Author: Ethan Rothstein

Moving H-B Woodlawn Among School Capacity Options

By Ethan Rothstein

H-B Woodlawn (via Google Maps)(Updated at 4:45 p.m.) Relocating H-B Woodlawn and building a new middle school next to Washington-Lee High School are some of the preliminary options on the table for the Arlington School Board to address overcrowding.

Last week, the School Board held a work session to determine the basis on which it will make its decisions when it develops a new Capital Improvement Plan this spring. APS, which has been busy planning and building new elementary schools and school additions to address overcrowding in primary schools, is now shifting its construction planning focus to middle schools.

APS facilities staff presented eight options for increasing elementary school capacity, seven options for increasing middle school capacity, two options for relocating or adding on to the H-B Woodlawn secondary program’s facility in the former Stratford Junior High School, and three other options for high school capacity.

The proposed changes to H-B Woodlawn are already drawing some concern from parents and students. The Board will weigh whether to build an addition to the facility and expand the program or move the H-B Woodlawn program to a leased space and build an addition to create a 1,200-seat middle school in the current facility.

“This is terrible,” said one apparent former student, via Facebook. “I hope the school board sees sense and doesn’t institute either of these ‘ideas.'”

Another capacity-increasing idea being considered is building a 1,200-seat middle school on the site of the Arlington Public Schools administrative offices next to Washington-Lee High School.

APS spokeswoman Linda Erdos was careful to note that these “options” are very preliminary, and are being floated for the purpose of further community discussion.

“Yes, a lot of options have been thrown out by staff and community members… but there is no plan at this point,” she said. “We’re hoping that more options become available. We need to work with the community to determine what will be the next best step.”

The School Board will vote on its CIP in June, but before then it needs to finish or update feasibility studies on the 20 possibilities. Nine of the options already have completed studies, and Assistant Superintendent of Facilities and Operations John Chadwick said they were “all feasible to some degree.”

“The School Board has made it clear it wishes to address the areas of most critical need for new seats within APS’ available debt capacity,” Chadwick told ARLnow.com.

The School Board listed capacity planning, alignment with APS’ Strategic Plan, feasibility and smart growth as criteria for its decision. Chadwick said ranking the options won’t happen until April or May after an extensive community outreach process.

There is a community forum to discuss the issue scheduled for 7:30 p.m. tomorrow (Wednesday) in the Washington-Lee High School auditorium.

Photo via Google Maps

Republicans Endorse Vihstadt for County Board

By Ethan Rothstein

John VihstadtThe Arlington County Republican Committee (ACRC) has endorsed John Vihstadt to fill the County Board seat Chris Zimmerman plans to vacate this month.

Vihstadt is running as an independent against Democratic nominee Alan Howze and libertarian Evan Bernick. Perennial Independent Green candidate Janet Murphy and Stephen Holbrook, a retired FBI agent who ran an unsuccessful write-in campaign for the County Board last year, have also filed paperwork indicating that they are running.

Vihstadt now has the endorsement of Arlington Republicans, the Arlington Green Party and several high-profile local Democrats, including County Board member Libby Garvey, Commonwealth’s Attorney Theo Stamos and former Arlington County Democratic Committee Chair (and ARLnow.com opinion columnist) Peter Rousselot.

Vihstadt opposes the Columbia Pike Streetcar and the planned Long Bridge Aquatics Center, now on hold after constructed bids came in above the allotted budget. Vihstadt said he’s a Republican when he announced his campaign in December, but chose to run as an independent with the hopes of securing the Republicans’ endorsement.

The endorsement signifies the second consecutive County Board election the Republicans have not run an official candidate. There was no Republican challenger when now-Board Chair Jay Fisette ran for re-election in 2013.

Arlington County Democratic Committee President Kip Malinosky issued a statement after Vihstadt secured the endorsement.

“Mr. Vihstadt has shown us his true Republican colors,” Malinosky said. “He has a long history of supporting conservative candidates and now he has the Republican Party’s endorsement. Voters now have a clear choice: Alan Howze is a real progressive leader who will move Arlington forward, while Mr. Vihstadt will be another Republican obstructionist.”

The special election to replace Zimmerman is expected to be held on April 8. The date is expected to be officially set on Tuesday, Feb. 11, a day after Zimmerman formally resigns.

Update at 1:15 p.m. — This afternoon, ACRC issued the following press release about their Vihstadt endorsement.

