Crystal City

Major Water Main Break Shuts Down Part of Rt. 1

By ARLnow.com

A major water main break will cause big-time traffic problems in Crystal City during the morning rush hour.

The southbound lanes of Jefferson Davis Highway (Route 1) are currently closed from I-395 to the McDonald’s near the Reagan National Airport access ramp. The county does not expect to reopen the road until tomorrow (Wednesday) morning at the earliest.

Public works crews are on the scene trying to repair three breaks in a 12-inch water main. Heavy digging equipment has been brought in due to part of the road collapsing under the weight of the water.

The county is warning residents and businesses in the area that they may experience low water pressure or a complete water shut-off. When the water pressure returns, residents should run the cold water tap for a few minutes to clear the pipes, the county advises.

Video from the scene, after the jump.

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Street Art Comes to Crystal City

By ARLnow.com

The sheer scale of Crystal City’s G-40: The Summit is large enough to impress at least one jet-setting local artist, who praised the exhibition while saying that he otherwise considers Crystal City to be an “upper class ghetto.”

Set in four vacant floors of an office building at 223 23rd Street, G-40 will feature more than 2,000 pieces of art from 400 artists. Each floor showcases artists from different cultural hubs: DC, New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Several artists who were on hand at Monday night’s VIP and press reception said it’s the largest single-theme exhibit in the DC area in recent memory.

Much of the art, curated by Shane Pomajambo of Art Whino, is considered to be “New Brow” (formerly known as “Low Brow”), a raw, grungy, edgy genre strongly influenced by punk music, street culture and comic books. Don’t bring the kids, unless you want them to see some pretty graphic stuff.

G-40 officially opens to the public Wednesday at 5:00 p.m., with food and wine pairings by a group of local executive chefs, live painting, and music by DJ Sonny Cheeba. Attendance is free, but the food is extra.

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Crystal City to Resume 5K Fridays

By ARLnow.com

Crystal City will be resuming its popular “5K Fridays” in April.

The neighborhood held the series of weekly 5K runs for the first time last year. Due to popular demand, it appears that 5K Fridays may become a yearly tradition.

The first of five 5K Fridays will kick off at 6:30 p.m. on April 2. The starting line will be located at 2121 Crystal Drive. Registration is $15 for one race, $50 for all five.

More information from Crystal City BID, after the jump.

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