News

ACPD planning ‘high-visibility enforcement’ along several Arlington streets

By ARLnow.com
Police officer talks with driver during high-visibility enforcement along Little Falls Road (via ACPD)

Arlington County police will be out in force tomorrow along two busy roads, conducting high visibility traffic enforcement.

The action is part of the region’s annual spring “Street Smart” campaign, which “focuses on educating drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists about traffic laws and how to safely share our roadways.” The campaign will run through Sunday, May 14.

“As the warmer months approach and the days grow longer, more people will be walking, biking and operating shared mobility devices throughout our community,” ACPD said in a press release today. “To ensure all travelers can reach their destinations in a safe and timely manner, area law enforcement will participate in the Metropolitan Washington Council of Government’s Spring Street Smart campaign.”

“Through a two-pronged approach of education and enforcement, the campaign aims to reduce the number of traffic related crashes and injuries on our roadways by identifying and changing unsafe behavior patterns among travelers,” the release continues.

A pair of “high-visibility enforcement activations” are planned Wednesday for the campaign.

Officers will be out enforcing traffic laws along Langston Blvd in Rosslyn, between N. Lynn Street and Fort Myer Drive, from 11 a.m. to noon, according to ACPD. That’s the same block on which a woman pushing a stroller was struck by a dump truck in 2018. The woman lost a leg but the truck driver ultimately only received a traffic citation.

Later, from 4-5 p.m., officers will post up on the 2900 block of S. Glebe Road, near the Arlington Ridge Shopping Center.

Another round of traffic enforcement is planned for Thursday, May 2: from 11 a.m. to noon along N. Pershing Drive at N. Thomas Street and from 4-5 p.m. on the 5200 block of Columbia Pike.

“As part of our department’s key initiative of Transportation Safety, officers will conduct traffic enforcement throughout the campaign with the goal of compliance, even when police are not present,” ACPD said.

Schools

APS pauses overnight field trips to Outdoor Lab after ‘incident’ involving a student

By Jo DeVoe
1/4

Arlington Public Schools has “paused” some overnight field trips amid a law enforcement investigation.

Some fifth-grade students were on a recent overnight field trip to the school system’s Outdoor Lab in Fauquier County when an incident allegedly occurred and was reported to the local Sheriff’s Office.

In response, APS is not conducting any additional overnight field trips to the facility for fifth graders at this time, spokesman Frank Bellavia confirmed to ARLnow.

“APS has temporarily stopped overnight trips but day trips are still happening,” he said. “This is a temporary pause in overnight trips to the Lab as we review and revisit our staffing and safety procedures.”

Jeffrey Long, Public Information Officer for the Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office, confirmed law enforcement is looking into an incident reported on March 30. He did not elaborate on what allegedly transpired at the 225-acre wooded facility about an hour from Arlington, just that it involved “one or more juvenile.”

“As this is an ongoing investigation I am not able to provide details of the incident,” Long told ARLnow in an email. “There have been no charges filed at this time.”

In addition to one-night overnight field trips for fifth graders, the school system sponsors day trips and summer camps at the Outdoor Lab.

Owned by the nonprofit Arlington Outdoor Education Association and used by APS, Outdoor Lab celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2016. It was founded with financial support from the late Arlington philanthropist Preston Caruthers.

Sponsored

Arts Focus: Celebrate Día de los Muertos at Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington

By Sponsor

This column is sponsored by Arlington Arts/Arlington Cultural Affairs, a division of Arlington Economic Development.

Enjoy an unforgettable evening of celebration and culture at the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington on Saturday, Nov. 1, with an outdoor picnic in honor of Día de los Muertos. Set against the backdrop of crisp fall weather in Virginia Square, this family-friendly event promises art, music, delicious food and performances for all ages.

Spread out your blanket and partake in activities like interactive art projects, live performances and games of lotería (lottery). Savor the flavors of tacos and craft espresso drinks from local food trucks such as TNT Mexican Grill, Taco Cinco De Mayo and Rossana Coffee. Additional vendors include Ana Schwar, Otterly Artistic Designs and David Amoroso. Festive lighting will be provided by AVLD Events .

A cherished Arlington tradition, the event is co-sponsored by the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington and Arlington Arts, celebrating the Mexican holiday dedicated to remembering loved ones with joy and festivity. National Geographic notes, Día de los Muertos blends ancient Aztec rituals with Spanish customs brought to Mexico in the early 1500s, honoring the dead through colorful and lively celebrations.

Arlington-based artist David Amoroso is once again creating a large-scale ofrenda (altar) on the museum’s front portico. Attendees are invited to bring a photo of a deceased loved one to include in the ofrenda, making the altar a collective tribute. Participants will be able to decorate their own Calavera masks. Amoroso is also working with Johnerick Lawson on a kinetic element to showcase their creations!

The evening will be filled with music and dance, including a performance by Mariachi Imperio by Blanca Chucuan. The DC-based, woman-led ensemble is carrying on this venerable musical tradition in the DMV, having performed everywhere from the Smithsonian Institution to popular area restaurants and family Quinceanera’s. Dance enthusiasts will also be captivated by the folkloric Mexican dance group Los Quetzales, known for their vibrant performances over the past 26 years.

