Author: Katie Pyzyk

MetroAccess Input Wanted at Town Hall Meeting

By Katie Pyzyk

Metro wants your input on how to make MetroAccess service better. There’s a town hall meeting tonight at the Central Library (1015 N. Quincy St.) to gather ideas from the public.

Metro leadership and members of the Accessibility Advisory Committee will be on hand at the meeting to hear what customers believe could be improved or changed. The meeting runs from 6:30-8:00 p.m., with an informational open house beginning at 6:00 p.m.

MetroAccess is a door-to-door shuttle service for people who have a disability preventing them from using rail or buses. The current MetroAccess contract expires on June 30, 2013.

Anyone who can’t make the meeting but has constructive comments to share can send an email to [email protected] or call 202-962-1141.

Choose Your New Bikeshare Locations

By Katie Pyzyk

During its year in existence, Capitol Bikeshare has seen a rapid expansion, including planned expansions into Alexandria and in the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor. Now you can help choose where that next wave of growth will occur.

By using a new interactive map, you can click on locations where you think Bikeshare stations should be built. The map also allows users to “like” or “dislike” suggested stations.

Staff will consider all of the suggestions and will base station decisions on criteria such as property ownership and feasibility.

Flickr pool photo by Chris Reed

Central Library Unveils Solar Panels

By Katie Pyzyk

The Central Library (1015 N. Quincy St.) held a ribbon cutting event Monday afternoon to unveil its newly installed solar panels.

The 250 panels on the roof of the building are expected to save the library $14,000 per year.

The project was funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, through a grant administered by the U.S. Department of Energy. Dr. Henry Kelly of the U.S. Department of Energy, who lives in Arlington, said clean energy plans help to create jobs.

Kelly said, “Investing in clean energy is an integral part of the economic recovery process.”

Arlington County Board Vice-Chair Mary Hynes said the timing of the unveiling is fitting, considering October is National Energy Awareness month. She also wants more green initiatives to spread throughout Arlington.

Hynes said, “I hope this is the first of many opportunities to add solar to our buildings.”

The Central Library plans to continue its push for a greener community by installing a Capital Bikeshare station in front of the Quincy St. entrance. The goal is to have that in place by next spring.

BREAKING NEWS — Crane Incident in Rosslyn

By Katie Pyzyk

(Updated at 3:45 p.m.) Police and firefighters have responded to the area around Clarendon Blvd and Oak Street, in Rosslyn, where a worker has suffered a medical emergency while in a tall crane.

A technical rescue team from the Arlington County Fire Department will soon be trying to use the crane itself to lower the worker 250 feet to the ground, according to department spokesman Lt. Gregg Karl.

Karl did not know the exact nature of the worker’s medical emergency.

Police have shut down parts of Oak Street and 17th Street to attend to the situation. The crane is on the Sedona and Slate apartment construction site, which was the scene of a retaining wall collapse in August.

Courtesy photo (top)

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CORRECTION: NOVA Fashion Week Canceled

By Katie Pyzyk

Update at 3:58 p.m. — Northern Virginia Fashion Week was supposed to start today, but the week-long event was scrapped.

A source told ARLnow.com about the event, but hadn’t been informed of the cancellation. She was surprised she hadn’t heard of the change and apologized for the confusion.

The event was slated to kick off at Clarendon Ballroom (3185 Wilson Blvd.), but General Manager Nick Langman says he was informed a couple weeks ago the event wouldn’t happen. Langman isn’t sure why the event was cancelled.

Service Changes to ART 41 Buses Begin Today

By Katie Pyzyk

(Updated at 11:15 a.m.) Service changes begin today for the ART 41 bus due to construction at Arlington Mill.

Although buses will continue to stop at Columbia Pike Plaza Shopping Center at Columbia Pike and S. Dinwiddie Street, they will no longer take a rest break at that location. The new layover location is at westbound Columbia Pike before Greenbrier Street.

Due to construction along the route, ART 41 buses might be off schedule. Metrobus 16G could also be affected.

Construction is supposed to continue for about one year.

Shirlington Restaurant Week Starts Monday

By Katie Pyzyk

(Updated at 7:35 p.m.) Right on the heels of tomorrow’s Capitol City Brewing Company 2011 Oktoberfest at Shirlington, another event in that neighborhood touts good eats and good prices.  The first annual Restaurant Week at The Village at Shirlington begins on Monday.

Prices are considerably lower than neighboring cities’ restaurant weeks. Lunch includes two courses for $15 and dinner includes three courses for $25.

The following restaurants have listed their menus for the event, which runs from Monday, October 10, through next Sunday, October 16:  Aladdin’s Eatery, Aroma Indian Cuisine, Bistro Bistro, Bonsai Grill, The Bungalow, Busboys & Poets, Capitol City Brewing Company, Dogma Bakery & Boutique, Extra Virgin Modern Italian Cuisine, Johnny Rockets, Luna Grill & Diner, PING and Samuel Beckett’s Irish Gastro Pub.

To coincide with Restaurant Week, there will be an event on Thursday geared toward ladies. During Shirlie’s Girls Night Out many of the businesses will offer discounts and specials like cocktails while you shop.  The participating stores and eateries are: Ah Love Oil & Vinegar, CakeLove, Capitol City Brewing Company, Dogma Bakery & Boutique, Extra Virgin Modern Italian, Hardwood Artisans, Le Village Marche, Nirvana Reflexology, Periwinkle, Signature Theatre, Studio Salon & Spa and T.H.A.I. Shirlington.