Yesterday, the Arlington County Republican Committee voted to endorse the Independent candidacy of John Vihstadt for the upcoming Arlington County Board special election.

At the special meeting of the Arlington GOP, Vihstadt spoke to attendees on a large number of topics, including Arlington’s fiscal health, school capacity issues, and needed improvements to the County’s economic development efforts.

Vihstadt discussed the need for fresh thinking on the County Board. The central theme of Vihstadt’s speech was that the County needs to reassess its current spending priorities, saying, “the proposed $310,000,000 Columbia Pike streetcar and $1,000,000 bus stops are imprudent expenditures that ought to be replaced with more effective and less costly alternatives.” Vihstadt continued, “In addition, the $80,000,000 Long Bridge Park Aquatics Center needs to be scaled back. In a time of economic uncertainty, surging school enrollment, and rising household taxes on working families and seniors, the County Board needs to rethink its priorities.”

Vihstadt asserted that his campaign will continue to highlight the importance of a new perspective, stating that “we need a recalibration of Arlington’s spending priorities to stress core services like public education, public safety, and infrastructure maintenance.”

While not shying away from his Republican background, Vihstadt explained to attendees that his independent candidacy allows a broad spectrum of voters an opportunity to support a candidate willing to put the needs of Arlingtonians before partisan politics.

Chairman Ian Meyeroff added after the meeting that “John’s work for Arlington Republicans is only a tiny fraction of who he is.” Meyeroff noted the Arlington GOP’s 2008 selection of Vihstadt for its Delyannis-Finta Award for Distinguished Community Involvement, attributed to Vihstadt’s decades of civic engagement in the public schools, in the neighborhoods, and across the County on various boards and commissions.

In addition to the Republican Party endorsement, Vihstadt has also been endorsed by the Arlington Green Party and prominent Arlington Democrats including County Board member Libby Garvey and Commonwealth Attorney Theo Stamos. The County Board special election is expected to be held on April 8, 2014.

Potholes Making Their Mark Across Arlington

By Ethan Rothstein
1/3

With rapid changes in temperature and various types of liquid and frozen precipitation falling, potholes are beginning to appear with increased frequency around Arlington.

One such pothole, on Lorcom Lane just west of the intersection with Spout Run Parkway, is 3 inches deep at its lowest point. This afternoon it announced itself to passersby with a “thunk” each time an unsuspecting driver rolled over it.

Police radio traffic indicates there are several other significant potholes causing minor traffic problems in other parts of the county. Arlington officials say they’re trying to stay on top of such reports and fill in the pesky potholes as quickly as they can.

“The county has already tried to start our push on pothole work, beginning with two or three full days including work over a weekend,” Arlington Dept. of Environmental Services spokeswoman Robyn Mincher said. “Temperatures in the teens and inclement weather have slowed down this effort. We will devote additional resources to potholes as we can in the next week or two, and then continue filling work through the winter and into spring when many potholes appear.”

Residents who observe potholes in Arlington can report it online directly to county staff.

Yorktown, W-L Taste Success at Conference Swim Championships

By Ethan Rothstein
1/21

(Updated at 1:55 p.m.) Saturday night at the Conference 6 swim championships at Yorktown High School, two Arlington high school swimmers proved what their coaches and teammates already knew: they can swim with anyone in the state.

Yorktown’s Suzanne Dolan captured titles in the girls’ 50- and 100-yard freestyle races and swam the anchor for two relay teams that qualified for the state championships. Washington-Lee’s Jay Delancey won the boys’ 200-yard freestyle, came in 3rd in the 100-yard butterfly and anchored the Generals’ first-place 400-yard relay team that surprised almost everyone in the pool with its win.

Dolan led the Yorktown girls to a third-place finish in the first-ever Conference 6 championships with 323 team points, behind Langley High School (402.5) and McLean High School (377). Washington-Lee’s girls finished in fifth place with 225 points.

The meet was the first time the Arlington schools faced regional powers like Langley and James Madison High Schools in a conference — previously called the Liberty District — championship meet.

Delancey led the Generals’ boys to third place (293 points), behind Madison (428) and narrowly behind Langley (308). Yorktown’s boys finished in fourth place with 247 points.

“Moving into the new conference was eye-opening for the kids,” said Yorktown head swimming coach Claire DiCesare, “but we did really well.”

