Flasher Strikes at Pentagon City Mall, Next to VRE Tracks
A flasher has struck at two especially public places around South Arlington today.
First, the man reportedly exposed himself at Pentagon City mall (although it’s not clear whether he was inside or outside the mall). Then, this afternoon, he flashed a VRE train as it rolled by in Crystal City.
The suspect is described as in his 30s or 40s. He was wearing a black shirt, dark jeans and a black baseball hat.
The Burger Joint Creates the Strasburger
The Burger Joint, which recently opened its first Arlington store in the Lyon Village Shopping Center, has unveiled its latest menu item: the “Strasburger.” It’s — of course — an homage to rookie Nationals pitcher and new local hero Stephen Strasburg.
The sandwich features a beef patty, a hot dog (for Strasburg’s pro debut with the Phoenix Desert Dogs), “Syracuse orange” cheddar cheese (for his promotion to the Triple-A Syracus Chiefs) and 14 pickle slices (for his 14 strikeouts last night).
In what could be described as a tribute to Strasburg’s record-breaking $15.1 million contract, the Strasburger costs a whopping $10.99. But what you get is pretty tasty.
The burger, which has garnered plenty of local media attention, follows a long and storied tradition of naming sandwiches after sports stars whose last name ends in “burg” or “berger” (see: The Roethlisburger).
Let’s hope that The Burger Joint’s Lyon Village store can — as a tribute to Strasburg’s fast ball — speed up service. It was taking a full half an hour for burgers to be made around lunchtime last Thursday.
Patrick Murray Wins GOP Nom in Surprise Squeaker
Despite a lopsided fundraising disadvantage, retired Army colonel Patrick Murray managed to narrowly defeat his organized and well-connected opponent, government attorney Matthew Berry, in a contest to see who will face ten-term Democratic congressman Jim Moran in the fall.
Berry called Murray to concede the race just before 9:00 last night. Murray won with 7,133 votes, or 51.75 percent of the vote, to Berry’s 6651 vote, or 48.25 percent.
Berry had an edge in Arlington and Alexandria, but unofficial voting numbers show that Murray won by a relatively wide margin in Falls Church and Fairfax County.
Murray issued the following statement today:
From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you for the faith and trust you have shown by nominating me as your candidate to restore honor and dignity to the representation of Virginia’s 8th District seat in Congress. I pledge to you my best effort to reward your trust come November.
I thank Matthew Berry and his supporters. Matthew has my appreciation and congratulations on an energetic and spirited campaign. His commitment to the Republican principles of limited government and individual responsibility energized an army of Republican voters eager for change from profligate spending policies of the Obama-Pelosi-Moran regime in Washington.
The press has taken notice there were almost 14,000 voters in this Republican Congressional Primary. This clearly shows the high level of discontent among 8th District voters with Jim Moran’s long record of divisive and partisan representation.
We kicked off our campaign this morning on FOX5 at 9:00am this morning. Join the Murray Momentum as we work together to take our country back and send Jim Moran into political retirement.
Bus Parking on a Highway On-Ramp?
Every afternoon for the past week — and quite possibly for longer than that — this Loudoun County Transit bus has parked itself on the right shoulder of the busy ramp from Route 110 to Route 1 in Pentagon City, forcing cars to veer to the left as they drive by.
Other commuter buses in the area like to idle on the side of bumpy, narrow Old Jefferson Davis Highway while waiting to pick up passengers in Crystal City, but for some reason this bus likes the on-ramp.
There’s got to be a safer place to park, right?
Unleash Your Inner Film Critic
Arlington Independent Media and the D.C. Film Salon are holding a live script reading tomorrow, with feedback provided by local professionals and amateur film critics.
Hear screenplays written by budding (and brave) local screenwriters — then offer gratuitous praise or withering (constructive) criticism.
The colorful list of screenplays to be read include “Plus One,” about a retired couple who “attempt” to have a threesome, and “BETA VHS R.I.P.” about a Betamax salesman whose world is turned upside down in 1982 when a Japanese salesman comes into town with a VHS player.
Anyone planning to attend is asked to RSVP here. It’s free and organizers say the public is welcome to participate.
The reading is being held at Arlington Independent Media HQ (2701-C Wilson Boulevard, next to Comcast). Doors open at 7:00.
See a list of the screenplays to be read, after the jump.
Slow Day
We’re working on follow-up articles about Patrick Murray and Washington Golf Center for later today tomorrow. For the time being, however, it seems like there’s not much going on.
… or is there?
Let us know in the comments section if there’s something you think we should be covering.
Morning Notes
Sunset Parade Draws Big Crowd — A good-sized crowd was on hand at the Iwo Jima Memorial last night (see photo above) for the Marine Corps’ first Sunset Parade of the summer.
I-66 Widening Begins Next Week — Dr. Gridlock reports that construction is expected to begin on I-66 next week. VDOT will be widening I-66 between Fairfax Drive and Sycamore Street in Arlington County. Expect an almost nightly lane closure through July, which could tie up traffic at times from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. The project is expected to take 18 months.
Bike Safety Expenditures Detailed — Arlington is planning to spend $1,000,000 per year on bicycle and pedestrian safety projects. People-Powered Arlington has a breakdown of how and where the money will be spent in, complete with a handy map.
Tax Credits Provide $10 Million for Pike Housing Project — An allocation of tax credits from the state will allow a low-income housing development in Arlington to move forward. The 111-unit Buchanan Garden Apartments, on the western end of Columbia Pike, will be undergoing a $30 million renovation project. The tax credits will provide $10 million for the construction, with another $11.4 million contributed by the county’s Affordable Housing Investment Fund. The Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing is spearheading the project, which will modernize aging apartments and add extra bedrooms for families.
