award

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Iwo Jima Memorial Revamp Planned — One of the most memorable sights in Arlington may be getting a face lift. The 56-year-old Iwo Jima memorial is in need of a refurbishment and more frequent flag replacements, supporters say. A group, the Marine Corps War Memorial Foundation, also wants to add a volunteer-staffed reception center with permanent restrooms, replacing the plastic portable toilets currently on site. [USA Today]

George Allen Wants His Senate Seat Back — Former Sen. George Allen (R-Va.) says he will run for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) and formerly held by himself. The 2012 race will also feature a challenge on Allen’s right during the primary. Some fellow Republicans wasted no time portraying Allen, once thought of as a possible presidential candidate, as “one of the biggest government guys out there” and “a part of the Washington establishment.” [Washington Post]

The Planetarium Booster — Meet Alice Monet, president of the Friends of Arlington’s Donald M. Brown Planetarium group. The retired Naval Observatory astronomer and Washington-Lee grad is helping to raise money to upgrade the planetarium and keep it open for future generations. [Washington Examiner]

Yorktown High Wins Theater Award — Yorktown High School took first place at the National District One-Act Play Festival for the third time running. The competition, held in Fairfax over the weekend, showcases D.C. area theater talent. “Yorktown’s show Bottom’s Dream, an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, will advance to the Northern Region One Act Play Festival [on] Feb. 5,”  a parent tells us. “Yorktown will hold an encore performance of the show at 7 p.m. Feb. 4 at Yorktown High, 5200 Yorktown Boulevard.”

Flickr pool photo by Shannon Field

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Developer Wants to Build Pedestrian Bridge in Virginia Square — The Dittmar Company told the Ashton Heights Civic Association that it wants to build an enclosed, elevated pedestrian bridge between the two buildings of its massive proposed “Virginia Square Towers” development. An underground connection is not possible, the company says, because it plans to build one large, continuous parking lot under the two buildings. [TBD]

Arlington Elementary Schools Receive Top State Education Award — Arlington Science Focus, Arlington Traditional and Nottingham Elementary have all received the 2011 Governor’s Award of Educational Excellence, the state’s highest honor under its Virginia Index of Performance awards program. Seven other Arlington elementary schools have been recognized by the Virginia Board of Education for making “significant progress” in student achievement. [Arlington Public Schools]

Nominees Requested for Women of Vision Awards — The county’s Commission on the Status of Women  is seeking nominations for its 2011 Women of Vision Awards, which will be held in Ballston on March 10. Nomination forms must be submitted by Feb. 10. [Arlington County]

Flickr pool photo by Kevin H

Immigration Group to Receive County Human Rights Award

By ARLnow.com

The Arlington Coalition Against the Secure Communities Program, which successfully lobbied the county board to attempt to opt out of the federal Secure Communities immigration enforcement program, will receive the county’s James B. Hunter Human Rights Award later this week.

According to a press release, the coalition “assisted Arlington Board Member Walter Tejada in the development of a resolution he introduced in late September.” The resolution passed unanimously. Ultimately, the county determined that it was not practically possible to opt out of the program.

“Leading up to the vote, coalition members distributed thousands of petitions, fact sheets and emails to residents and organized and engaged in public forums to discuss the flaws of the Secure Communities program,” the coalition said in a statement. “The work to stop the program is far from over but the Coalition remains steadfast in its mission to halt the Secure Communities program because it encourages racial profiling, destroys families, destroys the trust in police and circumvents our criminal justice system.”

The coalition will receive its award at 7:00 Thursday night at the county board room. Last year’s winners of the James B. Hunter Award included the Arlington Food Assistance Center, the Literary Council of Northern Virginia, a pastor who worked to help those with AIDS and an attorney who helps the elderly and those with disabilities. The award is presented by the Arlington Human Rights Commission.

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Arlington Parks Department Claims Tennis Award

By ARLnow.com

Arlington County’s tennis program has been recognized for excellence by the United States Tennis Association.