Generals head coach Kristina Dorville, an animated presence at poolside, was amiably jawing with the head coach of the Madison swim team before the 400-yard relay. When the Generals had a lead by the time Delancey — who’s deciding whether to swim for West Point or the U.S. Naval Academy — dove in the pool for the final leg, Dorville turned to Madison’s coach with a grin and said, “Oh, we’re not gonna win this?”

“Before the race, I said ‘just watch,'” Dorville said after the meet. “I have unending confidence in [Delancey]. I’d have to drag him out of the pool before he’d let us lose that race.”

Each school will send relay teams to state. The Yorktown girls 200-yard freestyle relay finished second in the closest race of the night. The winners, Langley, finished with a time of 1:41.06; Yorktown and McLean finished in 1:41.07. Dolan anchored that team and the 200-yard medley relay that finished third, both qualifying for states.

Dolan has been recovering all year from a wrist injury, and said she wasn’t swimming as fast as she believes she’s capable of.

However, she said, “I was still expecting to win the 50 free, but the 100 is a little harder.” She said the home atmosphere and the cheers of her teammates after the relays made it a special meet. “It’s really exhilarating. It feels really good helping my team do well.”

Next week, both schools will compete in the 6A North Region championships before they send sizable contingents to Richmond Feb. 21 and 22 for the state championships.

Ballston Healthcare Startup has South African Heritage

By Ethan Rothstein

Startup Monday header

Editor’s Note: Sponsored by Monday Properties and written by ARLnow.com, Startup Monday is a weekly column that profiles Arlington-based startups and their founders. The Ground Floor, Monday’s office space for young companies in Rosslyn, is now open. The Metro-accessible space features a 5,000-square-foot common area that includes a kitchen, lounge area, collaborative meeting spaces, and a stage for formal presentations.

Privia Health CEO Jeff ButlerPrivia Health, a 5-year-old healthcare company located in Ballston, developed its business plan and technology in reverse.

Privia founder and CEO Jeff Butler previously founded BroadReach Healthcare, a company dedicated to bringing healthcare and HIV/AIDS relief to South Africa and other African countries, through, originally, a $100 million U.S. State Department grant. The company was focused on connecting independent and spread-out doctors to each other so the health of the population could be managed at a scale.

Many businesses develop their business plan and technology, make a substantial profit, then donate money or services to help the less fortunate. Butler launched Privia Health in the D.C. area to bring the model of BroadReach — which is now based in Rosslyn — and its business to American healthcare.

“Having doctors directly engaged their patients, we decided there was a market for that in the U.S.,” Butler said. “We thought if we could develop a health plan we could get into some innovative models.”

Privia Health is split into two businesses, Privia Quality Network and Privia Medical Group. Privia Quality Network is a data-sharing platform and “care management system” that helps small-to-medium-sized physician’s practices manage the health of their clients as a population, and keep updated with their care between visits.

Privia Medical Group is a network of more than 140 doctors in smaller practices, bringing the tools of Privia Quality Network to work directly for patients who want to be treated by some of the region’s best doctors, Butler said.

Privia logo“We’re creating a ‘top doctor’ network, layering in our technology, care teams and management approach,” Butler said. “We anchor in the doctor-patient relationships. Great doctors attract great patients.”

Butler said Privia interviews and does its “due diligence” when considering which doctors to include in its network. He called it “sort of a dating process.”

The medical group is the business Butler was hoping to launch at first, but he acknowledged “the market wasn’t ready for it at that point.”

“About a year ago, after talking to physicians, we found the market had caught up to what we were doing,” he said. “Employers have seen premiums skyrocket. The question is ‘how do doctors come together to better manage the health of their patients?'”

The network rewards doctors for delivering better treatment to their patients, Butler said. After a patient has a visit, they’re called by a care manager and they can schedule appointments with nutritionists, physical therapists, personal trainers, and all the data is shared throughout the network. (more…)

Arlington Dog Featured in Puppy Bowl

By Ethan Rothstein

Arlington's Ginger, featured in Puppy Bowl XBefore the Super Bowl last night, Animal Planet aired its annual Puppy Bowl, which featured one puppy from Arlington and another from Falls Church.

Ginger, a 6-month-old Old English Sheepdog Mix, was adopted by an Arlington family from the Fayette (Ohio) Humane Society in September. Ginger’s new home is with Miguel Monteverde and his family, according to the Record-Herald in Fayette County.

