September 21, 2011 | ARLnow.com

Published September 21, 2011 at 5:16PM | Updated September 22, 2011 at 6:51AM

According to Verizon spokesman Harry Mitchell, a contractor taking a soil sample in the area of Fairfax Drive and N. Barton Street cut through a pair of large underground cables containing 4,500 copper lines. Of those, about 1,600 active lines that carry phone and internet service are affected, Mitchell said.

A tipster tells us the soil sample was being taken in the county’s Rocky Run Park on Monday afternoon, and that Verizon crews have been “working all day and night… since about 9:00 p.m. Monday night.” Entire office buildings in Clarendon have lost phone service, according to another tipster.

News

As Recession Lingers, AFAC Hits All-Time High

By ARLnow.com

Published September 21, 2011 at 3:33PM

AFAC served 1572 families, or 4006 individuals, last week. The previous high was hit on Nov. 21, 2009, when AFAC served 1524 families during its traditionally busy Thanksgiving distribution week. Last month, AFAC saw its highest average monthly number of families served: 1450.

“Most of the individuals, I would say, are affected by the recession,” AFAC Executive Director Charles Meng told ARLnow.com. “The issue remains that unemployment among the lower income brackets in Arlington County is still very high. Those individuals are still not finding jobs, or are getting jobs that pay minimum wage.”

News

Board Approves New Barcroft Park Baseball Field

By ARLnow.com

Published September 21, 2011 at 2:39PM

Last night the Arlington County Board unanimously approved a plan that will provide at least $3 million for major improvements to the ball field, paid in full by George Washington University. GWU’s baseball team has used Barcroft as its home field since 1992, and has long desired a venue more on par with other universities.

Under a new 20-year agreement, GWU will pay all upgrade costs while splitting annual maintenance costs 25/75 with Arlington County. The maintenance split reflects the agreement that GWU will have access to the field for 25 percent of available hours while the county will be able to provide public access to the field for 75 percent of available hours.

Events

New Belgium Draught Beer Launch Party at IOTA

By ARLnow.com

Published September 21, 2011 at 1:08PM

The launch party, which is being held from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m., will feature brewery representatives and five New Belgium beer varieties on tap. Among the planned draught offerings: the brewery’s popular Fat Tire Amber Ale, the Hoptober Golden Ale, 1554 Enlightened Black Ale, Ranger Indian Pale Ale and Clutch Dark Sour Ale. Numerous New Belgium bottled varieties will also be offered.

Up until very recently, New Belgium beers were not available in the D.C. area. Tonight’s event will celebrate the arrival of New Belgium to D.C. and Arlington. Admission is free, but attendees must be 21 or over.

Events

Arlington Library eBooks Now Available on Kindle

By ARLnow.com

Published September 21, 2011 at 11:49AM | Updated September 21, 2011 at 1:57PM

Amazon announced today that its electronic reading device will now work with eBooks from 11,000 public libraries across the U.S. Borrowed eBooks will include “all the unique features of Kindle books, including real page numbers and Whispersync technology that synchronizes your notes, highlights, and last page read.”

“After a public library book expires, if you check it out again or choose to purchase it from the Kindle store, all of your annotations and bookmarks will be preserved,” Amazon said. All generations of the Kindle will be supported.

News

Child Struck By Vehicle on Lee Highway

By ARLnow.com

Published September 21, 2011 at 10:23AM

A child has been struck by a vehicle on the 6800 block of Lee Highway, in the East Falls Church/Westlee area.

Initial reports suggest the child is alert and conscious, but may have several broken bones. The vehicle that struck the child reportedly left the scene but has since returned.

News

Arlington Named No. 2 ‘City’ in America

By ARLnow.com

Published September 21, 2011 at 9:56AM

The list, compiled by BusinessWeek.com, ranked urban areas based on culture, entertainment, schools, crime, green space and other factors. Arlington ranked No. 2 ahead of Honolulu but behind the No. 1 city, Raleigh, N.C.

“Home to numerous headquarters of companies and government agencies, this Washington D.C. suburb is a draw in its own right,” BusinessWeek wrote. “The area is highly educated, with more than two-thirds of the population holding a college degree. Arlington has a median income level of $93,806, low levels of foreclosures, and the lowest unemployment among cities we ranked.”

Around Town

Haute Dog and Fries Coming to Arlington?

By ARLnow.com

Published September 21, 2011 at 9:28AM

The Purcellville, Va. restaurant is in the midst of scouting out available storefronts in Arlington County, according to co-owner Pamela Swanson.

“We are currently looking at a few different locations in Arlington but haven’t decided on one particular spot as of yet,” Swanson said. “We would like to confirm a location as soon as possible and be open within the next few months.”

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published September 21, 2011 at 8:45AM

Residents Decry Aircraft Noise — Noise from airplanes landing at Reagan National Airport is “seriously affecting residents’ quality of life” in the Radnor/Ft. Myer Heights neighborhood. Residents told airport representatives at last night’s civic association meeting that the noise has gotten considerably worse since nighttime repair work on the airport’s main runway began in May. [Ode Street Tribune]

Pike Resident Named Roommate of the Year — Columbia Pike resident Jesse McLaughlin has won free rent for a year and $10,000 cash after being named the Apartments.com Roommate of the Year. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office employee’s cooking and cleaning prowess helped him beat out nine other finalists for the title. As it turns out, Jesse’s roommate is actually his girlfriend, Lisa. [Roommate of the Year Contest]