ARLnow.com | ARLnow.com

Police: Inmate’s Death Was of Natural Causes

Published October 21, 2015 at 10:30AM

Police have completed their investigation of the death of an inmate at the Arlington County jail.

Anthony Gordon was found unconscious in his cell at the detention facility in Courthouse on Aug. 22. Despite efforts to revive him, he was pronounced dead after arriving at Virginia Hospital Center.

In a press release (below), police say they determined that Gordon had “an extensive history of medical issues” and died of “natural causes.”

Arlington police are still investigating the death of 53-year-old Edward Straughn — who was found unresponsive in his cell at the jail earlier this month.

The investigation of the in-custody death of 48 year-old Anthony Gordon on August 22, 2015, by the Arlington County Police Department’s Homicide/Robbery Unit has concluded. In conjunction with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, it has been determined that Gordon died of natural causes due to an extensive history of medical issues.

Deputies with the Arlington County Sheriff’s Office found Gordon unconscious in a medical unit cell in the early morning hours of August 22, 2015. Resuscitation efforts were performed by deputies and nurses on scene prior to Gordon being transported to Virginia Hospital Center where he was pronounced deceased at approximately 3:41 a.m.

Gordon was convicted of a third offense of assault and battery of a family member and was sentenced to five years.

This incident marked the first in-custody death since February 2013. It was determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in the 2013 incident that the inmate had died of natural causes.

Marine Corps Marathon Setup Underway Near Rosslyn

By ARLnow.com

Published October 21, 2015 at 10:00AM | Updated October 21, 2015 at 10:43AM

Preparations are underway for one of Arlington’s biggest annual events: The Marine Corps Marathon.

The marathon, now in its 40th year, will kick off starting at 7:45 a.m. on Sunday. The 26.2 mile course will take it from Rosslyn to the GW Parkway and Key Bridge, around D.C., across the 14th Street Bridge, and through Crystal City before ending near the Iwo Jima memorial.

We photographed workers setting up tents and signs near the memorial yesterday afternoon. Throughout the week more signs and tents will be going up in Crystal City and throughout the course.

For those hoping to cheer on the runners, Crystal City will be holding its annual MCM family festival, with activities like moon bounces, face painting and arts and crafts.

Rosslyn will again host the race’s finish festival, where runners will meet up with friends and family members. The finish festival will also have food and drink, souvenirs and live entertainment.

Photos by Justin Funkhouser

Free Taxi Rides to Be Offered on Halloween

By ARLnow.com

Published October 20, 2015 at 4:05PM | Updated October 21, 2015 at 12:54PM

As it does on many particularly festive holidays, the Washington Regional Alcohol Program will be offering free taxi rides on Halloween through its SoberRide program.

The free rides will be offered from 10 p.m. on Saturday to 4 a.m. on Sunday. In order to get a free ride, revelers have to book their cab by calling 1-800-200-TAXI.

In its press release (below), WRAP noted that nearly half of all Halloween traffic deaths in the U.S. are caused by drunk drivers.

As a means of making the Washington-metropolitan area’s roadways a little less frightening this Halloween, free cab rides will be offered to would-be drunk drivers throughout Arlington County, Virginia on the evening of Saturday, October 31st.

Offered by the nonprofit Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP), the Halloween SoberRide® program will be in operation at 10:00 pm on Saturday, October 31st (Halloween) and operate until 4:00 am on Sunday, November 1st, as a way to keep local roads safe from impaired drivers during this traditionally high-risk, holiday period.

During this six-hour period, area residents ages 21 and older celebrating with alcohol may call the toll-free SoberRide® phone number 1-800-200-TAXI and be afforded a no-cost (up to a $30 fare), safe way home. AT&T wireless customers can dial #WRAP for the same service.

Local taxicab companies throughout the Washington-metropolitan area provide this no-cost service to local residents age 21 and older who otherwise may attempt to drive home after drinking.

SoberRide® is offered in the: District of Columbia; throughout the Maryland counties of Montgomery and Prince George’s; and throughout the Northern Virginia counties of Arlington, Fairfax, (eastern) Loudoun and Prince William.

“The scary fact is that nearly half (43%*) of all U.S. traffic deaths occurring during Halloween are caused by drunk drivers,”said Kurt Gregory Erickson, WRAP’s President.

Sponsors of this year’s Halloween SoberRide® offering include: AAA Mid-Atlantic, Anheuser-Busch, Constellation Brands, Diageo, District of Columbia Association of Beverage Alcohol Wholesalers, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility, Giant Food, MillerCoors, Red Top Cab of Arlington, Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington, Volkswagen Group of America and the Washington Area New Automobile Dealers Association.