While you’re there, don’t miss the chance to take a selfie with the popular Reclining Liberty sculpture by Zaq Landsberg. This striking, 25-foot installation juxtaposes the Statue of Liberty with a traditional Buddhist reclining pose, encouraging reflection on the ideals the iconic statue represents. Installed in 2023 co-sponsored by Arlington Public Art and MoCA Arlington, the sculpture was recently granted permanent status at the venue.

The Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington has been a key collaborator with Arlington County Government for decades. Housed in the historic Clarendon School building, the museum is part of Arlington’s cultural legacy, operating under a long-term lease with the County. The building, designed in 1910 and renovated in 2004, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Mark your calendar for this vibrant celebration! The Día de los Muertos event will take place from 5:00 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington, 3550 Wilson Boulevard. Click here for event details. Visit the Arlington Cultural Affairs website for more details and to explore Arlington’s exciting public art and cultural programs.

Don’t miss out — join us to honor tradition, celebrate culture and experience the arts in Arlington!

Around Town

‘Real Housewives’ appears to be filming again in Arlington

By ARLnow.com
1/2

Production is reportedly underway on the Real Housewives of Potomac Season 8, and some filming has been spotted in Arlington.

Cast member Ashley Darby told Northern Virginia Magazine earlier this year that she had “recently bought a new home in Arlington.” Previously, she had lived in a condo in the Courthouse area.

Over the weekend, Darby and at least one other person were seen being filmed outside of a recently-built home, a tipster tells ARLnow.

“At 11:30 a.m., the street was filled with camera crews filming people entering” the house, the tipster said. “Guests were seen signing waivers and receiving microphone packs.”

The home was purchased off-market in October by an LLC whose address corresponds with that of Monument Realty, the real estate firm founded by Darby’s husband Michael, according to Arlington County property records. The couple is separated.

The home is about a half mile from the former Oz restaurant in Clarendon, which Ashley and Michael owned until it closed in 2019. The restaurant had been a Real Housewives filming location and a significant plot point in the show.

It’s unclear how much more ‘Real Housewives’ filming will be done in Arlington for the show’s upcoming season. Ashley, though, told the magazine that she plans to stay in Arlington for the foreseeable future.

Darby loves Arlington and has no plans to leave anytime soon, she says. “I really appreciate the diversity of Arlington,” she says. “I grew up in Maryland. But I really do feel like there is an element of Arlington that encompasses so much more. I love how close I am to DC. I love that there are so many different cultures, like I go to Eden Center all the time, so I just appreciate how diverse it is.” […]

“I love the restaurants, and I’m a big fan of Clarendon,” she says, mentioning that she used to go to The Clarendon Ballroom. “My kids love the parks, too. I think that the way the parks are maintained, and the investment that goes into the parks, is just amazing. There are so many things to do. There’s always a festival or a carnival, and there’s so much community involvement.”

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com
Protected bike lanes being painted along S. Eads Street near Amazon HQ2 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Car Stolen Near Barcroft Park — From Alan Henney: “4200 blk South Four Mile Run Rd in Arlington. Two teens just stole a silver 1990 Honda Accord with Virginia tags. It was left idling. One of them had a bike which they abandoned.” [Twitter]

Sexual Battery Victim Speaks — “A victim who wants to remain anonymous is speaking to 7News recalling the harrowing events of that night she was attacked in her bed. ‘I was like sound asleep and I wake up and I think there is someone crawling into my bed,’ she said. ‘Because it was so late at night, early in the morning, my brain thought it was a dream or something.’ The woman said her apartment complex recently changed the lock system to the apartment doors. She forgot to manually lock the door on the night of April 11.” [WJLA]

Pair of Assaults on Police — “At approximately 2:20 a.m. on April 14… Officers attempted to take the driver into custody for suspected driving under the influence. The suspect actively resisted arrest, struggled with officers and struck an officer in the face with their elbow… At approximately 8:06 p.m. on April 15… the suspect pushed the officer and attempted to flee the scene on foot.” [ACPD]

APS Employees of the Year — “Arlington Public Schools has announced its 2023 employees of the year, with the honorees to be saluted at a reception in May. Deitra Brady-Pulliam, a third-grade teacher from Hoffman-Boston Elementary School, was named Teacher of the Year… Thomas Jefferson Middle School’s Keisha Boggan was named Principal of the Year.” [GazetteLeader]

Square Footage Rate Drops — “Leading the per-square-foot pack, as it usually does, was the District of Columbia, where homes sold during the January-February-March period garnered an average $510 for each and every square foot. But that was down 5.6 percent from $540 from the same period a year before. Arlington, which traditionally comes in second, saw an even larger drop, down 6.3 percent from $490 to $459.” [GazetteLeader]

WBJ Amazon Reporter Leaving — “Since I started my job as a reporter covering Amazon, workforce development and higher education, the beat’s grown to include transportation and data centers, and there’s been endless adventure in each… Now, I’m taking off for a new adventure.” [Washington Business Journal]

Shootings in Alexandria — Police in Alexandria are investigating several shootings, including one that shut down Metro trains for a time near the Braddock Road station and another at the Bradlee Shopping Center near Arlington’s Fairlington neighborhood. [ALXnow, ALXnow]

It’s Tuesday — Scattered clouds and breezy. High of 67 and low of 50. Sunrise at 6:28 am and sunset at 7:48 pm. [Weather.gov]

View More Stories