Monteverde told the paper that his family was looking to replace its former pet, another Old English Sheepdog, that died in 2012. He suggested that Ginger could be a formidable Puppy Bowl contender.

“Sometimes she can be a handful,” Monteverde said. “Her favorite activities are to play with her neighbors, Morgan and Oscar, our neighbor’s dogs. She’s full of energy and affection.”

Ginger wasn’t the only pup from the area to participate in the Puppy Bowl, which featured 38 dogs on a miniature football field playing with toys. Bach, a Bernese mountain dog/poodle mix, is from Falls Church.

The Puppy Bowl drew an average of 12.4 million viewers last year.

Photo via Animal Planet

Arlington Agenda (Feb. 3-9)

By Ethan Rothstein

Arlington Agenda is a listing of interesting events for the week ahead in Arlington County.

If you’d like to see your event featured, fill out the event submission form. Also, be sure to check out our event calendar.

Monday

Meet the Artist: “Beaches” Playwright Iris Rainer-Dart
Shirlington Branch Library (4200 Campbell Ave.)
Time: 7:00-8:00 p.m.

The author of the gal-pal musical “Beaches” talks about her career before her show premieres at Signature Theatre this month. The event is free.

Thursday

Red Tie DC logoNetworking and Comedy Show
The Comedy Spot (Ballston Common Mall, 4238 Wilson Blvd)
Time: 5:30 p.m.

Those interested in increasing their network for a good cause can buy a $45 ticket, with proceeds going to the Life After Domestic Violence Foundation. The comedy show begins at 6:30 p.m.

Friday

Gallery Underground logoArt Exhibit Opening
Gallery Underground (Shops at 2100 Crystal Drive)
Time: 5:00-8:00 p.m.

A new exhibit at Gallery Underground, called “Visions of Future” debuts with a reception on Friday. The event is free, and works by promising artists will be on display Feb. 3-28.

Fruits of Freedom gala flyerSouth African Gala*
NRECA Conference Center (4301 Wilson Blvd)
Time: 6:00-9:00 p.m.

The South African embassy is hosting a gala with South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool. Tickets are $50 and proceeds will be donated to AIDS relief for children in South Africa.

Saturday

49-Cent DressLive Music: 49-Cent Dress
Whitlow’s on Wilson (2854 Wilson Blvd)
Time: 10:00 p.m.

Party/Rock band 49-cent dress takes the stage at Whitlow’s Saturday night. On Facebook, the band vows to dedicate a song to any man who shows up in a dress.

Sunday

Used Book Fair and Bake Sale*
St. Ann Church, Parish Hall (5300 10th Street N.)
Time: 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

The annual event at St. Ann Church is back this Sunday. There will be a Valentine’s Day bake sale starting at 9:30 a.m. and special deals after noon.

*Denotes featured (sponsored) event

Turkish Restaurant Coming to East Falls Church

By Ethan Rothstein

The future space of Yayla BistroA new Turkish restaurant appears on its way to East Falls Church.

Yayla Bistro, at 2201 N. Westmoreland Street, applied for a liquor license with the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Board on Jan. 15, requesting the ability to sell wine and beer on and off premises.

According to an employee at La Côte D’Or Cafe next door, the restaurant will be located in their former private dining room, which was sold recently “to a group that wants to open a Turkish restaurant.”

The owner of Yayla Bistro, listed as Gozukaya Entertainment LLC, did not return messages seeking comment.

Open Houses in Arlington This Weekend

By Ethan Rothstein

It’s Super Bowl weekend, and there are open houses from a three-bedroom condo in Douglas Park to a five-bedroom house in Yorktown to check out.

See our real estate section for a full listing of open houses. Here are a few highlights:

4141-n-henderson-road4141 N. Henderson Road
0 BD / 1 BA condominium
Agent: Joshua Mossman, Keller Williams Capital Properties
Listed: $249,500
Open: Saturday, Feb. 1, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

4187-four-mile-run-drive4187 Four Mile Run Drive
3 BD / 2 1/2 BA condominium
Agent: Deborah Pietras, McEnearney & Associates
Listed: $495,000
Open: Saturday, Feb. 1, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

5118-25th-road-n5118 25th Road N.
3 BD / 2 1/2 BA single family detached
Agent: John Shafran, Yeonas & Shafran Real Estate
Listed: $739,000
Open: Sunday, Feb. 2, noon to 3:00 p.m.

