MLK Day

County Offices Closed Monday for MLK Day

By Ethan Rothstein

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.Arlington’s offices and schools will be closed on Monday, Jan. 19 for Martin Luther King, Jr., Day.

On Friday, Jan. 16, the district, circuit and family courts, sheriff’s office and the Department of Motor Vehicles in Arlington will also be closed for Virginia’s Lee Jackson Day, and all will reopen on Tuesday, Jan. 20.

Arlington’s county offices will be open on Friday, as will schools and community centers, but all will be closed the following Monday in observance of the holiday. Arlington’s libraries and human services offices will also close.

Parking meters will not be enforced and ART lines 41, 42, 51, 77 and 87 will be operating on a Saturday schedule. STAR transit will provide dialysis runs only, and the rest of county-run public transportation will not be running.

Trash and recycling collection will be on normal schedule on Monday

Say ‘MLK’ at Ben’s Chili Bowl to Get 10 Percent Off

By ARLnow.com

Ben's Chili Bowl opening in RosslynBen’s Chili Bowl in Rosslyn is offering a week-long promotion conjunction with next Monday’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday.

The restaurant, at 1725 Wilson Blvd, is offering 10 percent off all orders through Monday, Jan. 19. To get the discount, you have to say “MLK” at the register.

News of the promotion comes from an Arlington County press release touting the county’s annual MLK tribute. The event is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 18, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., at Washington-Lee High School (1301 N. Stafford Street).

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.“Now in its 46th year, the family-friendly program will include live music from the Saint Augustine Gospel Choir, dance from The Dance Institute of Washington and a keynote address from Arlington’s own William T. Newman, Jr. with CBS Radio’s Justine Love serving as emcee,” according to the press release.

There will be a volunteer expo featuring local non-profits before the event. An exhibit entitled “Arlington During the Civil Rights Era” will be on display at Washington-Lee throughout the evening.

In addition to partnering with Ben’s Chili Bowl for the tribute, Arlington is also partnering with the Arlington Food Assistance Center. From the press release:

This year, the program organizers have teamed up with local non-profit Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) to collect non-perishable items for Arlington residents in need. Area community groups and individuals are encouraged to bring food drive collections to the event to “fill the AFAC van” that will be on site at Washington-Lee High School from 6:15-7 p.m.

Requested donations include:

  • Canned Tuna
  • Canned Beans
  • Canned Soup
  • Cooking Oil (plastic bottles)
  • Corn Flour (Masa) or All-Purpose Flour
  • Low-Sugar Cereal

To register your group as part of the donation drive, fill out the sign-up form. The group that collects the most donations will be recognized during the MLK Tribute and on the Department of Parks and Recreation Facebook page and website.

Disclosure: Arlington County is advertising the MLK tribute event on ARLnow.com.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Snowy Iwo Jima Memorial (Photo courtesy @carmstrong07)

‘Trolley Pub’ Bill Fails in Richmond — A bill that would have allowed patrons of Arlington’s Trolley Pub to drink alcohol while on board has been passed over indefinitely in the House of Delegates. Del. Patrick Hope (D-47), who introduced the bill, said there were “too many significant issues” around the bill. [Patch]

Middle School PTA Peeved at Bus Inequality — The Thomas Jefferson Middle School PTA is upset that North Arlington schools appear to be getting preferential treatment when it comes to bus service for students inside the standard 1.5 mile perimeter for secondary schools. The PTA president says S. Glebe Road is dangerous for middle school students to cross and the school system should provide bus service for students who have to cross it. [Sun Gazette]

Settlement to Fund Surveillance Cameras — Arlington will use $55,000 from a federal settlement to fund the purchase of portable digital video surveillance cameras. The cameras will be used “to enhance security at large scale events.” The funds from from the $1.5 billion federal settlement with Abbott Laboratories Inc. in 2012 over unlawful promotion of a prescription drug. [Arlington County]

Freedom Rider Shares Memories — “Freedom Rider” and Arlington resident Joan Trumpauer Mulholland spoke earlier this month about her experience in trying to promote civil rights and racial integration in the deep South in the early 1960s. Mulholland was also the keynote speaker at Arlington’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration on Sunday. [Falls Church News-Press]

Man Survives Key Bridge Plunge in 1929 — A quirky bit of local history: In September 1929 a drunk 26-year-old man fell off the side of the Key Bridge, landing on his side in the water 120 feet below. Miraculously, he was rescued by a police officer and a boat club employee and “appeared none the worse for his experience.” But alas, it wasn’t a completely happy ending: five weeks later the stock market crashed, leading to the Great Depression. [Ghosts of DC]

Photo courtesy @carmstrong07

County Schools, Offices to Close for MLK Day

By ARLnow.com

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.Arlington County schools and government offices will be closed on Monday for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Arlington administrative and human services offices, libraries, and schools will be closed on Monday, Jan. 20. Parking meters will not be enforced. Courts and the Sheriff’s Office will be closed on Friday and Monday.

