Racist Graffiti Popping Up in Arlington
At least two cases of racist vandalism have been reported in Crystal City in the past two days. The graffiti, which has contained references to Hitler, may be linked to a string of incidents being investigated by U.S. Park Police.
Park Police have issued a warrant for 51-year-old Ronald Edward Bost, Jr., who they believe is behind racist screeds found on the George Washington Parkway and in several D.C. parks.
Bost has been known to frequent Arlington County libraries, police said.
Also today, at least two cases of vandalism were reported on the W&OD trail. It’s not known at this time whether those incidents are related to the Bost case.
Eat (and Dance) Compassionately This Weekend
If you want evidence that eating vegan is becoming more mainstream, just look at the 29 Arlington restaurants listed as vegetarian-friendly on VegDC.com.
“There’s no doubt that the popularity of meatless cuisine is on this rise,” said Erica Meier, Executive Director of Compassion Over Killing, a D.C.-based animal advocacy group. “A growing number of restaurants in Arlington and throughout the D.C. area are dishing out more delicious and nutritious animal-friendly fare to meet the increase in consumer demand.”
One local restaurant is going all-out in its effort to meet that demand.
Toscana Grill, an eco-friendly restaurant in Courthouse, together with Compassion Over Killing, recently launched “Vegan Weekends in April.” Each weekend features a menu of exclusively plant-based dishes.
Timed to coincide with Earth Day, Toscana is also holding some special vegan weekend events. On Saturday, the restaurant is hosting a “dancing and drinks night,” featuring wine and all-you-can-eat vegan appetizers. Then on April 25, it’s Bring Your Dog to Brunch Day.
To Do This Weekend: Laugh, Live, Love (In That Order)
Once again, there are plenty of events to choose from this weekend. Here are a few options:
Laugh. Kristen Schaal, best known as the Flight of the Conchords’ only fan, will be performing her stand-up comedy act tonight at Arlington Cinema ‘N’ Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike). Tickets for the 9:45 show cost $20. She has two additional performances scheduled for Saturday night.
Live. On Saturday, get free home improvement advice at the Arlington Home Show and Expo. There will be 14 free classes and presentations from 60 exhibitors. The expo is being held from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Walter Reed Community Center (2909 16th Street South).
If the home show put you in the mood for redecorating, head over to The Arlington Urban Village Market. Talking place in the Courthouse parking lot from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the market will feature housewares and other furnishings for sale.
New Challenger for Best Beer Joint In Ballston
Arlington beer lovers rejoice. Rustico, the suds-centric eatery on Slaters Lane in Alexandria, is coming to Ballston this summer.
The new Rustico is currently under construction on the ground floor of the Liberty Center Two building (4075 Wilson Blvd) near Ballston Common Mall. We’re told the owners are hoping to open in early July.
Rustico Ballston will have as many as 40 beers on draft, according to the YFGF beer blog. According to a Rustico employee we spoke to, it will also have a “huge” two-sided sidewalk patio, featuring more outdoor seating than the Alexandria location. See the photos below to get an idea of where the sidewalk seats will go.
We’re thinking Rustico will give Ballston’s existing beer bars (nearby Rock Bottom comes to mind) a major run for their money, especially on good weather days.
Good News for Brainiacs, Jocks at School Board Meeting
Planetarium supporters were out in force at Thursday night’s school board meeting.
About two dozen sign-holding, banner-unfurling and speech-making residents came to ask the board to keep the David M. Brown Planetarium open.
During his budget presentation, superintendent Dr. Pat Murphy acknowledged the “Save the Planetarium” movement, which has attracted nearly 3,000 fans on Facebook.
“There seems to be strong support for retaining this program,” Dr. Murphy said.
One proposal that Dr. Murphy suggested he was open to was a private endowment, to be created by planetarium supporters.
“The door is open and the collaboration is ongoing,” Dr. Murphy said, hinting at the possibility that the planetarium could remain open for another 12 to 18 months to “see if there is a community groundswell with a commitment of resources.” In other words, supporters would have up to a year and a half to raise sufficient funds for a planetarium endowment.
If that was encouraging news for the planetarium brainiacs, Dr. Murphy also delivered good news for the jocks (we use both terms in jest, of course). A proposed sports participation fee, which would have charged student athletes $50 per high school sport or $25 per middle school sport, has been withdrawn from consideration.
Dr. Murphy said the school system has identified a substantial source of “one-time money” that will allow the board to roll back certain proposed cuts.
While about half the audience at the board meeting consisted of planetarium supporters, another vocal group made up most of the other half. At least a half dozen people, many of them students, made speeches urging the board not to trim instructional time at the Arlington Mill High School Continuation Program. The program lets working students in their late teens and early twenties — especially immigrants — complete their high school education on a flexible schedule.
