Do you Want Electronic Updates during the Power Outage?
If you want email or text message updates throughout the Power Outage, contact the front desk or fill out the "Contact Me" block below on this page.
ATTENTION UPDATED NOTICE FOR SOUTH BUILDING POWER OUTAGE Please be advised that we have secured the dates for the Bus Duct replacement for the South side of the building.The south side is the side with the elevators and trash chute. The work will begin at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday April 27 and go through Saturday April 30th. During the above dates and times the south building will be without power. There will be hot water in both the north and south buildings. All three elevators will be running for the period of the outage. No moves will be allowed during the power outage.
NORTH TOWER UPDATE! There may be no internet service, no cable service, or phone service in either tower.
Posted April 22, 2011
Wednesday April 27 12:01 AM through Saturday April 30 ... no Power in the South Tower
Flashlights are available (one per unit) at the front desk.
Be very cautious with candles ... do not leave them unattended!
If you use a candle, ensure it is fully inside a glass or metal container.
Do not sleep with a candle burning.
Get some extra batteries for the flashlights.
14 Tips to Prepare for the 3 and 1/2 Day Power Outage
At 12:01 AM on April 27th the power will be turned off for approximately 3.5 days in order to make electrical infrastructure repairs from our emergency outage in December 2009. That means you'll have no power for approximately 84 hours! No lights, no alarm clock, can't recharge the cell phone, land lines that plug in to electrical outlets won't work. Hey that means no refrigeration! No cooking, no electric razors, no washing machine, no heat or AC. No freezer! Only one elevator! No computer, nor TV, nor radio! This will be inconvenient. What can you do to prep for and live through the power outage? Here are 14 tips:
1. Everything in your refrigerator and freezer will spoil over that period of time. It's time to either eat down your frozen goods and perishables or make friends with neighbors in the north tower and ask for storage space. 2. After 3 days without power, you won't be able to eat anything that required refrigeration. If its still in the runpowered refrigerator or freezer, you'll need to dispose of it. 3. You'll need a flashlight and batteries. The front desk will provide a flashlight if needed. Candles are dangerous especially if left unattended. 4. The good news is we'll now have three working elevators. 5. There will be no TV, no books to read (without lights), and no radio. The party room will be open (although without electricity) so bring your pretzels and meet your neighbors. 6. You'll need to be able to recharge your cell phone ... you'll need to either recharge at work or find a North Tower buddy. 7. You'll need to stock up on food that won't require refrigeration (canned food, dry goods, etc) 8. No alarm clock means you'll need an alternative way to wake up in the AM, check with your neighbors and see if they will wake you. 9. With everyone in the same boat, its a good time to meet new people and meet up for meals. 10. No washer and dryer, no iron, prep your clothes a few days in advance. 11. Be cautious with candles ... not just your own, but your neighbors. If you use candles, don't leave them unattended. A candle can melt onto a table, and the burning wick will then use the wax and wooden table as fuel. Be extra vigilent if you smell smoke. 12. No blow dryer! Jeepers, now what! You may want to try staying with a friend until the outage is over. 13. The Altavista will keep you posted by cell phone, text message or via email. Contact the front desk to get connected up. 14. Get prepped a week in advance. Try to think of everything you do each day that requires electricity so you can be prepared.
Arlington County Buses Blocking the Altavista Drive-Thru? Call this number! 703-558-2222
This summer there seems to be more Arlington County buses parking around the Altavista, and some even blocking the exit for the Altavista Drive-thru area. This can be very frustrating when the bus is unattended. Many times residents enter the lobby and ask the desk staff to call, sometimes after the bus has departed. The best way to resolve this issue is if all of us call, when the bus is there. This is truly a case where the squeaky wheel will get the attention. See a bus blocking the drive-thru? Call this Arlington County Police non-emergency number 703-558-2222 and provide the bus number. We realistically shouldn't expect a Patrol Car to respond since its not an emergency. But if the County Police receive dozens of calls per day from Altavista residents, you can be sure they will fix the problem permanently. See a bus? Immediately call 703-558-2222 and say "I'm a resident of the Altavista condo, and there is an unmanned Arlington County bus, number xxxx, blocking our driveway and its a hazard". Add the number to your speed dial.
15 Minute Parking in Front of the Altavista - Please sign in
Please be aware that the 15 minute parking zone in front of the Altavista is limited and for use by all residents. If you or someone you know is using those temporary spots, please ensure they sign in at the front desk, and ensure the spaces are only used for 15 minutes. As you know, there are limited spots for quick turnaround drops at the Altavista so we appreciate your fast turnaround. If you have contractors on site, and they will be there more than 15 minutes, ask them to park elsewhere.
Thanks
In Case of an Altavista Emergency ... Contact me by Text Message! In case of another power outage or similar emergency at the Altavista, would you like to be notified electronically? Last January, many residents and owners asked if there are better ways to keep them informed during outages and building emergencies. We've done some homework and found there are two ways we could keep you electronically informed ... by email and by cell phone text message. Please fill out the e-form on the right if you want to be notified by text message, by email, or both. We'll implement the appropriate system(s) once we gauge interest.
Directions: 1. In order to ensure we are providing info only to residents and owners, your full name and unit number are required. 2. If you want to be notified by text message, fill in your cell phone number (your cellular service may charge for these text messages). 3. If you want to be notified by email, fill in your email address (John.Doe @msw.com) 4. Click the Send button
The Altavista Board has updated our Reserve Study ... that's good news
Occasionally you'll see some press about an association that is surprised by a big bill and needs to impose a special assessment to cover the bill. It's generally because their reserve requirenments were either underfunded or poorly planned. At the Altavista, the Unit Owners Association has done an excellent job of keeping the reserve requirements managed and funded. Every three to five years we commission a study to forecast large expenditures (such as the 20 year cycle roof replacement) and we develop a reserve funding strategy that places money into the reserve accounts each year so that the funds are available when the large maintenance replacement bills hit. Condo Unit Owners Associations that manage the reserve accounts well do not surprise their members with unforeseen special asessments. The Altavista Board has approved the 2011 reserve study to update our last study (dated 2007). It's good news that we stay on top of the reserve budget issue, and right in line with our accountant's recommendations.
A Letter from the Board ... we plan to stay in touch with you!
As promised, the Board plans to maintain regular communications with our unit owners. Click here to see the letter.
In-Unit Maintenance Service
Is your home “to-do” list too long?Spending your Saturdays working on home projects instead of watching the big game?The Altavista’s In-Unit Maintenance Service can help! Click here to see the services offered.Stop by the front desk and fill out a service request form today!
Arlington County Government Web Site Looking for info and events in Arlington County? Click here to visit the County site.
Apr 21st ... Altavista Board meeting 7:15PM in the Party Room Apr 27 - Apr 30 ... Power Outage in the South Tower
Water Turn-Off Schedule
All water shut-offs will be done between the hours of 10AM to 3PM. Water shut off is scheduled to accommodate residents who are having work done in their units. Please ensure that you notify management or the front desk of your plans to have work performed on any of the scheduled dates. If no work is scheduled, we will not turn the water off. In the event of a water emergency at any time, it will be necessary to turn the water off.
Dates for Water Shut-off for 2011
Wednesday May 11 Thursday June 16th Tuesday July 12th Wednesday August 17th Thursday September 22nd Tuesday October 11th Wednesday November 16th Thursday December 15th
