September, 2010 | ARLnow.com

Morning Notes

Published September 16, 2010 at 6:38AM

Home Alone in Rosslyn — Thanks to a summer rainstorm a few weeks ago, tomorrow will be the last day of the Rosslyn Outdoor Film Festival. Home Alone will be shown in the usual spot in Rosslyn’s Gateway Park. The 1990 classic family comedy (“without the family”) will play on the big screen starting at dusk.

Satellite Truck is Still Parked in Arlington — A mysterious satellite truck, which we’ve written about two times before, continues to pester residents in north Arlington. A tipster tells us the truck is parked on Fairfax Drive near Arlington Traditional School. It has been there at least a week.

News

Columbia Pike Transfer Approved by State Board

By ARLnow.com

Published September 15, 2010 at 5:12PM | Updated September 16, 2010 at 9:01AM

The Commonwealth Transportation Board passed a resolution this afternoon that will allow the transfer of Columbia Pike to move forward.

The transfer of the Pike from state to county control could take place as soon as October 1, but first VDOT Commissioner Gregory A. Whirley must execute a “Memorandum of Agreement” with the county. After the county re-ratifies the agreement at its Sept. 25 board meeting, and once Whirley executes the agreement — no earlier than October 1 — the handover will take effect.

Schools

Wakefield High Educator Named N. Va. Teacher of the Year

By ARLnow.com

Published September 15, 2010 at 4:31PM

Fraley learned of the honor today when APS superintendent Dr. Pat Murphy and Wakefield principal Dr. Christian Willmore made a surprise visit during her fourth period U.S. Government class. She was presented with flowers, a letter from Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and a congratulatory certificate from the Department of Education.

Fraley, who has been with Arlington Public Schools for 10 years, will now be considered for the title of Virginia Teacher of the Year, which will be awarded at a banquet on Oct. 15 in Glen Allen, Va.

News

Dozens Protest Immigration Policies Outside Arlington DMV

By ARLnow.com

Published September 15, 2010 at 3:38PM

The protesters, many of whom were affiliated with the Laborers International Union of North America and Alexandria-based Tenants and Workers United, were noisy but peaceful. Their hour-long protest was watched closely by a dozen Arlington County police officers.

The demonstrators were protesting two recent actions that they say amounts to a “war and persecution of Virginia’s immigrants.” Last week, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell barred the Department of Motor Vehicles from accepting “employment authorization documents,” commonly used by immigrants, as proof of legal residency. Then this week, the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Agency revealed a change in policy that will put illegal immigrants charged with DUI on the fast track to deportation.

Events

‘Beer Wars’ at Arlington Drafthouse

By ARLnow.com

Published September 15, 2010 at 1:48PM

The Drafthouse will be screening Beer Wars, a documentary that “goes behind the scenes of the daily battles and all out wars that dominate one of America’s favorite industries” and “reveals the truth behind the label of your favorite beer.”

The film starts at 7:30 p.m., but an optional beer tasting will be held beforehand, beginning at 6:15. The tasting will feature local and national craft beers, including Dogfish, Flying Dog, Stone, Sam Adams, Star Hill, Heavy Seas, and more.

Around Town

Where’s Cava?

By ARLnow.com

Published September 15, 2010 at 12:00PM

We believe the space above, the one with the big “retail space for lease” sign, is where Cava’s new Clarendon location is supposed to be. Yet the gas-lit entrance, on the ground floor of the Station Square development at 2900 Clarendon Boulevard, remains boarded up and there are no building permits to be found in the county’s public records system.

“Is Cava Restaurant still planning to come to the Station Square development?” a tipster asks. Does anybody know?

Around Town

Ballston Intersection Becomes Sprayground Park?

By ARLnow.com

Published September 15, 2010 at 11:45AM

It may look like county workers are installing a new sprayground park in the middle of the intersection at North Henderson Road and North Thomas Street, near Ballston Common Mall. Alas, they’re just working on the pipes.

One worker told us the geyser was created on purpose to help drain one of the pipes.

News

One Year to BRAC Deadline, Most Workers Are Still Here

By ARLnow.com

Published September 15, 2010 at 9:53AM

Only about 1,000 workers have left as a result of BRAC, estimates Andrea Morris, BRAC coordinator for Arlington County.

Morris says there will be a slow trickle of BRAC moves for the next six months. But starting in May 2011, the floodgates will open. After the initial wave in May, BRACed jobs will continue to leave Arlington at a staggered pace up to the Sept. 15, 2011 deadline.

Around Town

Bakeshop Does Breakfast

By ARLnow.com

Published September 15, 2010 at 7:06AM

Clarendon’s cupcake-and-coffee store Bakeshop is now serving breakfast.

At the bright and early hour of 8:00 a.m., Tuesday through Friday, Bakeshop (1025 North Fillmore Street) will unlock the doors and start selling bagels, croissants, coffeecake and Wrecking Ball coffee. The new opening hours took effect yesterday, and we hear it was surprisingly busy for the first day.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published September 15, 2010 at 5:42AM

Library Sets Summer Reading Record — A record 5,305 Arlington students read 24,782 books over the summer as part of the Arlington Public Library’s “Summer of Reading.” More from the Library Blog.

Moran to Hold “Women’s Issues Conference” — Newscaster Maureen Bunyan will join Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) at a conference on women’s issues next Saturday. The conference will feature workshops like “How Health Insurance Reform Will Affect You” and “Car Care 101.” It’s being held at Kenmore Middle School (200 S. Carlin Springs Rd) from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Sept. 25. Details here.

News

Arlington Students Kick Butt on the SATs

By ARLnow.com

Published September 14, 2010 at 7:34PM | Updated September 15, 2010 at 12:24AM

On a scale from 200 to 800 points, Arlington seniors scored an average of 555 points on the reading portion of the exam, up 14 points from a year prior and 54 points above the national average. Scores on the writing exam were up 17 points to 538, 46 points above the national average. The average of 564 points scored on the math exam was up 16 points from last year and was 48 points above the national average.

Every ethnic group performed better in every category this year. Asian students posted double digit gains in all three categories. Hispanic and Black students posted double digit gains in two categories. White students posted single digit gains in all three categories. There was no significant difference in gains by gender.

News

Fisette: “Hopefully We Can Work Something Out” With TJ’s

By ARLnow.com

Published September 14, 2010 at 3:48PM

Residents at a Lyon Village Civic Association meeting last night were told that Trader Joe’s will only move to the area if Arlington County amends the Clarendon Center site plan to allow reserved parking spots in the building’s parking garage. The retailer is reportedly worried that there may not be enough parking for customers if all the garage’s spots are unrestricted, as the current site plan calls for.

Fisette says he can “fully appreciate the reason for their request.” He says county staff will study existing Trader Joe’s stores to determine parking requirements, and will also study the number of available parking spaces in the area near the Clarendon Center project.