Author: ARLnow.com

Synetic Leaving Crystal City Venue — “Synetic Theater announced Thursday that it’s been asked to leave its Crystal City home of nearly 15 years by April 30 of next year…. the theater is ‘working to secure reliable local spaces to continue our work,’ and Managing Director Ben Cunis said in an interview that the theater is ‘in talks with Arlington County about what spaces we can use in the short and the mid-term.'” [Washington Business Journal, Synetic Theater]

Fundraiser for Crash Victims — “A friend of two people killed in a car crash in Arlington on July 4 is holding an online fundraising campaign to help their families with funeral costs. Furkan Avkan, 23, who was driving the car, and 21-year-old Habiba Harbaoui, a passenger in the car, both died in the crash.” [Patch, GoFundMe]

Superintendent’s Contract Renewed — “At today’s meeting, the Arlington School Board appointed Dr. Francisco Durán as superintendent for his second term, effective July 1, 2023. Dr. Durán has served as superintendent since June 1, 2020, and the new four-year contract extends through June 30, 2027.” [Arlington Public Schools]

New School Board Chair — From Cristina Diaz-Torres: “Earlier today, I was elected by my colleagues to serve as the Chair of the @APSVaSchoolBd. It is an honor to have earned their support and I am excited to take on the challenge of looking forward and charting a path for our schools and community!” [Twitter]

APS Pressing Pause on New Stuff — “If it plays out as announced, the 2023-24 school year at Arlington Public Schools could be a period where teachers, students, families and staff get a reprieve from what has been something of a never-ending series of new educational initiatives thrust at them. Superintendent Francisco Durán on June 22 told School Board members that, with one exception, there will be no major educational initiatives pushed forward for the coming school year.” [Gazette Leader]

Arlington’s New Poet Laureate — “Courtney LeBlanc has been selected as the third Poet Laureate of Arlington County. During her two-year appointment, the award-winning poet will serve as an advocate for poetry and the literary arts and will work to raise Arlingtonians’ consciousness and appreciation of poetry in its written and spoken forms… She is also the founder and editor-in-chief of Riot in Your Throat, an independent poetry press, and is a fellow at the Virginia Center for Creative Arts.” [Arlington County]

Robbery on Columbia Pike — “The male suspect entered the business and allegedly began concealing items when he was approached by an employee. The suspect made threatening statements towards the employee and fled the scene on foot with the stolen items. The suspect was located in the area and ran from officers before he was taken into custody. During the course of the investigation, it was determined the suspect was previously banned from the store and had stolen items on previous dates.” [ACPD]

ARLnow on Threads — For the Twitter adverse, ARLnow is on the new, rapidly-growing social network Threads. [Threads]

It’s Friday — A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Otherwise partly sunny, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 50%. At night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Chance of precipitation is 30%. [Weather.gov]

Doctor Pleads to Workplace Assault — From attorney and former Virginia lieutenant governor Justin Fairfax: “Today in #Arlington General District Court, [a local doctor who owns several local urgent care clinics] pled ‘No Contest’ regarding a terrifying at-work assault & battery.” [Twitter, Fox 5]

Historic Designation for Haunted House? — “A home that someday could become a local historic district comes with an added attraction – visitors from the spirit world. The property was the home for decades to a self-described clairvoyant who would host seances there. And even today, ghosts are reported to remain in residence.” [Gazette Leader]

Big Boost in July 4 Metro Ridership — “Metrorail celebrated the Independence Day holiday with preliminary ridership topping 410,000, a level not seen since 2015. With fare-free service after 5 p.m. and a boost in service to accommodate the influx of customers, rail ridership was up 61 percent over last year.” [WMATA]

APS, Planetarium Group Renew Agreement — “Arlington school leaders will ink an updated agreement with the ‘friends’ group supporting the David M. Brown Planetarium… Under the agreement, Friends of the Planetarium will continue to be able to use the facility one weekend per month and on specified evenings and times when schools are closed to provide programming to the public.” [Gazette Leader]

Biking Best Bet for Costco Trips? — From the Costco Connection magazine: “For Gillian Burgess, her cargo bike adds convenience to her shopping trips. ‘I live in Arlington, Virginia, and find that biking is the best way to get to the Pentagon City Costco,’ she says.” [Twitter]

Money Diary of Local Financial Analyst — “I leave my apartment at 7:25 to make it to my date on time. We’re meeting at a dive bar around the corner from me. I immediately know I’m not interested in him but I order a beer and chat with him for an hour.” [Refinery 29]

Nearby: Pickleball Proposal in Tysons — “Indoor pickleball courts could soon be coming to a Tysons industrial park off Leesburg Pike and the Dulles Toll Road. The Pickleball Club of Tysons has applied to Fairfax County for permits to build out space at 8520 A Tyco Road, about a half-mile from the Silver Line’s Spring Hill Metro station, for the new athletic facility.” [Washington Business Journal]

It’s Thursday — A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2pm. Otherwise mostly cloudy, with a high near 89. Light and variable wind becoming southeast 5 to 7 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 40%. At night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southeast wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. [Weather.gov]