September-October 2009

Choose between a family-friendly 13-mile ride or a longer 25-mile ride. The cost is $25 for the shorter ride and $35 for the longer one. Children up to 15 years old ride free. Bike DC is fully supported with rest stops and refreshments.

Once you cross the finish line in Crystal City there will be music, face painting, a moonbounce and more. Leave your bike at the free valet bike parking area and enjoy one of Crystal City's many great restaurants.

For more details and to register for Bike DC — the Washington & Arlington Community Bike Ride, visit us online at www.BikeArlington.com. You can also contact us at 703-247-9299 or BikeDC@BikeArlington.com. If it has been a while since you last rode a bike, no worries! BikeArlington offers free bike education classes to help you get ready for the ride.

All together now: Wash Your Hands! Hand washing is the single most important way to prevent spread of swine flu germs, according to the CDC. Prepare to see and support increased emphasis on hand washing, particularly before eating.

Miss Manners, 2009: Cough Etiquette. Expect school staff to emphasize the importance of cough etiquette, especially as flu season approaches. Coughing into your elbow is less likely to spread germs than covering the mouth with a hand. This lesson also applies to places of employment and anywhere people gather.

When You're Sick, Stay Home. Look for schools, day care centers and offices to strictly enforce policies requiring those who are sick to stay at home.

Vaccinations: Get Two. Separate seasonal flu and H1N1 flu vaccines will likely be available starting sometime in the fall. Flu vaccine can significantly reduce your risk – and you can't get the flu from the vaccine. Get both vaccines when available to prevent getting either flu.

Has a book ever changed your life — or at least improved your day? Did you break several promises to yourself about reading just one chapter at a time? Were you lost for hours after reaching the last word on the last page? If this sounds familiar, it's time to share with your neighbors.

From Oct. 5 through Nov. 14, Arlington Public Library's TitleWave reading program wants to know your favorite titles and why. No matter if you're partial to biography or mystery, adventure or romance. No book is too old or too new, too serious or too light for TitleWave.

Just fill out the special bookmark available at all library locations or surf over to the library website for the special TitleWave page. Tell fellow Arlington readers why your title is a great one and then watch as the collection builds in special library displays and online. Last year's "Wave" grew several hundred titles high. Everyone who takes part has a chance to win gift certificates for the Friends of the Arlington Public Library bookstore at Central Library.

Don't get stranded: TitleWave will also steer you to your next potential favorite, offering a variety of resources including review-based links to the library catalog and tools for starting your own book group.

County Manager Ron Carlee announced that he will leave his position this fall to join ICMA, the International City/County Management Association. Carlee has served as Arlington's county manager since 2001. He began his career in Arlington in 1980 as a budget analyst, served as director of Parks and Recreation and also as longtime director of the Department of Human Services.

In November, Carlee will join ICMA as executive-in-residence and director, Strategic Domestic Initiatives. "My goals going forward are to take the lessons I have learned in Arlington and help advance professional local government management and prepare the next generation of local government leaders," Carlee said.

Each year, about 300 bikes are stolen in Arlington. Only a small percentage of recovered bikes can be returned because either the theft was not reported or the owner did not know the serial number. Bike registration is easy and free, and you can do it online at www.arlingtonva.us. Just click "Bike Registration" on the right-hand menu. All you need are the basics, including serial number and your personal contact information. Once your bicycle is registered, you'll get an Arlington County Police Department ID sticker to put on the frame. The Police Department's website, www.arlingtonva.us/police, features photos of recovered bikes currently held by the police.

Abandoned or Found Bikes: Call 703-228-4057. Leave your phone number and a description and location of the bicycle.

Due to theft of bikes locked with chains and cables, the Arlington County Police Department strongly recommends the use of a U-lock.

Lock your bike anywhere, any time and every time!

In these tough economic times, Arlington County government knows that some residents are having trouble paying their tax bills. One way the County helps residents meet that obligation is through the Taxpayer Assistance Program (TAP). The program offers Arlingtonians the option of applying for a short-term loan to cover their tax bill.

