the wonderful and talented Emmy let me ink and colour this sketch and here it is!!!
a ray of sunshine on a stormy day~
I gave Matt a rough sketch and what he transformed it into is incredible. He didn’t just ink and color it with beautiful atmospheric hues, he also added a background and the sunshine bubble encasing the characters, making it suddenly have a clear, descriptive story. Matt is so talented!!!!
(Updated at 1:20 p.m.) Starbucks will be opening a new cafe in Rosslyn this fall, with the opening of the new TargetExpress store.
The coffee shop will be located inside the store, at 1500 Wilson Blvd, which is expected to open next month. A quick peek inside the glass doors yesterday revealed that much of the familiar Target interior is already complete, with workers continuing to work on fixtures like security cameras.
Curiously, this will be the third Starbucks location within a one block radius. Shoppers sipping their latte from the store will be able to look out the big glass windows and see two Starbucks across the street, one inside the Safeway (1501 17th Street N.) and the other freestanding (1525 Wilson Blvd).
A fourth Rosslyn Starbucks is down the hill on N. Lynn Street, about a quarter mile away.
Such dense placement of Starbucks stores is not unprecedented, and Arlington is noted for its love of Starbucks, but it does seem a bit excessive even for Manhattan on the Potomac. The Columbia Pike corridor, for instance, only just got its first Starbucks.
“As a standard course of business, Starbucks continually evaluates our store portfolio, using various criteria to ensure we are meeting the needs of our customers,” a Starbucks spokeswoman told ARLnow.com.
This week’s Arlington Pet of the Week is Dowager Countess Nymeria MacBattleby Logiealmond MacGold. She’s a sweet Shiba Inu who lives in Shirlington. She loves to steal toys, and will leap to incredible heights to give her people kisses on the face.
Here’s what Nymeria had to say for herself.
Hi! My name is the Dowager Countess Nymeria MacBattleby Logiealmond MacGold, but most people call me, “I’m sorry what?” I am one year old little Scottish Shiba Inu lass, and I live in Shirlington with my Hudad who is awesome and my Humom who wants to turn me into a dog dancing champion… We’re still trying to talk her out of that one.
My days are mostly spent looking out of my sweet window, where I like to nibble on Nylabones and occasionally bark at nothing, just to keep the humans on their toes. My evenings are either spent working on my mad skills at agility class with Frolick Dogs or playing with the neighborhood pups. I love when other dogs run after me, and I’ve been known to instigate a game of chase by stealing their toys (I always give them back – puppy promise!).
Unlike a lot of Shibas, I LOVE myself some people. If there’s a person I haven’t met, I always need to make sure I’ve greeted them with a proper kiss. I’ve been known to jump three feet up in the air just to get close to their faces! Apparently this is not necessarily a good trait and the humans say they’re, “working on it,” but in the meantime if you see me in Shirlington – I just want your extra time and your *mwuah, mwuah, mwuah, mwuah* Kiss!
Want your pet to be considered for the Arlington Pet of the Week? Email office@arlnow.com with a 2-3 paragraph bio and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos of your pet.
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, the winner of three Angie’s List Super Service Awards and the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters’ 2013 Business of the Year, provides professional dog walking and pet sitting services in Arlington and Northern Virginia.
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.
“Napoleon the Frenchie from Brookland!”
“9-month old puppy Benny really loves his tolerant cat brother, Jay. Suburban transplants, both from the Washington Humane Society!”
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.
“Houston in Brightwood Park
He’s just so proud of himself for graduating from obedience class!
“What’s this about you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?”-Houston, B.A., Behavior c/o ’15”
“Ghostbuster cats! – Gozer and Zuul from Petworth”
“AJ is a very lovable and gentle 12 year old Cocker Spaniel mix. He’s a rescue dog with City Dogs Rescue in Washington, DC. AJ is on the lookout for a fur-ever home!
AJ’s favorite activites include:
-taking strolls around Petworth and hanging out at Upshur dog park
-taking long naps with ocassional cute snoring
-searching for peanut butter treats
If you would like more information about AJ and how to adopt from City Dogs Rescue, please visit www.citydogsrescuedc.org”
V.w.verweijThese features of homeless people's lives are one of the few things I read consistently.
