ARLnow.com | ARLnow.com

ARLnow Holiday Weekend Discussion

Published December 23, 2016 at 12:00PM | Updated December 27, 2016 at 8:58AM

The team behind ARLnow.com wishes you and yours a very merry Christmas and a happy Hanukkah this weekend.

Barring major breaking news, we will be taking a brief holiday hiatus until Tuesday morning. In the meantime, you’re welcome to discuss the holiday or any other topic of local interest in the comments.

We leave you with the following original poem, written by local resident James Miller in iambic trimeter. It’s entitled “Christmas in Rosslyn.”

Christmas here in Rosslyn.
Lights shine like the dawning.
The wreaths are strewn across
Storefront and the awning.

Christmas here in Rosslyn.
Many a sight be seen
on Wilson Boulevard.
Baubles of red and green.

Christmas here in Rosslyn.
The new buildings in grow.
Progress for the new year.
Concrete with hope, we sow.

Christmas here in Rosslyn.
Iwo Jima lights dark.
Heroes for a nation.
In ground we leave their mark.

Christmas here in Rosslyn.
Cemetery sits cold.
Wreaths lie in remembrance.
The sacrifice of old.

Christmas here in Rosslyn.
The few do still recall.
The true love offered for
The victims of the Fall.

Christmas here in Rosslyn.
May we remember why
The gift we all receive
The day our death did die.

Flickr pool photo by John Sonderman

County Facilities to Be Closed Next Two Mondays

By ARLnow.com

Published December 23, 2016 at 10:30AM

Just like the federal government, Arlington County government will be closed the next two Mondays.

County government offices, courts, libraries and facilities will be closed on Sunday, Dec. 25 and Monday, Dec. 26 for Christmas, and on Sunday, Jan. 1 and Monday, Jan. 2 for New Year’s.

Parking meters will not be enforced during that time, though trash and recycling collection will proceed as normal.

Libraries will also be closed on Saturday, Dec. 24, while courts are closed today and Saturday. Arlington Public Schools are on break from Dec. 22-Jan. 2.

The county jail will remain open for inmate visits, from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Dec. 25-26 and Jan. 1-2.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published December 23, 2016 at 9:00AM

Sun Gazette Moving HQ to Falls Church — The Sun Gazette newspaper is moving its headquarters from McLean to the city of Falls Church. The paper, which has an Arlington edition and a McLean/Great Falls/Vienna/Oakton edition, has previously, under its current editor, had its headquarters in Dunn Loring, Alexandria and Springfield. [InsideNova]

Review of Synetic’s ‘Sleeping Beauty’ — Crystal City-based physical theater company Synetic is performing its unique take on “Sleeping Beauty” through Jan. 8. It has received a laudatory review from Broadway World. “Every mimed motion, from a butterfly alighting on a hand to that fated spinning wheel wound, is flawlessly executed and transports audiences to a place beyond imagination,” the publication wrote. [Broadway World]

Children of Inmates Receive Gifts — The annual “Project Christmas Angel” initiative has distributed more than 1,100 gifts this year to nearly 400 children whose parents will be locked up in the Arlington County jail or in state prisons over the holidays. The project also supports kids who have a parent that was recently released from incarceration. [InsideNova]

Final ‘Around Arlington’ of 2016 — The final episode of the county-produced Around Arlington television segment features updates on the Four Mile Run Valley initiative, humanitarian award winners and plans for 2017. [YouTube]

Flickr pool photo by Eric

Podcast: ARLnow 2016 Holiday Special

By ARLnow.com

Published December 22, 2016 at 3:45PM | Updated December 22, 2016 at 4:08PM

Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen (photo courtesy Jim Coates)

Merry Christmas and happy Hanukkah to all of our listeners!

We close out 2016 with a special holiday podcast, featuring Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen of Central United Methodist Church in Ballston, Dr. Leonard L. Hamlin Sr. of Macedonia Baptist Church in Nauck, Rabbi Lia Bass of Congregation Etz Hayim along Route 50, and an exclusive interview with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus.

This is a family-friendly episode that you can feel free to let your kids listen to.

Listen below or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher or TuneIn.

Arlington Prepared to Plow Neighborhood Streets During Big Snowstorms

By ARLnow.com

Published December 22, 2016 at 11:00AM | Updated December 22, 2016 at 12:37PM

There’s no snow in the forecast — sorry to those with dreams of a white Christmas — but Arlington County says it’s ready for the next big snowfall, whenever it may come.

The county has released a video saying that its snow crews — 46 trucks and 92 drivers on staff — are prepared to plow neighborhood streets earlier when 6+ inches of snow is expected to fall.

That’s a change from before, when county snow crews would wait to plow neighborhood streets only after higher-traffic streets were cleared. That led to neighborhood streets icing over and becoming difficult to plow, and that led to complaints from residents who had to wait days until their streets were cleared.

The change, which will “send more plows into neighborhoods sooner,” was approved over the summer.

‘Pershing Manor’ Sells at Auction

By ARLnow.com

Published December 22, 2016 at 9:45AM

A controversial mansion in Lyon Park has sold at auction.

Pershing Manor, at 3120 N. Pershing Drive, sold for $2.2 million, Prime Auction Solutions auctioneer Anne Nouri tells ARLnow.com. No other details about the transaction were immediately available.

The home was most recently assessed at $4 million by Arlington County.