The Arlington Mill Community Center will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., but all other community centers will be closed.

ART buses and Metro will operate on a holiday schedule. Pools will also operate on a holiday schedule. Trash collection will proceed as normal.

Arlington will hold its annual tribute to Dr. King from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 19, at the Washington-Lee High School auditorium (1301 N. Stafford Street).

“The program, now in its 45th year, will feature live music from the Duke Ellington School of the Arts Show Choir, dance from Lesole’s Dance Project and spoken word from Arlington’s own Joan Trumpauer Mulholland,” according to the county website.

Disclosure: The Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute is being advertised on ARLnow.com.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Gaslight square condominium development (Flickr pool photo by Lawrence Cheng Photography)

Real Estate ‘Bull Market’ in December — Arlington’s residential real estate market soared in December, reaching a deal volume of $134.4 million, up almost 40 percent over a year prior. The average sales price rose 12.8 percent. [Sun Gazette]

Yorktown Nominated for a GRAMMY — Yorktown High Schools is one of 123 schools nationwide selected as a semifinalist for the 2014 GRAMMY Signature Schools Award. “Created in 1998, the GRAMMY Signature Schools program recognizes top U.S. public high schools that are making an outstanding commitment to music education during an academic school year,” the school system said in a press release. [Arlington Public Schools]

MLK Weekend Metro Track Work — Track work will reduce Metro service on the Orange and Blue lines to one train every 20 minutes this weekend. The track work will not be performed on Monday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and Metro will instead operate on a normal Saturday schedule systemwide. [WMATA]

Flickr pool by Lawrence Cheng Photography

Weekend Closures for MLK Day, Inauguration

By Katie Pyzyk

A number of road and government closures will be in place on Monday for the observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and for the Presidential Inauguration.

The following government offices will be closed on Monday, January 21:

  • Libraries
  • Courts
  • Parks, community centers and nature centers (except Barcroft Sports and Fitness Center, which is open from 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.)
  • Schools
  • Human Services

Parking meters will not be enforced on Monday. Trash and recycling pickup will run on a normal schedule, but the call center will be closed.

ART will run a Saturday schedule on Routes 41, 51, 77 & 87. ART will also run a special Inauguration schedule on the ART 42. All other routes will not operate. Metrorail will be open on Monday from 4:00 a.m. until 2:00 a.m. on Tuesday. Rush hour service runs from 4:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. and peak fares will be in effect.

The following roads and bridges will be closed or restricted on Monday for the Inauguration:

  • I-395 HOV northbound lanes will close at 9:00 a.m. HOV lanes on I-395 will re-open southbound at the end of the Inaugural address. I-395 main lanes and I-66 will be open to all traffic.
  • All traffic on the 14th Street Bridge will be diverted by MPD onto the Southeast/Southwest freeway beginning at 5:30 a.m.
  • Traffic coming across the Teddy Roosevelt Bridge will be diverted into northbound Potomac River Expressway to Pennsylvania Avenue or Whitehurst Freeway/K Street.
  • Memorial Bridge is restricted to pedestrians and authorized vehicles only.

In addition to the numerous road closures in the District, U.S. Park Police will also close the following Virginia roads starting at 5:00 a.m. on Monday:

  • Route 27/Washington Blvd at Route 50 Bypass (at 5:30 a.m. when ACPD closes Route 27, closure moves to Northbound George Washington Memorial Parkway ramp to Memorial Bridge)
  • Southbound George Washington Memorial Parkway at the ramp to Memorial Bridge
  • Southbound George Washington Memorial Parkway at the ramp to Southbound Route 27/Washington Blvd
  • Southbound Boundary Channel Drive at the ramp to Route 27/Washington Blvd
  • Northbound Route 110 ramp to Memorial Drive. All vehicles will be forced to take a left to Arlington National Cemetery. All vehicles exiting Arlington National Cemetery must take Route 110 South.

Morning Notes

By Katie Pyzyk

Clarendon Bus Stop

Low Water Pressure Issues Continue — Residents in parts of Lyon Park, Buckingham, Douglas Park, Nauck, Arlington Ridge and Crystal City may experience low water pressure this morning due to various water issues. According to Arlington’s Department of Environmental Services, yesterday’s break in a 30-inch water main at Arlington Blvd and S. Irving Street is isolated and awaiting parts for additional repair work. Several water leaks also have been reported this morning at S. Stafford Street and 16th Road S., 26th Street S. and 26th Place S., and 31st Street S. and S. Woodrow Street.

