library

Libraries, Parks May Avoid Cuts in Next Budget

By ARLnow.com

After two years of deep cuts, county libraries and parks may be spared in the upcoming budget process.

Speaking to the League of Women Voters last night, county manager Barbara Donnellan said she does not expect to make any cuts to the libraries or parks in her proposed budget for financial year 2012.

At the same time, however, Donnellan cautioned that with Arlington facing a $25 million budget gap, the libraries will likely not see a restoration of hours to pre-2009 or pre-2010 levels.

At one point, Donnellan reflected on her failed effort to close the Cherrydale library, which was met with considerable public outcry. She says that she learned her lesson about community attachment to libraries.

“I’m not doing it any more, I’m done,” she said. “It’s apparent to me that every library is going to stay open.”

In a question and answer session, one attendee said she was concerned that the county seems willing to allow a deterioration in the quality of services system-wide, instead of summoning the political will to close facilities when it makes practical and financial sense. Donnellan said that while the county must carefully weigh its budget priorities, current facilities must be adequately funded.

“As long as we’re going to keep them, we have to maintain them, and that takes money,” she said.

Donnellan pledged to close the current budget gap with a balance of spending cuts and revenue increases. She will host a public budget forum for residents from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 2, at the Arlington Central Library auditorium.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Arlington’s Land Use Plans Compared — Greater Greater Washington compares Arlington’s early General Land Use Plans from the 1960s and 1970s to maps of Arlington today. Among the interesting items: in 1964 car-happy Arlington planners wanted to create a “main street” section of Columbia Pike, with a high-speed bypass going around the commerce-heavy section and connecting to Walter Reed Drive and Glebe Road via interchange.

Streaming Classical Music from the Library — Did you know that the Arlington Public Library allows patrons to access a streaming classical music library online, no matter where they are? All you need is your library card number. The service includes more than 65,000 classical tracks. More from the Library Blog.

New Latin Restaurant Coming to Columbia Pike — A new Latin fusion restaurant and bar is coming to 3111 Columbia Pike. Fun fact: a FedEx truck crashed into the building’s front window in June. More from TBD.

Flickr pool photo by Mnemosyne2009

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Aurora Hills Roof Replacement — The Aurora Hills library and senior center is getting a new roof. The $240,000 project is set to begin on Thursday, Nov. 18. It will take about two months to complete, but the facilities will remain open — work will be done performed in the morning. More from the Library Blog.

Emergency Winter Shelter is Open — Arlington’s emergency winter shelter has opened for those in need of warmth, food and a roof over their head. The Arlington Street People’s Assistance Network is seeking volunteers 18 years or older to work at the shelter, at 2049 North 15th Street in Courthouse. More from ASPAN.

Civil War “Living History” Event in North Arlington — Civil War buffs will be flocking to Fort Ethan Allen Park (3829 North Stafford Street) on Saturday, for an event featuring reenactments and historical interpretations. Attendees will also enjoy marching reenactments, a Civil War medical exhibit, a women’s history exhibit, and activities for kids.  The event is happening from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. More from Arlington County Parks.

NSF Building Evacuated in Ballston After Apparent Lightning Strike

By ARLnow.com

The National Science Foundation building at 4201 Wilson Boulevard in Ballston was evacuated after an apparent lightning strike caused an electrical fire.

At least one witness reported hearing a popping sound as power went out. Rancid-smelling smoke spilled out of the building’s parking garage as a large fire department response surrounded the building.

While firefighters investigated the smoke, dozens of office workers stood outside in the light rain, waiting for the building to be reopened. Fire equipment blocked the westbound lanes of Wilson Boulevard.

There are reports that another building across the street was evacuated due to the smell of smoke. Firefighters believe the smoke was coming through an underground tunnel from the NSF building.

Much of Ballston, including Arlington Central Library, is currently without power.

Update at 2:20 p.m. — Most of the fire crews at the NSF building are packing up their gear. The actual fire investigation seems to be on the P2 level of the NSF parking garage.

Update at 2:25 p.m. — Wilson Boulevard has now reopened.

Update at 9:10 p.m. — From NSF spokesperson Dana Topousis: “The National Science Foundation (NSF) will be closed on Thursday, October 28, due to a power outage. Employees are encouraged to check NSFAlert.com for updates.”

Update on 10/28 — Dominion’s Le-Ha Anderson sheds more light on why the NSF building is closed here.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Board Considering Restoration of Library Hours — The county board will consider restoring library hours in next year’s budget, members said at Saturday’s monthly meeting. However, the board also said there was not enough money in the current budget to restore hours this year. Library hours were reduced as a result of cuts in the 2010-2011 budget. More from the Sun Gazette.

New Power Transmission Line Proposed — Dominion wants to run a new underground power transmission line from the Clarendon area to the Pentagon City area. The project, set to begin early next year and wrap up by the middle of 2012, would also result in the construction of a new power substation in Radnor Heights. More from the Ode Street Tribune.

Fourth Grade Textbook Questioned — Fourth graders in Arlington Public Schools will continue to use “Our Virginia,” a history textbook that contains at least two dubious historical claims. One such claim is that thousands of black soldiers fought for the Confederacy in the Civil War. The passage has prompted authorities in Loudoun County to suspend use of “Our Virginia,” but APS officials told the Washington Post that the school system will continue to use the book.

Flickr pool photo by Michael T. Ruhl

Library to Screen Film About Violence in Lesbian Relationships

By ARLnow.com

Domestic violence against women isn’t always committed by men. One in four women experience domestic violence in their lifetime regardless of the sexual orientation, race, socioeconomic status, age or educational background.

