Katie Pyzyk | ARLnow

Police Witness Armed Robbery, Arrest Suspects

Published February 6, 2013 at 2:45PM | Updated February 6, 2013 at 3:13PM

Just before midnight on Tuesday (February 5), officers observed three individuals acting suspiciously around Wilson Blvd. and N. Monroe Street. Police say the men were walking around the area, looking into cars and loitering on the corner. They then reportedly entered a Jeep Wrangler and police followed the vehicle from a distance.

Police observed the vehicle cruising throughout the Ballston and Clarendon neighborhoods, making U-turns for no apparent reason. The vehicle then pulled into a parking spot at the Gold’s Gym near N. Pollard Street, where two of the men exited the vehicle and crossed the street. The officers stopped and continued to watch the subjects.

News

Jury Recommends 27 Year Sentence for Javon Martin

By Katie Pyzyk

Published February 6, 2013 at 1:45PM | Updated February 6, 2013 at 2:12PM

The jury had the option of recommending sentences up to life in prison for Martin. He is expected to be formally sentenced before Judge Louise DiMatteo in May.

Martin’s cousin and co-defendant, Roger Clark III, pleaded guilty to Diener’s murder last year and will be sentenced at some point in the future. The maximum sentence Clark could receive is 25 years in prison; he was offered a reduced sentence as part of a plea deal for testifying against Martin.

News

Police: Box Cutter Wielding Thieves Rob Woman in Virginia Square

By Katie Pyzyk

Published February 6, 2013 at 10:45AM

On Monday (February 4) just before 8:00 p.m., police say the woman left her home and was walking in the 3800 block of N. 9th Street in Virginia Square when a man approached her. He allegedly grabbed her and held a box cutter to her throat while demanding money and a cell phone.

Police say the woman told the man she didn’t have any money, and the attacker then led her about half a block away where a second man was standing. The men then reportedly took the victim’s cell phone and fled on foot.

News

Free Emergency Preparedness Classes

By Katie Pyzyk

Published February 6, 2013 at 9:55AM | Updated February 6, 2013 at 12:59PM

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training began 10 years ago in Arlington and 575 residents have completed the program in that time. The hands-on training covers topics such as disaster preparedness, disaster medical operations, light search and rescue, team organization, disaster psychology, fire suppression and terrorism.

One example of what CERT members do was evident last June during the derecho. Members assisted the community in various capacities immediately following the storm, often as points of contact when calls weren’t getting through to 911.

News

Morning Notes

By Katie Pyzyk

Published February 6, 2013 at 9:00AM

Additional Funding Request for New Elementary School Plan — On Thursday (Febraury 7), School Board members will be asked to approve additional funding for the architectural firm working on the new school on the Williamsburg Middle School campus. The project has gone over its expected three month time frame because of resident concerns voiced during the process of devising a concept design, so nearly $121,000 is being requested to compensate the firm for its additional two months of work. [Sun Gazette]

Move to Establish Virginia Currency — A measure advanced in the Virginia House of Delegates that could bring the state closer to adopting its own currency. Del. Robert G. Marshall proposed the idea three years ago of studying whether the state should adopt its own currency to protect it from what he believes is an out of control banking system. Although states do not have the constitutional authority to print money, Marshall suggested a loophole may exist allowing states to make silver and gold coins. [Washington Post]

Around Town

‘Hockey is for Everyone’ Events in February

By Katie Pyzyk

Published February 5, 2013 at 4:30PM | Updated February 5, 2013 at 7:00PM

The Hockey is for Everyone (HIFE) campaign is the official youth development program of the National Hockey League. It celebrates grassroots hockey and the growing diversity of the game. Many activities throughout the month are aimed at giving kids of all backgrounds opportunities to play the sport. The programs highlight essential life skills and the core values of hockey such as commitment, perseverance and teamwork. The initiative also supports hockey programs that assist disabled military personnel in returning to active lifestyles.

There are numerous events throughout the D.C. area for HIFE Month. The following events will take place in Arlington:

Around Town

Red Parrot Asian Bistro Opens Soon

By Katie Pyzyk

Published February 5, 2013 at 1:45PM

Ballston is about to get an influx of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Malaysian and Vietnamese foods. All of those varieties will be served up at Red Parrot Asian Bistro (1110 N. Glebe Road) when it opens next week.

Workers are setting up furniture and making finishing touches on the restaurant, so owner Wendy Cheng expects to have a soft opening by next Thursday (February 14), with a grand opening in March. She already has two successful Red Parrot restaurants in Maryland, and had been looking to open an Arlington location for a while.

Around Town

Valentine’s Day Celebration Ideas

By Katie Pyzyk

Published February 5, 2013 at 11:15AM

Here is a sampling of some of the more unique ways to treat your Valentine:

Events

Crystal Couture Begins Tonight

By Katie Pyzyk

Published February 5, 2013 at 10:00AM

Organizers are touting “360 degrees of fashion,” highlighting the many windows on the top floor of the office building at 251 18th Street S., where the event will be held. While taking in the views, visitors can browse through discounted clothing, jewelry and accessories from more than 40 boutiques and designers.

Customers can get free makeup and hair makeovers, chat with wardrobe stylists and watch models strut styles from D.C. area boutiques on the runway. There will be music, snacks and a cash bar.

News

Morning Notes

By Katie Pyzyk

Published February 5, 2013 at 9:01AM

School Boundary Meeting on Wednesday — Arlington Public Schools will hold its next school boundary meeting on Wednesday (February 6), at 7:00 p.m. in the Williamsburg Middle School auditorium. APS will share feedback gathered at the January 23 meeting, and present a smaller set of boundary options. After reviewing the options, meeting attendees will have the opportunity to offer feedback. The final set of options is expected to be offered to the School Board in late March.

Metro Region Worst for Traffic — The annual Texas A&M Transportation Institute survey lists the D.C. metro area as number one for the country’s worst traffic congestion, topping Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York and Boston. The average driver is said to spend 67 hours per year sitting in traffic. Analysts believe drivers will add seven hours to that number by 2020. [Washington Post]

News

Program to Help Locals Launch Businesses

By Katie Pyzyk

Published February 1, 2013 at 11:30AM

AED is launching an “Entrepreneur in Residence” (EIR) program, which will allow Arlington business owners to get advice, specifically tailored to their startups, from fellow entrepreneurs. Each EIR will serve for six months to one year and will provide regular office hours for counseling other startups in exchange for office space at AED.

That this is a county-sponsored program is unique, AED says. EIR programs are more commonly found in universities and large corporations.

News

Board Bashes Governor’s Transportation Plan

By Katie Pyzyk

Published January 30, 2013 at 3:50PM | Updated January 16, 2018 at 2:43PM

The proposal would do away with the 17.5 cents per gallon gas tax, but would increase the state’s sales tax from five percent to 5.8 percent. The plan also would increase vehicle registration fees and add a yearly $100 charge for drivers with alternative fuel cars. McDonnell said that would raise about $3.1 billion over five years to fund road, transit and rail projects across the state.

County Board member Jay Fisette said that while it’s good to have some sort of proposal on the table in order to start a conversation about transportation funding, this plan is not the answer. He further stated that the plan was offered to the General Assembly at the last minute, without adequate time to review and understand it.