5729-2nd-street-s5729 2nd Street S.
3 BD / 2 BA single family detached
Agent: David Lloyd, Weichert, Realtors
Listed: $795,000
Open: Sunday, Feb. 2, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

3916-n-abingdon-street3916 N. Abingdon Street
4 BD / 3 full, 2 half BA single family detached
Agent: Marybeth Tschetter, Long & Foster Real Estate
Listed: $1,025,000
Open: Sunday, Feb. 2, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

6518-n-little-falls-road6518 N. Little Falls Road
5 BD 4 1/2 BA single family detached
Agent: Arcenious (Wylie) Bean, AWB Real Estate
Listed: $1,399,800
Open: Sunday, Feb. 2, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

H-B Woodlawn Grad Wins Sundance Director Award

By Ethan Rothstein

Cutter Hodierne (screenshot via Sundance Film Festival)(Updated at 5:30 p.m.) Cutter Hodierne, a 27-year-old Arlington native and H-B Woodlawn graduate, won the Directing Award for drama at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.

Hodierne’s feature film, Fishing Without Nets, is the full-length version of his 2011 short film of the same name, which won Sundance’s Jury Prize in Short Filmmaking at the 2012 festival.

Fishing Without Nets tells the story of a young Somali father who is forced to become a pirate to support his family. The film was shot in Kenya, mostly on the Indian Ocean, and features nonactors playing the role of the pirates. Hodierne, in an interview he gave for Sundance’s website, called the film “action arthouse.”

“I wanted to make a movie that was as realistic as possible, but to also maintain kind of a grand and cinematic quality,” he said. “You could see how tempting it could be to kind of be steered toward this life. It’s obviously a huge risk and a dangerous world to get into, but when your options are so limited it becomes a more hopeful possibility.”

Hodierne graduated from H-B Woodlawn and attended film school at Emerson College in Boston before dropping out after one year, according to his mother, Alicia Shepard. Hodierne said he dropped out because “I’ve already learned all this stuff” — thanks to David Burkman, his teacher at H-B Woodlawn. Burkman is credited as a writer on Fishing With Nets. Also helping out on the film was Raphael Swann, another H-B Woodlawn grad, who was credited as a co-producer.

'Fishing Without Nets' promotional still (courtesy Cutter Hodierne)“[Cutter has] known what he wanted to do since he was 16, maybe even earlier, and he’s done it,” Shepard told ARLnow.com this week. “It was clear he had a talent for this in high school… He has a lucky blend of being an artist and entrepreneur. It’s not enough to just be an artist. He’s a bit of hustler, in a good sense.”

Shepard said she was intimately involved with the short film two years ago, but for the feature film, Hodierne insisted she wait until the premiere to see the final product.

“I was blown away by how ambitious the film is, how beautifully shot it is,” she said. “I have no real credibility as his mother, it was just mind-blowing to see what your child can produce. You know your kid is fairly talented, but wow. And to get the validation as best director. It was emotionally overwhelming for me, I can only imagine it was for him.”

Screenshot (top) via Sundance.org. Image (bottom) courtesy Cutter Holdierne

New Traffic Pattern on Columbia Pike Takes Effect Today

By Ethan Rothstein

Interchange of Columbia PIke and I-395 (via Google Maps)(Updated at 11:40 a.m.) Starting today, drivers heading eastbound on Columbia Pike toward I-395 will be following a new traffic pattern.

Drivers heading toward northbound I-395 will now turn left at the traffic signal on S. Quinn Street and bear right to merge onto the interstate, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation. Those going south will drive through the intersection with S. Quinn Street and use the ramp on the right.

That’s a change from before, when northbound and southbound traffic could both take the ramp. VDOT workers will be on the road today making the switch, which is expected to be complete by 5:00 p.m.

VDOT also announced that Columbia Pike will be closed to drivers between S. Queen Street and Orme Street each of the next three weekends as workers demolish the old Washington Blvd overpass. The closure will begin at 9:00 p.m. tomorrow night until 4:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 3, and it will be closed again at the same times Feb. 7-10 and Feb. 14-17.

The demolition is the next phase in the $51.5 million Washington Blvd improvement project, still slated to be finished in the summer of 2015.

Photo via Google Maps

View More Stories