of dairy farms in the county until the 1990s. These areas typically had very little trees, except as hedgerows or trees near the homes. Checking old maps, like the one on the right, from 1934, can tell you whether the land was used for forest or not. If the land use was farmland, you can exclude most ages beyond that date. We are blessed with an abundance of historical data, being in the DC region, and this can aide in this research.
The rush to build housing for new federal employees, and the new Pentagon brought with it large subdivisions in Arlington County. The Fairlington community was built during the war, to house thousands of new employees. If you drive through the community now, there are sizeable willow oaks and Darlington oaks gracing the streets. These trees were mere sprigs when this development was completed, but can only be 70-80 years old by now, despite their current size (see images on the left).
Recent disturbance
Home redevelopment, street projects, and other disturbance happens all the time in this busy county. Finding out from locals about projects can tell you whether a tree was removed and replaced. Neighborhood conservation projects and county tree planting programs have not always been around, and this information can often be gathered from neighbors around the tree.
Site characteristics
The site in which a tree grows up greatly influences the speed of its growth. Poor sun exposure, scarce access to water and oxygen, nutrients, and other limiting factors can slow down the growth of a tree drastically. While a tree of the same species in the middle of a forest may only grow a conservative 0.2 inches a year in diameter, in an open field it may shoot up at 1 inch annually. This means street trees, which often do have restrictions, but more access to light, can often be much younger at the same size as forest-grown trees.
Species
Young American Elm
One of the oldest broadleaf trees in the Eastern United States is a Black Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica) in New England (News link) It’s almost 600 years old, but it’s only 30 inches in diameter. This species grows so slowly that one could not guess its age by looking at it. On the other side of the spectrum, the elm tree on the right, which was removed last year, at 40 inches in diameter, only has rings for 40 years of age.
Some species will not get very large. Finding a dogwood with a diameter larger than 15 inches is a rarity, and can indicate good growing conditions and old age. Knowing your species, and their biological characteristics can help greatly in providing estimates.
Tools for dating trees
Tree core extraction. Source: International Environmental Data Rescue Organization
All of this information will give you an idea of the age of the tree. If you are doing in-depth research, you will need more information, so ring counts (the field of dendrochronology, for those Scrabble fans out there) are often the best approach. If removing the tree is not an option (which it often isn’t), coring a tree, or drilling a small hole to extract a rod, can be a great way to get an idea of its age. This technique extracts a sample of the tree rings, usually not harming the tree, which can then be analyzed. Many trees are hollow, however, and estimates are typically the only approach, along with the other tools above.
Five and a half years after it was first proposed in Arlington, Text-to-911 capability is finally a reality.
The ability to send a text message to 911 launched today in Arlington. In a press release, officials encouraged those reporting an emergency to call instead of text, unless a disability or a safety risk prevents you from doing so.
From Arlington County:
Arlington County today launched Text to 9-1-1, making it possible to send a text message to our Emergency Communications Center if you can’t call 9-1-1.
“In an emergency, we always prefer that you call 9-1-1,” said Deputy County Manager for Public Safety James Schwartz. “But if you can’t call, you will now be able to text and get the help you need.”
Arlington joins other jurisdictions across the region and the nation who are adding Text to 9-1-1 to their emergency communications options, and reminding callers “call if you can, text if you can’t.”
“Use it only when you cannot establish voice communications or when speaking into a phone would present a significant safety risk,” Schwartz said. He noted, however, that Text to 9-1-1- is particularly useful for persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired.
Voice calls to 9-1-1 are preferred because they make it easier for dispatchers to give commands that can be extremely useful in providing medical assistance such as CPR and basic first aid instructions.
“It is important that anyone who does have to use Text to 9-1-1 provide as much information as possible, including exact location and nature of the incident,” said Jack Brown, director of Arlington’s Office of Emergency Management.
