Morning Notes

Published March 28, 2018 at 8:45AM | Updated March 28, 2018 at 1:51PM

Community Concerns Over Hospital Land Swap — Updated at 1:50 p.m. — Virginia Hospital Centers needs to expand to keep up with patient demand but the planned expansion is in a holding pattern as resident concerns are addressed. “Tracy Greiner, chair of a task force of three nearby civic associations, said the hospital has ‘failed to effectively address three years of homeowner feedback.’ Neighbors — some who’ve been in Halls Hill for three generations, others who just bought in — worry about traffic, nighttime lights and construction.” [Falls Church News-Press]

Beyer Wants Answers from FBI — Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) is requesting a meeting with the director of the FBI to discuss the investigation into the fatal shooting of Bijan Ghaisar by U.S. Park Police along the GW Parkway, to ensure that it proceeds expeditiously. Of note: “Beyer said that Arlington County, where the 911 calls came in, will not release the 911 tapes because the FBI hasn’t given them permission because it’s an ongoing investigation.” [WTOP]

Wilcox to Headline Arlington Gala — “Arlington’s own Amy Wilcox, a recording artist and star of A&E Network’s ‘Crazy Hearts: Nashville,’ will be the featured performer at the Arlington Community Foundation’s annual gala – ‘This Is Us’ – to be held April 21. The evening event will be held at the Ritz-Carlton Pentagon City, with funds raised being used to support the philanthropic initiatives of the foundation.” [InsideNova]

Candy Dispute Prompts Call to Police — According to scanner traffic, police responded yesterday evening to a domestic incident in which “a father is not allowing his kid to have candy and they’re all fighting.” [Twitter]

County Board Asks Governor to Veto Country Club Bill

By Bridget Reed Morawski

Published March 27, 2018 at 3:45PM | Updated September 23, 2020 at 11:24AM

The Arlington County Board sent a letter to Gov. Ralph Northam today (March 27) requesting that he veto a bill adopted by the General Assembly that would provide big tax savings to two Arlington country clubs but cost the county millions.

The bill would mandate an open space assessment of golf course properties in the county, providing big tax breaks to Washington Golf and Country Club and Army Navy Country Club. According to a county press release, the assessment changes would result in a county revenue loss of about $1.43 million per year.

The hit to the county’s coffer would require “significant potential reductions in the areas of student education, public safety, transportation, community health, and social services,” the letter said, suggesting also that the “preferential tax treatment” conflicted with the Code of Virginia and the state constitution.

“This bill comes at a time when our community is already grappling with reductions to services in order to address budget gaps for the upcoming fiscal year and larger projected budget gaps in future years,” said the letter, which was signed by all five County Board members.

The full text of the letter after the jump. (more…)

County Budget Proposal Includes New Parking Meter Rate Hikes

By Bridget Reed Morawski

Published March 27, 2018 at 1:45PM

Parking meter rate increases under FY2019 budget (via Arlington County)

via Arlington County

The county manager’s proposed 2019 budget includes new parking meter rate hikes.

Short term parking, defined as less than four hours, would go up a quarter to $1.75 per hour. Long term parking, more than four hours, would also go up a quarter to $1.50 per hour.

Currently, drivers only have to feed the meter in Arlington between 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Under the proposed budget, the times would change to 8 a.m.-8 p.m., or an additional two hours of metering for a total of 12 hours a day, six days a week.

The increase would add about $3.775 million per year to the county’s coffers, with $1.575 million in anticipated revenue from the rate increase alone and an additional $2.2 million for the hours extension.

In a budget document, county staff note that the increase would “encourage more frequent turnover in parking space during hours of greatest demand” and would be “more consistent with other rates and hours in the region.” It would also, of course, raise revenue at a time when the county is facing a significant budget gap.

The proposal comes less than three years after the County Board approved parking meter rate increases, which raised rates a quarter across the board. In 2011, a rate hike brought the long-term parking cost per hour up to $1.

Parking ticket fines will also rise, from $35 to $40 per offense, leading to just over $236,000 in revenue per year.

File photo

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published March 27, 2018 at 8:35AM

Shake Shack, Philz and More Coming to Ballston — “Ballston will beef up its fast-casual restaurant offerings by the end of this year, with Shake Shack, We the Pizza, Philz Coffee and Cava all slated to lease space in the newly dubbed Ballston Exchange project. Ballston Exchange, formerly known as Stafford Place I and II, was until 2017 home to the National Science Foundation.” [Washington Business Journal]

Outdoor Lab Squeezed by Rising Enrollment — “A growing student body at the elementary-school level may soon mean there are not enough days in the school year to send the usual cadre of students to the Arlington Outdoor Lab, located in Fauquier County.” [InsideNova]

Arlington Smoker Busted in Falls Church — Falls Church police issued a summons to a 56-year-old Arlington man for smoking in a restaurant in the city. [Falls Church News-Press]

Hamlin Leaving Macedonia Baptist Church — The Rev. Dr. Leonard Hamlin Sr. is leaving Macedonia Baptist Church in Nauck for a post at the Washington National Cathedral. “To celebrate his 22-year tenure at Macedonia, more than 300 people attended a farewell gala held March 25 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City,” the Sun Gazette reported. [InsideNova]

Advocates Flock to Open Door Monday — Those seeking more funding in the county budget process flocked to yesterday’s regularly-scheduled Open Door Monday event with County Board member Libby Garvey. Among those bending Garvey’s ear were first responders, who are seeking higher pay, and Arlington Independent Media, which is fighting a proposed budget cut. [Twitter, Twitter]

Photo courtesy @jimcollierjr

AWLA Rescues Wild Turkey from Rosslyn Construction Site

By ARLnow.com

Published March 26, 2018 at 7:10PM

Though talk of wild turkey in Rosslyn may lead one to think of bros in hotel bars swigging high-proof bourbon, today it was the real, live thing.

