Crystal City

Bike to Work Day Approaches

By ARLnow.com

Arlington is going all-out for National Bike to Work Day tomorrow.

From 7:00 to 9:00 a.m., the county will be playing host to three Bike to Work Day “pit stops” — each with music, speakers, bike giveaways, local exhibitors and free food and drinks:

  • Gateway Park in Rosslyn (1300 Lee Highway)
  • Conte’s Bike Shop in Ballston (3924 Wilson Blvd)
  • Crystal City Water Park (1750 Crystal Drive)

The first 8,500 people who register for the event will be able to pick up a free t-shirt.

The Crystal City pit stop will also serve breakfast and provide bicycle repairs and complementary showers. The Rosslyn pit stop will feature a performance by mountain bike stunt rider Mike Steidley and a Capital Bikeshare drop-off station. In addition, the Rosslyn pit stop is where the county will announce the winner of its Car-Free Diet Skeptics Challenge, which was the subject of a Washington Post feature earlier this week.

Disclosure: The Car-Free Diet Skeptics Challenge is an ARLnow.com advertiser.

Police Seek Office Theft Suspect

By ARLnow.com

(Updated at 10:40 a.m.) Two years ago, Kenneth Earl Tolliver’s face was showing up on local newscasts after he was accused of robbing a 99-year-old woman in her Silver Spring, Md. home. At the time he was also wanted for two other burglary cases involving older residents, as well as other crimes. Now, according to police, he’s a “person of interest” in a series of office thefts.

Tolliver is being sought for questioning by Arlington police after several office burglaries in Rosslyn and Crystal City. Cops say that someone matching Tolliver’s description poses as a maintenance worker or mold inspector, then enters unsecured or “under-secured” offices and takes cash from wallets, purses and petty cash boxes.

According to a letter sent to property managers:

In all cases the suspect has been described as a black male, approximately 5’10”, 160 lbs, 45-55 years of age, with a sunken or long face and has ALWAYS worn a construction or medical style dust mask partially covering his face. The suspect’s MO is that he usually brings with him a notepad or other prop and tells workers that he is inspecting the ceiling tiles for mold or other HVAC issues.

Preliminary investigation into this series has revealed that there are at least 10 additional incidents in the region including Prince William, Fairfax, Alexandria, Falls Church, Vienna and Leesburg. Please be alert and contact the police immediately should you encounter this individual.

Police are encouraging workers in secure offices to not hold doors open for strangers and to check with building management should they encounter an unexpected repair person.

At the moment, Tolliver is not wanted for any crime in Arlington. He is, however, wanted for grand larceny out of Prince William County, according to police.

Moran, McDonnell Ask for Delay in Mark Center Move

By ARLnow.com

Congressman Jim Moran is asking Secretary of Defense Robert Gates to delay the planned move of Defense Department workers from Crystal City and elsewhere to the Mark Center in Alexandria.

The Base Realignment and Closing Act (BRAC) mandates that the moves take place by September 15, 2011. But Moran is asking Gates to include the Mark Center move among seven BRAC recommendations that the Secretary of Defense will have the authority to delay for up to a year, under a defense funding bill currently making its way through congress.

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell is also asking for a delay. Earlier this month McDonnell sent a letter to Gates asking for the moves to be delayed while major infrastructure improvements are made to the Seminary Road exit off I-395, which is expected to handle the traffic from thousands of new Mark Center workers.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Smoke at Crystal City Metro Station — Firefighters from Arlington, Alexandria and Fort Myer responded to a report of smoke on the mezzanine level of the Crystal City Metro station around 3:30 p.m. yesterday. The smoke, it turns out, came from a faulty elevator belt, not from a fire. Just as quickly as they arrived, firefighters packed up their gear and headed back to their stations.

More Costs for Arlington Energy Plan — It will cost almost $500,000 in consultant fees and staff salaries to implement Arlington’s ambitious Community Energy Plan over the next year. The plan, which is designed to reduce the county’s greenhouse gas emissions, is up for adoption by the County Board on Tuesday. [Sun Gazette]

Alexandria Mulls Bikeshare Plan — Alexandria is thinking about spending $400,000 to place six Capital Bikeshare stations and 54 bicycles in Old Town and the Carlyle neighborhood. The plan has the potential of allowing CaBi trips between Crystal City and Old Town, but critics are questioning whether the plan is “a waste of money.” [Alexandria Gazette Packet]

Arlington Remodeler Honored — Rocker-turned-remodeler Michael Sauri has been named one of the “big 50” remodelers nationwide by Remodeling Magazine. Sauri, an Arlington resident, is the owner of Clarendon-based remodeling firm Tri-Vista USA. [PR Web]

Military ‘Welcome Home’ Event to Be Held in Crystal City

By ARLnow.com

The Veterans Administration is holding its annual “Welcome Home Celebration” for hundreds of returning combat veterans in Crystal City next weekend.