Person First Project is a photo blog that seeks to give those currently or formerly experiencing homelessness in D.C. the chance to share their stories. In doing this, we hope to reduce the barriers that separate people in D.C. and spark a dialogue. The Person First Project aims to connect us – and to make us all feel a bit more human.
“I’m okay…. But, it’s just… help. I need help.”
What kind of help?
“That’s just it. I don’t even know. I’m good financially; I’m on social security. But the steps are what I’m having trouble with. The steps to get my own place, having my own food, never asking nobody for nothin’… that’s where I want to be at.
Say if you were in my shoes. You have about $1,100 you get on the third of the month. You ain’t got bills or a place to stay. No phone. No responsibilities, no nothing. I’m homeless. How would you manage? For me, soon as I get it, three days and it’s back to square one. Spent because I smoke K2.”
Doesn’t that scare you? I’ve heard a lot about the side effects of K2.
“I ain’t gonna sit here and lie. The other day – this dude was passed out by Union Station. He had a joint and a cigarette. I don’t know what was in that blunt, but next thing I know my blood pressure was 120/60 and I was in the hospital. Took this blunt and it put me in the motherf*cking hospital.
This is my real first time being homeless. I’ve been out here a couple weeks now. It’s messed up. My life is so glum. My life is so dull. I mean, I’m not going to sit here and stress, but I kind of have to because I can’t call my baby’s mother on the phone anymore. I can’t talk to my child anymore. I can’t even send them money. That’s messing me up. That’s really taking its toll on me right now.”
– Allen
Author’s note: We met Allen in a small park at New Jersey Ave and 1st St NW.
Appeals court calls EPA approval of bee-threatening sulfoxaflor “based on flawed and limited data.”
#GOWILDforEveryKid at the stunning Table Rock Wilderness in BLM Oregon!
Table Rock Wilderness is in the western Cascade Range. Its steep, rugged terrain, towering basaltic cliffs, spectacular vistas, brilliant wildflowers, and colorful fall foliage combine to create a distinctive wilderness photography experience. A 16-mile system of trails, suitable for horse travel and hiking, extends along the prominent ridges within the Wilderness. The ridge-tops offer vistas of Mount Hood and other Cascade volcanoes. And kids can wet their feet in the nearby Molalla River after the hike. CLICK HERE to learn more and plan a visit.
Photos by Bob Wick, BLM
During Wilderness Month 2015, our #GOWILDforEveryKid posts feature wilderness where kids can enjoy America’s Great Outdoors! 4th Graders can enjoy those outdoors for free through www.everykidinapark.gov.
V.w.verweijI wrote dis
Over the last few years, Arlington has compiled resources and gathered input from experts and the public on what trees work best in Arlington to provide our community with the greatest benefit now and for the future. Urban foresters have put together several lists of recommended trees for different situations. These lists can be found here, and this article will speak to some of the aspects we look for in trees to plant in our community. All issues are weighed when selecting species for these lists, and no tree is perfect. A tree that may work in one place may not work somewhere else, so always do your research before choosing a tree that may be with you for decades.
Utility lines and cars damaged by silver maple Picture:: Montreal CTV
Because of our urban nature, we have to be very aware of the impact trees can have on surrounding structures, roads, utilities, and of course people. Historically, many trees were picked to plant because of their fast growth (such as Silver maples or Bradford pears), but these trees were not always the most structurally sound trees. While some of the less structurally-sound native species still have a place in less damage-prone areas such as natural areas or floodplain restorations, these species are generally kept off the lists.
Another issue to consider when picking a species is susceptibility to pathogens like insects, fungus, bacteria, or fungi. Foresters have learned hard lessons over time, seeing entire streets planted with American Elms or Green Ash die from their respective pathogens, Dutch Elm Disease, and the Emerald Ash Borer. We take this into account when recommending trees, and recommend resistant varieties (as with the Elm), or restrict planting of certain species (as with the Ash).