How it works
Text-to-9-1-1 uses SMS text messaging technology. The Arlington County Emergency Communications Center (ECC) can now receive and send text messages to those in Arlington and Falls Church in need of emergency assistance who can’t make a 9-1-1 phone call. The system, Telecommunications System, Inc., also provides dispatchers with mapping capabilities to help pinpoint locations where text messages are received.
The system allows dispatchers to text up to 250 characters and can handle text messaging both in our main Emergency Communications Center as well as our back-up center.
As of 2 p.m. today, with five hours to go until polls close, the percentage of Arlington voters casting ballots in the Republican presidential primary has already exceeded the total from the 2008 GOP primary.
Mid-day Super Tuesday turnout was 24 percent of registered voters in Arlington — 9 percent Republican, 15 percent Democrat.
In 2008, when Barack Obama and John McCain cruised to victory in Virginia, 7 percent of registered Arlington voters cast Republican ballots while 33 percent voted in the Democratic primary.
“For the Republican primary in particular, it’s been a heavier than expected turnout,” said Arlington County Registrar Linda Lindberg. Democratic turnout, she predicted, is likely to be down slightly from 2008.
Absentee voting is up across all parties, but especially so for Republicans. This year, 2,570 Democratic and 952 Republican ballots were cast, compared to 2,166 Democratic and 440 Republican ballots in 2008.
Lindberg said polling places along the Orange Line corridor and in South Arlington, all Democratic strongholds, have seen surprisingly heavy Republican turnout, while turnout is in line with expectations in some of the more Republican-leaning precincts in far northern Arlington. That raises the possibility of crossover voting; Virginia is one of 18 states with an open presidential primary.
One factor for the increased Republican turnout may be the presence of Donald Trump in the race. Supporters of the businessman and GOP frontrunner have been particularly prolific in placing signs around polling places in Arlington — so much so that Lindberg said the county elections office has received at least one complaint about the Woodmont polling station having too many Trump signs.
(While county ordinance limits political signs in roadside medians to no more than two per candidate per median, there’s no limit at polling places on the day before or day of an election.)
One Trump supporter got an earful this morning while placing signs around Arlington. Reuters reported that former Republican congressional candidate Gwendolyn Beck was putting Trump signs up in front of the Arlington Arts Center, in Virginia Square, when local attorney and cycling advocate Mark Blacknell walked by en route to a nearby polling place.
“I came here to tell you you’re a terrible person,” Blacknell told Beck, according to Reuters.
“Signs normally don’t bother me, but there’s a whiff of burning crosses to Trump’s,” Blacknell later explained.
“Respect for other opinion is fabric [sic] of the USA,” Beck said in response, via Twitter.
No significant problems have been reported at the polls, Lindberg said, though a slight discrepancy between Arlington’s voting instructions and those on the state-provided ballots are prompting some questions.
The instructions in the polling places say that voters may place an “X” in the bubble to mark their vote for a candidate. Virginia’s ballots have older instructions, telling voters to completely fill in the bubble. Either works just fine, said Lindberg.
“It’s just confused a few voters, that’s all,” she said.
After the jump: tweets from those commenting on the Trump signs around Arlington, as well as a tweet from this afternoon’s John Kasich rally at George Mason University in Virginia Square.
We live in Shaw and take care of an indoor/outdoor cat. We found this plump old possum occupying the cathouse when I went to wake up my cat this morning. He looked pretty comfortable and didn’t give up the warm new digs very easily. Animal Control suggested we scare him off with loud music. It just seemed lull him back to sleep though. I guess city possums don’t mind loud 90’s hip-hop at 7am?”
hahaha awesome. Of note: I didn’t know cathouses were a real thing. Two, these thing terrify me. I’m heading to the Tiki Bar stat!!
This week’s Arlington Pet of the Week is Walter, a pug puppy with a penchant for chasing squirrels and barking at cats.
Walter is apparently a Cleveland Browns fan, but his life is not otherwise full of disappointment and existential despair. He also enjoys trips to see family elsewhere in Virginia and jaunts to the Shirlington dog park.
