News | ARLnow.com - Part 1036

Metropolitan Chorus Welcomes New Conductor for 50th Anniversary

Published July 20, 2015 at 3:30PM

The Arlington-based organization has announced the appointment of Dr. Nancia D’Alimonte as the group’s new artistic director and conductor. The chorus, which was founded in 1966, is preparing to celebrate its 50th anniversary during the 2015-2016 season with the theme “New Horizons.”

The group is made up of singers from the D.C. area, who perform free concerts between November and May. According to TMC’s website, one of the goals of the group is to “offer music enrichment in the greater Washington metropolitan area through free performances of choral repertoire from all eras.”

BREAKING: No Gun Store For Cherrydale

By Heather Mongilio

Published July 20, 2015 at 1:05PM | Updated July 20, 2015 at 4:16PM

The gun store had leased a space at 2105 N. Pollard Street, causing outcry from members of the community. However, the store’s would-be landlord said today that he has reached an agreement with NOVA Firearms to cancel the lease.

The debate over the gun store heated quickly with County Board candidates speaking out against it and the National Rifle Association coming out in support. Petitions were launched for and against the store, accumulating thousands of signatures. Conservative media outlets ran articles in support of James Gates, the Marine Corps veteran who co-owns the store, drawing national attention.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published July 20, 2015 at 10:15AM

ARLnow Server Updates — For the security of our visitors, ARLnow.com is now being served exclusively via secure HTTPS. We’re still working out some kinks, so you might notice some bugs over the next week or two. For instance, despite hours of work over the weekend to try to fix it, photo galleries do not appear to be working on iOS devices like iPhones. Also, Disqus is still being served via HTTP. We appreciate your patience while we work to improve your user experience.

Hearings for Courthouse Plan — The Arlington County Board voted unanimously on Saturday to hold public hearings on a new sector plan for Courthouse. “This proposed update advances our vision for the Courthouse area, creating a people-oriented civic and cultural heart for Arlington,” County Board Chair Mary Hynes said in a statement. The hearings have been scheduled for September. [Arlington County]

Series of Car Break-Ins Reported in Pentagon City

By ARLnow.com

Published July 17, 2015 at 10:50AM

Arlington police car outside police headquarters (file photo)

Police say 11 vehicles were found with smashed rear passenger windows Thursday morning. The car interiors had been ransacked, with some items stolen — mostly coins and cash but also small items from a Bic lighter to an iPod, according to police reports.

The break-ins happened in parking lots and streets around Pentagon City, including the 1100 block of Army Navy Drive, 1500 block of S. Fern Street, and the 1200 and 1900 blocks of S. Eads Street.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published July 17, 2015 at 9:55AM

More on Texas Jack’s BBQ — Texas Jack’s Barbecue, which is replacing the former Tallula and EatBar in Lyon Park, will be helmed by a pair of Hill Country BBQ vets. The 145-seat restaurant will also have a 26-seat patio. It will serve meats that are smoked on site and plans to remain open until 2 a.m. seven days a week. [Washingtonian]

CEO’s $3.7 Million Rosslyn Condo — Gracia Martore, the former CEO of Gannett and current CEO of the newspaper company’s broadcast and digital spinoff, Tegna, has purchased a condo in Rosslyn for $3.65 million. The 4,447 square foot condo in Turnberry Tower (1881 N. Nash Street) features a 900 square foot outdoor balcony with sweeping views of D.C. [Washington Business Journal]

Arlington’s Spotify Playlist Heavy on Country, Indie Music

By Heather Mongilio

Published July 16, 2015 at 11:35AM

Arlingtonians have an inordinate love of country and indie music, at least according to the most-played songs on Spotify’s “Sounds of Arlington VA” playlist.

Spotify, a streaming music service, released playlists of the most popular songs in various cities “relative to the rest of the world.” In other words, song that are distinctively popular in Arlington but less so elsewhere in the world.

County Board to Vote on Retail Action Plan

By ARLnow.com

Published July 16, 2015 at 10:30AM | Updated July 16, 2015 at 11:59AM

The new Arlington County Retail Plan would move away from the county’s current “retail everywhere” policy, which was an attempt to provide more lively street life around Arlington by requiring retail spaces in most new commercial buildings.

While successful by some measures, “retail everywhere” — a policy last updated in 2001 — has hit snags, with the owners of buildings in low-foot-traffic areas struggling to find viable retail tenants.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published July 16, 2015 at 9:20AM

Bailey’s Crossroads Project Canceled — A project that would have redeveloped a vacant office building into an apartment building in Bailey’s Crossroads has been canceled. The project was to take place just over the Arlington County line, on the Fairfax County side of the intersection of Columbia Pike and Carlin Springs Road. [Washington Business Journal]

W-L Turf Project On Track — A joint Arlington County-Arlington Public Schools project to replace the artificial turf at Washington-Lee High School’s stadium remains on track to wrap up early next month, despite the rainy weather that the area has been experiencing. [Arlington County]

Power Outage Reported in N. Arlington

By ARLnow.com

Published July 15, 2015 at 6:00PM | Updated July 15, 2015 at 6:20PM

The outage is affecting homes around Jamestown Elementary and at least one traffic signal on Glebe Road, according to police scanner traffic.

More than 400 Dominion customers are without electricity in the area, according to Dominion’s power outage map. Across the border in McLean, another 1,300 homes are affected by the outage.

Man Charged With Stealing Liquor from Whitlow’s

By ARLnow.com

Published July 15, 2015 at 1:45PM

Police say the man entered the bar, at 2854 Wilson Blvd, just after 9:00 a.m. and stole six bottles of liquor. An alert employee, however, was able to foil the alleged theft and hold the suspect until police arrived on scene.

Wilber Johnson, 37, was arrested and charged with statutory burglary and grand larceny, according to a crime report.

County Board to Start County Auditor Hiring Process

By Heather Mongilio

Published July 15, 2015 at 11:30AM

The Board is expected to charge Acting County Manager Mark Schwartz with the creation of an independent county auditor position during its recessed meeting next Tuesday.

Once the Board approves guidance to the manager, Schwartz and officials from the Department of Management and Finance will begin recruiting and screening candidates, with the final hiring t0 be done by the County Board.

County Board to Decide on $215,810 in Art Grants

By Eleanor Greene

Published July 15, 2015 at 10:00AM

The Arlington Commission for the Arts recommended approval for $215,810 worth of grants that are to be allocated among 17 organizations and three individual artists. These grants, specified in a County Board agenda item, are a part of county funding set aside for Arlington’s support of the arts in the county’s Fiscal Year 2016.

The total amount of the grants is $16,710 more than was allocated to the arts in fiscal year 2015.