Sumac in bloom
A tree’s appearance is often one of the first things taken into account when selecting species. Trees are still primarily seen as a landscape feature, even with growing appreciation of their other essential values. This is why certain species that may have low environmental value, but high cultural value, such as ornamental cherries and European hornbeams remain on our recommended tree lists. They are non-invasive, attractive trees, that add to our community with their color and beauty. Luckily, we also have many trees that are both beautiful and have a high value. Almost nothing beats a mature oak in its majesty, while also providing some of the greatest wildlife value. We seek to keep this balance equal, and there is a place for every tree on our lists.
Utility line clearing can alter the form of a tree drastically, such as with this Sugar Maple
Form and size is part of the aesthetic of a tree, but often is looked at to fit the space in which the trees are grown. Some trees are selected to be particularly narrow, short, broad, vase-shaped, pyramidal, the list goes on. This is often related to how people want their site to look, but can also be done to reduce interference with utility lines, provide sight lines for signs and roads, or overhead clearance for paths underneath.
In an urban environment, we also have to worry about the stresses that come with roads, an increased pollution load. Some pollutants are obvious, such as exhaust and road salt, but other pollutants may
Narrow Ginkgo next to a building.
be less clear, such as pet waste, lead from lead paint, or pH-altering chemicals from surrounding concrete. Trees have to be able to adapt to these stressors, and not all trees can handle this. Unfortunately, many trees that adapt readily to short-term stress are opportunistic, invasive species, and the damage caused by these species to our natural areas is too great to risk additional invasion. However, there remain species native and non-invasive on our list, that have adapted to urban environments, or naturally occur in environments of high stress, such as floodplains or mountainous environments.
Oaks and maples, London planetrees, tupelo, and other species on our lists are noted for their pollution tolerance, and are prioritized for street tree planting. It does give us a much more restrictive list to pick from, so ultimately, much of our tree canopy’s diversity will have to come from trees in natural areas, or more protected landscaped areas on private and public land.
One of the major aspects of supporting trees in our county is for the environmental and natural benefit trees provide to our community and the Chesapeake Bay. Many of our regulations and tree canopy requirements were originally created for the benefit to stormwater runoff reduction and pollution reduction. Large canopy trees provide the most interception of stormwater, capture the most carbon, and, in the right place, live the longest. The Urban Forest Masterplan outlines many of the benefits we seek from planting and maintaining trees in the county.
Tuckahoe park has some great examples of our native trees.
A high premium is also placed on trees native to our region, as native trees fare better in the long term, and provide the greatest benefit to our community. The Natural Resource Management plan lays
out how we coordinate with all agencies and the public to promote native species, and these species are prioritized when planting trees. There exist occasions where native trees may not be appropriate, due to space, cultural or aesthetic restrictions, which is why non-invasive non-native trees are still on our lists, but we work to find and foster the right places for our highest value native trees.
Willow oaks planted along Fairfax Drive.
All of these considerations have to be balanced with a need for diversity. Having learned over time that monocultures, or large groves of the same species, can lead to serious issues, Arlington county tries to balance the species planted, so we have as diverse palette of trees as we can. This sometimes conflicts with a desire for uniformity, and compromises can be difficult to be reached. Willow oaks and red maples, for example, are great urban trees, but are widely overplanted throughout the county. Where possible, we restrict the use of these trees, but there remains a high demand for them from developers, as they tend to be very reliable.
Every tree reacts differently to a site, and care should be taken when picking your species. There is no tree that meets all of the restrictions discussed in this article, and there is no “golden bullet” tree. Consulting with arborists, our extension service, and landscape architects, along with digging around the internet for research are all tools to find the tree that fits your site best. Days of research went into compiling the lists on our website, and they are still evolving, as we learn more about each tree, and get input from the community. Never hesitate to reach out to staff with suggestions or new information, as these recommendations are part of a living document, and mature with the trees we plant.
And it’s a good one – “hops from my garden in Petworth.”
This non-harmful medication has been shown to relieve the crippling symptoms of modern life.
There are a number of reasons why this is an excellent idea.
Happy National 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.
Acai berry facts. Left in an organic juice place.
V.w.verweijTHANDI
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.
