Shirlington

Expansion and Development in Shirlington

By ARLnow.com

Two popular Shirlington destinations are growing. Capitol City Brewing, which is closing its Capital Hill location,  is expanding its brewing capacity so that it can supply more beer to the local chain’s non-brewing restaurants.

On the other side of Shirlington Village, Busboys and Poets is also expanding. The restaurant will be building larger event and dining areas and a stage, reports Shirlington Village Blogspot.

In addition to the expansions, work on the new Samuel Beckett’s Irish Gastro pub at 2800 South Randolph Street continues. Shirlington Village Blog has this photo of the building permit.

Storms Knock Out Power Throughout South Arlington

By ARLnow.com

A large swath of South Arlington was without power tonight after strong storms swept through the area and damaged a power substation in Alexandria.

Throughout Shirlington and all along Columbia Pike, homes, apartment buildings and traffic lights went dark. Police, swamped with calls, were largely unable to direct traffic, even at busy intersections.

As of 10:45 p.m., Dominion reported that 16,180 customers in Arlington were without power. Just before 11:00 p.m., power started coming back online in many areas.

The storms, which hit shortly before dusk, brought heavy rain and gusty winds to the area. WJLA reported that a 55 mile per hour wind gust was recorded in Rosslyn.

In front of Virginia Highlands Park in Pentagon City, the trunk of a tree splintered, sending most of the tree across the road and onto two parked cars. South Hayes Street was closed while crews with chainsaws and a Bobcat front end loader cleared the debris.

Elsewhere in Pentagon City, which escaped the worst of the power outage, large branches littered the sidewalk. On nearby South Joyce Street, in front of the Harris Teeter, a lamp post had come crashing down.

Around Shirlington, neighbors came out of darkened apartment buildings with flashlights to walk their dogs and talk with one another. A block party atmosphere prevailed in some areas.

But others used the power outage as an opportunity to conduct dark deeds.

In Nauck, a group of several men reportedly jumped a man, punched him in the face and stole his wallet.

Want To Be the Next ‘Signature Idol’?

By ARLnow.com

Shirlington’s Signature Theater has launched a contest to find the next “Signature Idol.”

The Tony Award-winning theater is looking for ten talented solo singers to compete on July 17 as part of its Target Open House. The contest will be judged by Signature Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer, Washington Post theater critic Peter Marks, and “a special Broadway guest.”

If you think you have the talent and nerve to belt out a Broadway song in front of nearly 300 strangers and a panel of expert judges, you’ll first have to submit a video to Signature by July 5. Here are the instructions:

The music must be a Broadway song. Applicants can either upload a video to YouTube and send Signature the link at [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> or send in a videotape to Signature Theatre, Attn: Signature Idol, 4200 Campbell Avenue, Arlington, VA 22206. Anyone who has previously sung on a Signature stage is ineligible to audition.

Confused? A handy video explanation of the competition is after the jump.

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Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Ribbon Cutting Today for New Field at TJ — Renovation of the lower athletic field at the Thomas Jefferson Community Center (3501 2nd St. S.) was recently completed, and today county officials will celebrate with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The field, which is used primarily for soccer, now has synthetic turf and state-of-the-art “dark sky” lighting. Because rain is predicted, the ribbon cutting will be held inside the community center. It will take place from 3:30 to 4:00 p.m.

Ballot Initiative Debate in Cherrydale Tonight — The Cherrydale Civic Association is hosting a debate tonight on the proposed change to Arlington’s form of government. Change-of-government supporters and Committee for a Better Arlington co-chairs Mike Staples and Ken Dennis will debate Alan Howze and Judy Connally of the opposition Coalition for Arlington Good Government. After the debate the public will be able to ask questions of both sides. The event is being held at the Cherrydale Volunteer Fire Department (3900 Lee Highway) starting at 7:30 p.m.

