Jennifer Currier | ARLnow.com

‘Traveling Santa’ is Making His Way Around Arlington

Published December 9, 2015 at 10:40AM

A short, plastic visitor with blue eyes, a red suit and a long white beard has been popping up on porches around the county.

The Arlington, VA Traveling Santa began his journey shortly after Thanksgiving. Since then, he’s been visiting families throughout the county, showing up on their doorsteps unannounced. Similar to a holiday chain letter, Santa is trying to make as many stops as he can before Christmas Day.

There are rules when Santa visits, but they’re simple: he can only stay at a house one night before he must move on to visit someone else. His next destination is chosen by whomever hosted him the previous night.

Santa’s hosts are encouraged to take photos of his visit before posting them to the Facebook page where his travels are being tracked.

While most hosts opted for classic pose-and-smile photos, others have really taken him in by engaging in activities like brushing his teeth or taking him for a ride.

However, Traveling Santa isn’t just something fun for the holidays. The coordinators of the campaign — who couldn’t be reached for comment — are also asking those who interact with Santa to donate to the Arlington Food Assistance Center.

A representative for AFAC confirmed the organizers created a personal fundraising page for the cause. On Facebook, they’ve pledged to donate $1 for every “like” the page gets by Christmas — the count was nearing 200 Wednesday morning — and have agreed to match all donations made via the page.

Williamsburg Student Places at National Chess Competition

By Jennifer Currier

Published December 8, 2015 at 4:45PM | Updated December 8, 2015 at 5:27PM

(Updated at 5:05 p.m.) A local student represented Arlington County well at a national chess competition last weekend.

Chess prodigy Sam Schenk tied for 10th place in his division at the National K-12 Scholastic Championship chess competition in Orlando, Fla. He competed against 127 other players in his grade group to earn the ranking.

The annual competition is hosted by the U.S. Chess Federation. It separates participants by grade, and players only compete against people their own age. The grand prize is finishing first in a grade group and claiming the title of national champion.

Though this was Schenk’s fourth trip to the national tournament, it’s his first time taking home a prize.

“This was a great year for him, and this was absolutely the best he’s ever done,” Schenk’s parent Allison Rudoy said.

The 13-year-old is an 8th grader at Williamsburg Middle School in North Arlington. Rudoy said her son’s been playing chess since he joined an after school chess club at Jamestown Elementary five years ago.

“He kind of got hooked,” she said. “When the club ended, he kept with it and started studying on his own, reading a lot and playing in local tournaments.”

Now, Schenk is a part of the Arlington Chess Club where he practices what he studies, mostly playing against adults. He was also recently named one of the U.S. Chess Federation’s top 13-year-old chess players in the nation.

“He devotes an enormous amount of time to the study of chess and plays as much as he can,” Rudoy added. “It’s his favorite thing, but it’s not his only thing.”

Schenk is also involved in sports, playing youth basketball on a county recreation team.

While Rudoy said Schenk is very passionate about chess and would likely love to take home the top prize in Orlando someday, he is still young and anything could be in his future.

“All I know for sure is as long as he’s still interested in chess, his family will keep supporting him,” she said.

Photo courtesy of Allison Rudoy

FBI Seeking Information About Serial Gas Station Robber

By Jennifer Currier

Published December 8, 2015 at 3:30PM

The FBI is seeking information about a man wanted for a string of eight gas station robberies, including one in Arlington.

The robberies occurred in Arlington, Fairfax, Falls Church, Richmond and Washington, D.C. One of these includes the late morning armed robbery at a Shell station on Lee Highway on Nov. 19.

The suspect is described as a white male, 30-40 years old and approximately six feet tall with facial hair. In surveillance footage of each of the robberies, he is seen wearing a gray pullover, khaki shorts or jeans, a blue baseball hat.

More information from a press release:

Law enforcement authorities are seeking an armed unknown male subject who has committed eight robberies at gas station convenience stores in Virginia and Washington, DC, between mid November and December of 2015.