“Houston in Brightwood Park
Our new-to-us 2 year old high kill shelter rescue is looking better and getting healthier by the day! How could I not give this handsome face a treat?!?!”
“Name: Phoebe
Neighborhood: Columbia Heights”
“It’s easy to snap pics of Thandi (2yr old female mix) when she’s watching squirrels in Meridian Hill Park.”
“Oktoberfest!
09/19/2015 01:00 PM – 04:00 PM ET
Admission: $60.00
Click here to register online
Eight DC beers on tap ♦ Brats on the grill from Cafe Berlin ♦ Homemade pretzels from Das Pretzel Haus ♦ Live German music from Die Drei
We’ll transform the Castle Garden into a biergarten to celebrate the Heurich family’s German heritage. We are delighted to be partnering with the DC Brewers Guild to bring you a one-of-a-kind Oktoberfest experience. Eight beers, one from each Guild member listed below, will be on tap all afternoon in honor of DC’s most successful brewmaster, Christian Heurich (1842-1945). The museum will be open for self-guided tours from 1-2 pm.
Ticket price includes food and unlimited beer. Guests must be 21 or older. Beer list to be posted soon!”
I added this fake health brochure about Donald Trump to a doctor’s waiting room
Morgan Parker is the author of Other People’s Comfort Keeps Me Up at Night (Switchback Books, 2015). She is a Cave Canem graduate fellow and a Pushcart Prize winner. She lives in Brooklyn.
Generations ago, thick forests of longleaf pine stretched from the eastern shores of Virginia down the coast to Florida over to East Texas. Over decades, forests that once covered more than 90 million acres have dwindled to a little more than 3 million acres.
Last summer, a lightning storm sparked a wildfire that burned the entire island at the BLM managed Lathrop Bayou tract located in the Florida panhandle. BLM Southeastern States District Office Wildlife Biologist Faye Winters used the unexpected fires as an opportunity to plant 3,000 longleaf pine seedlings.
For two days, BLM, AgReserves and local volunteers worked tirelessly to get all 3,000 seedlings in the ground. “This planting will augment the existing longleaf pine stand which has seen limited recruitment over the last ten years,” said Winters.
This is good news for local wildlife! The longleaf pine trees and forests are home to thousands of plant and animal species, including 122 threatened and endangered species like the Red-cockaded Woodpecker that breeds at Lathrop Bayou.
Story and Photo by BLM Eastern States
A new study finds that a siesta a day could save your life.
V.w.verweijTORTOISES
Two Carlin Springs Elementary School staff members have created a new book series to help kids learn U.S. geography.
Gretchen Schuyler Brenckle and Kathryn Belcher Frazier recently released “A Cat Named Denali: An Outer Banks Adventure,” the first book in the series. In the children’s book, Denali goes on adventures while traveling with her family and learns fun facts about the United States, according to the book’s summary.
Brenckle, a counselor at Carlin Springs, wrote the story, and Frazier, a third grade teacher at Carlin Springs, illustrated the book. Brenckle said that she was inspired to write the book to give kids a fun way to learn geography.
“I am so excited to help children of all ages learn more about our country with Denali the Cat, who is on the adventure of a lifetime as she travels with her family, meeting new friends and learning fun facts about the United States,” she said in a press releases.
Frazier added: “Though I always remind my students not to judge a book by its cover, I hope these illustrations will entice and encourage young readers everywhere.”
Both Brenckle and Frazier live in Arlington and are Yorktown High School graduates.
“A Cat Named Denali: An Outer Banks Adventure” is available for purchase on Amazon or at Barnes and Nobles and Books A Million. The book costs $14.95.
Watch how 4th graders react to getting a free pass to all public lands in America.
Starting today, all 4th graders and their families can visit federal lands and waters for FREE thanks to the Every Kid in a Park initiative. Learn more → www.everykidinapark.gov
![[UPDATE] 'Save Southern History & Heritage March' Is a Thing That's Happening This Weekend](http://dcist.com/attachments/dc_mattcohen/confederateflag_restrict_width_110.jpg)
Prepare for an invasion of Confederate flags this weekend. [ 