A wild turkey was found waddling around a construction site in Rosslyn, leading to a response from the Animal Welfare League of Arlington.

An animal control officer was able to catch the male turkey, which was said to be “scared and very stressed.” A video posted on Facebook, below, captures the scene as the turkey was placed in a kennel before being brought back to AWLA’s shelter in Shirlington and then being released into the wild.

Arlington Agenda: March 26-April 1

By Bridget Reed Morawski

Published March 26, 2018 at 4:15PM | Updated March 27, 2018 at 8:36AM

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, March 26

Free Home Buyer Seminar: Get $1,500 Towards Your New Home*
Orange Line Living (1600 Wilson Boulevard)
Time: 6-7:30 p.m.

Attend the Rosslyn class with wine and cheese and receive a $1,500 credit toward a new home or lease termination. The first three registrants and attendees will receive a Google Chromecast.

Mach’s Gut (German Language) Toastmasters Club Meeting*
Shirlington Library (4200 Campbell Avenue)
Time: 7-8 p.m.

A Toastmasters club meeting, in English, German, or both, with speech topics including German culture and travel in countries that speak German. All welcome.

Thursday, March 29

Shut Up & Write! Panel Discussion
Arlington Central Library (1015 N. Quincy Street)
Time: 7-8 p.m.

The focus of this month’s bimonthly writing panel series? “Friends with Benefits: Building a Supportive Writing Community,” with authors Sarah Glenn Marsh, Gwen Cole, and Jon Skovron.

Saturday, March 31

Arlington County’s Spring E-CARE Event
Yorktown High School (5200 Yorktown Boulevard)
Time: 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

Bring your hard-to-recycle items to the county’s biannual event, and swap out a CFL lightbulb for its LED counterpart. Visit Arlington County’s website for a full list of acceptable items.

1821 Greek Independence Celebration
New District Brewing Company (2709 S. Oakland Street)
Time: 1-4 p.m.

Join a Greek independence celebration with CAVA and New District Brewing Company, with Greek food and dancing.

Sunday, April 1

St. Agnes Easter Sunday Mass*
St. Agnes Catholic Church (1910 N. Randolph Street)
Time: 7:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

Join St. Agnes Catholic church with several celebrations for Easter Sunday morning mass at 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and noon. An evening vigil will also be held on March 31 (Saturday) from 8:30-11:30 p.m., with a reception to follow.

Emmanuel Presbyterian Easter Morning Services*
George Mason University Founders Hall (3351 Fairfax Drive)
Time: 8:30 and 10:30 a.m.

Celebrate the resurrection holiday with Emmanuel Presbyterian with two different morning services to mark the occasion, one at 8:30 a.m. and another at 10:30 a.m.

Bunny’s N Bubbles Eater Brunch
Quinn’s (1776 Wilson Boulevard)
Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Join the Easter Bunny at Quinn’s for photo ops and a special Easter brunch and champagne specials. Feel free to bring any photogenic pups along to get their picture taken with the bunny.

*Denotes featured (sponsored) event

Want to Live Comfortably in Arlington? Here’s What It Will Cost You

By Bridget Reed Morawski

Published March 26, 2018 at 10:55AM | Updated March 26, 2018 at 1:18PM

(Updated at 1:15 p.m.) It’s not cheap to live in one of the best places for millennials.

That’s according to figures from the Economic Policy Institute, which has come out with an interactive calculator to determine how much it costs individuals and families to comfortably live in Arlington and other U.S. counties.

For a couple with two children in Arlington, it costs about $9,493 per month to live comfortably, according to EPI, or just over $113,915 per year.

The highest monthly costs were attributed to housing, at an average of $2,040 per month — for a “modest” but “sanitary” two-bedroom apartment — but childcare costs in the county were just behind it at $1,801 per month.

Couples without children can make a lot less while still living comfortably in Arlington. Annual pay of $67,840 is what it takes for two people to live here comfortably, without kids, childcare costs and the requisite additional bedrooms.

Single Arlingtonians, though, have to make $56,221 annually to live comfortably — only $11,619 less than a couple does.

Across the Potomac, a D.C. family with two kids needs to bring in $123,975 a year, according to the EPI analysis, while the same family in Manassas City can get by comfortably on $96,314.

Notably, EPI’s methodology didn’t mention any consideration for student loans. There is, however, is a category for “other necessities.”

