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County Launches ‘OpenArlington’ Online Forum

By ARLnow.com

Arlington County has launched a new online forum for citizen feedback dubbed “OpenArlington.”

OpenArlington encourages residents to give their opinions on specific topics introduced by a county moderator. The first question — “What would make it easier for you and others to engage with Arlington County Government?” — has so far drawn five responses from residents.

In addition to suggestions about having an “Arlington County Ombudsman” or finding better ways to engage with those who do not have a computer, there have also been off-topic requests to fix a specific street light, for better traffic light synchronization, and for traffic control at Kenmore Middle School after events like school concerts.

OpenArlington is part of County Board Chair Mary Hynes’ PLACE (Participation, Leadership and Civic Engagement) initiative, which she announced at the beginning of the year. Hynes says the online forum will be monitored by county government and Arlington Public Schools officials, and will help make civic involvement “easier and more effective.”

“Through PLACE, we are trying new ways of reaching out to the community, hoping to hear great ideas from people about how we can work together more effectively,” Hynes said in a press release. “OpenArlington makes it easy for people to join the conversation, share their ideas, and see what others are saying.”

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

General Assembly Votes to Lift Gun Purchase Limit — The Virginia General Assembly has voted to lift the state’s limit of one gun purchase per month. The limit, which has been in place since 1993, was intended to reduce gun trafficking and gun-related crimes. Sen. Janet Howell (D), who represents part of Arlington, said lifting the limit could turn Virginia into a “gun-runners’ paradise.” [Washington Post]

Arlington’s Triple-AAA Rating Reaffirmed — Arlington has once again received a top AAA rating from each of the three major bond rating agencies. “With these ratings, the County will be able to continue making critical capital investments at the lowest possible cost to residents and businesses,” said County Manager Barbara Donnellan. [Arlington County]

Library Launches New Web Site — Arlington’s library system revealed a newly-designed web site over the weekend. The new library site includes “fresher-looking pages… richer graphics… catalog browsing that might remind you of strolling the shelves… a friendlier study room reservation system… [and] a customized events calendar with more options to find what you want.” [Arlington Public Library]

New Leadership for BRAVO — The nonprofit Buyers and Renters Arlington Voice (BRAVO) has appointed a new Executive Director. Dennis Jaffe, a longtime community activist, says he’s looking forward to advocating for the rights and needs of tenants in Arlington County. “I have a personal mission… and that is to increase tenants’ connectedness to each other and to the Arlington community,” Jaffe said in a statement. Tenants make up about 57 percent of the Arlington County population, according to BRAVO.

County Debuts New Winter Weather Web Portal

By ARLnow.com

With talk of some snowflakes in the forecast tonight, Arlington County picked a good day to debut a new web portal called “Arlington Snow and Ice Central.”

The website offers one-stop shopping for residents seeking more information on winter weather preparations, winter weather safety tips, road condition and snow plowing updates, and answers to snow removal ordinance questions. The site also links to the county’s snow issue reporting page.

One of the new features introduced with the new portal is a “snow phase system,” which will designate how far along the county is in its snow clearing efforts after a storm. The page will indicate whether the county is in Phase 1, 2, 3, or 4.

Phase 1 is the “Alert” phase, when snow crews are pre-treating roads and residents are being encouraged to park their cars off-street, if possible.

Phase 2 is the “Primary Routes” phase, when the storm is in progress or has just concluded. In this phase, county and VDOT crews are working to clear primary and secondary roads only. Residents are encouraged to stay off the roads and help clear sidewalks during this phase.

Phase 3 is the “Residential Streets” phase, when crews are working to make residential streets passable while widening the clear path on primary roads.

Phase 4, the “Clean Up” phase, is when crews will focus on removing ice and slush from roads while using the sun as a tool for melting leftover snow.

Arlington County said it’s ready to respond should winter weather strike.

“When forecasters predict winter weather — snow, ice or freezing rain — Arlington’s plows and salt trucks are prepped and ready to go,” the county said in a press release. “Residents, at any time, can check the storm’s progress, track the County’s efforts to clear streets of snow, and learn how to best prepare for the winter weather. The current phase will be posted on the County web site and social media channels.”

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

GMU “Protest” Quiet, Peaceful — A protest last night against Nonie Darwish, an outspoken critic of Islam who was speaking at George Mason University’s law school, proved to be a peaceful, academic exercise. Students gathered in a classroom to hear Muslim speakers talk about the experience of practicing their faith in the United States at a time when many are suspicious about Islam. “They don’t want to see an America that’s diverse and pluralistic,” said one protest speaker. Darwish’s well-attended speech, meanwhile, focused on what she saw as the injustices of Islam, Sharia law and Jihad.