The armed robberies occurred as follows:

Nov. 15 at 11:48 am: Exxon Gas located at 8715 Lee Highway, Fairfax, VA

Nov. 19 at 11:34 am: Shell Gas located at 5630 North Lee Highway, Arlington, VA

Nov. 23 at 12:05 pm: Valero Gas located at 5516 Mudd Tavern Road, Woodford, VA

Nov. 25 at 11:24 am: Mobil Gas located at 10800 Fairfax Boulevard, Fairfax, VA

Nov. 27 at 11:55 am: Exxon Gas located at 3535 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC

Nov. 29 at 12:23 pm: Shell Gas located at 6519 Arlington Boulevard, Falls Church, VA

Dec. 01 at 01:34 pm: Shell Gas located at 805 E. Parham Road, Richmond VA

Dec. 04 at 08:59 pm: BP Gas located at 6701 Wilson Boulevard, Falls Church, VA

During each robbery, the subject purchased an item from the gas station attendant, produced a black handgun and reached over the counter to pull cash from the cash register.

REWARD
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to the identification, arrest and conviction of this unknown robber.

SHOULD BE CONSIDERED ARMED AND DANGEROUS
The FBI’s Washington Field Office and the Arlington County and Fairfax County, Virginia Police Departments are investigating these robberies and request that anyone with information call the FBI at 202-278-2000. You may also contact your local FBI office; or submit a tip on the FBI’s website by visiting tips.fbi.gov.

APS to Host Summit on Sexual Violence in High Schools on Saturday

By Jennifer Currier

Published December 8, 2015 at 12:15PM

A survivor-driven program on preventing and responding to sexual violence in middle and high schools across the country is coming to Arlington this weekend.

Arlington Public Schools is hosting the SafeBAE (Before Anyone Else) National Summit at Washington-Lee High School (1301 N. Stafford Street) this Saturday, Dec. 12 from 2-4 p.m.

SafeBAE is a virtual organization that is focused on students by raising awareness about sexual assault and educating them about their rights under Title IX to prevent dating violence. Its programs are designed to give students resources and skills to advocate for consent and safe relationship education.

During Saturday’s program, attendees will hear the stories of four students who were assaulted and how they now work with the organization toward social change. All of the speakers were victims of rape, some of whose stories made national news.

Other panelists include legal experts and members of the School Board.

The event is open to members of the APS community and their families. Tickets are free and available online, but donations are also accepted.

Photo via Facebook/SafeBAE

Another Land Acquisition Proposed to Expand Banneker Park

By Jennifer Currier

Published December 8, 2015 at 11:00AM

The Arlington County Board will consider the purchase of another parcel of land for the expansion of Benjamin Banneker Park, near East Falls Church, at its meeting this Saturday.

The property at 6616 18th Street N., near the park’s existing playground and adjacent to the W&OD Trail and Four Mile Run, is approximately 8,250 square feet.

The homeowner has already signed an Agreement of Sale with the county at a purchase price of $637,500. The agreement needs approval from the County Board to be finalized.

There’s a house on the property that is occupied by tenants of the owner. If approved, it will be demolished as part of the acquisition as it was not found to have historical significance.

According to the agenda item about the purchase, the county first expressed interest in this land in January. It is one of several parcels along 18th Street North identified in the 2005 Public Spaces Master Plan as land that could be acquired for the expansion.

It is also the second piece of land the County has moved to purchase this year.

In February, the County Board unanimously approved the purchase of 8,375 square feet of land at 6608 18th Street N., which is one property away from the one now awaiting purchase approval. That plot sold for more than $688,700 and also had a house on it when the county purchased it.

Board to Consider $1 Million Tuckahoe Park Renovation Contract

By Jennifer Currier

Published December 8, 2015 at 10:00AM

Major renovations are coming to the ballfields at Tuckahoe Park.

At its meeting this Saturday, the Arlington County Board is expected to award a $1 million construction contract to Bennett Group of Washington, D.C. for renovations and improvements at the park.

The Dept. of Parks and Recreation released renovation plans in March, making the two baseball/softball fields their focus. Changes include new players’ benches, dugouts, backstops, bleachers for spectators, fencing, drinking fountains, bullpens and batting cages.

Much of the project’s construction will be focused on a new irrigation and drainage system and new sod.

Other additions to the park in the plans include picnic tables, a portable toilet enclosure, storage, landscaping and a new scoreboard. The scoreboard will be shared between the county and Bishop O’Connell High School, which is contributing $18,000 to its purchase

The plans would also make the park and its fields more accessible per Americans with Disabilities Act regulations.

