Press Releases

Arlington Thrive met an unprecedented wave of requests for direct emergency assistance in 2020, as dual pandemic and economic crises threatened both health and home for Arlington County’s most vulnerable residents. The nonprofit organization that has provided direct emergency financial support for more than 45 years answered requests for help with crisis cash that was seven times greater than the amount provided in fiscal 2019.

“The need is greater, but so is our community’s generosity,” said Andrew Schneider, Executive Director of Arlington Thrive. “Even though requests for help have eclipsed anything we’ve seen in the past, we’ve also seen the investment from Arlington County leadership and a spirit of giving rise to meet the unspeakable pain and desperation that too many of our neighbors are experiencing.”

The Arlington-based nonprofit organization, Latinas Leading Tomorrow (LLT) announced their latest financial contribution from the Arlington Women’s Civic Alliance (AWCA) to support LLT’s leadership training and college readiness programs. The $8,000 one-time grant from AWCA will contribute to LLT’s leadership and college-bound initiatives for more than 60 girls in grades 8-11 during the 2020-21 school year. The grant is one of two awards given in 2020 to organizations that align with AWCA’s mission of providing programmatic and financial support, as well as volunteer services to Arlington community projects.

“Latinas Leading Tomorrow is honored to receive this grant from the Arlington Women’s Civic Alliance to support our ELITE leadership program which encourages young Latinas to excel in high school and go on to earn a college degree,” said Madeline LaSalle, founder and Board of Directors Chair. “The impact of our ELITE program is gaining momentum as many of our LLT alumni are returning as college graduates and young professionals eager to share their stories and serve as role models and mentors to our young students. It means a great deal for our program to have the support from AWCA and women leaders who are invested in our community’s future.”

In what has been perhaps the most challenging semester for U.S. higher educational institutions in recent memory, Marymount University has successfully navigated the Fall 2020 academic semester as planned without any disruptions to its hybrid learning format or in-person living.

From mid-August, when residential students first started to move back to campus, to today, only 86 positive cases of COVID-19 have been identified among Marymount community members. The combined population of students, faculty and staff is approximately 4,000, meaning that the infection rate University-wide over a four-month period is approximately just two percent.

Rep. Don Beyer today introduced federal legislation to remove the designation of Arlington House as a memorial to Confederate General Robert E. Lee. The legislation, which was partially inspired by the request of descendants of people who were enslaved at Arlington House, was cosponsored by Virginia Representatives Gerry Connolly and Jennifer Wexton, and by D.C. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton.

“We are presently engaged in a long-overdue reckoning with the history of racism and slavery in America and in our own community, which has appropriately included a reexamination of public symbols. I absolutely support that process, including actions that make it clear we do not revere Confederate leaders or condone the enslavement of human beings,” said Beyer. “Robert E. Lee himself opposed erecting Confederate monuments, and the site was chosen to punish his insurrection against the lawful government of the United States. Arlington House has a larger history which deserves memorialization and reflection, and it is therefore fitting and just that Congress remove the designation of Arlington House as a Memorial to Robert E. Lee.”

Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) today issued the following statement on President-elect Joe Biden’s reported decision to nominate Pete Buttigieg, former Mayor of South Bend, IN, to serve as Secretary of Transportation:

“Choosing Pete Buttigieg to serve as Secretary of Transportation is a brilliant and historic appointment. President-elect Joe Biden has again shown his commitment to diversity and made history with the first-ever nomination of an openly gay American to lead a Cabinet department.

Street Guys Hospitality’s Clarendon landmark restaurant, TTT, located at 2900 Wilson Boulevard, 22201, is celebrating the December holiday season with a newly enhanced third floor TTT Rooftop, which is enclosed completely with glass.  Snowy nights will be spectacular this winter, as this lofty heated space also has fresh air ventilation from the louvered blue roof, which can be opened during good weather.  This provides diners with a safer gathering oasis to enjoy spirited cocktails and casual Mexican-inspired fare.  One will find decorative lights, Christmas-inspired accents of evergreen trees, and suspended ornaments.  Prancing reindeer and silver balls highlight the bar and surrounding seating in the expansive space.  This new four-season glass room will serve dinner and weekend bottomless brunch with reservations recommended during the Christmas pop-up.

At TTT Rooftop, one will find winter cocktails and hot toddies with festive names such as the Holiday Spirit of Baileys, whiskey, coffee, white hot chocolate and nutmeg for $12; the Jolly Toddy of honey-lemon tea, cloves, whiskey and cinnamon for $11; the Candy Cane Margarita, Reposoda, tequila, fresh lime juice, cranberry juice, peppermint syrup and crushed candy cane for $10; the Winter Mojito, light rum, fresh lime juice, Licor 43 and cacao-mint cream for $12, and a mocktail of Cranberry Apple Cider Punch, apple cider, cranberry juice and ginger syrup for $7.  During TTT’s happy hour, Monday-Friday from 12 Noon to 5 p.m., guests can partake in special pricing with $6 margaritas, $5 red and white sangrias, wines, and draft beers.

