April, 2010 | ARLnow.com

County Attorney Blasts Change-of-Government Proposal

Published April 21, 2010 at 11:16AM | Updated April 21, 2010 at 12:23PM

In a memo to county board members, MacIsaac says the change would transfer some of the county government’s current powers to the state and would “compromise and even eliminate the County’s ability to achieve long established goals.”

The change-of-government proposal is sponsored by the Committee For a Better Arlington, which is endorsed by the Arlington Green Party, the Arlington County Republican Committee and the police and fire unions. The committee is currently trying to collect the 14,350 signatures necessary to put the proposal to a voter referendum.

Events

Green Energy Innovation in our Backyard

By Alex

Published April 21, 2010 at 10:23AM

A new technology that generates electricity using bacteria will be unveiled at the Pentagon on Thursday. The Earth Day event will showcase a microbe-powered fuel cell developed by the the Office of Naval Research.

“Microbial fuel cell research is a great example of naval needs propelling advanced technology that also has potential benefit to the public,” said Chief of Naval Research, Rear Adm. Nevin Carr.

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Tulips In Bloom at the Netherlands Carillon

By ARLnow.com

Published April 21, 2010 at 7:44AM

Maybe you’ve jogged by it and never quite knew why it’s there: thousands of colorful tulips in bloom between the Iwo Jima Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.

The tulips are planted on the grounds of the Netherlands Carillon, a gift given to the United States on behalf of the Dutch people in appreciation for our sacrifices during World War II. It was dedicated on May 5, 1960, to mark the fifteenth anniversary of the Netherlands’ liberation from the Nazis.

News

Afternoon Notes: Home Prices Up In Arlington

By ARLnow.com

Published April 20, 2010 at 5:32PM | Updated April 20, 2010 at 6:21PM

Home Prices on the Rise — The average sale price of a single family home in Arlington rose 17 percent in March, compared to the same period in 2009, local Realtor Laura Rubinchuk reports. “Inventory is way down as we’ve sold through many of the properties for sale,” Rubinchuk writes. She notes, however, that the average price of condos and co-ops fell 6 percent from 2009. More from the Arlington Real Estate News blog.

Colorful New Signs for Shirlington Village — “The old ones looked like they were in an 80s business park,” a commenter quips on the Shirlington Village Blog.

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What To Try At Lyon Hall Tonight

By Scott Brodbeck

Published April 20, 2010 at 4:21PM | Updated April 22, 2010 at 9:17AM

We stopped by the hotly-anticipated European brasserie over the weekend for one of the “soft opening” events and, despite the high expectations, left thoroughly impressed.

The first thing we tried was the mussels. Lyon Hall has two distinct mussel varieties: spring garlic/English peas/fontina/mustard and Hungarian lamb sausage/celeriac-apple-beer broth. We went with the Hungarian lamb and were not disappointed. You’d be hard-pressed to find a tastier plate of mussels anywhere in the D.C. area. And the $14 “large” option was more than enough for two people.

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P. Brennan’s Is Open For Business

By ARLnow.com

Published April 20, 2010 at 2:13PM

Marketing manager Emma Whelan says she expects a crowd to start building around 5:00 tonight, as curious Pike residents check out their newest watering hole. A grand opening celebration will be held on May 8, Whelan said.

For those staying up late on a school night, P. Brennan’s will stay open until 1:30 tonight.

Schools

Olympian Apolo Anton Ohno Visits Arlington School

By ARLnow.com

Published April 20, 2010 at 11:56AM | Updated April 20, 2010 at 12:49PM

Ohno started chants, led various physical activities, games and dances, and answered questions about his Olympic career.

Students, giddy with excitement over the Olympic star’s visit, also eagerly and loudly participated in a quiz about the dangers of alcohol.

Around Town

The Burger Joint’s Arlington Location Opens Today

By ARLnow.com

Published April 20, 2010 at 11:50AM

The Burger Joint is located at 3129 Lee Highway, in the Lyon Village Shopping Center.

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Arlington and the Freedman’s Village

By ARLnow.com

Published April 20, 2010 at 7:43AM | Updated April 20, 2010 at 8:03AM

There’s a section of Arlington National Cemetery, near the Iwo Jima Memorial, that contains graves unlike any other. The graves belong not to soldiers, but to freed slaves who lived on the grounds after the Civil War, in a thriving “Freedman’s Village.”

The village was home to more than 1,100 former slaves, including the black abolitionist Sojourner Truth, who spent a year there, on what was once the estate of Gen. Robert E. Lee’s family.

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Afternoon Notes: Electric Bike Unveiling, Weekend Hotel Fire

By ARLnow.com

Published April 19, 2010 at 5:13PM

Electric Bicycles to Be Demo-ed — California-based firm Pedego will unveil its line of electric bicycles in Arlington on Thursday, in celebration of Earth Day. The demonstration is being held at the Big Wheel Bikes at 3119 Lee Highway, in the Lyon Village Shopping Center. Pedego will let riders test-drive the bikes on the Custis Trail from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. There will also be free food, drinks and live entertainment.

Energy Use Discussed At Town Hall Meeting — Residents shared their thoughts on energy challenges at the Arlington Community Energy Town Hall Meeting on Saturday. A county task force is trying to find ways to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. More from the Sun Gazette.

News

Media, Gun Rights Advocates Converge on Gravelly Point

By ARLnow.com

Published April 19, 2010 at 11:44AM | Updated April 20, 2010 at 4:43PM

Off to the side, under the shade of some tall trees, about two dozen police officers looked on. Further in the distance, CNN’s John King chatted up a young man wearing nylon cargo pants, a florescent vest and a large rifle.

Nearly all the rally participants had rifles or handguns, and a solid minority had both.

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