<sh>Intersection Improvements OK'd
<bt>The Arlington County Board approved construction improvements to the Glebe Road and Pershing Drive intersection.
The first step is to bury the overhead utilities in trenches and hook up commercial buildings to the new services. After this, street improvements such as wider sidewalks, new pedestrian sidewalks, streetlights, new bus shelters and landscaping will happen.
The goal of these improvements is improved pedestrian safety, circulation and amenities, and a unified identity within Buckingham commercial area.
Construction to bury the utilities will take approximately eight months. Everything should be completed by summer 2007.
<sh>Racoon Tests Positive for Rabies
<bt>Health Officials in Arlington have confirmed that a racoon has tested positive for rabies after being in contact with a domestic animal in South Arlington. The racoon bit a dog in the 1800 block of S. George Mason Drive. The dog's owner reported the incident and his pet's rabies vaccination was up to date. While rabies is rare health officials urge residents to stay away from wild animals and to contact the Animal Welfar League of Arlington if they notice any animal that is behaving aggresively, appears ill or is acting unusually friendly. Contact AWLA at 703-931-9241, ext. 200.
<sh>Dogtober Day
<bt> The Third Annual Dogtober Day fun show is being held Saturday, Oct. 1 from 1-4 p.m. at Lacey Woods Park, 1200 N. George Mason Drive. Prizes and ribbons will be awarded for: Terrific Pet Tricks, Most Original Costume, Best Smile, Best Vocal Performer, Best Tail Wag, Shortest Legs, Most Adorable Dog (small/ large), Best Kisser, Most Mutt-rageous, Least Obedient, and Best-In-Show. Best-In-Show will recieve a special ribbon and prize. Entry fees are $6/ category and $25 for unlimited categories. Leashes are a requirement. On-site registration or pre-registration is available at 12:15 p.m. All pre-registration entries must be received by Sept. 28. Call 703-525-0168.
<sh>Community Katrina Task Force
<bt>Arlington County Board Chairman Jay Fisette announced the formation of a new community task force to develop a community response to Hurricane Katrina relief, the Arlington Response to Katrina (ARK) Task Force.
The Board appointed Ellen Bozman of the Arlington Community Foundation and Randy Anderson of Virginia Commerce Bank as co-chairs of the ARK Task Force. Mrs. Bozman is a former Arlington County Board Member.
The County Board has established a fund to receive local contributions to support the ARK initiative. Donations to the ARK Fund should be sent to the Arlington Community Foundation, 2525 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, Va. 22201. Contributors may also give online via the Foundation's website, www.arlcf.org; click on "Giving."
<sh>Firefighters Help With Katrina Relief
<bt>Northern Virginia deployed 50 firefighters and paramedics to help with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The group, which includes seven members from Arlington County, left Sept. 16. They will be there for approximately two weeks. Their job will be to provide relief for local first responders and respond to emergency incidents. The seven people from Arlington County are: Battalion Chief Robert Gray, Captain Matt Herbert, Firefighter/paramedic Bosephus Bennett, Firefighter/paramedic Robert Beer, Firefighter Peter DePuy, Firefighter Paul Marshall and Firefighter Eric Wesley.
For more information call Daniel Schmidt or Lieutenant Raul G. Castillo at 703-246-3801 and TTY 703-385-4419.
<sh>Pay Car Taxes at 7-Eleven
<bt>Local 7-Elevens participate in Choicepay. People can pay car taxes and decal fees at any of the 16 participating stores in Arlington. The ChoicePay service is an available 24-hour service through the easily automated touchscreens located at Vcom kiosks.
Payment can also be made at Global Express Financial Services locations throughout Arlington.
<sh>Support Group for Abuse Survivors
<bt>Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington is offering a 10-week therapeutic support group for survivors of sexual abuse. The group will meet Mondays 7-8:30 p.m., Oct. 17-Dec. 19, in Arlington. For more information call Patricia Mudd, Victim Assistance Coordinator at 703-841-2530.
<sh>Candidate's Night in Arlington
<bt>A forum to introduce the state and local candidates on the November ballot will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. at the Arlington Central Library at 1015 North Quincy St. The forum is sponsored by the Arlington Branch of the American Association of University Women. Candidates and their representatives will have an opportunity to explain their platforms and goals. Questions from the audience will be welcome.