Rep. Don Beyer, who represents the Northern Virginia suburbs of the nation’s capital, issued the following statement today on the proposed FY 2022 WMATA budget:

“The proposed WMATA budget cuts would be apocalyptic for Metro service and devastate its workforce. This catastrophe must not be allowed to happen, and Congress can prevent it by passing a new aid package. WMATA is not alone in its massive funding shortfall, which is a direct result of the pandemic. Cuts like this will hit across the country without robust aid for state and local governments and specific targeted funding for transit.

For many Virginians, Thanksgiving is going to look different than in previous years, with social distancing and outdoor meals. But, the rules of the road have not changed – slow down, wear a seatbelt and don’t drive distracted. Whether traveling to the grocery store or to grandma’s house, the same rings true, put your safety and the safety of others first.

“With lighter traffic on the roads, there may be a temptation to speed and a false sense of security that leads to drivers and passengers not wearing their seatbelts,” said Colonel Gary T. Settle, Virginia State Police Superintendent. “This year overall, state police have seen fewer crashes on Virginia highways but those crashes have been more deadly. Making sure you are driving the posted speed limit, driving for conditions and wearing your seatbelt are the best ways to stay safe on the road. Whatever your holiday celebrations look like this year, Virginia State Police want to make sure you arrive at your destination safely.”

On November 18, 2020, leadership of Arlington NAACP was made aware of a disturbing incident involving an Arlington Public School (APS) teacher at H-B Woodlawn who mocked the murder of George Floyd in a chemistry class exercise online.  We are deeply disturbed by the racist and callous nature in which the murder of George Floyd was devalued by a public-school teacher to students.  We are pleased that the principal took swift action to notify families and meet with affected students and that the Superintendent followed up with a letter to APS families with an honest depiction that did not minimize the significance or harm it caused.

This act of racial violence is the latest and most egregious in a progressive pattern of racist incidents occurring within our schools.  We are monitoring these cases and expect that the Superintendent and his leadership team will follow through with appropriate and decisive action involving the teacher, as well as a plan to cultivate an anti-racist culture within APS that will allow students of color to thrive in an emotionally safe learning environment.

Colony Grill, Clarendon’s new family-friendly tavern, which features gracious hospitality and famous “hot oil” bar-style pizzas, will partner this holiday season with Wreaths Across America and Dames for Soldiers to remember, honor and celebrate veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice fighting for our freedom. From November 27 through December 31, 2020, the restaurant invites guests to sponsor a veteran’s wreath to be placed at Arlington National Cemetery, and more than 1,600 additional locations across the US. In addition to the new location at 2800 Clarendon Boulevard, Colony Grill has multiple locations across Connecticut and New York participating in this worthy cause. Donations are priced at $5 each. Those who donate will receive an adhesive acrylic wreath in their honor to be placed on the restaurant’s Wall of Heroes.

“This is a small token of thanks to some exceptional Americans who risked it all to defend and protect our country,” said Ken Martin, chief operating officer and co-owner of Colony Grill. “Last year we partnered with Wreaths Across America to remember the fallen and thank military families for their sacrifice and raised more than $5,000, which allowed us to lay dozens of wreaths nationwide. In our second year we hope to double that amount.”

The Board of Directors of A-SPAN, a nonprofit organization that provides life-saving supportive services for vulnerable people, has announced the appointment of Betsy Frantz to the position of President/CEO on a permanent basis. Frantz has served as interim CEO since February 1, 2020, following Kathy Sibert’s retirement after 11 years at the organization.

“Betsy has provided stability and support to A-SPAN’s staff, clients, and Board of Directors during incredibly tumultuous times,” said Tim Denning, Chair of the Board. “The COVID-19 pandemic has deeply impacted our clients and team and Betsy’s leadership has been an anchor since she became Interim CEO in February. We are delighted that she has accepted our offer to transition from the interim role to a permanent position. Her many years of executive leadership experience in the nonprofit sector, combined with her commitment to the Arlington community, make her the clear choice for our organization.”

Virginia Hospital Center (VHC), a community-based hospital providing medical services to the Washington, DC metropolitan area for 75 years, has recently learned of an information security incident experienced by one of its vendors.

Blackbaud, Inc., a world-wide vendor that provides nonprofit and charitable organizations with cloud-based solution services related to donor and fundraising activities, recently informed VHC of an incident in which an unauthorized party gained access to Blackbaud’s systems between February 7 and May 20, 2020. Blackbaud informed VHC that the unauthorized party may have acquired a backup of the database that compromises certain limited elements of VHC’s donor and fundraising information, as may be the case with other nonprofits affected by this incident worldwide.