December, 2011 | ARLnow.com

Power Outage Hits Courthouse Area

Published December 7, 2011 at 4:54PM

More than 1,700 Dominion customers are without power this evening due to a power outage in the Courthouse area.

The outage hit just before 4:30 p.m., causing traffic lights to go dark and sending office workers home early. One person was reportedly rescued from an elevator that became stuck as a result of the blackout. Firefighters responded to the AMC movie theater in Courthouse Plaza for a report of smoke coming from the roof, but it was quickly discovered that the smoke was coming from a power generator.

Around Town

Westover Market Butcher Shop Returns

By ARLnow.com

Published December 7, 2011 at 3:57PM

The shop — which offered gourmet cuts of locally-sourced meats — closed last week after butcher shop proprietor Bruce Saunders decided to call it quits. Now, we’re told, the shop is coming back with many of the same meat options, but under new management.

The Westover Market Facebook page says the shop will be offering a $16.99 special tonight on two cuts of beef and two sides, in celebration of the re-opening.

News

Big Changes Coming to Crystal Drive

By ARLnow.com

Published December 7, 2011 at 2:30PM

The first phase of the project will add a southbound lane to the portion of Crystal Drive between 12th Street and 15th Street, just north of the Crystal City water park. It will also convert a one-way section of S. Clark Street between 12th and 15th Streets to a two-way road. Construction on this phase of the project is expected to begin in the spring of 2012 and wrap up in winter 2012.

A second phase is expected to begin construction in fall 2012. That phase will add a southbound lane to the one-way portion of Crystal Drive between 23rd Street and 27th Street. Changes will also be make to 27th Street, which runs between the Courtyard by Marriott and the Hyatt Regency hotels.

Weather

County Debuts New Winter Weather Web Portal

By ARLnow.com

Published December 7, 2011 at 1:01PM

The website offers one-stop shopping for residents seeking more information on winter weather preparations, winter weather safety tips, road condition and snow plowing updates, and answers to snow removal ordinance questions. The site also links to the county’s snow issue reporting page.

One of the new features introduced with the new portal is a “snow phase system,” which will designate how far along the county is in its snow clearing efforts after a storm. The page will indicate whether the county is in Phase 1, 2, 3, or 4.

News

AWLA Warns About Out-Of-Date Microchip Info

By ARLnow.com

Published December 7, 2011 at 11:00AM

The large, black German Shepherd had an embedded microchip that’s supposed to tell animal control officers how to contact its owner. But the chip’s information was out of date — leading back to a registered owner in South Carolina who was no longer there.

The Animal Welfare League of Arlington (AWLA) consulted a local directory and eventually found the owner living in Arlington. The man and his dog were then, at last, reunited.

News

‘Live Fire’ Test To Be Conducted at the Pentagon

By ARLnow.com

Published December 7, 2011 at 10:00AM

Don’t be surprised if you hear what sounds like gunshots near the Pentagon this weekend. The Pentagon’s police agency is planning to conduct a “live fire calibration test” between 6:00 a.m. and noon on Sunday.

From a Pentagon Force Protection Agency press release:

News

EXCLUSIVE: Former County Fair Manager Charged With Embezzlement

By ARLnow.com

Published December 7, 2011 at 8:15AM

Denise Marshall Roller, 47, has been charged with four felony counts of embezzling from the non-profit Arlington County Fair, Inc., one felony count of embezzling public funds, two felony counts of forgery and four felony counts of conducting unlawful financial transactions. She was indicted by a grand jury in September and released on a $5,000 bond in October, according to court documents. She’s scheduled to face trial on Jan. 23, 2012.

Marshall Roller, a resident of Fredericksburg, Va., had worked as the county fair’s event manager since at least 2005. A county employee since August 2003, Marshall Roller worked for the fair under a Memorandum of Understanding between the county and the non-profit that organizes the fair, said county and fair officials. Before being hired by the county, Marshall Roller helped to organize the annual Taste of Arlington event in Ballston.

News

Make a Food Donation While Riding the Bus

By Katie Pyzyk

Published December 6, 2011 at 3:45PM

Arlington Transit teamed up with the Arlington Food Assistance Center for a food drive that allows riders to leave donations directly on buses. Each ART bus has a box for collecting non-perishable food items. Boxes have also been put in place at Commuter Stores.

All food collected will be sent to the Arlington Food Assistance Center to be distributed to local residents in need. During an average week, AFAC serves about 2,000 adults and 1,000 children.

Around Town

Fire Truck Kitten Ready for Adoption

By Katie Pyzyk

Published December 6, 2011 at 3:00PM

The Animal Welfare League of Arlington cleaned him up at their Shirlington shelter following the incident. He’s an orange tabby estimated to be about three months old, and has been neutered and vaccinated.

Axel has been hanging out in a foster home with some other kittens, but is now ready to find a permanent residence. Anyone interested in adopting Axel, or any other kitten, can check out the AWLA website for adoption procedures.

News

Library Resource Helps Holiday Shopping Research

By Katie Pyzyk

Published December 6, 2011 at 1:30PM

In addition to being able to peruse hard copies of the magazine at branches throughout the county, the library is offering online access. Readers can compare the items reviewed in recent issues of the magazine, as well sift through the archives from the past four years.

Users need to enter their Arlington library card number and PIN code after clicking on the link to access Consumer Reports.

Events

New Year’s Eve Ideas in Arlington

By Katie Pyzyk

Published December 6, 2011 at 11:22AM | Updated December 6, 2011 at 5:37PM

Here are some of the larger or unique New Year’s Eve events happening around Arlington. This list is by no means exhaustive, but provides some interesting options from places that have already announced their celebrations.

1. Hyatt Regency Crystal City — Professionals in the City is hosting its annual “Passport to the World Gala” at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City (2799 Jefferson Davis Hwy). In addition to food, drinks and a DJ, the event has entertainment featuring various cultures around the world. Some highlights include the Japanese karaoke room, Red Light District adult-content comedians, Caribbean steel drums and Bollywood Hills Underground Club.

Traffic

I-66 Sign Sports a Misspelling

By ARLnow.com

Published December 6, 2011 at 9:27AM

Amid the fanfare of the opening of a third lane on westbound I-66, it appears at least one detail was overlooked. Someone apparently forgot to use spell check on an interstate sign.

The auxiliary lane between Fairfax Drive and Sycamore Street opened last night, but a sign marking the exit to Sycamore Street is spelled incorrectly.