Here’s what Walter’s owner, Jeffrey, had to say about him.
Walter is a curious 7 month old fawn pug who loves to sleep and eat! He’s never met a leaf, pole or pair of socks he doesn’t love! Walter enjoys going on adventures, never letting his stub nose stop him from running wild. He enjoys chasing squirrels, but always gets confused when they disappear up a tree. He recently experienced snow for the first time; he was confused at first, but he slowly came around and became and snow pug. Walter has recently started a strict training regiment, including twice a day work outs and plenty of protein shakes to one day reach his goal being the first pug on American Gladiators. He is a ferocious watch dog, always protecting his humans from the evils of Arlington such as the shower, the neighborhood cats, and the dreaded mail man.
Walter was born in Northern Pennsylvania, but has been happily living in Arlington since early September. Quite the world traveler, Walter has already visited Cleveland, OH to see his beloved Browns play, as well as Richmond and Roanoke to see his grandparents. His next trip will be to San Diego to meet his pug cousin, Barry. His favorite places include the Shirlington Dog Park, his grandparents’ backyard, and a warm blanket. If you see him roaming the streets of Arlington, don’t be fooled by his tough demeanor and rugged exterior, he’s a gentle giant who loves a good belly rub!
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.
Here is a comic about a man I admire very much! Karl Heinrich Ulrichs was an early champion of LGBT rights, and maybe the first person to speak publicly for them as he did in Munich in 1867. The last picture there is the place where he spoke. He used the word "Urning" for gay men, a term he coined, because even the word "homosexual" wasn't invented yet (it would be soon after). I only found out about him last fall, which is surprising and also sadly not surprising. But he was really amazing, I'm sure you will agree.
Hark! A Vagrant is a strange mix, sometimes the comics are straight jokes and sometimes, like here, I just want to talk about someone I think is great in a way that's easy to pick up on - comics are great for that! And I tell you what, I got so much out of this particular collection, of all the things I read. Here is a link:
The document is a mix of things, essays and Karl's own writings and I think you will like it very much. I'm going to leave you with the epitaph on the stone his friends put up for him, he had many friends and admirers. It reads like a little affectionate biography.
Karl Henrich Ulrichs
who was born in Westerfeld near East Friesland
He distinguished himself and became renowned among
his equals by his mental faculties in the humanities and other disciplines
through instruction he received in Gottingen and Berlin.
He was concerned about new problems in anthropology and jurisprudence.
He had a remarkable sense of duty.
He was not elevated to prosperity nor was he humbled
by the attacks from his adversaries.
As a pauper he left the region of Hanover and went into exile.
He traveled through a great part of Europe.
He displayed everywhere a model character by his knowledge and virtue.
Finally he came to live in Aquila in central Italy to live for a long time.
He edited a Latin journal titled "Alaudae" [Larks]
which received praise from the old and new world.
Not complaining, not anguished, he died in our city in his 70th year
on the day before the Ides of July 1895
His loyal friends and admirers here and across the Alps
joined in to pay for this gift for their best friend whom
they mourn the loss of, and mock his lack of fortune
by this truly excellent monument.
"New problems in anthropology and jurisprudence." Victorians, amirite? But still I mean, who doesn't want their friends to mock their lack of fortune with truly excellent monuments?
A D.C. Superior Court judge upheld the Budget Autonomy Act. [ 
Au revoir!
If there’s an article of footwear more ubiquitous than the famous brown flip flop in Arlington, it’s the boat shoe.
Much of Arlington county was farmed, in the 1800s, and we have records of dairy farms in the county until the 1990s. These areas typically had very little trees, except as hedgerows or trees near the homes. Checking old maps, like the one on the right, from 1934, can tell you whether the land was used for forest or not. If the land use was farmland, you can exclude most ages beyond that date. We are blessed with an abundance of historical data, being in the DC region, and this can aide in this research.
Five and a half years after it was first proposed in Arlington, Text-to-911 capability is finally a reality.
