Police Training Exercise Tomorrow in Oakland Park
Residents in Virginia Square and Ashton Heights may see more police presence in the neighborhood tomorrow. The Arlington County Police Department advises residents not to be concerned, because it’s only a training exercise.
Law enforcement officers will be performing the training exercise in Oakland Park, which is located at the corner of Wilson Blvd and Oakland St. It’s slated to run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Residents who park in the area are advised to pay extra attention to signs on parking meters during that time. Many meters around the park will be designated for use only by those participating in the training.
Transit Alert: Metro Delays Due to Person on Tracks
Update at 3:10 p.m. – WMATA reports the Foggy Bottom station has reopened.
Earlier: Metro riders should expect to experience delays on the Orange and Blue lines due to a person struck by a train at Foggy Bottom.
The Foggy Bottom station is currently closed. Orange lines are single tracking between Clarendon and Foggy Bottom. Blue lines are single tracking between Arlington Cemetery and Foggy Bottom.
Delays are expected to continue during the police investigation into the incident.
If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide, help is a phone call away. Call CrisisLink at 703-527-4077.
Board to Consider Permit to Expand Lyon Park Community House
After more than a decade of working to make it a reality, the Lyon Park Citizens Association may finally get its community house renovated. The Arlington County Board is scheduled to take up the issue at Saturday morning’s meeting.
The association has requested a permit to expand and renovate the community house, which was built in 1925 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. If approved, the permit would allow for the addition of more than 1,000 square feet. Among the changes would be an update to the kitchen and the addition of a sunroom. The plan also includes various updates to make the house handicap accessible.
Typically, an expansion of this kind would also require the addition of parking spaces; In this particular case, 13 extra. However, the building was constructed before a zoning ordinance regarding parking was put in place. Therefore, county staff has recommended that the expansion be allowed without the addition of parking spaces. The permit would require the association provide handouts with off-site parking information to anyone who applies to rent the facility.
Because the house and park are owned by the Lyon Park Citizens Association, county money will not be used for the renovations. The association has been fundraising to finance the project.
If the County Board follows the staff recommendation to approve the permit, the association hopes to begin construction sometime this year.
Pollen Spike Causing Allergy Misery
Although most people throughout Arlington seem to be enjoying the warmer weather, not everyone is happy with it. Allergy sufferers are getting bombarded with a spike in pollen thanks to some early blooms.
The tree pollen level shot up to high today due to the warm and windy conditions.
Local doctors say typically the first couple weeks of April mark the start of heavy allergy season. That increases throughout the month as more trees release pollen spores, which can be seen blanketing the area.
This year, allergy sufferers have already been reporting symptoms for weeks, thanks to a mild winter. In fact, the Capital Weather Gang reports this has been the third warmest meteorological winter on record for the region.
Don’t worry, there is relief in sight. Lower temperatures and expected showers should push pollen back into the moderate level tomorrow.
Until then, here are some tips for lessening allergy suffering:
- Keep windows closed at home and in the car. Use the air conditioner if necessary, and be sure to change air filters.
- Stay inside on windy days.
- Avoid outdoor activity in the morning when pollen counts are highest, usually from 5:00-10:00 a.m.
- Change clothes after being outside. Take a shower to wash off pollen spores, especially before going to bed.
- Use a machine to dry laundry instead of hanging it outside.
“Top Model” to Hold Casting Call in Pentagon City
Here’s a chance to strut your stuff in an attempt to get on television. America’s Next Top Model will be holding a casting call in Pentagon City.
This season will be the “college edition” and casting directors are looking for ladies involved in all types of continuing education. They’ll be recruiting at the Pentagon City mall from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday.
Applicants must be females between the ages of 18 and 27, and need to be at least 5’7″ tall. A filled out application and photo ID are required at the casting call. Additional eligibility requirements are available online.
Synetic Cancels Show Due to Performer Visa Trouble
An upcoming show at Synetic Theater has been canceled because of a snag with obtaining visas for the performers.
Light in the Darkness, which was supposed to run from today through March 26, has been canceled. Three performances of The Voice of Anne Frank scheduled for March 14 and 19 have also been canceled.
The performers are part of Tantehorse Theatre Company from Prague. Four of the six artists have experienced delays in receiving travel visas, and therefore can’t make it into the United States.
Due to Tantehorse Theatre Company’s other commitments and engagements at Synetic Theater, the shows will not be rescheduled. Staff members hope to be able to bring the show to the area sometime in the future.
Synetic Theater is working to contact patrons with tickets for the canceled show to offer refunds or the option to attend a different performance at Synetic.
Road Closures Planned for Four Courts Four Miler
Several roads will be closed on Saturday for the Four Courts Four Miler race. The Arlington County Police Department asks residents to plan accordingly and avoid driving in the affected areas.
The sold out race begins and ends in front of Ireland’s Four Courts Pub (2051 Wilson Blvd), close to the Courthouse Metro.
The following lane closures will be in effect between 6:30 AM and 11:00 AM:
- Wilson Blvd from Courthouse Road to N. Rhodes St
The following lane closures will be in effect between 8:45 AM and 11:00 AM:
- Wilson Blvd from Courthouse Road to Route 110
- Northbound Route 110 from I-395 to I-66.
Southbound Route 110 will remain open. Customers can still access the Safeway at 1525 Wilson Blvd via N. Nash St or N. Oak St.
A party at Ireland’s Four Courts follows the race with live music, Irish dancers and adult beverages.
Morning Notes
Marine Corps Marathon Sets Registration Record — The Marine Corps Marathon has recorded the fastest sellout of any U.S. marathon, ever. Registration for this year’s marathon, which starts and ends in Arlington, opened at 3:00 p.m. yesterday. It ended 2 hours and 41 minutes later, after selling all 30,000 of available online entries. “The MCM staff and U.S. Marine Corps sincerely thank each of the 30,000 participants for such an enthusiastic start to this year’s events,” marathon director Rick Nealis said in a statement. [Marine Corps Marathon]
New Apartment Building Coming to Ballston — Funding has been secured for the residential component of the new Founders Square development in Ballston, across from Ballston Common Mall. A $71.1 million construction loan will help build The Place, a 17-story, 257-unit luxury apartment building at 4000 Wilson Boulevard. The Place, which is expected to open in 2013, will feature “studio, one- and two-bedroom units with open floor plans and floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of Washington, D.C.” [Citybiz Real Estate]
Metro Complaints Include Employee Harassment — During a public forum in Arlington about proposed service changes and fare hikes, Metro customers got a chance to express their gripes about WMATA. In general, riders complained the fares were going up at a time when service seems to be deteriorating. Among the more specific complaints: long wait times for trains, confusing bus schedules, rude Metro employees, and even “regular occurrences of sexual harassment by Metro employees and other riders.” [Arlington Mercury]
Flickr pool photo by Christaki
