Press Releases

(Arlington, VA) – Embracing Arlington Arts – an independent citizens group comprised of Arlington arts supporters – applauds the County Board for formally adopting Arlington’s Strategic Plan for the arts – “Enriching Lives” at their Board meeting yesterday, June 18. This well-researched plan brought together arts professionals, experts, stakeholders and citizens in its development. “Board approval of this document was critical as the County moves to reevaluate and develop arts priorities in Arlington,” explained Janet Kopenhaver, Chair of Embracing Arlington Arts. “Now that it has been adopted, Arlington County arts organizations, County decisionmakers, community groups, developers and others will have more concrete standards by which to judge and decide on future projects, initiatives, plans and actions with respect to keeping the arts in Arlington vibrant, strong and healthy,” Kopenhaver added.

In anticipation of this vote, the County Board members were sent a letter signed by all known non-profit arts organizations in Arlington urging them to formally adopt this plan. The arts community is united in their desire for a formal arts plan in Arlington to help steer the arts policy in the County. “as the “Enriching Lives” strategy itself emphasizes, supporting the arts is so much greater than just one County department’s work plan,” asserted County Board member Katie Cristol. “The Board’s adoption of “Enriching Lives” adds our official support for this thoughtful, stakeholder-developed set of goals and strategies to guide our collective – public and private – work to grow and sustain the arts in Arlington,” Cristol added.

Arlington, VA – The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) voted Wednesday to allow the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission to use nearly $20 million in toll revenues to fund 13 projects that benefit commuters in the I-66 corridor. “We appreciate the CTB’s support as we fund 13 projects that will provide connections to places people want to go, add options for commuter and local bus riders, encourage ridesharing and make it easier to choose transit,” said NVTC Executive Director Kate Mattice. “The projects funded through I-66 Commuter Choice will save Northern Virginia commuters approximately 485,000 hours of travel delay each year and move over 3,000 additional people through the corridor during rush hour,” she said.

The highly competitive application process resulted in a slate of projects that improve transit service, move more people and enhance transportation connectivity in Northern Virginia. About 87 percent of the funds, or $17 million, will support four new bus routes and improve the services of five existing bus routes. Three of the approved bus route projects will continue successful services initiated during the first I-66 Commuter Choice program launched in 2017. The remaining 13 percent, or $2.6 million, supports transit incentives, alternative travel options and program administration.

The County Board today approved an extension to Arlington’s demonstration project for e-scooters and e-bikes for six months, through Dec. 31, 2019, to allow continued public comment and sufficient time for analysis. More than 300,000 trips have been taken on the devices since Arlington launched the demonstration project in October 2018.

“Great transportation options are an important feature of life in Arlington County,” County Board Chair Christian Dorsey said. “On a day-to-day basis, we are learning a lot about what’s working and what isn’t working with dockless scooters and bikes. Before this Board considers how to permanently regulate these devices in Arlington, we need a complete analysis from staff of information from operators, staff experience, adopted plans and policies, and feedback from our community. We expect to get that within the next four to six months, and then we can make an informed decision on next steps based on analysis of real-world performance.”

ROCKVILLE, MD (June 19, 2019) – Seventy works of art created by 19 local artists will be showcased this summer at Palette 22’s Pop Up Art Gallery windows on display at Federal Realty Investment Trust’s (NYSE:FRT) Village at Shirlington. The artwork, ranging in size from 14″ x 14″ up to 3′ x 4′, will be featured in the windows at 4001 Campbell Avenue throughout the summer and viewable from the street and sidewalk. It will include photography; painted canvas works in acrylic, watercolor and oil; framed works; and found objects like a mosaic table and poured-paint guitars.

“The Pop Up Art Gallery is an expansion of our Artist-in-Residence (AIR) program at Palette 22, where regional artists showcase, create and promote their original work inside the restaurant,” said Tom DeMott, General Manager of Palette 22. “We’re excited to provide the Shirlington neighborhood with this program on a much larger scale and promote the arts and culture experience of Palette 22 outside of our restaurant space.”

Arlington, Va. – This morning, the Arlington Chamber of Commerce held the State of the County & Public Safety Awards, which celebrated Arlington’s economic achievements, the community’s future, and all who make the area an excellent place to live and work. The breakfast event began with an address by the Arlington County Board Chair, Christian Dorsey, who highlighted Arlington’s economic status. The Chamber then honored public safety personnel and first responders from Arlington County’s Office of Public Safety Communications & Emergency Management, Police Department, Fire Department, and Sheriff’s Office who have exemplified heroic actions and exceptional performance of their duties.

Christian Dorsey began his State of the County address by thanking the Arlington Chamber of Commerce and the Arlington business community for their partnership “on specific issues from the transient occupancy tax, to dedicated funding for the Metro, to helping us put our best foot forward in the competition for Amazon’s HQ2.” Dorsey went on to say, “We have been important partners for issues in the community, and we share the same fundamental goal of an Arlington County that is prosperous, inclusive, and committed to being better tomorrow than it was yesterday.”

