library

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Mystery Surrounds Eden Center Shooting — Questions still surround the murder and suicide that occurred at the Eden Center in Falls Church on Saturday night. The victim, meanwhile, has been identified as 51-year-old Tai Phan, of Annandale, who at the time of the shooting was on his way to a gig as a bass player at a restaurant. [Washington Post]

Board May Drop Retail Requirement for Condo Complex — The Arlington County Board is poised to reverse a requirement it set 9 years ago for the Woodbury Park condo complex to reserve interior space for a convenience store. The store would have been located inside the 364-unit complex, with no outside signage and no easy access for non-residents. Nobody has stepped up to rent the space, so county staff is recommending the Board drop the retail requirement and allow Woodbury Park to build a condo unit in its place. [Sun Gazette]

Library, Bayou Hold Instagram Photo Contests — Arlington Public Library and Bayou Bakery restaurant (1515 N. Courthouse Road) are both holding photo contests aimed at smartphone users. Entrants to both contests are encouraged to enhance — and, in the case of Bayou, submit — their photos via Instagram, the photo sharing and special effect service recently acquired by Facebook. The library’s contest is entitled the “Steve Jobs Memorial Juried Cell Phone Photo Show,” while the Bayou contest is called “Bayou by You.” [Arlington Public Library, Bayou Bakery]

Flickr pool photo by Ddimick

New Library Hours Take Effect Today

By ARLnow.com

(Updated at 11:35 a.m.) Six Arlington branch libraries will be open an extra day per week starting this week, thanks to additional library funding approved earlier this year.

The Aurora Highlands, Cherrydale and Glencarlyn branch libraries are now scheduled to be open on Tuesdays from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m., while the Columbia Pike, Shirlington and Westover libraries are now scheduled to be open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Thursdays.

From July 1, 2010 to last week, all six libraries had been closed on those respective days due to budget cuts. This year’s budget included an extra $442,996 in funding to restore pre-recession branch library operating hours.

Due to power outages, the Cherrydale library is actually closed today. Other branches, including Aurora Highlands, Glencarlyn, Columbia Pike, Shirlington and Westover, opened early today in order to function as cooling centers.

The libraries and other Arlington County government offices and facilities will be closed tomorrow for the July 4 holiday.

Update at 3:40 p.m. — The Columbia Pike branch library now has power and has reopened. Arlington Central Library will be open tomorrow (July 4) from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Bishop O’Connell Grad Selected in NBA Draft — Bishop O’Connell High School standout Kendall Marshall has been drafted by the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the NBA Draft. Marshall, a point guard, is being touted as a possible replacement to Steve Nash. [Washington Post, Bleacher Report]

Citizens Ask for Farmhouse Restoration — A group of residents is urging the Arlington County Board to spend some $1 million to restore the county-owned Reevesland farmhouse and convert it into a nature and sustainability learning center. At the moment, the county is attempting to find a commercial tenant to foot the bill for the pricey restoration. [Sun Gazette]

Closures for Parade This Weekend — Parts of Shirlington Road, Four Mile Run Drive and S. Walter Reed Drive will be closed Saturday afternoon to make way for the “Agrobol Parade.” [Arlington County Police Department]

Library Honored for Environmental Innovation — Arlington Public Library has been named the Urban Libraries Council’s 2012 “Top Innovator for Sustainability.” [Library Blog]

AIM Awarded for ‘Overall Excellence’ — Arlington Independent Media has received an award for “Overall Excellence in Public Access” in the 2012 Hometown Media Competition. AIM won in the category for public access stations with budgets over $650,000. It’s the eighth time AIM has won the award since 1990. “Overall Excellence” award recipients in other categories included two local operations: Fairfax County Government Channel 16 and Montgomery Community Media. [Alliance for Community Media]

Flickr pool photo by Philliefan99

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

AWLA Wins ‘Best in Shelter’ Contest — The Animal Welfare League of Arlington will receive $50,000 in prize money after one of its dogs won the “Best in Shelter” contest. Gaston, a four-year-old American Bulldog mix, received the most votes in the contest, which was sponsored by author Martha Grimes. “The prize money will help us do even more for all the homeless animals that come into our shelter, including vaccines, medications, surgeries, and enrichment,” said AWLA Executive Director Neil Trent. Gaston was propelled to victory, at least in part, thanks to a music video produced by AWLA supporters.