The USTA Mid-Atlantic Section named Arlington County’s Parks Department its “2010 Parks and Recreation Agency of the Year.” The award is in recognition of the county’s “overall tennis programming.”

“This award demonstrates that the state of tennis in Arlington County is strong and getting even stronger,” Parks Department Sports Programmer Eric Legg said in a statement. “As the popularity of tennis in Arlington County grows, so too does the quality of tennis programming and facilities.”

There are nearly 90 tennis courts in Arlington County, including those currently under construction. This year the county renovated 14 tennis courts (see photo).

Parks spokesperson Nathan Spillman says there’s “no doubt that it’s been a good year for tennis in Arlington County.”

Spillman said that there were 1,135 youth and adult registrations for county-run tennis classes this year — a 144 percent increase since 2007.

Other factors contributing to Arlington’s recognition, Spillman said, were the 10,700 hours of tennis playing time reserved so far this year, along with the two USTA-sanctioned tournaments held in the county and the two charity tournaments hosted in partnership with the Arlington County Tennis Association.

Arlington Is Big Winner at N. Va. Developer Awards

By ARLnow.com

The commercial real estate trade group NAIOP handed out its Best of Northern Virginia awards in Tysons Corner last night, and Arlington fared quite well.

Seven out of 17 awards went to Arlington properties.

The big winners included Courthouse’s new Fire Works Pizza restaurant and the county’s new Dept. of Human Services office, which both won awards for best interior.

Among the other winners were Monday Properties’ marketing effort for 1000 Wilson Blvd in Rosslyn, and Vornado’s renovation of 220 20th Street in Crystal City.

See the full list of winners in PDF form here.

Introducing the 2010 ABBIE Award Winners

By ARLnow.com

Congratulations to the 15 businesses that emerged as winners in the voting for this year’s Arlington’s Best Business Awards.

About 10,000 people participated in the online nomination and voting process, according to Arlington Economic Development, which sponsors the annual contest. That’s about twice as many nominations and votes as last year.

Among the big winners were Northside Social, voted Arlington’s Best New Business, and Lost Dog Cafe, the only business to win in two categories.

The winners, which will announced at the county board meeting that’s getting underway now, are:

  • Best Boutique: ShoeFly
  • Best Brunch: Carlyle
  • Best Community-Based Nonprofit: AFAC
  • Best Customer Service: Eventide
  • Best Dessert: Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe
  • Best Late Night Spot: Bob and Edith’s
  • Best Performing Arts Organization: Signature Theatre
  • Best Place to Care for Your Pet: Ballston Animal Hospital
  • Best Place to Dance the Night Away: Clarendon Ballroom
  • Best Place to Learn Something New: Arlington Public Library
  • Best Happy Hour: Liberty Tavern
  • Best Neighborhood Bar: Whitlow’s on Wilson
  • Best “Bargain” Restaurant: Lost Dog Café
  • Best Family Friendly Restaurant: Lost Dog Café
  • Best New Business: Northside Social

The incumbent winners from 2009 had a particularly strong showing. Only the Best New Business, Best Happy Hour, and Best Customer Service categories changed hands this year.

Last Day for ABBIE Award Voting

By ARLnow.com

Today is the last day to help your favorite local businesses win an ABBIE Award. Online voting for the annual awards, which honor Arlington’s best businesses, ends at midnight.

ARLnow.com has been nominated for an ABBIE, under the category “Arlington’s Best Place to Learn Something New.” However, we’re facing tough competition from the category’s reigning champ, the Arlington Public Library system.

Our odds are especially long, considering that the library isn’t any old small business — it’s a large government entity with nine locations around town, dozens of staff members and thousands of customers — who receive its services for free. Plus, while the general public is limited to one vote per computer, ABBIE rules specifically state that publicly-accessible computers at the library are exempt.

Not that we’re complaining or anything.

Good luck to the nominated businesses and organizations in all 15 categories — even our own!