The event, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott (1700 Jefferson Davis Highway), will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 14. It will serve to educate returning veterans, active duty service personnel and their family members about the VA’s benefits and health care service, through on-site enrollment services, health screenings and benefits counseling.

There will also be a job fair for Iraq and Afghanistan vets, as well as family-friendly entertainment, music and a free lunch.

Flickr pool photo by Knascar

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Zach Galifianakis Spotted in Clarendon — In town for the White House Correspondents Dinner, actor Zach Galifianakis was spotted walking the streets of Clarendon on Saturday. According to the caption, he did some shopping and had lunch at Clarendon Grill (1101 N. Highland Street). [ContactMusic.com]

Arlington Young Republicans Growing — The Arlington Young Republicans have added nearly 100 members over the course of a year, making it the largest Young Republican organization in Virginia. [Sun Gazette]

Goose Lays Eggs in Shirlington — A mother goose is apparently nesting her eggs in a planter outside the IO Piazza apartment building. So far, no friendly deer have been spotted. [Shirlington Blogspot]

Crystal City Freshfarm Market Starts Today — The first Freshfarm market of the season in Crystal City will be held on Crystal Drive between 3:00 and 7:00 p.m. today. [Freshfarm Markets]

‘Memphis Barbeque’ Restaurant Coming to Crystal City

By ARLnow.com

We don’t know much about it at this point, but a restaurant called “Memphis Barbeque” is apparently replacing Mackey’s Pub in Crystal City, according to an ABC permit application posted in the window.

Mackey’s unexpectedly closed its 23rd Street S. location Easter weekend.

According to the permit, Memphis Barbeque will seat more than 150 people and will offer off-site catering.

Photo courtesy @bengle4

Bell 20 Tavern Opens in Crystal City

By ARLnow.com

It doesn’t exactly have the local appeal of a Buffalo Wild Wings, but a new bar/restaurant has opened in the lobby of the Crystal City Marriott (1999 Jefferson Davis Highway).

Bell 20 Tavern features a full bar with a selection of 10 beers on draft and numerous beers by the bottle. Happy hour drink specials start at $3.20.

The restaurant’s food selection is still being worked out, but the initial happy hour bar menu includes fried chicken tenders, a cheeseburger, spicy meatballs and a bowl of turkey chili — all $6.20 from 3:20 to 7:20 p.m. Happy hour appetizers include chips and salsa, pretzel rolls, garlic fried and a half-dozen wings — all for $3.20.

Bell 20 has a lounge-y feel, with plush seating areas and a slick bar design. That conflicts a bit with other aspects of the restaurant, including the large windows that let in plenty of light, and the food and drink selection, which can best be described as “traditional.” Bell 20 will cater mostly to travelers staying at the hotel, but it will also be a solid happy hour option for local 9-5ers who don’t want to brave the crowds other after-work spots.

Announcing the Winners of the Crystal City 5K Photo Contest

By ARLnow.com

Thank you to everybody who submitted photos to and voted in our Crystal City 5K ‘Flickr Flash’ Photo Contest. With more than 900 votes recorded, here are your winners:

1/3

1. “Invincible!” by Serotta_tigrrrl (200 votes) wins a $200 Morton’s Crystal City gift card and a race t-shirt

2. “Dashing!” by Webaroo (167 votes) wins a $50 Jaleo gift card and race t-shirt

3. “Watermark” by Webaroo (116 votes) wins a $25 Bozzelli’s Italian Deli gift card and race t-shirt

To see all photos submitted, go to the contest’s Flickr page.

Woman Struck by Car in Crystal City

By ARLnow.com

A woman was struck by a car on S. Clark Street in Crystal City around 5:30 last night.

The accident happened just south of 23rd Street, near the Hilton Hotel. Initial reports suggest the woman was in the crosswalk when she was struck.

The woman was transported to a local hospital. Her injuries were said to be minor and non-life-threatening.

No word on whether the driver will face any charges.

Vote: Crystal City 5K Photo Contest

By ARLnow.com

It’s hard to believe, but April is almost over. Along with the end of April comes the end of a great spring tradition — Crystal City’s 5K Friday races. The last race of the season will take place on Friday.

Over the past four weeks, we’ve asked photographers to head out with a camera and snap some photos of the action for our Crystal City ‘Flickr Flash’ Photo Contest. Ignoring rain and hunger pains (the races start at 6:30 p.m. on Fridays), photographers were able to capture more that 50 great shots.

We’ve now narrowed the submissions down to 10 finalists. Take a look below and vote for your three favorites. Voting will end at 3:00 p.m. on Friday. We’re offering the following prizes to the top three vote-getters:

  • 1st Prize: $200 Morton’s Crystal City gift card and a race t-shirt
  • 2nd Prize: $50 Jaleo gift card and race t-shirt
  • 3rd Prize: $25 Bozzelli’s Italian Deli gift card and race t-shirt

Thank you to everybody who participated in the contest, and good luck to the finalists!

(Note that photos are copyrighted by their respective owners.)


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