More Endorsements for Krupicka, Ebbin
There are two more endorsements to report in the three-way Democratic primary race for the 30th District state Senate seat.
Democratic congressman Gerry Connolly endorsed Alexandria City Councilman Rob Krupicka over the weekend.
“Rob is an exceptionally qualified candidate, and will make an excellent addition to our region’s delegation in Richmond,” Connolly said. “Coming from local government myself, I know Rob’s service on the Alexandria City Council will be an incredible asset in the State Senate.”
Meanwhile former Rep. Leslie Byrne — the first woman to serve in Congress from Virginia — announced her endorsement of Del. Adam Ebbin today.
“Adam represents the progressive leadership this Senate District deserves,” she said in a statement. “I am proud to endorse him.”
Byrne served one term in the 11th District House seat that is currently held by Connolly.
Interviewed today by ARLnow.com, Rep. Jim Moran said he did not anticipate taking sides in the primary between Krupicka, Ebbin and Arlington School Board Chair Libby Garvey.
“I don’t think I’m going to,” he said. “They’re all friends.”
“I’m of course going to support whoever wins the primary,” Moran added.
FBI SWAT Team Trains in Waverly Hills
(Updated at 4:20 p.m.) It looked like a scene from an action movie, but it was really just a training exercise.
FBI agents, dressed in camouflage body armor and armed with faux automatic weapons, practiced raiding a home in Waverly Hills today. The home, near the corner of 16th Street and N. Glebe Road, was vacant and made available for law enforcement training by the property owner.
Several alarmed residents contacted ARLnow.com to ask what was going on. When we arrived on scene about a half dozen FBI personnel were standing in the street observing agents who were surrounding the house with riot shields and fake guns.
FBI Washington Field Office spokesperson Lindsay Godwin said field training exercises like this are conducted at local homes about four times per year.
We blurred the agents’ faces at the request of the FBI.
Woman Falls to Her Death in Pentagon City
A woman fell to her death from the Lenox Club apartments in Pentagon City Sunday evening.
A witness tells us the woman jumped from a 5th floor window around 6:30 p.m. Police are investigating her death as a suicide.
Last night there were shards of broken glass on the sidewalk in front of the building on 12th Street South. The area was roped off with police tape.
If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide, help is a phone call away. Call CrisisLink at 703-527-4077.
Rosslyn Blasting Will Begin Early Thursday Morning
Blasting on the Rosslyn Metrorail entrance project will begin in the wee hours of this coming Thursday morning. From Arlington County:
Controlled blasting is scheduled to begin at the Rosslyn Metrorail Station Project site (immediately across from the Station entrance on N. Moore Street) during the early morning of Thursday, March 31. Initial blasting will occur nightly between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. Due to the small area of the excavation site, minimal noise and vibration are expected. One block of N. Moore Street, between 19th Street North and Wilson Blvd., will be closed during blasting hours only.
A strobe light will be used to signal when blasting is taking place. The blasting is expected to continue through early 2012.
Church to Hold Mock Funeral for Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington (4444 Arlington Blvd) will be holding a mock New Orleans-style funeral on Sunday in celebration of the repeal of the military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) policy.
“The anticipated 400 to 600 attendees will participate in a faux burial of a large scroll representing the DADT policy, accompanied by a genuine brass band and decorated umbrellas,” the church said in a press release. “Following the formalities, we will provide revelry with live music and hors d’oeuvres.”
Admission to the event is free. Attendees are encouraged to RSVP online. The church says the service will honor those who have served in the military and those who worked to repeal the policy.
“UUCA has invited all who are in sympathy with its inclusive vision to honor former and current military service members and veterans, [the] Servicemembers’ Legal Defense Network, U.S. Congress members who voted for the repeal of DADT, and local elected officials,” the church said.
The “funeral” will take place at the church on Sunday, April 3 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Rev. Carlton Elliott Smith will preside over the ceremony. UUCA describes itself as “a liberal religious community of 900 members.”
DADT banned gays from serving openly in the military. It was repealed in December, although the policy has officially remained in place pending a review.
Zone Parking Becomes More Restrictive Near Clarendon
(Updated at 9:50 a.m.) Some parking restrictions near Clarendon have gotten more restrictive.
The zone parking restriction on this residential stretch of North Highland Street, two blocks from Wilson Boulevard, used to end at 5:00 p.m. on weekdays. Now it ends at 1:00 a.m. seven days a week.
County spokeswoman Shannon Whalen McDaniel says the new signs went up on Monday, March 18.
Fire Breaks Out at Wood Lee Arms Apartments
A fire broke out at the Wood Lee Apartments (4400 Lee Highway) around 10:45 Friday night. The flames appeared to have been confined to four apartments on the top two floors.
Photos courtesy Deborah Eckbreth.
Morning Notes
H-B Woodlawn Student Wins Arlington Idol – We have a new Arlington Idol. H-B Woodlawn junior Mary Shields (above) placed first at the annual singing competition Thursday night. Watch her winning performance here. Shields will now perform at a July 8 summer concert at Washington-Lee High School. [Arlington Public Schools]
Discussion of Pike/Glebe Development Tonight — Arlington’s site plan review commission will discuss early plans for a mixed used development at the Rosenthal auto dealership site at Columbia Pike and South Glebe Road tonight. The development plan calls for ground floor retail space, 259 residential units and 44 town homes. The meeting is open to the public. [Pike Wire]
Donations for Employee Injured in Brawl — The Hyatt Regency Crystal City hotel is accepting donations for an employee who was seriously injured during a brawl at the 2011 DMV Music Awards. Antonio Illanes was hit with a bottle and lost sight in his left eye. He has had to endure several operations since the March 6 incident. [TBD]
Dogs on Display at AWLA — The Animal Welfare League of Arlington has set up a small animal viewing area in its lobby to encourage the adoption of animals that have had a hard time finding a home. [Sun Gazette]
Screen capture via YouTube