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Cuccinelli Celebrates GOP Victories in Arlington — Partying with Tea Party leaders at the Leadership Institute in Clarendon, Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli hailed the Republican takeover of the House of Representatives. He said he hopes the new congress comes to Washington to “change it, not join it.” He also spoke about the lawsuits he’s filed to protect Virginia against “the overreach of federal power.” More from the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Bayou Bakery Could Open in Two Weeks — Chef David Guas’ new Bayou Bakery will be opening in the old Camille’s space in Courthouse soon, perhaps as early as Nov. 13. First, however, the 60-seat restaurant must pass a round of county inspections. Bayou will feature a New Orleans-inspired food menu as well as pastries, beer and coffee. More from WCP’s Tim Carman.

Parks and Rec Award Needs Nominees — Arlington County is still looking for nominees for its 2011 Bill Thomas Park Service Award, which honors individuals for their passionate support of the county’s parks. More from Arlington County.

Flickr pool photo by philliefan99

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Feds May Get Capital Bikeshare Discount — The federal government is entering a corporate partnership agreement with the new Capital Bikeshare program. The deal will likely provide federal employees with a discount on Capital Bikeshare rentals, but details of the partnership have yet to be announced. More from The Federal Times.

Arlington Org Wins Tech Award — The Arlington-based Amazon Conservation Team, which uses technical and scientific tools to help indigenous peoples preserve the rainforest ecosystem, is being recognized for its innovative approach to benefiting humanity. The organization was named a 2010 Tech Awards Laureate by Silicon Valley’s Tech Museum. The award will presented at a gala event on November 6. More from the Huffington Post.

Columbus Day Metro Service Disruptions — The Blue and Orange Lines will be split into two sections over Columbus Day weekend, just in time for three big sporting events and a concert. Bus service will connect the Foggy Bottom and the Federal Triangle stations in the District. More from Dr. Gridlock.

Flickr pool photo by MichaelTRuhl

Wakefield High Educator Named N. Va. Teacher of the Year

By ARLnow.com

Colette Fraley, a social studies teacher at Wakefield High School, has been named 2011 Teacher of the Year for Northern Virginia. The honor, bestowed by the Virginia Department of Education, comes five months after she was named Arlington Public Schools 2010 Teacher of the Year.

Fraley learned of the honor today when APS superintendent Dr. Pat Murphy and Wakefield principal Dr. Christian Willmore made a surprise visit during her fourth period U.S. Government class. She was presented with flowers, a letter from Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and a congratulatory certificate from the Department of Education.

Fraley, who has been with Arlington Public Schools for 10 years, will now be considered for the title of Virginia Teacher of the Year, which will be awarded at a banquet on Oct. 15 in Glen Allen, Va.

Previous Arlington teachers to be named Teacher of the Year for Northern Virginia include Laurie Sullivan (2004) and Robin Liten-Tejada (2002).

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Virginia Won’t Cut Off Money to Metro — Virginia Transportation Secretary Sean Connaughton says the $50 million per year the state pledges to Metro will not be cut off, after all. Connaughton had threatened to stop the annual payment unless the state were granted two seats on Metro’s Board of Directors. But after an outcry from local leaders, and a letter from Metro board members Chris Zimmerman (who’s also on the Arlington County board) and Catherine Hudgins, Connaughton and the McDonnell administration apparently had a change of heart. More from the Washington Post.

Career Center Wins State Accolade — The Arlington Career Center’s Automotive Technology Program has won the 2010 Virginia Governor’s Career and Technical Education Exemplary Standards Award. The program will receive $5,000 cash and a banner to display on the school.

Columbia Pike Utility Undergrounding to Begin Monday — If you live near Columbia Pike, enjoy the weekend while it lasts. Monday could bring significant traffic challenges, as crews begin work to relocate a gas line and put overhead utility lines underground, from South Wakefield Street to Four Mile Run. The County warns that delays are expected as a result of the Pike project, which will last well into 2011.

Flickr pool photo by Amberture.

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