Participating taxicab companies include: Alexandria Yellow Cab; Barwood; Fairfax Yellow Cab; Loudoun Yellow Cab; Northern Virginia Checker Cab; Red Top Cab; Silver Cab of Prince George’s County; Yellow Cab of D.C.; and Yellow Cab of Prince William County.

Last Halloween’s (2014) SoberRide® program provided nearly 300 (278) free cab rides home to would-be drunk drivers in the Washington-metropolitan area.

Since 1993, WRAP’s SoberRide® program has provided 62,773 free cab rides home to would-be drunk drivers in the Greater Washington area.

Founded in 1982, the nonprofit [501(c)(3)] Washington Regional Alcohol Program (www.wrap.org) is an award-winning public-private partnership working to prevent drunk driving and underage drinking in the Washington-metropolitan area. Through public education, innovative health education programs and advocacy, WRAP is credited with keeping the metro-Washington area’s alcohol-related traffic deaths consistently lower than the national average.

More information about WRAP’s SoberRide® initiative can be found at www.soberride.com.

File photo

ASAP Printing Mixes New Technology With Old School Customer Service

Published October 20, 2015 at 12:30PM | Updated October 20, 2015 at 3:38PM

ASAP Printing
Owner: Mohammad “Mo” Shiekhy
4141 N. Henderson Road (Ballston area)
Phone: 888-841-6004
Email: [email protected]
http://www.asapscreenprinting.com/

ASAP Printing is small, no doubt about it. But that’s kind of what owner Mohammad “Mo” Shiekhy likes about it: he has to take responsibility for everything.

He says his customer service is what sets ASAP apart from the others. But with a decline in paper printing — there aren’t many others like ASAP.

When Shiekhy took over the business from his friend in 1990, he says there were 13 print shops from Rosslyn to Glebe Road. Now, there are three.

What’s kept his business alive when so many have withered? That dedication to customer service and a willingness to keep up with new technology.

Shiekhy said being good to customers is the cornerstone of his business philosophy.

“I take [customer orders] very personally. I stay on top of the work until it gets done,” he said.

The business has a small staff of four, one to do each job — screen printing, offset, graphic design and front desk. Shiekhy says people who work for him tend not to last if they don’t take service as seriously as he does.

That said, two of his employees have been with the business for over 10 years. One of ASAP’s former employees started working the front desk in 1990 and worked there until she was 33, when she left to pursue accounting work. Shiekhy participated in her wedding.

Shiekhy explained that he includes consulting to make sure that the materials he’s making suit the clients’ needs and offers services at the lowest prices he can.

“I understand their goals when printing, the cheapest way and the best results,” he said. “They get marketing consultation, budget consultation, then they get their print done.”

As far as technology goes, ASAP is “101 percent up to date in that department,” Shiekhy says, talking about the new six-color screen printing machine he acquired last year. He also aims to keep up with whatever is best for the environment in both inks and fabrics in the screen printing industry.

(more…)

Cycling Group to Launch ‘Bike Friendly Ballston’ Campaign

By ARLnow.com

Published October 20, 2015 at 11:30AM

A prominent local cycling organization is launching a campaign to push for changes to make Ballston more bike friendly.

The Washington Area Bicycling Association will be holding a campaign kick off event at Arlington Central Library (1015 N. Quincy Street) on Wednesday, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. The campaign is the work of the group’s Action Committee for Arlington County.

“For the past few months, we have been hard at work planning how to transform Ballston into a place where it is not just possible to bike, but actually fun, easy, safe and stress free — and while we’re at it — walkable, too!” says a web page for the event.

The campaign will focus on the N. Quincy Street bike lanes. While the nearby Custis Trail is used by some 2,000 people per day, WABA says, the Quincy Street bike lanes are used by fewer than 400. A big part of that lack of use: safety.

From WABA:

The existing Quincy Street bike lanes are uncomfortably close to frequent and fast moving traffic. The bike lanes disappear at a major intersection (Washington Blvd) forcing people on bicycles to merge with drivers already navigating a tricky intersection. Delivery vehicles and double parked cars frequently block these lanes creating more merging conflicts as drivers and bicyclists try to share the same space. Furthermore, the lanes are difficult to access from the Custis Trail because there are no stop signs or traffic lights to help south-bound cyclists cross the street.

While bike lanes may be sufficient for experienced cyclists, they are not the kind of protected, inviting infrastructure that we need to get more Arlington residents to feel comfortable getting around by bicycle.