Shirlington Getting Jazzed Up — Shirlington Village will be sponsoring an outdoor summer jazz series this year. The concerts will start on Thursday, July 1 and will run through August 19. Each concert will be held in the plaza in front of the Shirlington Library from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Boozing It Up on July 4 — Good news: you’ll be able to buy liquor in Virginia on the 4th of July. Because it’s just not Independence Day without that bottle of Jim Beam. More from WTOP.

Pool photo by philliefan99.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Arlington Science Teacher Wins Presidential Award  — A beloved H-B Woodlawn High School biology teacher has won a prestigious honor from the White House. Dat Le is among the 103 recipients of the 2010 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Teachers from Huntingtown, Md. and Bristow, Va. are also among the recipients, although Le is the only inside-the-Beltway award-winner. He will receive a $10,000 prize from the National Science Foundation and a seat of honor at an awards ceremony later this year.

Republicans Voters to Choose Congressional Nominee Today — Voters in Virginia’s 8th Congressional District are heading to the polls to choose which GOP nominee will face incumbent Rep. Jim Moran (D) in the fall. The Associated Press wins the award for the most concise, cynical take on the race:

In the 8th District, little-known candidates Matthew Berry of Arlington and Alexandria’s Patrick Murray, vie for the right to challenge 10-term Democratic Rep. Jim Moran in the heavily Democratic inner suburbs of Washington, D.C.

Polls are open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. today. Click here for a list of polling place.

Maggie Moo’s Closes in Shirlington, Yogiberry Moving In — Via Shirlington Village Blog, we learn that the Maggie Moo’s ice cream shop in Shirlington has closed. A Yogiberry frozen yogurt store will be moving in. Sign of the times?

Police Perform CPR on Man Found Unresponsive in Four Mile Run

By ARLnow.com

Police had to resuscitate a man Sunday morning after passersby spotted him sitting motionless in Four Mile Run near Shirlington.

The man rolled face down into the creek after officers arrived around 8:00 a.m. As onlookers gathered on the bike path above, officers pulled the man from the water and began performing CPR.

The man was alive when he was taken to the hospital, although his condition is unknown at this time.

Police say they believe he was under the influence of alcohol or narcotics.

Photo courtesy of Richard Burgess.

Afternoon Notes: The Times Covers a Rare Arlington Find

By ARLnow.com

Vintage Race Car Found Under Tarp in Arlington — A rusty old race car that was “one of the best known and successfully campaigned” cars of its time has been found under a tarp in the yard of an Arlington home, the New York Times reports. The 1926 Vauxhall 30-98 once raced at the legendary Brooklands track in England. It’s expected to fetch up to $80,000 at auction in Connecticut.

Contribute to Relay for Life — The Arlington Relay for Life will be held on June 19th and 20th at Wakefield High School. There’s still time to contribute to the event, which raises money for the American Cancer Society. More from We Love DC.

Farewell to Outgoing Airport Authority President — Local leaders bid farewell to outgoing Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority president and CEO James Bennett at a luncheon in Falls Church on Friday. Bennett is heading to Abu Dhabi to run three airports in the United Arab Emirates. More from the Sun Gazette.

U.S. Marshals Service Director Profiled — Marshals Service Director John Clark’s Crystal City office may have one of the best views in Arlington (it overlooks the Potomac and Reagan National Airport). Main Justice interviewed Clark about the agency’s plans for dealing with the trial of Khalid Sheikh Mohammad in New York City and the transfer of Guantanamo Bay prisoners.

Shirlington Power Couple Profiled — Politico profiles Amber and Sterling Marchand, a young political power couple who just bought a house in Shirlington. The thesis of the article seems to be: “See, Hill staffers? You don’t have to live in the District or near a Metro station to have fun.”

It’s Ladies’ Night at Shirlington Village

By ARLnow.com

Shirlington Village is holding a “Ladies’ Night” tonight, with special discounts on food, wine and gifts. You must mention “ladies’ night” to take advantage of the deals, which are listed below.

