By Susan Robinson

I was playing pickleball with the indefatigable Natalie Roy a few months ago, when she suddenly exclaimed, “I have an idea!” As it turns out, her idea was a winner. 

As many of you know, I am the principal harpist of the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, now in my 31st season. And some of you may have noticed that my workplace is often in the news these days! 

Natalie’s idea was a neighborhood “Night at the Opera.”  The WNO Audience Development team loved the idea and ran with it. Residents enjoyed a generous ticket discount and an intermission champagne toast. In October, we brought about twenty friends and neighbors to a WNO performance of Verdi’s Aida, mingled at intermission, and then enjoyed an early dinner back in the neighborhood at Texas Jack’s. A few days ago, a group of thirty was wowed by the WNO’s The Marriage of Figaro, and we gathered for cake and (more) champagne after the show here at my home. It was great fun to walk through the Grand Foyer and the Opera House and see friends and neighbors everywhere, and to get to know new neighbors as well. At our recent outing I was able to introduce two residents of the 600 block of N. Kenmore St. to one another!

Figaro was particularly meaningful to me—since I don’t play the opera I was able to enjoy it as an audience member. The house was packed, full of buzz, and familiar faces. The performance was engaging and rapturously received—it was so moving to witness my place of work functioning just as it is intended to, bringing resonant musical experiences (Figaro is, after all, a tale that celebrates the fundamental humanity of people of all walks of life) to a large and appreciative audience.  

I would love for anyone reading this to understand that the Kennedy Center is just a building, but its beating heart is its two primary constituents: The Washington National Opera and The National Symphony Orchestra. These incredible pillars of the DC arts community are presenting their current seasons as originally planned, their own boards of directors and fundraising machinery intact. If these institutions are lost, they are likely gone for good. The musicians of the Kennedy Center, along with the hardworking crews, and support staff (five labor unions are represented in the building) all appreciate the continued support of the community.

I hope to have more such opportunities in the spring! I am more than happy to answer your questions, or share our musicians’ talking points. Email me at susan@ibischambermusic.org. 

Benjamin Franklin’s musing that “in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes” might sound pessimistic, but what if those inevitable taxes could benefit the LPCC?  Would paying taxes be a little more palatable if they  helped fund a playground renovation, installation of audio/visual equipment, refinishing the floors, or more community events at the LPCC?

New tax laws make it advantageous for those who take the standard deduction to donate in 2026 to the LPCC (a 501c3 charitable organization). Starting in 2026, for the first time, cash gifts up to $1,000 for single filers or $2,000 for married couples filing jointly can be deducted in addition to the standard deduction. For those who claim itemized deductions, the new rules become more complex. Beginning in 2026:

Only donations that exceed 0.5% of adjusted gross income (AGI) will be deductible. If you make $250k in household AGI, that means your first $1,250 in charitable donations will not be deductible. Donations to the LPCC made in 2025 are fully deductible. 

All deductions for taxpayers in the highest marginal bracket (37%) will be capped at a rate of 35%. This means that if you donate $1000 to the LPCC in 2025, you can deduct $370, but if you wait until 2026, you can only deduct $350. 

The temporary 60%-of-AGI deduction limit for cash gifts to public charities will become permanent. It was set to expire and revert back to a limit of 50%. So if you are planning to donate 60% of your adjusted gross income to the LPCC, you can deduct it all and we support that!  

Donors can still avoid capital gains tax by gifting appreciated stocks or other assets held for longer than a year. In fact, donating appreciated stocks yields a double tax benefit – you avoid paying capital gains by not realizing the gain AND you can deduct the full fair market value of the donated stock. 

So please consider spending your tax dollars in your own community by donating to the LPCC in 2025 and 2026. Checks can be mailed to: LPCC at 414 N. Fillmore Street, Arlington, VA 22201. Cash donations can be made at https://lyonpark.info/donate. For more information on how to donate appreciated stocks, other assets or to make a substantial cash donation, contact the Board of Governors at LPCCGovernors@gmail.com. Thank you!. 

If you were on the Mall September 19-21, you could not
help but notice the National Mall of Pickleball event.

A dozen temporary pickleball courts attracted
thousands of people from across the country and
around the world.

Center Court featured pickleball pros showing off their
skills, as well as opportunities for the amateurs to
compete.

Throughout the weekend, Lyon Park’s very own Helen
White, official U.S. Pickleball Ambassador, coached
pickleball enthusiasts, many of them first-time players.

Pickleball is a fabulous sport for young and old, as well
as the fastest growing sport in America! Helen will be
happy to share her addiction with you!. 

By Paul Showalter

The 99th Spring Fair was a sunny experience of joy, sugar, and fun. 

Setup for the Fair began on Friday with several people (David Grahn and Peter Zirnite) bringing all the games, tables and supplies out of the basement before the torrential rainstorm hit. Darcy Rosenbaum (the Spring Fair chair) and son Benton and husband John worked late into the night prepping the center for a day’s worth of fun.

Saturday morning started early for a bunch of us, to make sure the day went off without a hitch. And it was a spectacular day. The sun was shining; the park was full of kids playing games and bouncing in the moon bounce; cookies and other baked goods were selling quickly at the Woman’s Club bake sale; the kitchen was pushing out Danville Street hot dogs, Troy’s pizza, fresh pasta, and lots lemonade; lions and tigers were painted on faces; popcorn, popsicles, and cotton candy were sold; and prizes were exchanged for prize tickets. We played numerous games of “Cake-A-Bout” in the sun, with kids winning baked goods (I served as the event’s emcee).