Post Looks at Favola/Merrick Race — Does Republican Caren Merrick have a chance to win in the redrawn, Democratic-leaning 31st state Senate District? The Post takes a look at the race between Merrick and Democratic Arlington County Board member Barbara Favola. [Washington Post]

New White House Chief Usher Has Local Ties — This week Angella Reid was appointed the new Chief Usher of the White House — in charge of the operation of the White House executive residence. Reid, who had been general manager of the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Pentagon City, is the first woman to assume the title. [BET]

Moran Gets New Website — Rep. Jim Moran has a brand new website. “The new Moran website improves accessibility to information that can help residents navigate and expedite the federal bureaucracy,” the congressman’s office said. “[The site] offers a straightforward format for residents to provide feedback on issues, learn of Moran’s policy positions and legislation, and find information on constituent services.” [Congressman Jim Moran]

Web Site Provides Quick View of Capital Bikeshare Availability

By ARLnow.com

A new web site called Capital Bikeshare Tracker is providing a quick view of bike availability at CaBi stations in Rosslyn, Crystal City and the District.

The site uses pie chart-style icons on a map to represent the number of bikes available at each station compared to the number of available bike docks. Clicking on a station gives you the option of seeing historical usage data for each station.

A map on the Capital Bikeshare web site will only display bike availability data after you click on an icon for the station.

Officials are in the process of adding about 30 stations to the Capital Bikeshare system in Arlington County. They expect the expansion to be complete by the end of the year.

Get Ready For the Ballston-Virginia Square Patch

By ARLnow.com

Internet giant AOL is rolling out a local news site devoted exclusively to the Ballston-Virginia Square area. The Ballston Patch will launch on September 13 with a paid, full-time editor at the helm.

As we first reported in February, AOL has been planning on launching dozens of its Patch local news sites in the DC area. Then in May, we noted that the company was hiring editors for two different Patches in Arlington. A “Rosslyn-Court House-Clarendon” Patch may still be in the works, but so far it’s not listed as “coming soon” on the Patch web site.

Over here at ARLnow.com, we’re taking the competition for neighborhood news in stride. So we want to know: what sort of stories in the Ballston-Virginia Square area should we cover that we’re not already covering? What events should we be adding to the events calendar? Please let us know in the comments section.

AOL Hiring For Dozens of Local News Sites

By ARLnow.com

Almost three months ago we broke the news that AOL was expanding its network of Patch local news websites into the D.C. area. Last week, the Washington Post picked up the story, noting that AOL was posting dozens of help wanted listings on jobs website Simply Hired.

A search of those listings reveals that, so far, Patch is not seeking editors for an Arlington site.

Among the listings are editor positions for a “Rosslyn-Court House-Clarendon Patch” and a “Ballston-Virginia Square Patch.”

Patch is also coming to some communities around Arlington. Simply Hired lists editor positions for Patch sites in McLean, Falls Church, Del Ray, Old Town Alexandria and Georgetown.

Patch will be entering some small markets that are already covered by multiple dedicated news outlets.

Arlington is served by the Sun Gazette and the Arlington Connection weekly newspapers and this website. Falls Church is served by the Falls Church News Press weekly newspaper and the Falls Church Times website. Georgetown is served by The Georgetowner biweekly newspaper and The Georgetown Dish website.

Deals for Deeds: Like Groupon With Charitable Giving Mixed In

By ARLnow.com

Group buying websites (Groupon, Living Social, etc.) are all the rage right now. For good reason: it’s a beautiful blend of economics and serendipity. Businesses get free promotion, drive sales and foot traffic, and pay no cash out of hand. The websites, in turn, pocket a healthy percentage of each sale as almost pure profit. And customers discover new businesses for cheap.

It’s such an attractive business segment that at least a dozen copy-cat sites have popped up in recent months. Some are blatant knock-offs. Others strive to find a niche.

For Arlington resident Harrison Miller, that niche is charitable giving.

Miller is launching his new website, Deals for Deeds, this coming Wednesday, April 28.

Not only will users be able to get half off or more from a variety of D.C.-area merchants, they’ll also be able to choose one of three charities to receive 5 percent of the sales price (but no, it’s not tax deductable).

Deals for Deeds will also act as a community bulletin board of sorts, publicizing dates for upcoming community events and such. A “shout-out for good causes,” as Miller puts it.

Miller and business partner Josh Hoffman have lined up deals with a number of local merchants. Among the Arlington-based businesses to be featured on the site are fitness instructor Body by Ginny, Rosslyn beauty salon Miracles in the City and Clarendon sunless tanning salon Fit To Be Tan.

At least initially, the charities that buyers may direct their donation to are the Washington Animal Rescue League, Food & Friends and Habitat for Humanity of Washington.

To celebrate its launch, Deals for Deeds is holding a party at ACKC (1529C 14th St. NW, in D.C.) on Tuesday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The public is invited to attend and mingle with local business owners and representatives from the site’s non-profit beneficiaries.

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