This newsletter is produced by the Rock Spring Civic Association for residents of the Rock Spring neighborhood.

1.  School Events

• Jamestown Spring Fair:  April 21:   2018 Wild West Spring Fair

• Jamestown 5K Fun Run/Walk:  May 5 – Sign up by April 17

Join in a morning of community building & fun! Registration is now open. Sign-up by April 17th to receive your official 5K race day t-shirt. Please note that students (and children) under 5th grade must be accompanied by a registered parent (or adult) runner. Strollers are welcome!  5K-Fun-run@jamestownpta.org.

2.  Elementary School Boundaries: APS has gathered community input on elementary school walk zones to support a determination whether to relocate any option or neighborhood elementary schools before considering boundary revisions this Fall. There will be a community meeting where APS staff will present draft recommendations and answer questions on Tuesday, May 1 at 7:00 pm at Yorktown HS (in the cafeteria). More information about the process is at: https://www.apsva.us/elementary-school-boundary-change/walkzonereview/

3.  Arlington Outdoor Lab Seeking New Board Members:  The Arlington Outdoor Education Association (AOEA), which owns and maintains the Outdoor Lab used exclusively by Arlington County

students, is looking for new Board members. The AOEA is a non-profit group run by an all-volunteer board. We meet monthly, have an annual retreat, and run two open houses, in addition to other fund-raising and advocacy efforts.  We work closely with Arlington Public Schools to support their science-based curriculum. The AOEA has a particular need for a treasurer, in addition to other board members who are interested in and committed to the mission of the Outdoor Lab for our students.

If you have further questions or interest, please contact Todd Parker, AOEA President, at parkerhdts@msn.com.  Thank you for any support.

4.  The Art and Science of Talking with Your Kids, featuring Dr. Wendy Mogel, Wednesday, May 2, 2018, at 7 p.m. at Temple Rodef Shalom in McLean

Buy your tickets here (https://voicelessons.brownpapertickets.com) for this essential guide to the art of talking with children of all ages. Learn how to cultivate the art of conversation - from infancy to adulthood - in an age of hurry, worry, and digital distraction. Presented by the Safe Community Coalition, Dr. Mogel is known for combining cutting-edge psychological research with timeless wisdom in guiding parents through the rough waters of child rearing in today's competitive world. Find more information at the Safe Community Coalition website (mcleanscc.org).

5.  Free Fraud Event Saturday, April 28, 2018

To strike back against scammers, AARP Virginia and Fairfax County Government’s Silver Shield Task Force are bringing together top experts and law enforcement officials to present at a free informational Scam Jam:  Join us for a free fraud fighting event.

The presenters will discuss scams targeting Virginians, such as fake solicitor schemes, bogus investment deals, lottery scams, email fraud, a grandparent ruse and the latest identity theft shams. https://states.aarp.org/scamjamfairfaxva/

6.  Prescription Drug Take Back Day:  April 28, 10 AM - 2PM.
The Arlington County Police Department, Arlington County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will help the public prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. This disposal service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. Please note: The DEA cannot accept liquids, needles or sharps. Only pills or patches will be accepted.   More information.

The Arlington County Police Department will be collecting prescription drugs at:

Langston-Brown Community Center, 2121 N. Culpeper Street, Arlington, VA 22207

7.  Roundtable on Honoring History and Legacy of Fire Station No. 8:  April 14
The Fire Station 8 History and Legacy History Work Group, established by Arlington's County Manager, is hosting a community roundtable discussion to share memories, perspectives and ideas on how to recognize, emphasize and honor the history and legacy of the Hall’s Hill/High View Park Volunteer Fire Department and Fire Station No. 8.

8.  Civic Federation Events:  Friday, May 4, 2018, Civic Federation Banquet, Holiday Inn, Rosslyn

Topic:  Arlington's Growth Express:  Still on track...or off the rails?  A discussion on Arlington’s challenge as it transitions from a suburban environment towards a mixed urban-suburban community trying to accommodate an additional 63,000 people by 2040 when the estimated population is projected to be 283,000.

Joining us for a candid conversation:

·         Alan Ehrenhalt, Former Executive Editor, Governing Magazine

·         Michelle Winters, Executive Director of the Alliance for Housing Solutions

·         Peter Rousselot, ArlNow columnist

To register: https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07eev37dde1d6e9dc9&oseq=&c=&ch=

May 2 General Meeting Agenda:  (tentative):

7:00 Regular Business

7:10 Report, Panel Discussion, and Vote on the ERA Resolution

7:40 Government Transparency

8:25 Introduce R&E Resolution on FY2019 Budget

8:35 Update on Incorporation revised New Bylaws

8:45 Old Business

8:40 New Business

9:00 Adjourn

The Civic Voice:  http://www.civfed.org/newContent/2018-04/CivicVoice%202018-04.pdf

9.  April is Earth Day Month in Arlington:
Check out all the great events happening in Arlington in April for Earth Day. https://environment.arlingtonva.us/earthday/every-day-is-earth-day-in-arlington-county/

10.  2018 Arlington Palooza: Saturday, April 18, 1-4 pm, Alcova Heights and fun Arlington events:  https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/VAARLINGTON/bulletins/1e845c9

11. ENCORE Concert:  May 4, 7pm at Kenmore Middle School
The concert is sung by chorales from the Alexandria, Fairfax, Goodwin House (Baileys Crossroads) and Langston Brown Encore Chorales, adults ages 55 and over, who are mostly grandparents and welcome children as well as adults.  The concert will include a medley from West Side Story.  The concert will also include music that many members of Encore will be singing in cathedrals in Montreal and Quebec, Canada, at the end of May.  http://encorecreativity.org/index.php/1245-encore-concert-schedule-mark-your-calendars-now-2   

For specific questions, email Mary Cottrell, second-soprano, and choral master for LB rehearsal group, Mary@WordsTalk.com.

Editor’s Note:  Their December concert was wonderful fun.