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Morning Notes

Published April 6, 2016 at 9:45AM

GMU to Tweak Name of Scalia Law School — A week ago, after receiving $30 million in donations, George Mason University announced that it was naming its Arlington-based law school the “Antonin Scalia School of Law,” in honor of the late Supreme Court justice. The internet promptly went wild for the school’s would-be acronym: ASS Law or ASSoL. GMU noticed, and is now adjusting the name to the “Antonin Scalia Law School.” [Above the Law]

Porch Fire in High View Park — A small fire broke out yesterday on the porch of a house in the High View Park neighborhood, on the 2300 block of N. Dinwiddie Street, about two blocks from Fire Station No. 8. The fire marshal is investigating the incident. [Twitter]

News

Arlington Is Seeking Its First Poet Laureate

By ARLnow.com

Published April 5, 2016 at 4:15PM

To date, perhaps surprisingly, Arlington has not had one. But that’s about to change.

Arlington County is seeking applicants from individuals seeking to become the county’s first-ever poet laureate. The position only pays $1,500 per year — partially from donated funds — but it does come with the lofty title. The poet laureate’s two year term is set to begin July 1.

News

County to Tweak Approach to Neighborhood Sidewalks After Project Cancellations

By ARLnow.com

Published March 25, 2016 at 11:00AM

Deputy County Manager Carol Mitten discussed the change during last week’s Arlington County Board meeting. She said the problem isn’t county policy — which was updated in 2011 — it’s the application of that policy.

The county’s Master Transportation Plan calls for 4-5 foot wide sidewalks in residential neighborhoods, with the narrower sidewalk in areas where it would preserve mature trees, parking, slopes or structures.

Around Town

Here’s a Performance of Arlington’s Official Song

By ARLnow.com

Published March 15, 2016 at 3:35PM

It’s been a decade since its last public performance, but Arlington’s official song has now been recorded — and released on YouTube — for future generations.

News

County Board Approves Two Multi-Million Dollar Contracts

By ARLnow.com

Published March 14, 2016 at 5:45PM | Updated March 16, 2016 at 11:58AM

Earlier: The Arlington County Board approved ~~a trio of~~ two multi-million dollar contracts at its meeting on Saturday.

First, the Board was to consider a $4.85 million contract, with a $0.73 million contingency, to add a third level to the existing two-level parking garage at the Arlington Trades Center near Shirlington.

News

Media Denied Access to Lyon Park Community Meeting About Gun Store

By ARLnow.com

Published February 29, 2016 at 12:00PM | Updated February 29, 2016 at 12:24PM

(Updated at 12:25 p.m.) Members of the media were denied access to a Lyon Park community meeting about the controversial plan to open a gun shop in the neighborhood Sunday night.

The meeting was attended by County Board Chair Libby Garvey, Vice Chair Jay Fisette, County Manager Mark Schwartz, Police Chief Jay Farr and Del. Patrick Hope. The owner of the planned gun store at 2300 N. Pershing Drive, Nova Armory, was reportedly out of town and unable to attend.

News

County Board Rips ‘Troubling’ Proposed Child Care Regulations

By ARLnow.com

Published February 24, 2016 at 3:55PM | Updated February 24, 2016 at 6:24PM

As ARLnow.com first reported Monday, the most recent draft of the child care regulations would have required child care centers to encourage mothers to breastfeed and would have dictated what type of milk, juice and birthday treats could be fed to children, among other provisions.

That’s in addition to new staffing and employee education requirements that panicked the operators of small and part-time child care centers, who said such rules would put them out of business or at least drive up the cost of daycare and preschool programs.

News

County Announces Launch of Two New Open Government Initiatives

By ARLnow.com

Published February 24, 2016 at 10:25AM

The County Board on Tuesday approved a pilot program to webcast Planning Commission and Transportation Commission meetings, as well as certain County Board work sessions.

“The goal of the new program is to engage more residents in the civic process who are not able or choose not to attend meetings,” the county said in a press release. “The goal is to increase awareness of County issues and ease participation for a more broad and diverse audience.

Around Town

New County App Includes Arlington Alerts, Events, Real Estate Sales

By ARLnow.com

Published February 4, 2016 at 11:15AM

Want to see for how much your neighbor just sold her house? That’s one of the streams of information in Arlington County’s new mobile app.

My Arlington, the recently-released app for iPhone and Android devices, “puts popular County information about events, real estate, permits and more in the palm of your hand,” says a county press release.

News

Federal Gov’t Closed Tuesday, County Gov’t to Open at Noon

By ARLnow.com

Published January 26, 2016 at 12:35AM

The Office of Personnel Management announced Monday night that federal offices would remain closed Tuesday, though “emergency and telework-ready employees required to work must follow their agency’s policies.”

Arlington County government offices, facilities and courts — with the exception of General District Court — are scheduled to reopen at noon on Tuesday.

News

Garvey Elected Chair of Arlington County Board, Promises Reform

By ARLnow.com

Published January 4, 2016 at 11:30AM | Updated January 4, 2016 at 11:46AM

Garvey, a Democrat who has clashed with the local Democratic establishment over her endorsement of independent John Vihstadt and opposition to the Columbia Pike streetcar, was unanimously elected County Board Chair at the Board’s annual New Year’s Day organizational meeting on Jan. 1.

Garvey is up for reelection this year and it is a long-standing tradition that the Board member who is up for reelection serve as Chair.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published January 4, 2016 at 9:05AM | Updated January 4, 2016 at 9:22AM

Garvey Named 2016 Arlington County Board Chair — Libby Garvey, who is facing a challenge in this year’s Democratic primary, has been named the Chair of the Arlington County Board. Articles to follow.

Update: Family Given Lease Extension — An Arlington family with a disabled son has been given a 30-day lease extension, after they went to the media to protest the landlord’s reported refusal to renew their lease. The family said the manager of Columbia Pike apartment complex complained about them making too much noise. [Washington Post]