Open House Set for North Tract
<bt>The public is invited to participate in a North Tract Design Workshop and Open House, Saturday, Oct. 29, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the main lobby of Courthouse Plaza, 2100 Clarendon Blvd. Participants can review all aspects of the facility plan, or parts that are of particular interest. The agenda includes opening remarks and introductions, focus groups, interactive stations, design review and information booths. County Board Chairman Jay Fisette and the Design Advisory Committee's Smith will be on hand with County staff, along with a team of world-class designers, to facilitate the community dialog.
The North Tract is one of the largest areas in the County to be developed as a state-of-the-art recreation and leisure complex, which will include aquatics, fitness and outdoor facilities. It is located at the north end of Crystal City between Old Jefferson Davis Highway and Roaches Run Water Fowl Sanctuary.
For more information on the North Tract visit www.arlingtonva.us/prcr.
<sh>BRAC Trasitions Task Force Created
<bt>The Arlington Economic Development Commission (EDC) announced at its October 2005 meeting that it would form a Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Transition Task Force to address impacts on Arlington arising from the 2005 BRAC recommendations. These recommendations, which were passed by Congress in September, will relocate or close agencies operating out of nearly 4 million square feet of leased office space in Arlington, and could affect nearly 17,000 jobs in Arlington.
The EDC’s BRAC Transition Task Force will advise the County Board, the County Manager and Commonwealth officials on BRAC-related issues, including recommending legislative or policy changes to the Board, General Assembly and others.
Governor Mark Warner recently formed a Northern Virginia BRAC working group to address the BRAC recommendations including the movement of jobs out of the region, and the addition of approximately 15,000 personnel at Fairfax County’s Fort Belvoir. Arlington Board Chairman Jay Fisette, and State Senator Mary Margaret Whipple are among the members appointed to the working group by Governor Warner.
The BRAC Transition Task Force will begin its work immediately with a work session to identify issues of most significance to the Arlington economy, followed by the development of a work plan that will define the desired outcomes of the group, resource requirements and work schedule.
<sh>Free Cab Rides Halloween Weekend
<bt> Starting Saturday, Oct. 29 to Monday, Oct. 31, free cab rides will be offered to would-be drunk drivers. Offered by Washington Regional Alcohol Program. The Halloween SoberRide program will be in operation beginning at 8 p.m.-4 a.m. Residents 21 and older can call the toll-free number (1-800-200-TAXI) and get a ride (up to $50 fare). Cingular customers can dial #-TAXI for the same service. This service is available throughout D.C., Arlington, Fairfax, eastern Loudoun and Prince William. Visit www.soberride.com for more info on the program.
<sh>Bus Route Links Shirlington, Nauck to Metrorail
<bt>Bus route ART 82 will provide direct service from Nauck and Shirlington to the Pentagon City metrorail station. The route will run weekdays during the morning rush period from 6:20-9:35 a.m. and evening rush period from 3:40-6:22 p.m. With this added route, route ART 74 will be revised. Passengers who ride ART 74 between Shirlington Road and 24th Road will switch to ART 74. This enables shortened ride times for the remaining passengers and adds a loop to include Arlington View.
<sh>Human Rights Award Winners to be Honored
<bt>Arlington's Human Rights Commission has announced the winners of the 2005 James B. Hunter Human Rights Awards. John Robinson, director of Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, Verizon and Clarendon Presbyterian Church and Doorways for Women and Families will be honored at an awards ceremony Nov. 3 at Arlington's Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy St. starting at 7 p.m. Jack W. Gravely, former state director and chairman of the board of the Virginia NAACP, will be the keynote speaker. The Hunter Awards recognize sustained commitment and outstanding accomplishments in the area of human rights made in Arlington by an individual, community group, nonprofit organization or business.
<sh>H-B Woodlawn Concerts
<bt>H-B Woodlawn Chamber Singers from Arlington will join Grammy Award Winner The Washington Chorus as the 2005 "Side by Side" partner high school chorus. They will perform in the annual "Music for Christmas" concerts at John F. Kennedy Center and the Music Center at Strathmore in Bethesda, MD. The Kennedy Center performances are Dec. 18 at 5 p.m. and Dec. 22 at 7 p.m. The Strathmore performance is Dec. 23 at 8 p.m. The Chamber Singers will premiere a lively madrigal "There is No Rose," commissioned from Brian Bartoldus, a composition student at Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester. Tickets are available from the Washington Chorus Box Office at 202-342-6221 or securely online at www.thewashingtonchorus.org. Tickets can be purchased from Kennedy Center at 202-467-4600. Tickets range from $19-$56, with student, senior and group discounts available.
<sh>Medicare Information Session
<bt>NAMI-Arlington sponsors a presentation on the new Medicare Drug Benefit (Part D) as it affects individuals with mental illness, Tuesday, November 8, at 7:30 p.m., in the basement meeting room at the Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church, 1500 North Glebe Road, Arlington. Ample parking in Church lot. Call Tom Quinn at 703-416-0429.
<sh>Financing a College Education
<bt>On Wednesday, Nov. 9, at 7 p.m. Virginia Cooperative Extension volunteer, Irving Lachow, explains the various college savings instruments available. Co-sponsored by the Virginia Cooperative Extension and Arlington Public Libraries. Call 703-228-6417 or e-mail jable@vt.edu for location and to register.
<sh>Party for Life Fund-raiser
<bt>Party for Life, a locally founded organization that raises funds and awareness for mental health and suicide prevention, is holding its fourth annual fundraising event on Nov. 16 at the Clarendon Grill in Arlington. The annual events have raised over $70,000 to date. The event includes auction and raffle items donated by local area merchants as well as live entertainment provided by the local band, Gonzo’s Nose. All proceeds of this event go to charities supporting mental health and suicide prevention – and locally focused efforts. Visit www.partyforlife.com for more details.