How it works
The Treasurer's Office, working with John Marshall Bank, a community bank, has arranged for loans to qualifying taxpayers through TAP. Once a TAP loan is made to a taxpayer, the bank immediately pays the Treasurer the amount of taxes due. The taxpayer pays the bank an up-front fee of 10 percent of the amount to be financed through the TAP loan, then pays back the loan in monthly installments. The 10 percent fee is equal to the late penalty payment that the Treasurer, by law, would impose on the taxpayer if they had not paid their taxes on time. If the taxpayer makes his or her loan payments on time, there are no other associated fees, including interest.

"It certainly seems worth the effort," said County Treasurer Frank O'Leary. "The average late payment penalty on real estate taxes is $260 in addition to the tax already owed. This program helps homeowners to meet their tax obligations and avoid additional penalties and fees."

Real estate taxes are paid in two installments, due June 15 and October 5. This spring, more than 40 taxpayers borrowed a collective $205,000 through TAP. With the second installment due date nearing, homeowners in need of assistance to meet this deadline are encouraged to contact the Treasurer's Office. Visit www.arlingtonva.us/treas or call 703-228-4016.

Reed-Westover: The much-anticipated public opening of the new Reed School-Westover Branch Library takes place Friday, Oct. 30 at 10 a.m. with a public ribbon-cutting ceremony, to be followed on Saturday, Oct. 31 with a community open house from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The joint project by Arlington Public Schools and Arlington County will house several school programs, including Integration Station, and a library almost three times the size of the branch building it replaces. The facility at Washington Boulevard and McKinley Street qualifies for a silver LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating.

Smart Beginnings Alexandria/ Arlington has received a $100,000 grant from the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation to improve the quality of the early care and education system; educate parents; train staff; build better family supports that reflect cultural diversity; strengthen community partnerships to build public awareness and support for investing in early care and education and school readiness initiatives.

"Local matching funds will bring the total amount available for the program in our region to more than $150,000," said September Jones, Smart Beginnings Alexandria/ Arlington coordinator. "This significant investment helps us broaden and enhance our early childhood programs and services so that our youngest citizens will be healthy and ready to learn when they enter kindergarten."

Research has shown that children who lack key resources between birth and age five often never close the gap.

"A strong network of quality childcare facilities, involved families and committed businesses and organizations is needed to prepare our children for school and for life," said Ben Harris, director of Arlington's Partnership for Children, Youth and Families, a Smart Beginnings member organization. "Our goal locally is to ensure that children and their families have access to the resources they need to achieve success."

Even amid signs of an improving economy, putting food on the table continues be a struggle for many Arlingtonians. Each week, more than 1,100 families receive supplemental food from the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC). "We expect our client load to be a lagging indicator of the recovery," says AFAC Executive Director Christine Lucas. "Families may still need our services for a time even after they are back to work, because of backed up bills or expenses they can no longer put off."

September is Hunger Action Month in Arlington and a number of activities being planned will help ensure that AFAC can meet community needs for food moving into fall and winter.

How you can help

1. Host a Food Drive: Have your club, office, school or neighborhood sponsor a food drive. Current food needs are cereal and any kind of canned good, especially vegetables and soup. AFAC experts will help you organize your food drive. Call 703-845-8486 to get started.
2. Support a Hunger Action Month Program, Food Drive or Activity: Our press deadline meant we couldn't include a list of activities being planned for Hunger Action Month, but you can get all the details at www.afac.org. Many local groups and businesses will participate, including Crate & Barrel in Clarendon, which is donating 5 percent of sales to AFAC on September 16.

Every five years, Arlington produces a new blueprint for developing affordable housing, preventing homelessness, ensuring fair housing, expanding economic opportunities, improving neighborhoods and more. The Consolidated Plan provides the vision that guides policies and the use of County resources to address these important issues over a five-year period.

Join us and provide input on the direction of Arlington's Fiscal Year 2011-2015 Five Year Consolidated Plan at a community forum, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009 at Walter Reed Community Center, 2909 16th St. South, Arlington, VA.

Breakout sessions will include discussions on:

• Barriers to affordable housing
• Preventing homelessness
• Needs of low-income residents, including workforce training, energy conservation and financial literacy
• Review of the Affordable Housing Goals and Targets

The County provides accommodation for individuals with a disability covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). To request such accommodation, call 703-228-7096 (voice and TTY) or email jrodriguez@arlingtonva.us. Spanish interpreters will be available at the forum. For other languages, please contact dbennett@arlingtonva.us

Follow Arlington County on Twitter (@arlingtonva) and become a fan of the County on Facebook (www.facebook. com/arlingtonva). We're trying to reach people in new and different ways — ways that engage the public. Also, watch for an all-new, easier-to-use County homepage coming this fall at www.arlingtonva.us.

