Congratulations to Our Arlington Holiday Poem Contest Winner
It was hard to pick just one winner for our Arlington holiday poem contest, but in the end we went with an entry that tackled one of the most controversial issues in Arlington in 2010: towing.
Our winner, Rich, came up with a humorous and topical take on a towing story we reported on earlier this month, setting it to the tune of a classic Christmas song.
Sung to Oh Holy Night
Oh towing guy!
I found the perfect spot,
It is the night I need to drop off a package!
Though I may sin and error by parking here
I’ll only be a minute.
A thrill to know that I only blocked a few cars
For yonder breaks to beat the towin’.I fall on my knees
Oh to see you lay the hook
Oh why are you towing my car
Oh night 3 days before Christ was born
Oh bye my car
Oh ATM here I come
Rich wins a two tickets to Synetic Theater’s performance of The Nutcracker in Crystal City.
Thank you to all the wordsmiths and songwriters who entertained us with their contest entries. Happy holidays!
A-SPAN Holding Christmas Eve Dinner for Local Homeless
The Arlington Street People’s Assistance Network is holding a Christmas Eve dinner for homeless individuals at the county’s Emergency Winter Shelter in Courthouse.
The non-profit issued the following press release about the event.
A-SPAN staff, local volunteers and community religious and business organizations have joined forces to serve a festive dinner at Arlington’s Emergency Winter Shelter (EWS), on Christmas Eve. A stuffed turkey has been donated by Temple Rodef Shalom and an assortment of pies and cookie plates for dessert has been donated by Harris Teeter. Dinner set up will begin at 5:30 pm and served to clients from 6:00 to 7:30 pm. The EWS is located at 2049 N. 15th Street, across from the Arlington Courthouse.
Early frigid temperatures have filled the EWS to an average capacity of 60 clients with over 3,000 bed nights so far this season, which began on November 1st and runs through March 31st, 2011. When temperatures reach 32 degrees, the shelter remains open for clients 24 hours. Regular EWS hours are 4:00 pm to 9:00 am, with dinner, showers, social services and breakfast provided.
A-SPAN provides life-sustaining services for Arlington’s homeless, which include daily street outreach, drop-in services such as showers, laundry, and food, and a bagged meal program serving up to 80 individuals 365 days a year. In addition, from November 1- March 31, A-SPAN operates the Arlington County Emergency Winter Shelter. The current economic and unemployment crisis has driven client numbers from 940 to 1740 this year. A-SPAN offers a wide variety of case management services through the Permanent Supportive Housing Program and the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program, which is funded by the Federal Stimulus.
Jim Moran Splits With Wife
Recently re-elected Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) and his wife of six years, LuAnn Bennett, are calling it quits.
“While our marriage may be ending, our friendship and respect for one another is not,” the couple said in a joint statement announcing the separation. “We will continue to be supportive of one another as we move forward with our lives.”
It was the long-time congressman’s third marriage.
More from the Washington Post.
Progress At Cava in Clarendon
Upscale Greek restaurant Cava is eying a spring opening for its new Clarendon location, and work is now getting underway at the eatery’s 4,000 square foot interior.
Cava currently operates restaurants in Rockville and on Capitol Hill.
Thanks to Lowell Perry for the photo.
Leaf Collection Wraps Up Ahead of Schedule
Arlington County’s vacuum leaf collection has ended early.
The leaf season vacuum collection is complete. We are happy to report that the weather cooperated and other factors that allowed us to finish two days ahead of schedule. Thanks for everyone’s cooperation during this leaf season. Please note: the leaf bag collection will continue until January 14.
New 7-Eleven Store Opens in Rosslyn
And just like that, the new 7-Eleven store that had been under construction on Wilson Boulevard for the past few months has opened for business.
The store is located in Rosslyn at the corner of Wilson Boulevard and North Quinn Street, near Ray’s Hell Burger.
Thanks to @heryandotus for the tip and the photo.
Crime Report: Fighting in Public Edition
Arlington’s malls, bars and restaurants could have been mistaken for the set of the Jerry Springer Show over the past week, with five separate cases of violence or attempted violence.
ASSAULT AND BATTERY-ARREST 12/16/10, 1000 block of S. Hayes Street. On December 16 at 3:30 am, a male employee of a department store assaulted a female employee. Brian Austin, 18, of Washington D.C., was charged with Assault and Battery. He was held on a $2,500 bond.
ASSAULT AND BATTERY-ARREST 12/19/10, 3100 block of Wilson Boulevard. On December 19 at 2 am, a man fought with others inside a bar. The suspect knocked a woman to the ground during the struggle. Sean McCliggott, 24, of McLean, was charged with Assault and Battery. He was held on a $5,000 bond.
ASSAULT AND BATTERY 12/19/10, 1100 block of S. Hayes Street. On December 19 at 4:25 pm, two women argued in a mall bathroom, and one slapped the other. The suspect is described as an African American female with a light complexion, 5’4”, and 115 lbs. She was wearing a pink sweater and jeans.
ASSAULT BY MOB 12/19/10, 2000 block of Wilson Boulevard. On December 19 at 1:30 am, several males assaulted another male outside a restaurant. The suspects were white males in their late 20’s to early 30’s.
ATTEMPTED MALICIOUS WOUNDING 12/18/10, 1100 block of N. Highland Street. On December 18 at 12:45 am, a man lunged at a bouncer with a knife when he would not the let the suspect in a restaurant for free. The suspect is described as a white male with blonde or red hair, 5’9” and 200 lbs. He was wearing a brown plaid shirt and jeans.
The rest of the Arlington County crime report, after the jump.
Morning Poll: Are You Working Over Christmas?
We just wanted to take a quick moment to thank everybody who will be working over the Christmas holiday.
From emergency personnel to military service members to media workers to retail and service employees, here’s to the dedicated men and women who will be protecting, informing and serving us while much of the community is opening presents and spending time with family.
Also, here’s to everybody who is forgoing a holiday trip or skipping a family gathering in order to be “on call” for their job this weekend.
Are you working over Christmas? Or did you start your holiday break days ago?
Morning Notes
Zimmerman Talks Metro — County board member Chris Zimmerman, who recently announced that he was stepping down from the WMATA Board of Directors, has given what may be his first comprehensive interview since his surprise announcement last week. Zimmerman echoed his stance that Metro needs more funding to survive, and is at the mercy of “external” forces. “These are not things that are going to be fixed by a magical general manager,” Zimmerman said. “They’re not going to be fixed by any configuration of the board of directors.” More from We Love DC.
APS Students Give Back — A new “Snapshots” video from the county’s educational TV channel takes a look at how Arlington Public School students are giving back for the holidays.
Henry Elementary Student Wins WaPo Contest – Kate Lanman, a second grader at Arlington’s Patrick Henry Elementary school, has won the Washington Post’s annual holiday wrapping papers contest. Lanman, 7, will be featured on the cover of the Post’s weekend section tomorrow. More from the Washington Post.
Jail Gets Energy Star Label — The Arlington County Justice Center — which includes the jail and the courthouse — has become the first county building to be awarded an Energy Star designation. The Justice Center completed an energy efficiency overhaul in 2009. More from Arlington County.