The Rosenbaum’s homemade games were a big hit again this year. The “Bull Ringer” – “Hole in One” – “Frog Flinger” and the reimagined “Duck Pond” fascinated the kids once again.

This event, like every event at Lyon Park, could not happen without a large group of volunteers. The Danville Street Crew (Mark Trachtman, Charlie Wall, and Sharon Showalter) staffed the kitchen and fed lots of hungry kids. Many other neighbors stepped in to help and it was appreciated. 

We had more than twelve high school and college volunteers with us on Friday and Saturday. We even had a crew of Long Branch Elementary school students (Alex and Helen Peters, Benton Rosenbaum, Alexys & Alejandro Linder, and Niam and Dhilan Bahl) running games and painting faces (Their parents even pitched in to help). All volunteers worked tirelessly throughout the day to make sure everyone had fun—and we appreciate their efforts. 

Special thanks to Tyler Hawkins, Theo Roiniotis, and Tabitha Ricketts for sticking around and helping with the cleanup. They packed away every game, tent, and table. They even carried everything into the basement. An extra special thanks goes to my wife Sharon, for not only helping with setup on Friday night, but working all day in the kitchen, and cleaning until the last box was packed away in the “little blue pickup truck.”

Next year, we celebrate our 100th Spring Fair. For our signature event to be a success, we need more people to be involved in producing the Fair. Please step up and offer to help. We need you. Reach out to LyonParkEvents@gmail.com if you are interested.

If you have a rising sophomore, junior or senior who wants to volunteer in our community, have them reach out to LyonParkEvents@gmail.com. We have many volunteer opportunities during the summer and fall. 

By Paul Showalter, Santa’s Head Elf

Santa, his sleigh, and his trusty elves (Paul Showalter, Benton Rosenbaum, Elizabeth Schwab, Ellen Malloy), visited nine parks in North Arlington on Tuesday December 24. Santa had the opportunity to visit with many children during his tour (he especially enjoyed visiting with children at Lyon Park). Santa’s elves handed out hundreds of candy canes and took lots of photos of kids (and family’s) visiting with Santa.

After finishing his world tour on Christmas Day, Santa made time to swing back through Arlington to hand deliver a few “Santa” gifts to children.

Santa will be visiting Lyon Park again very soon, so make sure you stay on the “Nice List.” 

For the LPCC Board of Governors (BOG), this is the end of one era and the start of something new.  For well over a decade, we’ve been fortunate to have Jeannette Wick’s leadership of the BOG, Cindy Stroup’s services as rental agent, and Bill Short’s work as janitorial engineer, preserving the beauty of our Community Center and ensuring its availability to our community.  After all three had decided it was time for them to pursue other passions, the BOG elected David Newman as the new Chair and Ann Reimers Pitts as Vice Chair of the BOG.  Their highest priority from the start has been finding the best available talent to fill the rental agent and cleaning services positions.  Their goals for the search included finding people who would bring experience, expertise, and outstanding customer service skills.  The BOG believes that finding a cleaning service provider that offers affordable prices and outstanding cleaning services is key to reducing the stress of event planning and execution for LPCC renters.  This is central to the BOG’s mission of finding the best new cleaning service provider for the LPCC.

To form a committee dedicated to this effort, the BOG leadership solicited community participation for a committee reviewing applicants for these positions.  Community members Bess Zelle, Laureen Daly, and Sara Alepin stepped up, joining four members of the BOG on the committee – Shelya White, Elizabeth Wray, Ann Reimers Pitts, and David Newman. 

At the end of a rigorous journey, the committee drafted its recommendations for the next rental agent and cleaning services provider.  The ultimate decision must be made by the BOG, which is still deliberating.  The current rental agent will help train the new agent during a transition period in December, and the new rental agent will take full responsibility for the role starting January 1, 2025, when the new cleaning service also will begin its work.  

The new LPCC team also is committed to placing the highest priority on building relationships with the
community, while keeping the LPCC well maintained, beautiful, and available for future generations.  We encourage your questions and comments.  You may email David and Ann directly at their new email address: LPCCGovernors@gmail.com.

Watch this space for future reports from the BOG on the final selections for rental agent and cleaner and on the many projects they are planning for the future. 

The highlight of the November LPCA meeting was a presentation by David Povlitz, Fire Chief of the Arlington County Fire Department. Chief David Povlitz oversees a department of 375 uniformed and 25 support staff covering nine fire stations. He reviewed the excellent coverage enjoyed by county residents, ensuring quick response to fire and safety emergencies. He also discussed the strong relationships Arlington shares with neighboring jurisdiction, mutually helping each other as needs arise. He is extremely proud that construction of Arlington’s newest station, Station 8 located on Langston Blvd., came in on-time and under its budget of $32 million. Arlington has state-of-the-art equipment and strives to use it efficiently by focusing on preventative measures. Thank you, Chief Povlitz.

The latter portion of the meeting was devoted to a discussion on Tyndale School, currently housed at 715 N Barton Street. The school has been operating since September with 40 students, and the LPCA membership voted to support the school’s use permit for the same student population through 2025. However, this issue will be revisited at the December meeting, when we will discuss approving the expansion of the school to 80 students (see recap from Anne Bodine on page 2).

The meeting closed out with a cake celebrating
100 years since the first Lyon Park Community Center meeting in 1924. As the Fire Chief had already departed, the candles were kept to a minimum. While consuming cake, good conversation was shared by all.