File photo. Hat tip to James Breiling.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published March 26, 2018 at 8:30AM

Overnight House Fire in Rock Spring — The Arlington County Fire Department battled a blaze in the basement of a home in the Rock Spring neighborhood early this morning. One occupant of the home was brought to the hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation. [Twitter]

ACFD Battles Falls Church Fire — Arlington and Fairfax County firefighters battled a two-alarm house fire in Falls Church early Sunday morning. The home’s occupant was able to get out but was transported to the hospital. The house, which had “hazardous hoarding conditions” inside, it believed to be a total loss. [City of Falls Church, Falls Church News-Press]

Warner Blasts ‘Dark Underbelly of Social Media’ — Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) went on NBC’s Meet the Press over the weekend and addressed the topic of Facebook’s privacy issues and alleged Russian election interference. “I think the whole industry has been reluctant to accept the fact that we’re seeing the dark underbelly of social media, and how it can be manipulated,” Warner said, adding: “frankly, Mr. Zuckerberg needs to come and testify.” [YouTube]

Arlington on ‘Healthiest Communities’ Rankings — Arlington County ranked No. 31 on U.S. News and World Report’s new Healthiest Communities rankings. Neighboring Falls Church ranked No. 1 while the City of Fairfax ranked No. 6 and Loudoun County ranked No. 10. [WTOP, U.S. News]

County Recognizes Businesses for Transportation Programs — “The Arlington County Board honored 19 local businesses and properties for their dedication to providing sustainable transportation to employees and tenants, as part of the Champions program. The program… motivates businesses, multi-family residential communities, commercial properties and schools to recognize the impact they can make on reducing traffic congestion in Arlington County.” [Arlington County]

Flickr pool photo by John Sonderman

Crowdfunding Campaign Launched for Ballston Homicide Victim

By ARLnow.com

Published March 23, 2018 at 5:55PM

Scene of Ballston homicide – 4100 block of 11th Street N. (via Google Maps)

The family of homicide victim John Giandoni is raising money via a crowdfunding campaign.

Giandoni, who would have turned 41 on Wednesday, was found dead in his home in Ballston last weekend. Police later determined his death to have been a homicide, though few details have been revealed about the circumstances.

In a crowdfunding campaign dubbed the “Freebird Fund,” Giandoni’s family is raising money for expenses. So far, more than $4,000 has been raised by nearly 50 donors.

The page also includes a brief biography of Giandoni, a father of one who worked for Booz Allen Hamilton and was active in the Arlington-Falls Church Young Republicans.

John Alexis Giandoni, born March 21, 1977 to Guillermo and Mary Ann Giandoni, passed away Friday, March 16, 2018. John loved spending time with his young son, Jack, more than anything else in this world and was a truly dedicated father and a devout Catholic in the Knights of Columbus 3rd and 4th Degree. His desire for adventure and zest for life fueled his enjoyment for and allowed him to excel in snowboarding, soccer, rock climbing, surfing, scuba diving, and anything outdoors. He enjoyed camping, hiking, going to concerts, traveling, and spending time with his family and friends who he truly cherished, valued, and respected. John always had a bright smile on his face that could light up a room and a sincere, kind word for everyone.

John worked at Booz Allen Hamilton as a Data Analyst and he had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, leading to constant personal and professional growth. After graduating from Woodbridge Senior High School, he earned his undergraduate degree at James Madison University and later his graduate degree at Virginia Tech.

A memorial service for Giandoni is being held tonight (Friday) in Dale City, Virginia.

Police: Drunken Man With Knife Charges at Security Guard

By ARLnow.com

Published March 23, 2018 at 2:50PM

A Delaware resident is facing a series of charges after police say he got drunk, damaged property inside a Crystal City hotel and then charged at security guards with a knife.

The incident happened around 12:30 a.m. early Friday morning, on the 1700 block of Jefferson Davis Highway (Route 1).

Proposed County Budget Would Eliminate Two ART Bus Routes

By Bridget Reed Morawski

Published March 23, 2018 at 10:45AM | Updated March 23, 2018 at 11:27AM

An ART bus driving around the county (file photo)

The County Manager’s fiscal year 2019 proposed budget includes service eliminations to Arlington Transit bus routes 92 and 54.

The reductions would save the county $356,771 in 2019, according to the proposed budget. Public hearings on the budget and tax rate are scheduled for Tuesday, April 3 and Thursday, April 5, respectively.

The routes “are not meeting minimum service standards,” according to the budget document, and “service delivery can potentially be met by other transit or other modes such as Capital BikeShare.”

ART Route 92 runs weekdays from the Crystal City Metro station to the Pentagon Metro station via Long Bridge Park. Several WMATA routes also run through that area.

According to the ART Route 92 web page, “the route also serves as a shuttle for those working at Boeing and the U.S. Marshals Service.”

ART Route 54 operates weekdays during the morning and afternoon rush hours from Dominion Hills to the East Falls Church Metro station via Madison Manor neighborhood.

Both routes have “experienced low ridership (3 passengers per hour) and [have] performed below the established minimum service standards of 15 passengers per hour and a 20 percent cost recovery ratio,” according to budget documents.

The County Board is expected to adopt its final budget on April 21.