Protein Bar Opens in Two Weeks — According to its Twitter feed, the new Protein Bar restaurant is set to open at 800 N. Glebe Road in Ballston on Wednesday, January 30. The restaurant will start serving its healthy food at 11:00 a.m.

MLK Tribute Speaker Changed — The keynote speaker for Arlington’s 44th Annual Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. has been changed. Lehigh University Professor and Hip Hop Scholars, LLC founder Dr. James Braxton Peterson will now speak at the event, which takes place this Sunday, January 20, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at Washington-Lee High School (1301 N. Stafford Street). The former speaker, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, can no longer attend due to a scheduling conflict, according to the county.

Arlington to Host Annual MLK Tribute

By ARLnow.com

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.(Updated at 10:05 a.m. on 1/17/13) Arlington County will host its 44th Annual Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Sunday, Jan. 20.

The event is being held from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Washington-Lee High School (1301 N. Stafford Street). It will feature live music and dance, spoken word, a volunteer fair, and an “Arlington During the Civil Rights Era” photo gallery.

The keynote speaker will be Lehigh University Professor and Hip Hop Scholars, LLC founder James Braxton Peterson. Among the acts scheduled to perform are Grammy-nominated Progressive Hip-Hop artist Christylez Bacon and international dance collective Urban Artistry.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a federal holiday, is Monday, Jan. 21.

Video: Arlington’s MLK Day Commemoration Event

By ARLnow.com

Earlier this month Arlington County held its 43rd annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day tribute event.

The commemoration featured a variety of performances, including a keynote address from Howard University’s Dr. Wilmer Leon, gospel music from Larry Bland and the Volunteer Choir, and a dance tribute by Urban Artistry. The county-run Arlington Virginia Network filmed the event and recently posted a brief recap on YouTube.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

MLK Day in Arlington — Arlington County government offices, libraries, and schools will be closed today in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. See the full list of closures here. ARLnow.com will return for a full day of news coverage on Tuesday.

GGW Endorses Bondi — The influential local blog Greater Greater Washington has endorsed Melissa Bondi in the upcoming Democratic caucus for Arlington County Board. GGW said Bondi’s “experience, openness to citizen input and dedication to smart urban development” outweighs her recent “tax controversies.” [Greater Greater Washington]

Wardian Runs Two Marathons in Two Days — Local marathoner Michael Wardian didn’t qualify for the 2012 London Olympics, but he did manage to run two marathons in two days, attracting some media attention in the process. [Houston Chronicle]

Tattoo Convention Comes to Crystal City — The Crystal Gateway Marriott in Crystal City hosted the second annual D.C. Tattoo Expo over the weekend. Organizers expected the event to attract about 10,000 tattoo aficionados. [Washington Post]

Flickr pool photo by mj*laflaca

Events Planned for MLK Day

By Katie Pyzyk

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is on Monday, and Arlington has plans to honor the civil rights leader. Here is a short list of some of the events in the area.

The county’s big event is on Sunday at Washington-Lee High School (1301 N. Stafford St) from 7:00-9:00 p.m. The tribute includes a variety of performances, including a keynote address from Howard University’s Dr. Wilmer Leon, gospel music from Larry Bland and the Volunteer Choir, and a dance tribute by Urban Artistry. The Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) will be accepting non-perishable food donations at the program.

Monday is a nationwide Day of Service to honor Dr. King’s call to serve. AFAC is looking for volunteers to help with food drives at the Giant grocery stores on Columbia Pike (2501 9th Rd S.), at Virginia Square (3450 Washington Blvd), at Lyon Village (3115 Lee Hwy) and at Bailey’s Crossroads in Falls Church (3480 S. Jefferson St). Anyone interested can sign up on the AFAC website.

Volunteer Emergency Support Team (VEST) members will host an event on Monday outside the Barcroft Sports and Fitness Center (4200 S. Four Mile Run) from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. to distribute emergency preparedness information. Volunteers can sign up on the VEST website.

Also as part of the Day of Service, volunteers are invited to spend Monday afternoon at Long Branch Nature Center to remove invasive plant species. Participants must be at least 10 years old and are encouraged to wear rugged clothes and work gloves. For more information, contact Steve Young at 703-578-4419.

Individuals and families are invited to help in the neighborhood and stream clean-up near Barcroft Park on Monday from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Volunteers will clean up portions of Four Mile Run Road and stream. Due to the popularity of this event, volunteers must register.

Arlington government offices, schools and libraries will be closed on Monday. Metro and ART will be running on a holiday schedule. Metro will also be doing major work on the Orange and Blue lines during the long weekend, starting at 10:00 p.m. on Friday.