Arlington, VA – Neighbors in Arlington County (including Alexandria County and Fairfax County) have formed a solar co-op to save money and make going solar easier, with the help of nonprofit Solar United Neighbors. Arlington Initiative to Rethink Energy, EcoAction Arlington, and Virginia Clean Cities are sponsoring the co-op. The group is seeking members and will host its first free, public informational meeting on Thursday, June 27, at 6:30 p.m. at Arlington Central Library to educate the community about solar and the co-op process.

“We’re forming this co-op to make saving money with solar energy as simple as possible,” said Helen Reinecke-Wilt of the Arlington Initiative to Rethink Energy. “Working with a group helps members learn about the technology so they feel confident in their decision to go solar.”

WASHINGTON, D. C. (Tuesday, June 18, 2019) –Parents, grandparents, guardians, caregivers and babysitters in Virginia have less than two weeks left to “get their houses in order,” so to speak, when it comes to correctly transporting any child two-years-old or younger in their vehicles. They must safely secure the child in the newly mandated age-appropriate child restraint seat, starting July 1, 2019. On that date a new Virginia law will require parents to keep their precious infants and toddlers in rear-facing car seats until the child turns two, or reaches the minimum weight limit for a forward-facing child restraint seat, as prescribed by its manufacturer. A similar law went into effect in Washington, D.C. on March 1, 2019.

The new Virginia law (House Bill 708) was actually passed and signed into law in 2018 with a mid-2019 effective date. Championed by AAA Mid-Atlantic, it will bring Virginia’s code in line with the safety recommendations of traffic safety advocates such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, etc. “Child restraint systems are the most effective way to protect young children involved in motor vehicle crashes,” advises NHTSA.

McLean, Va.– The National Park Service (NPS) is preparing to begin construction on a long-term repair of the sinkhole near Dead Run on the George Washington Memorial Parkway. Following extensive assessments of the area and of drainage infrastructure that is deep underground, engineers have determined that the NPS needs to replace a 60 year old brick drainage structure and rehabilitate the pipes leading to that structure.

“We are working with the Federal Highway Administration to fully address the sinkhole and reopen both northbound lanes of the George Washington Memorial Parkway” Superintendent Charles Cuvelier said. “At this point we are finalizing construction plans for a long-term fix. Once construction on the long-term fix begins, it is anticipated to take approximately 10 weeks. Our goal is to minimize inconvenience to the public while ensuring we are fully addressing the issue so that this doesn’t happen again.”

Arlington County and its Complete Count Committee (CCC) are gearing up for the 2020 Census–working toward the goal of counting every Arlingtonian. This once-a-decade count dates back to 1790, but the 2020 Census is the first one in the age of social media. That means localities have more opportunities to reach residents, and residents have more ways to respond.

It’s not too early to get acquainted with the Census and what to expect next year. Here’s what you need to know:

On the evening of Sunday, June 8, more than 200 people gathered into AFAC’s warehouse for a celebration of volunteerism at AFAC’s annual Volunteer Appreciation Picnic. Throughout the course of the year, over 2,000 volunteers serve nearly 50,000 hours of service towards AFAC’s mission of feeding our neighbors in need.

Awards for Volunteers of the Year was presented to Richard “Dick” Bauder and Charles Dinkens. Volunteer Group of the Year went to volunteers who run AFAC’s Claridge House food distribution every Monday morning. Our Savior Lutheran Church and School was honored as a Community Partner of the Year for their role in allowing AFAC to host large corporate bagging events in their gymnasium, as well as hosting the annual Scouting for Food drive by the Boy Scouts every November. Arlington County’s Solid Waste Bureau was also recognized as a Community Partner of the Year for turning our food waste into compost, which in turn is used at AFAC Plot Against Hunger gardens to grow food for our food distributions.

RICHMOND – Virginia’s official and only comprehensive report on local and statewide crime figures for 2018 is now available online at the Virginia State Police website at www.vsp.virginia.gov, under “Forms & Publications.” The detailed document, titled Crime in Virginia, provides precise rates and occurrences of crimes committed in towns, cities and counties across the Commonwealth. The report breaks down criminal offenses and arrests by the reporting agency.

Overall, Virginia experienced a 2% decrease in violent crime (murder, forcible sex offenses, robbery and aggravated assault) compared to the previous reporting period.

Today I am proud to offer my endorsement of Mayor Pete Buttigieg for President of the United States.

Throughout my political career I have had the opportunity to work with only a handful of candidates who simultaneously embody pragmatic progressive reform and possess both the strong commitment to our nation formed by service, and the ability to effectively outline achievable aspirations. For two years, the Trump administration’s callous cynicism and corruption has shaken the belief of many that such leaders still exist.