Afternoon Notes: Traffic Lights Out, “Bike-Friendly” Recognition
Traffic Lights Out in North Arlington — A number of traffic lights went out in North Arlington this afternoon due to a “circuit problem.” Generators were brought out to some of the busier intersections as Dominion Power worked on the problem. Four traffic lights were reported to be out on Fairfax Drive and three were reported out on Lee Highway and Old Dominion Drive, among others. All lights are said to be working again.
Arlington Among the Most “Bike-Friendly Cities” — Bicycling Magazine has ranked Arlington 30th in its list of the 50 most bike-friendly cities. The article inexplicably features an image of Georgetown University.
Outstanding Volunteer Award Winners Announced — Volunteer Arlington has announced the winners of its 25th annual Outstanding Volunteer Awards. The awards are given out to county government volunteers who “go above and beyond in their service.” Among the winners: Homer Ailstock, Cynthia Kellams, Brendan O’Connor, Jae Park, Alfonso Perez, Henry Phillips, Scott Vining, and Tanya Beauchamp.
TSA’s TV Studio Gets Write-Up — The Transportation Security administration has a fancy new television studio in Arlington. Government Video magazine has more on the video technology used by the TSA.
Washington-Lee High School Closed Due to Threat
Update at 9:30 a.m. — The school and the aquatic center have reopened after getting the “all clear” from police.
An unspecified threat at Washington-Lee High School has prompted officials to cancel all after-school activities at the high school, including adult education classes. The W-L aquatic center has also been closed.
Administrators learned of the threat this afternoon, school officials said in an email. Police investigated and determined that there was no imminent danger to students and staff.
The building was closed at 3:00 p.m., immediately after classes ended. Police are now conducting a more thorough search of the building.
Arlington Public Schools will announce whether there will be any further cancellations early tomorrow morning. The W-L aquatics center will open at 6:30 a.m., at the earliest, the school system said.
Falls Church PD Investigating Suspicious Death
Falls Church police are investigating a “suspicious death” in the back parking lot of a shopping center.
A Latino man was found with an apparent gunshot wound to the head around 11:15 last night, after police received several calls from people who heard gunfire. The body was discovered in the parking lot of the shopping plaza between East Fairfax Street and Hillwood Avenue. A gun was found near the body, police said.
Arlington Fire Department personnel assisted at the crime scene.
Woman Hit By Metrobus Faces Charge
The woman hit by a Metrobus in Fairlington yesterday has been charged with careless interference with traffic.
Lisa Pope, 40, of Arlington leaned into the path of the bus while it was pulling up at a stop, police spokesperson Det. Crystal Nosal said. She was taken to a local hospital, bleeding from the forehead, as police and Metro personnel investigated the incident.
Pope was released on a summons, police said.
Rock and Sushi Rolls
Perhaps the quietest thing about Sushi Rock was its launch. Courthouse’s new sushi bar welcomed its first paying customers last night amid little fanfare. No signs, no balloons, no screaming radio DJs at folding tables outside. At 5:45 p.m. it was just a bunch of marketing people on laptops finalizing the menu, a reporter, and one curious couple with their baby.
The promised non-stop rock ‘n’ roll soundtrack hadn’t even started yet.
But there’s little doubt that Sushi Rock will soon host hoards of latest-greatest-thing-seeking patrons. The owners — the same folks behind the perpetually-crowded Public Bar in the District — certainly think so. The only question that remains is: will the neighbors mind?
Sushi Rock takes over its space at 1900 Clarendon Blvd from Chinese-Peruvian fusion restaurant Yaku, which closed a few months ago.
We’re told Yaku wasn’t a huge hit with residents in the adjoining Odyssey condominiums. Some condo owners complained about the noise coming from Yaku’s customers. Between the rock music and the planned outdoor seating (still pending county approval), Sushi Rock may face some of the same scrutiny.
But management hopes that Sushi Rock’s hip, upscale atmosphere will help add value to the neighborhood, which is a bit of a no-man’s-land — down the hill from Courthouse but up the hill from Rosslyn. And in case that value proposition fails, Sushi Rock is also offering 20% off to Odyssey residents.
More photos and details on Sushi Rock’s menu and hours, after the jump.
Synetic Theater Coming to Crystal City
Synetic Theater, which has been performing “non-realistic” physical theater in venues like the Rosslyn Spectrum and the Kennedy Center, has found a permanent home in Crystal City’s underground theater.
The announcement was made Monday night. It comes as Arena Stage, which has been temporarily occupying the Crystal City theater (1800 South Bell Street), is preparing to move to the currently under-construction Mead Center for American Theater in Southwest Washington in the fall.
The heads of Synetic and the Crystal City Business Improvement District were both thrilled by their new partnership.
“We are thrilled to bring our unique brand of theater to Crystal City,” said Paata Tsikurishvili, CEO of Synetic Theater, in a statement. “I am confident that this strong partnership… will create new opportunities for Synetic, enabling us to further grow artistically and ensuring that Crystal City remains a destination for the arts.”
“We could not be more thrilled to welcome Synetic Theater to Crystal City,” said Angela Fox, president of Crystal City BID. “The amazing creativity of their work and the uniqueness of their brand echoes the powerful transformation that we are promulgating in Crystal City.”
Synetic’s first Crystal City performance is scheduled for September. The company will continue its relationships with the Kennedy Center and the Shakespeare Theatre Company.
Deadlines Approaching for Youth Video Programs
Arlington Independent Media, which runs the Arlington’s public access channel (not to be confused with the Arlington County government channel or the Arlington Public Schools channel), has a number of programs for young film and video-makers this summer, but deadlines are fast approaching.
The deadline for the 2010 Document Arlington Project was recently extended to April 15. The project — which is actually a paid six-week apprenticeship — is open to Arlington high school students who have an interest in documentary filmmaking. Six apprentices will be chosen for the project, which runs from July 12 to August 19.
Submissions for the 2010 Arlington Youth Film Festival are due on April 16. The festival features cash prizes for films or videos in four categories: comedy, informational, experimental, and drama. Festival entrants must be Arlington middle or high school students. Public screenings will be held on May 22.
AIM is also offering a video production camp for kids ages 8 to 15. Structured as a day camp, the program will instruct kids on the basics of video production. It will also teach how to tell a story and how to creatively collaborate. The first of three camp sessions starts on July 12. The fee for the two-week session is $575. Call 703-524-2388 for more information.
