Video: CD Cellar in Clarendon
Even in the age of iTunes, Pandora and Spotify, local record store CD Cellar keeps chugging along.
The store — which buys and sells CDs, LPs and DVDs — is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. CD Cellar first opened in Falls Church in 1992, and subsequently opened a location in Clarendon, at 2607 Wilson Boulevard.
Arlington Independent Media recently profiled the store in a short video (above).
Fate of WJLA Jumbotron Uncertain After Vote
The Arlington County Board board has approved the replacement of WJLA’s Jumbotron in Rosslyn, but the ultimate fate of the screen and the news ticker around it is uncertain.
While the Board approved a request to replace the screen at 1100 Wilson Boulevard with a more modern, high definition video display, it also voted against a request that 8 percent of the screen space be used for a static commercial sponsorship message.
WJLA and landlord Monday Properties requested a sponsorship logo be allowed in order to help fund the new pricey new screen. The logo would have taken up 8 percent of the screen, while another 15 percent of the screen would have been used for community and cultural messages. As we reported last week, county staff recommended against the sponsorship request, saying it could set a bad precedent.
The county zoning ordinance states advertising for goods or services not available on site is forbidden, largely to avoid the proliferation of billboards. Jonathan Puvak, an attorney representing Monday Properties, argued at Saturday’s County Board meeting that thanks to specific restrictions proposed by the applicant, making an exception for the Jumbotron would not create a new precedent and wouldn’t spur billboards. The Board, however, still voted unanimously in favor of the county staff recommendation.
Monday Properties was seeking to replace the eight-year-old screen because it’s no longer capable of displaying the WJLA’s high definition broadcasts. At the moment, it can only display a weather map. Before the vote, Puvak said the Jumbotron may simply be taken down unless the sponsorship aspect was approved.
“Without the sponsorship element, it’s likely that the new screen will not be installed, and both the ticker and the Jumbotron will eventually come down, as they’re no longer maintainable,” Puvak said.
Race Series for Dogs and Humans will Benefit Rescue Animals
There are a lot of local races, but one is encouraging runners to celebrate the dog days of summer with a four-legged friend.
The Lost Dog 5K race series will feature low-key evening races on four Fridays later this summer — August 3, 10, 17 and 24. They begin at 6:30 p.m. at Bluemont Park and benefit the Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation. Each runner’s bib will have a tag good for one complimentary beverage at the post-race party at Stray Cat Cafe (5866 N. Washington Blvd).
Although dogs are encouraged to participate, it’s not necessary for humans to bring one. Each dog will get its own timing tag. There will be prizes for top dogs according to weight class, and for top humans according to age group.
Another unique feature is that runners who don’t have a pooch of their own can “Rent-A-Mutt” for $10, and help one of the Lost Dog rescues get a little exercise. There will be about 10 dogs per week available for rental on a first come, first served basis. Rental dogs will not be timed.
In order to participate, dogs must meet the following criteria:
- Must be well-socialized and friendly with people and dogs of all sizes.
- Must remain leashed and under the control of a human at all times.
- Must be current on rabies vaccinations.
Race organizers reserve the right to remove any dog behaving aggressively towards people or dogs.
Due to course restrictions, registration is limited. Registration is $50 for humans or $65 for a human/canine team, and can be done online. There is also a video online answering questions about running with a dog during the summer.
New Exercise Studio Opening in Clarendon
CrossFit may be about to get some competition as the hottest local exercise craze. Lava Barre, a boutique ballet barre studio, is opening soon in Clarendon.
The Lava Barre (3260 Wilson Blvd) studio will open in a space sub-leased from Saffron Dance. Workouts will incorporate aspects of ballet, interval training, cardio, pilates and the use of props. It’s a high intensity workout, and participants are told they should be prepared to sweat.
“Lava Barre is a community; a corps of people you can count on to motivate, support and keep you on track to help you burn fat, improve your posture and increase your flexibility while shaping the muscles in your body, ” said co-founder Vanessa Ligorria in a press release.
For those leery about the classes being too ballet-centric, co-founder Lauren Price promises it’s a well rounded workout. She says there are different classes for different abilities.
“You don’t have to have taken ballet to be able to do the workout,” Ligorria said. “You don’t even have to be able to touch your toes.”
The high energy classes will have one instructor and around 20 clients. The co-founders are aiming for a community atmosphere where participants motivate each other. Price also said the music helps drive the class.
“We’re really pumping up the energy and pumping up the cardio and interval training, that’s the real difference between us and other studios,” Price said. “We’re also using different props than some of the other studios in the area.”
Although participants can purchase single classes, there will also be a variety of class packages for sale. As the opening day draws closer, more information will be available about deals such as unlimited classes for a month. Visitors will also get to try out a complimentary first class.
Lava Barre is expected to open on July 1.
Board Approves Increase in Standards for Green Buildings
The County Board unanimously approved a beefed up voluntary Green Building Density Incentive Policy at its meeting on Saturday, June 16.