According to a county website dedicated to the project, construction on the park is scheduled to be finished by the end of 2016.

If approved, the contract will authorize $1.06 million for construction. That includes nearly $100,000 as a contingency. The total estimated cost of the project, with design and soft costs factored in, is $1.25 million.

Saturday’s meeting will begin at 9 a.m. in the County Board Room at 2100 Clarendon Blvd, Room 307.

Arlington Agenda Dec. 7-13

By Jennifer Currier

Published December 7, 2015 at 6:30PM | Updated December 14, 2015 at 12:47PM

Arlington Agenda is a listing of interesting events for the week ahead in Arlington County and surrounding communities. If you’d like to see your event featured, fill out the event submission form.

Also, be sure to check out our event calendar.

Wednesday

Clarendon Menorah Lighting and Community Celebration*
Clarendon Central Park (3140 Wilson Blvd)
Time: 6-7 p.m.

Chabad Lubavitch of Alexandria-Arlington is hosting this festival of lights gathering. A six-foot-tall menorah will be lit as guests eat hot potato latkes and snack on chocolate gelt. There will also be live music and dreidels. The lighting is free and open to the public.

Community Meeting: Ending Homelessness in Arlington
Arlington Central Library Auditorium (1015 N. Quincy Street)
Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.

This annual meeting will address highlights from last year’s meeting and outline strategies moving forward to reduce homelessness. A special ceremony for outgoing County Board members Mary Hynes and Walter Tejada is also on the agenda.

Thursday

Rosslyn Holiday Market Festival & Bonfire*
Rosslyn’s Gateway Park (1300 Lee Highway)
Time: Thursday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Friday 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

The third annual holiday market will be open this weekend. Live music, crafts, games, pictures with Santa and more than 20 local vendors will fill the park on both days. Festivities will conclude with a bonfire. A full schedule of events is available online.

Friday

Arlington Chamber of Commerce Meeting
Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel (900 S. Orme Street)
Time: 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

In it’s 91st annual meeting, the Chamber will detail its initiatives and development plans for next year. The keynote speaker is Aneesh Chopra who was the first United States Chief Technology Officer, and three Chamber awards will be presented. Late registration is available online for members ($64) and non-members ($80).

Film Night: It’s A Wonderful Life
FORUM Arlington (3304 Washington Blvd)
Time: 7-10 p.m.

A free screening of the holiday classic will begin at 8 p.m. immediately after a happy hour with beer and wine. Admission is free and so is the popcorn that will be served during the film. Children are also welcome to attend.

Saturday

Belleconnecta’s Self Care Day*
Lyon Park Community Center (414 N. Fillmore Street)
Time: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Self Care Day is for women in the D.C. metro area looking to reconnect with their peaceful center. Participants will step away from the stresses of daily life and attend workshops created for relaxation and restoration. More information is available online.

National Chamber Ensemble Holiday Concert*
Rosslyn Spectrum Theatre (1611 N. Kent Street)
Time: 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Musicians ages 9-19 will perform classic holiday pieces at the annual concert, hosted this year by Rosslyn BID President Mary-Claire Burick. The concert will end with a special sing-along. Tickets are $33 for adults and $17 for students, available online.

Sunday

Holiday Cheer Family Concert
Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington (4444 Arlington Blvd)
Time: 4-6 p.m.

Arlington’s Metropolitan Chorus will perform traditional holiday songs and carols for audience members of all ages. This is the group’s 50th performance season. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted.

*Denotes featured (sponsored) content.

#Arlington Agenda

ARLnow Weekend Discussion

By Jennifer Currier

Published December 4, 2015 at 5:00PM | Updated December 7, 2015 at 9:49AM

Happy (almost) Hanukkah to the Jewish members of the Arlington community. The holiday begins Sunday evening at sunset, followed by eight days of celebrating the Festival of Lights.

And to those who celebrate Christmas but haven’t picked up a tree or decorated yet, you could find yourself falling behind the holiday cheer. There are, however, plenty of opportunities for you to catch up, especially with the sunny weather expected this weekend.

There are holiday markets and festivals at churches and schools this weekend. Celebrating with an experience is another way to get into the spirit, either by going to a performance of The Nutcracker, bringing your family to a sing-along or attending a holiday concert. See our event calendar for details.