The group wants to see protected bike lanes on Quincy Street, complete with bollards preventing illegal parking in the bike lane, from the Custis Trail to N. Glebe Road.

Among the benefits, according to WABA, would be:

Improved safety for commuters, Washington-Lee High Schools students and other cyclists
More spending by bicyclists at local businesses
More confidence for drivers who are passing by cyclists

Under WABA’s proposal, lanes would be narrowed on Quincy Street and street parking would be placed between the protected bike lane and the vehicle travel lane.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published October 20, 2015 at 9:30AM

Arlington Man Arrested for Murder — A 51-year-old Arlington man has been arrested and charged in the strangulation death of a man in Martinsburg, West Virginia. The alleged crime happened Saturday afternoon. The suspect was arrested by U.S. Marshals and Arlington County Police in Arlington; we hear the arrest took place at a McDonald’s restaurant, but so far that has not been confirmed. [WHAG]

Couple Hopes to Find Owner of Lost Ring — A school custodian and his girlfriend are searching for the owner of a lost gold wedding ring. Dennis Avery found the ring in June following an event at Glebe Elementary School. The ring has engravings that offer clues as to who the owner may be, including a date and a pair of initials. [WJLA]

Self-Driving Cars Come to Arlington — State officials, Virginia Tech researchers and Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) demonstrated self-driving cars for the media on the closed-off I-395 HOV lanes yesterday afternoon. A press conference for the event was held in Pentagon City. [WTOP, Fox 5]

Part of Park Is Being Used for Parking — A portion of the 22-acre Jennie Dean Park along Four Mile Run near Shirlington is being used as a temporary parking lot for ART buses and vehicles from Shirlington-based public TV station WETA.County officials have promised residents that the portion of the park used will go back to being a park, but admitted they didn’t have any other good options for ART bus parking at the moment. [InsideNova]

Flickr pool photo by Samer Farha

Home Listing: 4728 29th Street S. in Fairlington

Published October 20, 2015 at 6:00AM

Just steps away from the trendy shops and restaurants of Shirlington is a gorgeous two-bedroom loft that makes quite a statement. This light-filled “Ashlawn” model might just be your ideal home in the sought-after Fairlington community.

From the curb, this 1944 garden apartment converted to condo looks classic, with red brick and black shutters, but on the inside, an updated, open floor plan is revealed. A soaring two story foyer and living room over looked by the loft space is the signature — but don’t stop there. The home features two bedrooms, and an option for one or two bathrooms — and loads of storage throughout including three large closets in the master bedroom.

The open-plan living room with neutral carpeting has a spiral staircase that adds architectural interest to the living space and easy access to a cozy reading loft or office.

In addition to the bedrooms and relaxing spaces, this three level condo has lower-level flex space, which could be a home gym or office, and an unfinished attic space for storage. The kitchen has an electric stove, sleek countertops and cabinets and an inviting breakfast-nook-style dining space. This residence also has central air cooling and forced air heating. Additional community amenities include tennis courts, swimming pool, ball fields, basketball courts and community center.

The area around the home is great for people looking to walk, bike, or just spend time outside. The home has a balcony overlooking the property’s backyard that can easily accommodate an al fresco dining table. With a home close to bike and jogging trails, homeowners will love to explore the vibrant Shirlington community, and can easily access anything they may need on foot, including Harris Teeter, the public library, coffee shops, and many top-notch local restaurants and retail shops.

This property is listed at $409,900. For more information or to schedule a showing please contact Bret Brock via email at [email protected] or by phone at 703-538-6030.

The preceding post was sponsored by Brock Realty and written by Eleanor Greene for ARLnow.com.

Zimmerman: Metro Breakdowns Were ‘Foreseeable’

By ARLnow.com

Published October 19, 2015 at 3:00PM | Updated June 29, 2018 at 2:53PM

In 2004, Metro Chief Richard White predicted a “death spiral” for the Metrorail system due to chronic underfunding.

Federal and state budget disputes were preventing Metro from getting the $1.5 billion in maintenance investment it needed, leading White to warn of “a systemic service meltdown.”

Eleven years later, White’s prediction seems to be coming true. And he wasn’t the only one to see it coming.

“Right now, there’s no money for transportation funding in anyone’s budget,” Chris Zimmerman, who at the time served on both the Arlington County Board and the Metro board, told the Washington Post in 2004. “I’ve got a state government that’s happy to let everything fall into the toilet. And we’ve got local governments that have limited means to raise money. We’ve got nothing to work with.”