To help mark Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Arlington Central Library will be screening three films that explore the subject.

“My Girlfriend Did It” was first released in 1995, but its message is still as relevant and powerful now as it was back then. The documentary by Casa de Esperanza will be screened on Sunday, Oct. 17, at 2:00 p.m. at the Arlington Central Library Auditorium.

Also on the film agenda is “Telling Amy’s Story,” which explores the events leading up to a domestic violence murder. That will be screened this Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Next Sunday “Sin by Silence,” about female prison inmates learning to stop the cycle of domestic abuse, will also be shown at 2:00.

To Do Tonight: Entrepreneurship and the Environment

By ARLnow.com

What does entrepreneurship have to do with saving the environment? Martin Ogle, the chief naturalist for the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, says the same entrepreneurial spirit that leads people to take risks and find creative solutions to business problems is needed to address today’s environmental challenges.

Ogle and author/business professor Larry Robertson will present their case for melding entrepreneurship and the earth systems science in a presentation entitled An Entrepreneurial Look at Earth and its People. The presentation will begin at 7:00 tonight at the Arlington Central Library auditorium (1015 North Quincy Street).

Ogle says he hopes the presentation can be “a catalyst” for opening communication between the environmental and business communities.

County Board Meeting Roundup

By ARLnow.com

In case you wanted to enjoy Saturday morning outside rather than spend it inside watching the first county board meeting following the summer break, here’s a summary of what happened.

  • The board responded to public criticism of reduced library hours. Chairman Jay Fisette said “difficult choices had to be made.” The Sun Gazette has more.
  • The board approved an amendment that authorizes the Arlington Mill Community Center project to move forward without an originally-approved residential component. A developer initially wanted to build a mixed use and a residential building on the site, but ran into financial difficulties. Instead of a five-story building that would consist of apartments and a 39,000 square foot public community center space, Arlington Mill will now be a five-story, 64,500 square foot stand-alone community center. The ground breaking is scheduled for the spring of 2011, and the community center is expected to open in the spring of 2013.
  • The board approved a sign plan for the TD Bank at 5510 Lee Highway that included two lighted wall signs frowned upon by county staff. In his presentation to the board, a TD Bank representative spoke of the company’s frustration with the county’s stringent sign plan process. It took nearly two and a half years from when the initial design for the bank was approved to Saturday’s approval of the sign plan. That’s despite the fact that the signs were present in the bank’s initial design and received no objections from the local civic associations.
  • A landlord withdrew its request to convert retail space in Crystal City Shops into office space.
  • The board voted to protect six “specimen trees” at the request of four Arlington residents.

Digital Bookmobile to Roll Into Arlington Next Week

By ARLnow.com

Did you know you can download eBooks and digital audiobooks from the Arlington Public Library web site? As long as you have a library card, you can access a big collection of eBooks and audiobooks from your home, 24/7.

If you want to learn more about the offerings and how the system works, an 18-wheel “Digital Bookmobile” will be rolling into Arlington next week. The 75-foot tractor trailer will be parked outside Central Library from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 29. Inside, experts will be available to discuss the download process.

The bookmobile is sponsored by the company that provides the library’s digital offerings.

Robot Events and Classes for Kids

By ARLnow.com

Do you have kids? Do they like robots? Of course they do, what kid doesn’t like robots. Let’s face it, those Transformer movies didn’t make millions of dollars off of Megan Fox Austin Green’s looks alone.

So it stands to reason that your kids would probably be thrilled to see some real-life robots in action this weekend. Good news: Anthony Nunez of local research firm Infamous Robotics is hosting a robot demonstration from noon to 2:00 p.m. Saturday at Central Library (1015 N. Quincy St.).

If you know a 7 to 12 year old who wants to get even more hands-on with robots, Nunez also teaches a Robots 101 class through the Arlington County Parks Department.

The next class is on Wednesday, Sept. 22. The class will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Madison Community Center (3829 N. Stafford St.).

“This introduction to robotics will help your child determine the two types of robots, important basic mechanical/electrical/software terms and concepts, how to use magnets in robot, common types of motors used in small robots and how to choose one, and ways to modify or use existing motors,” the class description reads. “Learn the initial steps needed to begin programming (algorithm, flow chart) and key electrical components. The class will discuss robots in foreign environments and challenges that occur, several common sensors and their applications, and what responsibilities a robotic engineer (electrical, mechanical and software).”

Once again, this class is for (smart) 7 to 12 year olds.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Library Sets Summer Reading Record — A record 5,305 Arlington students read 24,782 books over the summer as part of the Arlington Public Library’s “Summer of Reading.” More from the Library Blog.

Moran to Hold “Women’s Issues Conference” — Newscaster Maureen Bunyan will join Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) at a conference on women’s issues next Saturday. The conference will feature workshops like “How Health Insurance Reform Will Affect You” and “Car Care 101.” It’s being held at Kenmore Middle School (200 S. Carlin Springs Rd) from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Sept. 25. Details here.

Bipartisan Letter Urges Arlington to Drop HOT Lane Lawsuit — The pressure continues to build on Arlington to drop its lawsuit against high occupancy toll lanes on I-395. Virginia House Speaker Bill Howell, a Republican, and Senate President Pro-Tempore Chuck Colgan, a Democrat, jointly signed a letter urging the Arlington County Board “to renounce the outrageous claims of conspiracy and racism in its lawsuit against the I-95/I-395 HOT Lanes.” More from the Washington Post.

Flickr pool photo by Alykat

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