  • The Curious Grape — 10% off featured wines
  • Illusions Hair and Nail Studio — Complementary makeup session from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.
  • Le Village Marche Vintage Home Decor and Gifts — 20% off whole purchase over $50
  • Periwinkle — 50% off Before and Again t-shirts and dresses
  • T.H.A.I. Restaurant — 10% off bill (excluding alcohol)
  • Verbena Parer & Gifts — 20% whole purchase over $50

To Do This Weekend

By ARLnow.com

It’s expected to a be a beautiful, warm weekend, with temperatures reaching as high as 90 degrees. In other words, it’s the perfect weekend to head to a park, enjoy an outdoor movie, or go on a bike ride. See our events calendar for even more fun things to do.

Tonight

Author talk with Novella Carpenter — The author of “Farm City” talks about her experience creating a fully operational farm on a vacant lot next to her Oakland, Calif. apartment. From 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Arlington Central Library (1015 North Quincy Street).

Friday

Crystal City 5K Friday — Run in Crystal City’s last 5K Friday of the season. The race kicks off at 6:30 p.m. at 2121 Crystal Drive, and will be followed by an post-race party in a nearby apartment complex.

“I Love the ’90s” Rosslyn Outdoor Film Fest — Rosslyn will kick of its ’90s-themed film festival with the 1995 favorite “Clueless.” Takes place at 7:30 p.m. at Rosslyn Gateway Park (1300 Lee Highway).

Fashion, Food and Music for the Cure — Join former Washington Redskin LaVar Arrington and his wife Trish for a fashion show at Caribbean Breeze restaurant (4100 North Fairfax Drive) benefiting the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Against Breast Cancer. There will be a musical performance by Jason Cerda followed by a runway show. Doors open to the public at 9:00 p.m.

Saturday

Tour des Bibliotheque — Join Arlington Public Library staff members for a bicycle tour of six of the county’s seven libraries. The tour will start at Central Library (1015 North Quincy Street). Meet on the Quincy Street side near the front doors at 9:30 a.m.

Shirlington Kentucky Derby Party — Help support Operation Homefront while sipping mint juleps and rooting on your favorite thoroughbred. The event, at The Bungalow (2766 South Arlington Mill Drive) will feature a Derby hat contest, Derby food and a classic derby drink showcase. Post time for the race is 6:24 p.m., but the party kicks off at 4:00.

Sunday

Potomac Overlook Park Heritage Festival — A springtime tradition with fun for all ages. The event features music, entertainment, food, community exhibits, games, a maypole dance, and more. It takes place between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. at Potomac Overlook Regional Park (2845 North Marcey Road).

Mamma Mia Flash Mob — A “flash mob” style dance performance from the musical Mamma Mia is scheduled to take place at 3:00 p.m. at Ballston Common Mall (4238 North Wilson Blvd). The public is welcome to participate if they know the moves. Whether it’s truly a flash mob if it’s announced ahead of time is up for debate, but nonetheless organizers promise “a mob of synchronicity, choreography and fun.”

Liquidation at Former Washington Golf Center

By ARLnow.com

A liquidation sale is being held at the former Washington Golf Center store in Shirlington (2625 Shirlington Road).

The sale is being conducted by the building’s landlords, who said the owners of the store stopped paying their rent in October. According to one of the landlords, the owners of the store didn’t even declare bankruptcy, they just walked away from store, leaving the landlords “with all this stuff to get rid of.”

The owners of the store are also being sued by a golf equipment manufacturer who claimed they hadn’t paid for inventory since last April.

The sale, which is being promoted exclusively through Craiglist and word-of-mouth, is being held until 6:00 tonight and from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. All sales must be paid in cash and are completely non-refundable.

As of 12:30 today there was still plenty of merchandise available for sale, although it was apparent some of the higher-end items had already been sold.

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