Times for the specials vary by business, but most start at 5:00 p.m.

Some DMV Services Unavailable This Weekend

By Katie Pyzyk

Using the long weekend to catch up on errands at the DMV doesn’t look like it will be an option for everyone. In addition to being closed in observance of Columbus Day on Monday, certain services will not be offered on Saturday.

Because the DMV’s Social Security Verification system will be unavailable tomorrow, services like applying for a first-time Virginia driver’s license will not be offered. A small number of renewals will be affected as well.

The system maintenance will affect branches across the country, including the one in Arlington at 4150 South Four Mile Run Drive. The branch will still be open from 8 a.m. to noon for other services.

Here’s more information from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles:

RICHMOND – Certain services provided by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), including applying for a first-time Virginia driver’s license, will be unavailable on Saturday, October 8, 2011.

Due to system maintenance by the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA), social security number verification will not be available in DMV customer service centers (CSC) on October 8. DMV verifies social security numbers when processing new driver’s license transactions and some driver’s license renewal transactions.

Customers who need first-time or renewed driver’s licenses are encouraged to visit DMV before October 8; all DMV offices will be closed on Monday, October 10 in observance of the Commonwealth’s Columbus Day holiday.

Customers who are unable to obtain a new or updated driver’s license on October 8 will receive a letter during their visit to the DMV customer service center. Customers may return to any CSC during the week of October 11 through 14 and present the letter at the information desk for expedited service.

If a customer’s driver’s license expires, Virginia law requires the customer to show proof of legal presence to renew at DMV, even if legal presence has been proven in the past. Legal presence means that a person is either a U.S. citizen or is legally authorized to be in the United States. Examples of documents used to prove legal presence include a government-issued birth certificate or a U.S. passport. For more information on acceptable documents, see DMV’s Guide to Obtaining a Driver’s License or Identification Card.

Big Bash for Artisphere’s First Birthday

By Katie Pyzyk

Drinks, DJs playing dance music and a specially commissioned piece of video art aren’t necessarily things you’d expect to see at a one-year-old’s birthday party. Unless, of course, that one-year-old is Rosslyn’s own Artisphere.

The art space and venue has seen its share of trouble during its year in existence. There was no restaurant on site for the first seven months, the executive director didn’t start until three months after opening, and both attendance and revenue were low.

But earlier this year, Artisphere revamped its business plan. Staff say it has taken a little longer to get there, but things appear to be back on track.  The hope is that the birthday bash will introduce new patrons to the venue and what it offers.

“The 1 Party” kicks off tomorrow night at 8:00 p.m. with DJs and a commissioned lighting of Artisphere’s dome by local artist Brian Stansfield. There will also be a live variety show and an interactive mural creation.

On Sunday, the whole family is welcome to check out Artisphere’s free open house from noon to 6:00 p.m. Attendees can take part in hands-on art activities, salsa lessons and face painting, as well as getting a look at performance art. Of course, there will be birthday cake for everyone who attends the celebration.

Tickets to Saturday night’s party range from $15-$30. Click here to sign up for tickets.

Disclosure: Artisphere is currently an ARLnow.com advertiser.

Doggone Good Time Planned for Pooches in Park

By Katie Pyzyk

Looks like Saturday is going to the dogs. Animal lovers will gather at Lacey Woods Park at 1200 N. George Mason Drive for the Dogtober Day dog show.

Some categories for the show include Best Kisser, Best Tail Wagger and Best Costume. First, second and third place winners will receive ribbons.

This year the event also includes the “Barkers Bash” skills tests for dogs and owners. One of the games is called “Chicken Chase,” which is a toss and retrieve test with rubber chickens. First and second place finishers in the games receive ribbons and prizes.

Festivities start at 1:00 p.m. and last until 3:00 p.m. On-site registration starts at 12:15 p.m. The cost is $6 per category or $25 for unlimited categories. It’s $2 for each attempt in the Barkers Bash. Click here for a registration form.

Sunday Road Closures for Army Ten-Miler

By Katie Pyzyk

You may have to alter Sunday morning driving plans if you plan to travel on some major roads near the Pentagon.

Tens of thousands of runners will be hitting the streets for the 27th Annual Army Ten-Miler race.

The race begins at 8 a.m. on Route 110 and ends in the Pentagon South Parking Lot, but some roads will be shut down as early as 5 a.m.  They should all be reopened by noon.

The road closures and times:

5 a.m. to 3 p.m.:

  • There will be no access to Pentagon North Parking, Boundary Channel Drive, or the eastern portion of Pentagon South Parking (Pentagon employees will be able to access South Parking via Columbia Pike or South Fern Street).

5 a.m. to 12 p.m.:

  • Route 110 (northbound and southbound) will be closed from Rosslyn to Crystal City.  The George Washington Parkway will remain open.

7 a.m. to 10 a.m.:

  • Access to Memorial Drive and the Memorial Bridge from Washington Boulevard (Route 27) will be closed.

7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

  •  I-395 HOV lanes will close and open on a rolling schedule from the Eads Street ramp to DC

Parking is limited, so runners, spectators and support personnel are encouraged to use Metro. The Pentagon and Pentagon City stations on the Blue and Yellow Lines are located within walking distance of the start and finish lines. Metro will open early, at 6 a.m.

Photo via armytenmiler.com

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