Hot Weather Biking Tips — Given the on-going heat advisory, BikeArlington has posted some tips for bicycling in hot weather. Among them: hydrate, dress light, and take your time. [CommuterPage Blog]

Leonsis to Address Ballston BID — Capitals and Wizards owner Ted Leonsis will be the keynote speaker at the first annual meeting of the new Ballston Business Improvement District this evening. Leonsis is expected to talk about “entrepreneurship and the future of Ballston” at the meeting, which is being held from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Westin Arlington Gateway (801 N. Glebe Road). The meeting is open to local residents but attendees are asked to RSVP in advance. [Ballston BID]

Officer’s Donation Noted at Shirlington Library — When Lt. Col. James R. Mailler died in 2011, he left a donation to one of his favorite places — the Shirlington Branch Library. Now Lt. Col. Mailler’s donation is being recognized with a plaque near the newspapers, where he used to spend much of his time. [Library Blog]

Flickr pool photo by Alex

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Building Boom in D.C., Arlington — In 2011, an otherwise slow year for residential construction, Arlington and the District of Columbia captured a disproportionately large portion of local building projects. According to the Washington Post: “… while the District and Arlington County have historically accounted for only about 8 percent of the region’s residential building permits over the past two decades, these two jurisdictions accounted for 36 percent of the building activity in 2011.” [Washington Post]

Moran Horse Slaughter Ban Passes Committee — A bill championed by Rep. Jim Moran (D), which would effectively ban the slaughter of horses for food, has passed the House Appropriations Committee. Moran tried to insert language banning horse slaughter in an agriculture bill last year, but the provision was ultimately removed. [Office of Rep. Jim Moran]

Mid-Week Movie at Westover Library — Looking for a way to beat the heat today? The Westover branch library (1644 N. McKinley Road) will be screening the film Pride as part of its summer mid-week movie series. The series features movies with “sporting themes,” in honor of the Summer Olympics. [Arlington Public Library]

Flickr pool photo by ddimick

Library’s New Online Collection Features Old Postcards

By Katie Pyzyk

 

The Arlington Public Library has launched a new online collection featuring vintage postcards from one-time Arlington landmarks and historic moments.

The library’s Virginia Room put together the collection of 55 postcards from its holdings and from donated materials. The postcards feature historic images from around Arlington, including Orville Wright’s plane flying over Ft. Myer, a ticket counter at Washington National Airport and Gunston Junior High School.

Some of the postcards, like the one above featuring the Red Barn Restaurant in 1970, appear to be promotional mailings highlighting businesses and their specials. This one boasts two complete chicken dinners for just $1.29.

Others, like the 1917 Ft. Myer postcard below, have personal messages written on the back. This one reads: “Glad ‘sis’ came over with you. Know she enjoyed the trip.” Note there’s not even a modern address, but simply the recipient’s name and town.

 

Historic postcards courtesy of Arlington Public Library’s Virginia Room

Central Library to Hold Laughter Yoga Session

By Katie Pyzyk

Need a good laugh?  Tonight’s “Laughter Yoga” session might be just what you’re looking for. The free program takes place from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of Arlington Central Library (1015 N. Quincy Street).

Laughter yoga is a practice started in India in 1995 to let people experience the medical benefits of laughter. The sessions are based on medical research indicating the human body apparently cannot tell the difference between real laughter and fake laughter.

Some of the benefits reportedly include an immune system boost, increased oxygen intake, increased “feel good” hormones and reduced stress hormones. To get the full benefits, a person must laugh heartily for a sustained period of time, about 15 minutes.

The four elements of laughter yoga are clapping and chanting, breathing, childlike playfulness and exercises.

“It’s geared to anyone who can laugh… of any fitness or mobility level,” the session’s instructor, Diane Cohen, told ARLnow.com. “At a time when many don’t have a reason to laugh, laughter yoga brings laughter — for no reason — to anyone willing to laugh. It’s non-political, non-religious, non-judgmental, non-competitive.”

