People
People Notes
Martin Ogle, chief naturalist at Potomac Overlook Regional Park in Arlington, is the first recipient of the Arlington Green Patriot Award. The honor recognizes an individual, business or organization that exemplifies sustainability in more than one aspect of their recent life or operations to improve civic life in Arlington. Ogle was recognized for his lifelong dedication to environmental education and for emphasizing the interrelationships between people and the rest of nature. He served on the boards of several environmental and community organizations, including the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia, Arlington Food Co-op, Arlington Heritage Alliance, the Arlington/Alexandria Coalition for the Homeless and Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment.
Bulletin Board
Absentee Voting Opens On Tuesday June 11, there will be a Democratic Primary for Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General. Absentee voting for the primary began Friday, April 26. Many Alexandria voters are eligible to vote absentee, but relatively few take advantage of this option. Qualifying circumstances: commute and work for 11 of the 13 hours the polls are open; caregiver for a confined family member; unable to go to the polls in person on Election Day because of an illness or disability; or will be absent from Alexandria on Election Day because of personal business, work, school, or vacation. To learn more about these, and other circumstances in which absentee voting is an appropriate option, visit alexandriava.gov/Elections and click on “Absentee Voting,” or call 703-746-4050.
Old Town Farmers’ Market Welcomes SNAP/EBT Beneficiaries
The City of Alexandria’s Old Town Farmers’ Market is participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps. As a result, SNAP customers will be able to use their electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables and other eligible food products at the market.
Vote in Spite of Election Fatigue
Primary voting, absentee voting, Republican convention
Absentee voting, including “in-person” absentee voting, is already underway for the June 11 primary, a statewide Democratic party primary for lieutenant governor and attorney general, plus one delegate race in Northern Virginia. Voters in the Democratic primary will choose between Ralph S. Northam and Aneesh Chopra for lieutenant governor; and between Mark R. Herring and Justin E. Fairfax for attorney general.
Crime
The following incidents were reported by the Arlington Police Department. ARSON & ATTEMPTED ROBBERY, 5500 block of S. Columbia Pike. At 10:37 p.m. on May 2, a subject attempted to rob a store by demanding that a store employee give him money. When the employee refused, the subject proceeded to light coffee filters on fire and announced that no one could leave the store. The subject threw several items at store employees, including at their 16-month-old child. All of the victims barricaded themselves in another room where they stayed until police arrived on scene. The suspect knocked over shelves, broke machines, and threw store merchandise all over the store. A 49-year-old Arlington man was arrested and charged with arson, attempted robbery, four counts of abduction, felony destruction of property, and three counts of assault and battery. He is currently being held without bond.
Bulletin Board
Thursday/May 16 Speaker. 12:15-1:30 p.m. at La Cote D’Or Restaurant. The Arlington Rotary Club is hosting Mario Price, who will speak on “7 Things You Must Know About Energy Deregulation.” Friday/May 17 Bike to Work Day. 6:30-9:30 a.m. at Gateway Park. Register and be entered in to win a bicycle. Free.
Tejada on State of the County
Arlington County Board Chair J. Walter Tejada will present an overview of the economic and developmental status of Arlington County at the 12th annual State of the County on Tuesday, June 11 from 7:30 until 9:30 a.m. at the Crystal Gateway Marriott. State of the County is co-hosted by Leadership Arlington and the Arlington Chamber of Commerce.
Police Seek Additional Credit Card Victims
The Arlington County Police Department’s Burglary/Larceny Unit is investigating a suspect involved in several credit card thefts and is seeking additional victims. The suspect, Barry Jason Fig, was charged on March 27, in Montgomery County with five counts of felony credit card theft related to thefts that occurred at the Kettler Capitals Iceplex during March 2013.
Modell’s Opens Newest Store
Modell’s Sporting Goods celebrated its grand opening of its Pentagon Centre store on May 9 on 1201 S. Hayes Street. Founded in 1889, Modell's Sporting Goods offers sporting goods equipment, footwear and active apparel.
Open to All
Storck hears concerns from parents and teachers.
In a wide-ranging weekend monthly office hours session in a Sherwood Hall Library conference room, Dan Storck, Mount Vernon School Board member, listened to a variety of concerns of parents and school employees.
Open Up Police Chief Search
Coalition wants citizens to help in chief’s recruitment.
During the final meeting of the Citizens Coalition for Police Accountability before summer recess, Executive Director Nicholas Beltrante discussed a letter he sent to Sharon Bulova, chairwoman of the Board of Supervisors, asking that the new police chief be someone who supports the creation of a citizen police oversight board, and is flexible in the use of the Freedom of Information Act instead of invoking an automatic blanket exemption available to police on all investigations.
Responding to Explosive Situation
An example of a case in which the bomb squad is called.
The Centreville homeowner had been making homemade fireworks for several years. But when a July 15, 2007 explosion blew a hole in his roof — and the resulting fire caused $200,000 damage to his house – his hobby came to the attention of Fairfax County fire officials.
Custom Tailor Opens in Potomac Village
Family brings couple across country.
Sung Lee and his wife Jung Park gave up their flourishing alteration business in West Des Moines, Iowa to move to Potomac to be close to their sons.
Potomac United Methodist Church Hosts Strawberry Festival
Annual event returns on Saturday, May 18.
One of the sweetest events in Potomac is back again — the annual Strawberry Festival held each May at the Potomac United Methodist Church — the quaint white church facing Falls Road in Potomac.
Science Building Receives LEED Gold Certification
German School in Potomac earns environmental praise.
“It is important to pass on the lesson of caring for our environment to our young people,” said Waldemar Gries, Head of School for the German School, Washington, located on Chateau Drive in Potomac.