Dominion Power Update
Dominion Virginia Power is nearing completion of an underground project to improve the electric facilities serving Arlington. An existing substation at 10th Street and Wilson Boulevard has been overhauled to better serve the Clarendon area and crews are completing installation of more than two miles of high-voltage cable to interconnect the Rosslyn substation and provide a new source of power to the area. The project is expected to be completed later this year. For weekly construction updates, visit www.dom.com search, "Arlington."

County Board Approves Cultural Center
The County Board approved plans to transform the former Newseum site in Rosslyn into a cultural center that will showcase the arts in Arlington and spur redevelopment. The 53,000 square foot center will include two performing arts spaces, an exhibition gallery, a ballroom and restaurant and retail space. The County will partner with the Washington Shakespeare Company, Synetic Theatre, Bowen McCauley Dance and other Arlington arts groups and for-profit entities to provide programming. It will house the visual arts exhibition program previously located at the Ellipse building in Ballston.

Construction & Roadwork in Your Neighborhood
Every day government crews, private developers, VDOT and utility companies, are working to improve Arlington County. County crews or contractors often work to repair, maintain and improve the County's roads, sewers, sidewalks and streetscape and will notify civic associations before a project begins. If you live in a property adjacent to a County work site, you should receive a letter with project details and a point of contact. The County also handles emergency repairs. For information about emergency water main or sewer work or to report a break, call the 24-hour water emergency hotline at 703-228-6555.

  Events Around Arlington
SEPTEMBER
5
Arlington Police/Fire/Sheriff 9-11 Memorial 5k: Race benefiting local charities. Open to all runners. www.arlington911race.com

12
19th Annual Rosslyn Jazz Festival: Praised by JazzTimes magazine, this year's Rosslyn Jazz Festival features a powerful lineup, including vocalist Holly Cole Grammy Award–winning Salsa Superstars Spanish Harlem Orchestra harmonica virtuoso Frederic Yonnet and pianist Lafayette Gilchrist and the New Volcanoes. Fantastic food and drink from local restaurants will be available; the event will be broadcast live on jazz station WPFW 89.3 FM. Gateway Park in Rosslyn, N. Lynn St. & Lee Highway.12:30–7 p.m. Free. 703- 228-1850. www.arlingtonarts.org/rosslynjazz.htm

18
Bye Bye Birdie: Bye Bye Birdie is one of the most captivating musical shows of our time. A satire done with the fondest affection, the show tells the story of a rock-and-roll singer who is about to be inducted into the army. The Arlington Players. Thomas Jefferson Theatre. 703- 549-1063. www.thearlingtonplayers.org Through October 3

20
10th Annual Speedy Tolliver Fiddle & Banjo Fest: Arlington honors the lifelong achievements of 91-year-old music master Speedy Tolliver. A respected presence at any American roots music gathering, Speedy Tolliver is known for his versatility, having mastered various fiddle and banjo styles including oldtime, bluegrass, Dixieland and swing. The Fest invites fiddlers and banjo players to perform in celebration of their love of music. Madison Community Center, 3829 N. Stafford Street. Noon–4 p.m. Free. 703-228-1850.

25
Glorious! Story by Peter Quilter: The joyful Florence Foster Jenkins had a passion for singing, but a voice of disastrous proportions which left audiences crying with laughter. Spinning from her bizarre recording sessions, unbelievable recitals and an ultimate triumph at New York's Carnegie Hall — this is a true, heart warming story about a group of eccentric friends who lived their dreams. Dominion Stage. Theatre One at Gunston. 703-683-0502 www.dominionstage.org Through October 11

27
Autumn Moon Vietnamese Children's Festival: The annual Autumn Moon Children's Festival (Tê't Trung Thu), is thousands of years old and is celebrated in many Far East Asian countries that once used the lunar calendar. The festival will include traditional children's games and activities. Vietnamese Cultural Society of Metropolitan Washington. Noon–4 p.m. Free. Thomas Jefferson Center.

OCTOBER
8
DC Metropolitan Communities 4th Annual Candlelight Vigil: Uniting both military and civilian communities to "Step Up" against domestic violence. 5:30 p.m. Women's Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery. 703-696-6368.