The move is designed to encourage higher levels of energy efficiency in Arlington buildings that go above and beyond the LEED minimum requirements. It also addresses the building energy efficiency and greenhouse reduction goals listed in the Community Energy Plan, which was launched in 2010. The Green Building Bonus Density Initiative was last updated in 2009.
Under the new guidelines, commercial office projects interested in participating in the incentive program must be at least 20 percent more energy efficient than the baseline, and achieve LEED Silver certification or higher. Multi-family residential buildings interesting in participating must be 18 percent more energy efficient than the baseline, and achieve at least LEED Silver certification. Previously, the county did not have its own standards, but required buildings to comply with the LEED standard of being 10 percent more energy efficient than the baseline.
In exchange for meeting the goals, developers may request additional building density or height. The newly approved plan eliminates bonus density for buildings simply meeting LEED Certified status, but increases the bonus density for Silver status.
Additional bonus density will be granted to projects that commit to both LEED certification, plus either ENERGY STAR building certification or LEED for Existing Buildings (LEED-EB) certification. ENERGY STAR and LEED-EB certifications are both based on current energy usage.
“Our Green Building Program is a voluntary program that is unique to Arlington,” said County Board Chair Mary Hynes. “This update makes our program even better — providing incentives that will help keep Arlington a regional and national leader in green building and energy efficiency while helping owners and tenants save money through reduced energy costs.”
Each project requesting bonus credits will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, due to differences in types and sizes of buildings. For example, projects receive different credits for a variety of energy efficiency factors like roof type, interior and exterior lighting, HVAC systems and insulation type.
The county says it recognizes that it may not be initially as cost effective for developers to incorporate energy efficient components into their projects. The incentive program was devised to encourage developers to continue investing in energy efficient designs and construction, despite the initial cost.
Decorative Planters in Rosslyn Point the Way to Artisphere
Art students have been working on a project to beautify Rosslyn while pointing visitors to Artisphere (1101 Wilson Blvd).
The Rosslyn Business Improvement District teamed up with students the Art Institute of Washington to set up temporary decorative planters in the temporary CentralSpace park along Wilson Boulevard. The planters feature artistic wrappers showcasing various Rosslyn-centric images.
The beautification project also included orange “orbs” painted on the sidewalk, which form a ”bread crumb trail” from the Rosslyn Metro to Artisphere.
“We are enhancing Rosslyn’s streetscape and creating a sense of place with Artisphere as Arlington’s cultural center,” said Rosslyn BID Executive Director Cecilia Cassidy, in a statement.
“The BID does a great job of beautifying our landscape and public spaces,” said Art Institute of Washington President Todd Cunningham. ”I am pleased our students could play a role in that effort.”
Photos: Columbia Pike Blues Festival
Organizers say attendance was up significantly at this year’s Columbia Pike Blue Festival.
The annual street festival was held on Saturday, along S. Walter Reed Drive. Some 7,000 people attended this year, according to Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization Executive Director Takis Karantonis. That’s up from about 5,000 people last year.
The festival’s food, drink and craft vendors were happy with the increased attendance, said Karantonis. The beer and wine vendors were especially pleased — they sold about 20 percent more than last year, according to Karantonis.
“All vendors sold significantly more,” he said. “They were all very satisfied with the Blues Fest.”
Karantonis said the Blues Festival is increasingly drawing more of a regional crowd, including attendees from all around Arlington — not just the Columbia Pike area. That should allow improvements to the festival next year, including healthier food options and a new “food court” made up exclusively of booths from local Columbia Pike restaurants.
Disclosure: CPRO is an ARLnow.com advertiser.
Morning Notes
Rush Plus Starts Today — This morning marks the start of Metro’s “Rush Plus” modified rush hour rail service. So far, via Twitter, numerous problems and crowded trains have been reported on the Blue Line. Initial reviews have been mixed on the Orange and Yellow lines.
Hearing Set for Pike Neighborhoods Plan — A public hearing about the new Columbia Pike Neighborhoods Plan will be held on Saturday, July 21. The plan envisions the addition of 6,000 new rental apartments (to the existing stock of 9,000 apartments) along the Columbia Pike corridor over the next 30 years. Arlington County says the goal of the plan is to “Preserve affordable housing… encourage private investment… create a more pedestrian-friendly community… [and] strengthen the Pike corridor’s transit network.” [Washington Post, Arlington County]
Streetcar Agreement Approved — The Arlington County Board and the Alexandria City Council have approved an agreement to move forward on a plan to build a streetcar along the Route 1 corridor. The streetcar line could open in Crystal City as soon as 2019. [NBC Washington]
Second Phase of Crystal City Road Project Approved — The second phase of a major road project in Crystal City has been approved by the Arlington County Board. The project will convert Crystal Drive to a two-way road between 23rd Street and 26th Street. The project includes bicycle lanes, new traffic signals and street lighting, intersection improvements and ADA-compliant curb ramps and sidewalks. [Arlington County]
Fourth Name on 8th District Ballot — Independent Jason Howell has qualified for the 8th District congressional race. Howell joins incumbent Democratic Rep. Jim Moran, Republican Patrick Murray (R) and Independent Green candidate Janet Murphy on the Nov. 6 ballot. [Sun Gazette]