Zimmerman resigned from the Metro board in 2010, and stepped down from the County Board in 2014. Now serving as Vice President for Economic Development for the group Smart Growth America, Zimmerman shared some thoughts on Metro’s current woes during a phone interview with ARLnow.com.

In 2002, Zimmerman and the Metro Board were actively seeking additional capital funding for Metro from Maryland, Virginia and the federal government — but to little avail. With inadequate funding, Metro wouldn’t be able to afford the track and station maintenance and new trains needed to keep the system running smoothly.

“It was foreseeable and it was foreseen,” he said of Metro’s problems today.

What would it take to fix the chronic system breakdowns that are causing long, frustrating commutes and chasing away riders? Zimmerman said it would take a lot more than that $1.5 billion figure sought in 2004 — and would likely require intervention by the federal government in the form of increased annual funding.

“What would actually make a difference is if [the federal government] would partner with our system… we have federal folks on the board but we don’t really have a federal funding partner,” he said. The feds have been providing funds to Metro for capital improvements, but Zimmerman argues that the level of funding doesn’t reflect Metro’s critical importance in helping the federal workforce in D.C. get to their jobs.

(more…)

New Burger Restaurant Coming to Courthouse?

By ARLnow.com

Published October 19, 2015 at 11:35AM

A new burger restaurant may be coming to the Courthouse neighborhood.

On Friday a building permit application was filed calling for a tenant fit out for an establishment called “Basic Burger.” The restaurant will be located on the first floor of the new apartment building at 2001 Clarendon Blvd.

Little information is available about Basic Burger, but one could make obvious assumptions about the type of food it will serve.

The arrival of a new burger restaurant could come at a good time for Courthouse: the Wendy’s just up the street is slated to be torn down at some point for a new office development approved by the County Board earlier this year.

Hat tip to Chris Slatt. File photo.

New Launch Date Set for Car2Go

By ARLnow.com

Published October 19, 2015 at 10:35AM

A new launch date has been set for Car2Go service in Arlington.

The per-trip car rental service will launch on Thursday, Oct. 22, according to company spokesman Brad Ducey. It had previously been scheduled to launch last month, but that was delayed because of production delays with a new model of Car2Go vehicles.

Arlington was originally supposed to get 200 of Car2Go’s newest vehicles, but the service will instead launch here with its “classic” Smart Fortwo cars.

From a company press release:

car2go will launch in Arlington with its signature car2go smart fortwo vehicles, and plans to roll out updated technology in Arlington at a future date.

car2go offers a flexible and efficient mobility option for Arlington residents. With car2go’s unique oneway approach to carsharing, members can pick up a shared smart fortwo vehicle anywhere within the Arlington Home Area and end their trip anywhere within the Arlington Home Area, without the need to return the car to a specific station.

car2go trips cost just 41 cents a minute, plus a $1 Driver Protection Fee that limits the drivers’ liability in the event of an accident. Gas, insurance and maintenance are all included in this straightforward pricing.

#car sharing

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published October 19, 2015 at 9:30AM | Updated October 19, 2015 at 9:47AM

Arlington K-9s to Retire With Handlers — The Arlington County Board on Saturday unanimously voted to officially sanction the transfer of ownership of retiring law enforcement K-9 officers to their handlers, thus allowing police dogs to live out their lives with their long-time partners. [NBC Washington, Arlington County]

Big Changes Coming to Crystal City Building — The U.S. Marshals Service is consolidating its offices into one Crystal City office building. That will leave another Crystal City office building, 1750 Crystal Drive, vacant. Owner Vornado is planning a big facelift for the building, with more glass and steel and less concrete on the outside. [Washington Business Journal]

Arlington, Falls Church Renew Service Agreement — Arlington County will continue to provide court, jail, fire department and other services to the City of Falls Church, under a new agreement approved by the Arlington County Board on Saturday. Fall Church will pay Arlington just over $1 million per year for the services. [Arlington County]

McAuliffe to Start Marine Corps Marathon — Next weekend’s Marine Corps Marathon will be officially started by Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe. [Twitter]

M.J. Stewart Suspended at UNC — Former Yorktown High School football standout M.J. Stewart has been suspended from the University of North Carolina football team after being charged with assault in connection to an off-campus altercation. Stewart, a sophomore, had been a starting cornerback on the team. [Associated Press]

Resident to County: Cover Sandboxes — A Shirlington resident spoke before the County Board on Saturday to raise concern about uncovered sandboxes. She urged county officials to keep sandboxes covered when not in use, to keep pets and disease out. [InsideNova]