The mansion is controversial with neighbors for reasons that may have made it attractive to some buyers: at 13,700 square feet it is large and ostentatious — especially by Lyon Park standards — with a circular driveway, indoor heated pool, stone waterfall and other luxury features.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published December 22, 2016 at 8:30AM

Two Arrested for McD’s Beating — Arlington County Police have arrested two men for the beating of a 17-year-old boy at a McDonald’s on Lee Highway last week. The victim’s mother said she “believes the attack is payback for her son reporting a crime against him months ago.” [Fox 5]

Ray’s Files for Bankruptcy — The parent company of Ray’s The Steaks has filed for bankruptcy for the second time in two years. Owner Michael Landrum says Ray’s is in no danger of closing, however. [Washington Business Journal]

Rosslyn Hyatt Changes Branding — The Hyatt hotel on Wilson Blvd is now the first “Hyatt Centric” in the Mid-Atlantic region. Hyatt Centric is described as “a full-service brand that aims to attract a younger traveler, as well as to engage more with the neighborhood in which the hotels are located.” [Washington Business Journal]

Flickr pool photo by Wolfkann

Arlington Woman Gets Jail Time for Handbag Scheme

By ARLnow.com

Published December 21, 2016 at 4:05PM

An Arlington woman arrested earlier this year for a counterfeit handbag fraud has been sentenced to jail time.

Federal prosecutors say 41-year-old Praepitcha Smatsorabudh would buy luxury handbags online, then return high-quality knockoff handbags to the store while selling the real bag online, netting big profits in the process

She was sentenced today to 30 months in prison and more than $800,000 in forfeiture and restitution, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Gulf Branch Nature Center to Host Solstice Eve Campfire

By ARLnow.com

Published December 21, 2016 at 3:30PM

Arlington’s Gulf Branch Nature Center (3608 N. Military Road) is hosting a campfire tonight to ring in the winter solstice.

The event is taking place from 7-8 p.m. and will feature a fire and some wintery activities. Registration is required, according to an event listing.

“Celebrate the longest night of the year with candle making and s’mores!” says the listing. “Then we’ll take a night hike under the half moon.”

Registration costs $5 and can be done online or over the phone at 703-228-4747.

File photo

Crime Report: Criminals Take a Holiday

By ARLnow.com

Published December 21, 2016 at 2:30PM | Updated February 27, 2020 at 4:44PM

After a fairly busy week of police-related stories last week, this week the Arlington County Police Department crime report is as sparse as we can ever remember.

Granted, the crime report does not include an attempted child abduction in Pentagon City, on which we reported yesterday, nor a police warning about a fake jewelry scam.

Playing a role in the slow crime week: very cold weather last week (crime reports are for the period from Thursday to Wednesday) and, potentially, the approaching holiday.

This week’s crime report includes just two incidents deemed noteworthy by police, both burglaries. From ACPD:

BURGLARY, 2016-12160062, 900 block of S. George Mason Drive. Between 3:25 a.m. and 3:40 a.m. on December 16, an unknown subject(s) forced entry into a business and stole an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect is described as a white male, with a slim to average build. He was wearing a black north face jacket, dark pants with red stripes down the side, dark shoes, gloves, and a dark backpack.

BURGLARY, 2016-12180152, 2900 block of S. Glebe Road. Between 12:00 a.m. on December 1 and 11:30 a.m. on December 18, an unknown subject(s) entered a residence and stole numerous items of value. There is no suspect(s) description.

Arlington Pet of the Week: Nyambo

Published December 21, 2016 at 12:00PM

This week’s Arlington Pet of the Week is Nyambo, a smart kitten who is fascinated by running water.

Here’s what Nyambo’s owner, Stacy, had to say about him:

Nyambo is the most loved kitten in all of Arlington. Nyambo was a street kitten when he was found last spring and then raised by a recent graduate of Washington-Lee. However, Nyambo’s caretaker had to leave him suddenly this past summer, and he was taken to the AWLA shelter on Four Mile Run by the Arlington County police! Nyambo’s friends “bailed” him out of the shelter and he is now residing in Crystal City. Nyambo is hoping to be reunited with his old friend soon. But in the meantime, he is being spoiled by all of the teenage girls who visit him at his new place.

Nyambo is not just a pretty orange & white face with a loud purr, he is also an intellectual! He loves to sit by the computer and chase the cursor, he plays fetch, and he is fascinated by all running water but especially the toilet flushing. He also enjoys practicing wrestling with his brother Taco. But, Nyambo hasn’t given up all of his street-boy ways just yet! He will make a break for the outdoors or steel food off your plate if he gets the opportunity!

Want your pet to be considered for the Arlington Pet of the Week? Email [email protected] with a 2-3 paragraph bio and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos of your pet. Please don’t send vertical photos, they don’t fit in our photo galleries!

Each week’s winner receives a sample of dog or cat treats from our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, along with $100 in Becky’s Bucks. Becky’s Pet Care is the winner six consecutive Angie’s List Super Service Awards, the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters’ 2013 Business of the Year and a proud supporter of the Arlington County Pawsitively Prepared Campaign.

Becky’s Pet Care provides professional dog walking and pet sitting in Arlington and all of Northern Virginia, as well as PetPrep training courses for Pet Care, CPR and emergency preparedness.

#Pet of the Week