<sh>Arlington Forms Katrina Task Force
<bt>Arlington County Board Chairman Jay Fisette announced the formation of a new community task force to develop a community response to Hurricane Katrina relief, the Arlington Response to Katrina (ARK) Task Force.
The Board appointed Ellen Bozman of the Arlington Community Foundation and Randy Anderson of Virginia Commerce Bank as co-chairs of the ARK Task Force. Bozman is a former Arlington County Board Member.
The 16 members appointed to the ARK Task Force represent the broad spectrum of the Arlington community. The Task Force will develop recommendations for a community-wide response to Hurricane Katrina, focusing on long-term needs and community re-building efforts.
One initial idea the ARK Task Force will consider is a "Sister Community" relationship with a Gulf Coast area jurisdiction that has been hit hard by Katrina. Such a relationship could draw on resources from the entire community, including private businesses, non-profit organizations, faith communities, civic and neighborhood groups, and government, among others.
In addition, the Task Force will assess the viability and sustainability of other community responses and determine how ARK can be effectively implemented without detracting from existing resources and services provided to our own community. The Task Force is expected to make its recommendations by Oct. 25.
Appointed to the ARK Task Force:
- Co-Chair Ellen Bozman, Arlington Community Foundation
- Co-Chair Randy Anderson, Virginia Commerce Bank
- Mary Agee, Northern Virginia Family Service
- Karen Cleveland, Habitat for Humanity
- Loretta Franklin, DeVry University
- Betsy Franz, Leadership Arlington
- Dr. Leonard Hamlin, Macedonia Baptist Church
- Fred Jones, Arlington Interfaith Council
- John Moore, Ballston Common Mall
- Tom Parker, Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing
- Ed Rea, St. George's Church
- Sam Sweet, Signature Theatre
- Dr. Tsehaye Teferra, Ethiopian Community Development Council
- Andres Tobar, Shirlington Education and Employment Center
- Meg Tucillo, Arlington Public Schools
- Pat Williamson, WETA
<sh>Arlington Seniors Win at Olympics
Following opening ceremonies at the 23rd annual Northern Virginia Senior Olympics, Saturday, Sept. 17 at Falls Church High School, over 50 Arlingtonians competed in track and field events.
Gold medals were awarded (in age groups) to Gary Blessington, men’s 50 and 100 meter dash, Mary White, women’s 50 meter dash; Charlotte Perdue, women’s 50 and 100 meter dash, running long jump and discus throw; Curran Tiffany, men’s 100, 200 and 400 meter run; Alease Brooks, women’s 800 meter walk and 50 meter dash and Charles Toftoy, men’s standing and running long jump.
The Senior Olympics continues through Sept. 29 with events including golf, tennis, swimming, pickleball, horseshoes, table tennis, chess, bridge, basketball, line dancing, backgammon and other indoor games.
Dignitaries introduced at the opening ceremonies were Jeffrey Marin, Deputy Director, Arlington County, Dept. Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources (PRCR) and Barbara Karro, Mgr., Office of Senior Adult Programs. PRCR is a co-sponsor of the NVSO with Fairfax, Prince William and Loudoun Counties and the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax and Falls Church. The Virginia State Police Guard presented the flag ceremony and the National Anthem was sung by Miriam Witherspoon, marketing associate, Goodwin House, Inc. Also recognized were 2004 Ms. Senior America Virginia, Jackie Bong-Wright and Gold Patron sponsors, Goodwin House, Inc., Sunrise Senior Living, Greenspring Village Retirement Community and Silver Patron, Debbie Miller, McEnearney Associates. For more information about NVSO, call 703-228-4721.
<sh>Walking Around Arlington
<bt>On Saturday, Oct. 1, three of Arlington's walkable
communities will host Neighborhood Walkabouts for anyone wanting to discover the surprising variety of terrain and walking environments within the County's 26 square miles.
"Local insiders" such as Arlington County Board Chairman Jay Fisette, who made improving community health through walking and biking one of his top priorities this year, will guide each walkabout. The routes range in length from 1.5 to 2 miles and each will last about one hour. Start times are staggered so walkers can participate in one, two, or all three.
There's no charge to participate and no registration is required.
Participants could win one of five pedometers to be given away at the end of each walkabout. Route maps will be provided and there'll be souvenirs for all participants. The walkabouts will go, rain or shine - barring serious storm warnings or other hazardous conditions.
For more information, please visit
www.walkarlington.com/go/nhoodwalkabouts05.html.