The Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC), a nonprofit organization with a mission to address long term food insecurity in Arlington County and Northern Virginia, served a record number of 3,807 families in need of food assistance during their Thanksgiving “Chicken Week.” The week of November 13-18, 2023, AFAC gave out 3,579 whole chicken roasters in addition to their weekly grocery distribution to ease the burden of added financial costs on neighbors in need leading up to the holiday season.
While these numbers are an all-time high for AFAC, the milestone number did not come as a shock. Steadily increasing numbers have been the norm since the same time last year. In 2022, AFAC served 2,900 families during their distribution the week preceding Thanksgiving. The consistent rise of 50 to 100 new families coming to their doors every month underscores the persistent need for food assistance in Arlington County and the surrounding areas.
Today, Judge David Schell set the date for a five-day trial, commencing July 8, 2024 trial date in the case against the Arlington County Board seeking to invalidate Missing Middle Housing/Expanded Housing Options (EHO) zoning.
In his October 19 ruling, Judge Schell denied the County’s efforts to have the case dismissed, stating repeatedly that the plaintiffs – 10 Arlington homeowners – had alleged direct violations of Virginia law in the County’s process of adopting EHO zoning.
Arlington, VA – In honor of Veterans Day, more than 30 of Amazon’s operation sites around the U.S. and the company’s headquarters in King County, Washington, and Arlington County, Virginia will participate in Operation Green Light for Veterans from November 6 – 12. Amazon is proud to be an official partner of Operation Green Light for Veterans, which aims to raise awareness of the challenges that veterans and military families face, and the resources available to them at the county, state, and federal levels.
Amazon’s employee affinity group, Warriors at Amazon, includes current and former active military personnel, their families, and the Amazon employees who support them. This group provides members with a professional network, organizes community outreach programs, and assists veterans during their transition into civilian life within Amazon. Warriors at Amazon hosted a reception at HQ2 to celebrate and acknowledge Operation Green Light for Veterans. Attendees networked with Amazonians from the military community and heard remarks from John Quintas, Amazon’s Director of Military Affairs, Arlington County Board Chair Christian Dorsey, and representatives from the National Association of Counties.
Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing (APAH) has received a $200,000 philanthropic gift from the congregation of Arlington Presbyterian Church (APC). The funding supports the ongoing rent relief needs of up to 30 households at Gilliam Place Apartments experiencing continued housing instability for a period of two years. This is APC’s second leadership gift of this size in 2023 for rent relief supporting APAH residents.
“Stewardship at Arlington Presbyterian Church isn’t about simply paying the congregation’s bills; it’s about human flourishing. Our faith mandates us to put the well-being of our neighbors at the center of all we do as a community,” said Rev. Ashley Goff, pastor at Arlington Presbyterian. APC’s gift will enable APAH to establish EASE (Encouraging Affordability and Stability for Everyone), which will stabilize housing and create paths for stronger financial futures.
According to the September 2023 Virginia Home Sales Report released by Virginia REALTORS®, there were 8,023 homes sold across the commonwealth last month. This is 2,149 fewer sales than last year, a drop of just over 21%.
This is the slowest September market Virginia has had in more than a decade. Interest rates continued to climb in September and the inventory became tighter, both of which subdued sales activity.
Tito’s Handmade Vodka is once again the top spirit of choice among customers at Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) stores, garnering $72 million in sales in fiscal year 2023. Tito’s was followed by Hennessy VS cognac ($44M), Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 whiskey ($30.1M), Patron Silver tequila ($28.6M) and Jim Beam straight bourbon whiskey ($24M). Tito’s sales grew by $5.1M compared to the prior year as it continues its six-year run as the top selling product in the commonwealth.
The biggest movers among the top-50 products were all tequila brands: Lunazul Reposado (up 127%), Lunazul Blanco (up 71%), Casamigos Blanco (up 67%), Teremana Reposado (up 57%) and Teremana Blanco (up 45%).
Yesterday the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, with premier partner Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce, and co-hosts Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, Loudoun Chamber of Commerce, Prince William Chamber of Commerce, and Northern Virginia Regional Commission, hosted the 8th Annual Northern Virginia Regional Elected Leaders Summit, sponsored by Dominion Energy.
More than 200 business, government, and community leaders from across the region gathered for the sold-out Summit at Marymount University – Ballston Center. The program began with a moderated discussion with Arlington County Board Vice-Chair Libby Garvey, Prince William County Board of Supervisors Chair at-Large Ann B. Wheeler, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Jeff McKay, Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Chair Phyllis Randall, and City of Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson. NBC Washington’s News4 Today Anchor Jummy Olabanji moderated the program.
U.S. Sen. Mark Warner joined Sens. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Edward Markey (D-MA), and others to urge the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to enforce its existing regulations regarding consent for receiving telemarketing calls, also known as robocalls. The letter also asks the FCC to issue guidance along the lines of the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) recent Business Guidance restating the FCC’s long-held requirements for these unwanted telemarketing calls. By issuing guidance similar to the FTC’s, the FCC will assist telemarketers and sellers in complying with these requirements.
“While the consideration of new regulations may be appropriate in some instances, we believe that the FCC’s current regulations already prohibit many of the activities that lead to the proliferation of unwanted telemarketing calls,” wrote the Senators. “Both the regulations issued in 2003 delineating the rules for telemarketers to obtain consent for calls to lines subscribed to the Do Not Call Registry, and those issued in 2012 governing consent to receive telemarketing calls made with an artificial or prerecorded voice or an automated telephone dialing system, clearly set out the types of protections intended by Congress to eliminate unwanted telemarketing calls.”
Street sweeping removes accumulated debris and pollutants such as sand, salt, metals, petroleum products and bacteria before they wash into streams, the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay. Neighborhoods in Arlington are swept four times a year in August, October, April and June.
Street sweeping hours are from approximately 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Be sure to move your car to a driveway, garage or non-sweeping street on your civic association’s scheduled street sweeping day. Arlington County will not issue parking fees for street sweeping purposes.
The Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC), a leading nonprofit organization committed to alleviating long term food insecurity in Arlington County and Northern Virginia, is proud to announce its adoption of WhatsApp, a popular and free messaging app, to strengthen communication with clients. This strategic move aims to provide clients with easier access to vital information and a direct line to AFAC staff, empowering them to overcome communication barriers that may lie in the way of receiving food assistance.
In an increasingly interconnected world, digital communication platforms have become indispensable tools for organizations seeking to enhance outreach and support to their communities. By leveraging the power of WhatsApp, AFAC seeks to streamline its services and foster seamless interactions with clients. The implementation of this user friendly platform will enable clients to access AFAC information and connect with staff members effortlessly, simplifying the process of seeking assistance and support.
Governor Glenn Youngkin and Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) announced today that Virginia’s tourism industry generated $30.3 billion in visitor spending in 2022, an increase of 20.3% from 2021, exceeding 2019 levels by 4.4%.
The tourism industry in Virginia directly supported 210,721 jobs in 2022, an increase of more than 25,000 jobs relative to 2021, but still down about 30,000 jobs relative to 2019.
Today, Representatives Ro Khanna (CA-17) and Don Beyer (VA-08) reintroduced The Supreme Court Term Limits and Regular Appointments Act following the Supreme Court’s decision to block the Biden Administration’s Student Debt Relief Plan.
Since 1980, the cost of college has tripled while federal aid and wages have not kept up. Student debt borrowers today collectively owe more than $1.6 trillion while a majority of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck.
