<sh>Robbery Suspect Identified
<bt>After photos were released on Feb. 16, the public provided information that helped detectives identify one of the perpetrators of a home invasion/robbery that took place in McLean on Feb. 14. Police said they are hoping the public will also assist in locating Min Hyu Shin, who is now wanted in connection with the crime. Warrants for burglary, impersonating a police officer, two counts of abduction, two counts of use of a firearm in commission of a felony and two counts of robbery have been obtained for Shin. He is 25 years old, approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighs around 180 pounds and was last known to live on the 14100 block of Armilla Court in Burtonsville, Md., said police. Shin also goes by the names of Jay and Jay Kim.
Around 9:45 a.m. Feb. 14 a McLean couple responded to a knock at their door. Two men identified themselves as police officers, and the victims let the two men in. Both men were brandishing handguns. The two suspects tied up the couple, both in their mid-to-late 40s, and ransacked the home. The victims were able to get loose and run to a neighbor’s home where they called the police. They were not injured. The suspects reportedly took items, including jewelry, from the home.
On Feb. 16 two surveillance photos were released, depicting the two men arriving at the Hecht's store in Landmark Mall, where they used a credit card taken from the victims to purchase clothing.
The second suspect was described as Hispanic, in his late 20s, about 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing around 160 pounds. He wore a black jacket and black pants. The suspects reportedly fled the crime in a two-door, black Mazda with a Mazda sticker in the back windshield and a small antenna. It had may have had Maryland tags.
Anyone with information about the crime or the suspects is asked to call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or the police non-emergency number at 703-691-2131.
<sh>DuBois Accepts Task Force Report Recommendations
<bt>On Monday, Feb. 27, Dranesville District Supervisor Joan DuBois and Hunter Mill District Supervisor Cathy Hudgins formally presented the Board of Supervisors with copies of the Final Report of the Hunter Mill Road Area Special Study Task Force. DuBois briefed the Board on the specific recommendations of the community leaders who spent 8 months studying the area around Sunset Hills Rd. and Hunter Mill Rd. As part of its review, the Task Force participated in a substantive 8-week public engagement process in which comments, sentiments and priorities of area residents and other stakeholders were received. DuBois and Hudgins recommended that no further action be taken on several land use nominations that did not reflect the Task Force recommendations to retain the existing low density residential use, but did move that several nominations recognizing Hunter Mill Rd. as a Virginia Byway be scheduled for public hearings before the Planning Commission as soon as possible. The Supervisors also asked that staff look at developing ways to map the presence of Naturally Occurring Asbestos in the area, and asked that the other recommended items related to transportation and trails be reviewed. The Task Force Report and letter to the Supervisors can be found at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpz/huntermill/.
<sh>MCC Governing Board to Hold Public Hearing
<bt>On Wednesday, March 22, at 7:30 p.m., the Governing Board of the McLean Community Center (MCC) will hold a public hearing at the McLean Community Center at 1234 Ingleside Ave., to find out resident input on how to improve the Center's programs and services. Residents of the Center’s tax district, Small District 1A–Dranesville, are encouraged to voice their opinions on MCC programs and services. The hearing is the first step in planning for the FY 2008 budget cycle, which begins July 1, 2007. The Old Firehouse Teen Center on Chain Bridge Road is a satellite program of MCC. Governing Board Chair Pat Velander says the board is interested in hearing residents’ ideas for classes, special events, theatre programs, exhibits, tours and youth and teen activities. “Suggestions from the Center’s users are highly valued by staff and board members and will be given full consideration as decisions are made.”
Residents who would like to speak at the hearing can call the Center at 703-790-0123/TTY: 703-827-8255, to have their names placed on the speakers’ list. Residents also may submit written comments by mail, fax (703-556-0547), E-mail (mail@mcleancenter.org) or in person. The regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Governing Board will follow the public hearing. All meetings of the Governing Board are open to the public. Residents who want to find out if they live within the Center’s tax district or who want additional information may call the Center at 703-790-0123/TTY: 703-827-8255.
<sh>Harvest for the Hungry Food Drive
<bt>For the second year in a row, U.S. Postal Service letter carriers will pick up nonperishable food donations left by customer mailboxes throughout the Northern Virginia area. Food will benefit the Capital Area Food Bank and local needy organizations such as daycare centers, nursing homes and faith-based organizations.
The food drive will begin Saturday, March 4 and continue through Saturday, March 11. The food items will be consolidated and then delivered to the Capital Area Food Bank Warehouse in Lorton. Customers may also drop off items for the food drive at local post offices.
<sh>Alden Theatre Presents American Dance
<bt>The Alden Theatre at the McLean Community Center will present the Okra Dance Company in American Dance from Africa to Broadway at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 4. Tickets are $9, $7 for McLean district residents. The theatre is located at 1234 Ingleside Avenue.
The Okra Dance Company was created by the late dancer/choreographer Phillip Bond, and is now operated by Ron McKay and Mickey Davidson. It is composed of professional dancers and teachers who have performed on Broadway, in touring productions and with well-known dance companies around the nation.
Tickets are on sale now! To purchase tickets, stop by the Alden Theatre Box Office, or to purchase tickets by telephone or online, contact TICKETMASTER at 703-573-SEAT, or www.ticketmaster.com. For more information, call 703-790-0123, or visit: www.mcleancenter.org.
<sh>Call for Artists
<bt>The Arlington Arts Center is seeking artists from the mid-Atlantic states to apply for exhibitions. Artists may apply for solo exhibitions running between January and December of 2007 in one of the Arlington Arts Center galleries, which include hanging wall space and two experimental galleries designed to accommodate installation, video or other work requiring a complete environment. All media will be considered. The grounds surrounding the building can accommodate outdoor sculpture. Applicants must submit a proposal, images (CD or slides), an application fee and an application form. Deadline is July 1.
Artists may also apply for "New Art Examined," consisting of works by 2006 M.F.A graduates in the mid-Atlantic region. Any visual artist who has or will receive an M.F.A degree in 2006 from an institution in the Mid-Atlantic states is eligible. All media will be considered. Artists must submit 10-20 images of recent work, an application form, resume, and an application fee (free to Arts Center members). This exhibition will be held from June 13 through Aug. 5. Deadline is May 1. More information and the application forms for both exhibits may be downloaded at www.arlingtonartscenter.org, under Exhibitions/Artist Opportunities.
<sh>Curves Food Drive
<bt>Curves fitness centers, including the one at 8622-C Lee Highway in Merrifield, are collecting groceries for local food banks through March 31. Curves is supporting this food drive by accepting a bag of groceries in lieu of the normal $149 service fee charged to women who join as new members through March 11. Nonperishable groceries can be dropped off by prospective Curves members, current members or anyone interested in contributing to this food drive. Visit www.curvesofarlington.com.