Update 12:25 p.m. — A library spokesman has requested we clarify that this event is neither sponsored nor programmed by the library.

Then and Now: The Hicks Store on Lee Highway

By Katie Pyzyk

 

The photo on the left is of the Hicks Store on Lee Highway at N. Culpeper Street, taken in 1960. The store was in an area known as Hall’s Hill — now often called High View Park — which became a predominantly black community when freed slaves settled there shortly after the Civil War. Many family run stores owned by black residents opened in the area during the early 1900s. Hicks store was one of several businesses owned by the Hicks family.

Near the store, the Hicks cemetery is where family members were buried, until the land was condemned in 1959, to accommodate for the widening of Lee Highway west of Glebe Road. The remains were moved to a cemetery in Herndon.

The photo on the right is how the corner of Lee Highway at N. Culpeper Street looks today. A Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant now sits on the site.

Historic photo courtesy Arlington Public Library’s Virginia Room

Columbia Pike Library to Temporary Close for Improvements

By Katie Pyzyk

The Columbia Pike Branch Library will be closing for a few weeks due to building improvements.

Structural upgrades at the Arlington Career Center, where the library branch is located, have been on-going for nearly a year. The library has been able to stay open during renovations up until this point, but soon work to replace the ceiling tiles and heating and cooling ducts will create enough dust that it will be forced to close.

The closure is expected to start on May 15 and end after June 4.

“As tenants of the Career Center facility, the library appreciates all the planning and work Arlington Public Schools has put into this project and the entire community will benefit for years to come,” said Arlington Public Library spokesman Peter Golkin. “In the meantime, the library’s other seven locations will do all they can to make Columbia Pike patrons feel welcome.”

The following measures will be in place at the Columbia Pike branch until it reopens:

  • As of now, all non-DVD items checked out from this location will be due June 13.
  • Beginning May 8, all DVDs checked out from this location will be due on June 13.
  • An external book drop will be maintained outside the library. Returns can also be made at any of the other Arlington Public Library locations.
  • Holds will continue to be processed until May 4 at 5:00 p.m. After May 4, holds will be made available on the Central Library holds shelf. They can also be designated for delivery to any other Arlington public library.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

May Day — It’s the first of May and, after a relatively cool April, the weather is finally expected to warm up today. [Capital Weather Gang]

Worries Over Westover Farmers Market Parking — As part of a compromise between the organizers of the new Westover Farmers Market and the Arlington County Board, the market will close at noon (instead of 1:00 p.m., as originally proposed) and will provide attendants to direct patrons to designated parking areas. Still, some businesses and residents are worried that market-goers may cause parking woes in the neighborhood. [Arlington Mercury]

Defense Contractor Relocating to Arlington — DRS Technologies, a military contractor, is relocating its corporate headquarters to Crystal City from New Jersey. The move is expected to bring at least 75 new jobs to Arlington, on top of the 26 employees who already work in an existing DRS office in Crystal City. Gov. Bob McDonnell reportedly initiated talks with DRS about moving to Virginia while attending an air show in England. [Washington Business Journal]

Photos: Children Reading to Dogs — The library has posted some photos from a recent Paws-to-Read session at Westover Branch Library. The Paws-to-Read program, which is now in four Arlington libraries, gives children an opportunity to practice reading aloud to a cuddly, non-judgmental audience. [Arlington Public Library]

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Man Arrested in Videotaped Beating — A 21-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the videotaped beating of an Arlington man in Baltimore on St. Patrick’s Day. [WUSA 9]

County Mulling Home Ownership Grants for Employees — Only about 25 percent of Arlington employees live actually in the county. To help make it easier for county employees to live here, the Arlington County Board is considering creating a $114,000 fund that would offer one-time grants to employees buying a house in Arlington. [Patch]

Library Archive Contains Lincoln Letter — Today is Emancipation Day: President Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves in the District of Columbia exactly 150 years ago, on April 16, 1862. Meanwhile, Lincoln was assassinated 147 years ago Saturday, on April 14, 1865. A letter from Arlington Public Library’s Virginia Room archives provides a personal, handwritten account of the assassination. [Arlington Public Library]

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