Permits Up for Pinkberry in Clarendon
Two months after we first told you that a Pinkberry frozen yogurt store was coming to Clarendon, construction permits are posted on the Clarendon Boulevard storefront.
So far Pinkberry reps are mum about when the company hopes to open the small store. It appears that interior construction is only just getting underway, however, signaling that an opening by the end of the summer is unlikely.
Pinkberry has a “cult-like” following in other parts of the country, but it will face tough competition in Clarendon. An existing Red Mango froyo store is only one block away and the new Larry’s Homemade Ice Cream store two blocks away expects to sell non-fat frozen yogurt.
More on Monday’s Courthouse Bank Robbery
Police have released more information about yesterday afternoon’s armed robbery of the Wachovia Bank in Courthouse.
The Arlington County Police Department’s Robbery Unit is seeking the public’s help to identify a man who robbed an Arlington bank yesterday afternoon.
The suspect entered the Wachovia/Wells Fargo Bank in the 2000 block of Wilson Boulevard at approximately 3:30 p.m. on Monday, June 20, 2011. He displayed handgun and demanded money. After receiving cash, the suspect fled on foot.
The suspect is described as an African American male in his late 20’s, 5’10” and 160 lbs. At the time of the robbery he wore a black hooded sweatshirt with silver writing on the front, black pants, and a mask over most of his face. The suspect was also carrying a dark colored bag.
Anyone who has information about this robbery or the identity of the suspect is asked to call the Arlington County Police Department Tip Line at 703 228-4242, or Detective Donald Fortunato at (703) 228-4197. Det. Fortunato can also be reached by emailat dfortunato@arlingtonva.us.
The crime was the third bank robbery in Arlington so far this month. The first two occurred at BB&T Bank branches in Clarendon and on Lee Highway. The suspect in those robberies was described by police as a white male in his 50s.
Pair in Covered Wagon Heads Down Rt. 50
(Updated at 3:15 p.m.) A Tea Party member from rural Georgia traveled down Route 50 in a horse-drawn covered wagon this afternoon, en route to “get some answers.”
With his travel companion, 33-year-old Missy Wilkerson, and his cattle dog, “Blue,” Ralph Casey is heading to D.C. to get answers for “the Small Businessman” from “someone in charge.” The nearly six week journey through the byways of small town America has garnered media attention, words of encouragement and offers of free food and lodging for the 69-year-old horseshoeing school owner.
Fast-moving traffic was able to maneuver around Casey’s wagon as it traveled at 5 to 10 miles per hour down the highway. Read more about his journey from the Madison County, Va. Eagle newspaper. Casey can also be found on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
County Wants Citizens to ‘Adopt a Street’
It’s sort of like the “Adopt-a-Highway” program, but without the corresponding road signs.
Arlington has launched an “Adopt-a-Street” program that allows civic-minded residents and organizations to commit to picking up litter and debris along a road of their choosing. After signing up, volunteers receive safety and cleaning supplies, a five gallon collection bucket and scheduled pickups of collected debris.
Adopters are asked to perform their cleaning duties on a quarterly or as-needed basis, with a minimum one year commitment.
The program, which is run by the county’s Solid Waste Bureau, is intended to reduce storm water pollution in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed with minimal cost to taxpayers. Supplies for the program have been purchased through sponsorships, the county says.
Pedestrian Improvements Underway on Shirlington Road
Work is underway on a series of pedestrian improvements on Shirlington Road.
The sidewalk in front of the Weenie Beenie, between Four Mile Run Drive and 27th Street S., is being expanded from 5.5 feet to 12 feet. In addition, the traffic signal at Shirlington Road and Four Mile Run Drive is being upgraded, LED street lights are being added and other aspects of the streetscape are being improved.
The improvements are intended to make bike and foot travel safer in an area of high pedestrian and vehicle traffic. The sidewalk serves pedestrians heading between Nauck and Shirlington, as well as cyclists and joggers heading between the W&OD Trail and the two sections of the Four Mile Run Trail.
“We’re trying to greatly upgrade that pedestrian/bicycle connectivity,” said Arlington County Director of Transportation Dennis Leach. He added that the upgrades were made necessary, among other reasons, due to the narrowness of the preexisting sidewalk.
“We’ve had some real concerns,” Leach said. “The existing condition is poor.”
In addition to safety enhancements, the $196,000 project will also improve the landscaping along Shirlington Road, upgrade the bus stop at the intersection with Four Mile Run Drive, and bolster the handling of storm water to prevent runoff into Four Mile Run.
Leach said the project is the “first phase” of a larger pedestrian improvement initiative that will see the widening of the Shirlington Road bridge over Four Mile Run. Widening the bridge and the corresponding sidewalk will allow more than one cyclist to cross at a time on the busy stretch. The Four Mile Run Trail alone, Leach said, handled 1,300 people per day during the month of May.
Opponent: Favola Should Resign from County Board
State Senate candidate Jaime Areizaga-Soto says his Democratic primary opponent, Barbara Favola, should resign her position on the County Board.
Areizaga-Soto told the Blue Virginia web site that it is “not ethical” for Favola to accept tens of thousands of dollars from developers who have recently had business before the county. She “should resign from the board or return the money immediately,” Areizaga-Soto said.
Earlier this year, Favola told ARLnow.com that her vote “can’t be bought.”
“People are contributing to me because they respect me and have confidence in me,” she said. “Everything here is reported, there is nothing illegal about what I have received.”
Favola and Areizaga-Soto are running for the 31st District state Senate seat, which is being vacated by the retiring Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple. The primary is scheduled for Aug. 23.
Morning Notes
Grand Opening for Virginia Tech Research Center — The shiny new Virginia Tech Research Center at 900 N. Glebe Road in Ballston will celebrate its grand opening on Friday. Virginia Tech President Charles W. Steger, Congressman Jim Moran and County Board Chairman Chris Zimmerman are among the scheduled speakers. The seven floor, 144,000 square foot facility boasts next-generation internet connectivity, computational laboratories and multiple meeting and conference spaces.
School Board Asks for Definition of Homework — A proposal before the School Board states that homework should count for no more than 15 percent of a student’s quarterly grade. However, Board members have asked for clarification after learning that certain take-home projects apparently aren’t considered “homework.” Some parents have complained that students are being asked to do too much school work outside of school. [Sun Gazette]
Signature Theater Open House Planned — Returning for another year, Shirlington’s Signature Theater will be holding its “open house” next month, complete with indoor and outdoor performances, master classes and the popular Signature Idol singing competition. The open house is being held from noon to 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 23. [Signature Theater]
