<b>Metro Fares to Rise</b>
Fares for Metro trains and buses are likely to rise this year, as will parking fees and the cost of a MetroAccess ride for people with disabilities.
On Thursday, the Metro board's budget committee recommended the increases. Metrorail fares would go from $1.20, $1.70, $2.20 to $1.35, $1.85 and $2.35 respectively. The maximum rush hour fare would go from $3.60 to $3.90.
Bus fares would be raised from $1.20 to $1.25, while a ride in a MetroAccess van — which transports people with disabilities — would go from $2.40 to $2.50.
The daily parking fee would also be increased by 75 cents. Average daily parking rates already range from $2.75 to $3.
If adopted by the full board in June, the increases will be implemented June 28.
Fairfax County Supervisor Dana Kauffman (D-Lee), who sits on the Metro board called the fare plan a "suburban shakedown," saying it would primarily disadvantage commuters from outlying areas.
"You can't fund [Metro] on long haul people," he said.
Metro faces a $23.4 million operating deficit for next year. The fare increases would generate $28.9 million to cover the deficit. Metro officials said the extra $5.5 million would be used to continue weekend late-night service and to place bus maps inside bus shelters throughout the region. Rail cars would also be reallocated to the Blue, Orange and Green lines.
<b>Taste of Arlington Set</b>
Community Residences, an Arlington-based non-profit offering independent living for people with disabilities, will hold the 17th annual Taste of Arlington fundraiser noon-5 p.m. on Sunday, May 16, at 4238 Wilson Blvd. in front of the Ballston Common Mall. The event will be held rain or shine.
Approximately 8,000 people came to last year’s Taste of Arlington, sampling food from local restaurants. This year, 25 restaurants have already agreed to participate. This year’s event will also continue the Kid Zone and Taste of Science featured at last year’s event.
Admission to Taste of Arlington is free. Ticket cards, good for eight "tastes," are available for $20 before 5 p.m. on Friday, May 14. Ticket cards purchased at the event will be $25. There is a $1 service fee for online sales.
More information is available on <a href=http://www.tasteofarlington.com>the Taste of Arlington Web site</a> or by calling Community Residences at 703-841-7768.
<b>Scholarship to Aid Victims of Segregation Shutout</b>
Virginia Gov. Mark Warner (D) proposed a $2 million budget amendment last week to underwrite scholarships for African-Americans who were shutout from Virginia schools in 1959 when Prince Edward County school opted to close rather than integrate. If approved, the funds will provide roughly 250 to 350 black men and women with the education opportunities they were denied. The recipients could each receive as much as $8,000 to obtain a high school diploma, a GED, career or technical education or training, or an undergraduate degree from a public university in the state.