Feel free to discuss holiday plans, weekend events or any other topic of local interest in the comments. Have a great weekend!

#weekend discussion

Immigration Book Talk Planned for Central Library Next Week

By Jennifer Currier

Published December 4, 2015 at 12:45PM

An NPR correspondent will host conversation on the history of immigration in America at Arlington Central Library next week.

Tom Gjelten’s latest book A Nation of Nations: A Great American Immigration Story considers the impact of the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act.

Gjelten will be at the Arlington Central Library auditorium at 1015 N. Quincy Street from 7-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 10. for a conversation on immigration and book signing.

The book uses demographic and political issues in addition to personal stories to analyze this topic. The stories used are those of families in Fairfax County, including the family of Delegate Mark Keam. He will also be at the event as a special guest and contributor to the conversation.

Copies of the book will also be on sale from One More Page Books, and 10 percent of all sales will benefit the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia.

The book talk is free and open to the public. Interested guests do not have to register in advance.

Photo via Literacy Council of Northern Virginia

Open Houses in Arlington This Weekend

By Jennifer Currier

Published December 4, 2015 at 11:45AM

The first weekend in December is here and winter is on its way.

Whether or not you decide that buying a house in the winter is the right move for you, there are a number of open houses this weekend that might be worth your time.

As always, see our real estate section for a full listing of open houses. Here are a few highlights:

1020 N. Highland Street
1 BD / 1 BA Condominium
Agent: Daniel Lesniak, Optime Realty LLC
Listed: $399,900
Open: Sunday from 2-4 p.m.

129 S. Irving Street
3 BD / 2 BA Single Family Detached
Agent: Eugene Piscitelli
Listed: $779,000
Open: Saturday and Sunday from 1-4 p.m.

2201 S. Glebe Road
3 BD / 3 Full, 1 Half BA Single Family Detached
Agent: David Lloyd, Weichert Realtors
Listed: $869,900
Open: Sunday from 1-4 p.m.

4224 11th Street North
3 BD / 2 Full, 2 Half BA Townhouse
Agent: Hai Le, Redfin Corporation
Listed: $1,050,000
Open: Sunday from 3-5 p.m.

2001 15th Street North
3 BD / 3 BA Condominium
Agent: Brian Klotz, Re/max Allegiance
Listed: $1,499,900
Open: Sunday from 1:30-3:30 p.m.

#open house

Community Meeting on Helicopter Noise Planned This Month

By Jennifer Currier

Published December 3, 2015 at 12:00PM | Updated December 10, 2015 at 3:28PM

(Updated on 12/10/15) Community members will have another opportunity to express their concerns about noise pollution from aircraft in the region. This time, the topic is helicopters.

Arlington County Board member Libby Garvey will be hosting a community meeting on helicopter operations and noise on Wednesday, Dec. 16 from 7-9 p.m. at the Arlington Central Library auditorium (1015 N. Quincy Street).

She held a similar meeting over the summer to discuss noise from airplanes heading to and from Reagan National Airport. That meeting drew approximately 100 attendees, who heard from representatives of the Federal Aviation Administration and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. The group addressed questions and comments regarding flight paths, hours of operation, types of aircraft and regional coordination moving forward.

This month’s meeting agenda also includes two representatives from the FAA, one from its Air Traffic Organization and another from the Office of Environment and Energy. Another confirmed guest is a commander of the U.S. Army Air Operations Group, and the list is expected to grow.

“We had an overwhelming response to the general aviation community meeting I hosted in the summer and I would encourage all of you to attend this meeting as well,” Garvey wrote in an email to constituents who had expressed concern about aircraft noise. “This will provide an important opportunity for us to not only understand the nature of helicopter operations in the region but will allow us to ask questions and have our voices heard to grow.”

The meeting is part of a “regular series of occasional updates on this issue” to continue efforts put into effect since the first meeting.

One of these efforts is the establishment of a Reagan National Airport Community Working Group — per a MWAA recommendation — that has met twice to discuss options to reduce or mitigate noise concerns in the region, according to an e-mail sent from Garvey to community members. The Working Group is made up of two community representatives from Arlington County, five of the eight Wards in D.C., Alexandria, Dranesville and Mount Vernon.

The County has also created an airport noise website as a dedicated resource for community members to learn about the issue and get updates on meetings.

File photo