16
Dracula: A new restaging of the acclaimed 2005 production — a tale of horror and the undying strength of the human spirit. Synetic Theatre. Rosslyn Spectrum. 703-824-6200. www.synetictheater.org Through Nov. 15

17
A Cappella Autumn III: Kick off this colorful season with the Arlingtones Barbershop Chorus and quartets as they present an a cappella performance, featuring the Full Spectrum quartet. 2 p.m. NRECA Conference Center, 4301 Wilson Blvd. Free garage parking. 703-521-9331. www.thearlingtones.com

17
Home Maintenance Workshops: Arlington County is sponsoring a series of hands on and interactive workshops on Do-It- Yourself (DIY) home maintenance. Homeowners will learn about basic home repairs for: plumbing, electrical, heating /AC, and saving energy. 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Free. Arlington Career Center, 816 S. Walter Reed Drive. Free parking. 703-228-3765. www.arlingtonva.us

18
Pinocchio, A Family Opera: The classic tale written by Carl Zytowski and set to the music of Giacomo Rossini. Opera Theatre of Northern Virginia. Thomas Jefferson Theatre. 703-528-1433. www.novaopera.org Also showing on October 24

25
Marine Corps Marathon (MCM): Arlington is the official home of the MCM. It starts and finishes at the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima). Events also include an Arlington 10K and Kids Fun Run (Saturday). Festival in Crystal City and Finish Festival in Rosslyn. www.marinemarathon.com

  "Local Foods, Local Chefs" Coming Soon
Enjoy meals grown on local farms, cooked by local chefs

County Board Member Jay Fisette invites you to join him on Tues., Sept.15 at the kickoff for "Local Foods, Local Chefs," a month-long celebration of foods raised on local farms and cooked by local chefs. Meet local farmers, sample locally grown foods and learn about their benefits at the event, 6 to 9 p.m. at Whole Foods, 2700 Wilson Blvd.

The movable feast lasts through Oct. 14. One night each week, a different Arlington restaurant will offer dinners prepared from foods grown on local farms. Doing the right thing – supporting local businesses, chefs and farmers — never tasted so good.

• Sept. 16 – Liberty Tavern, 3195 Wilson Blvd.
• Sept. 22 – Willow Restaurant, 4301 N. Fairfax Dr.
• Sept. 23 – Tallulah Restaurant and EatBar, 2761 Washington Blvd.
• Sept. 29 – Eventide Restaurant, 3165 Wilson Blvd.
• Oct. 6 – Restaurant Vero, 5723 Lee Hwy.
• Oct. 13 – Restaurant 3, 2950 Clarendon Blvd.

Continue the experience at Fairlington Community Center, 3308 St. Stafford St., where you can see food-related films:

• Sept. 30 – The True Cost of Food. 6:30 p.m.
• Oct. 7 – The Garden. 6:30 p.m.
• Oct. 14 – FRESH. 6:30 p.m.

"Local Foods, Local Chefs" is sponsored by Arlington County, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Clarendon Alliance, Ballston-Virginia Square Partnership, Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization, Crystal City Business Improvement District, Rosslyn Business Improvement District, and Slow Food DC. For more information call 703-228-6400.

  Recycling on the Rise
Single-stream recycling dramatically boosts rate

Arlington has seen a dramatic jump in recycling tonnage since the County switched to single-stream recycling and provided residents with large, wheeled carts to hold their recyclables. Residents are enthusiastically embracing this simpler way to recycle and to get their recyclables rolled out to the curb. Since the program began, recycling has increased by about 13 percent compared to last year at the same time. On average each household is now recycling 67 lbs. of recyclable materials, compared with an average of 59 lbs. per household last year.

  E-CARE Returns for the Fall

On Saturday, October 3, from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m., bring your items to the Environmental Collection and Recycling Event (E-CARE) at Thomas Jefferson Middle School (125 S. Old Glebe Rd.). At E-CARE, residents may dispose of household hazardous materials (HHM) and recycle bikes, small metal items, electronic equipment, shoes, eyeglasses and durable medical equipment. Also accepted:

• Computer monitors ($15 fee) and TVs ($20 fee), cell phones, CFL bulbs, etc.
• Latex and oil paints (25 can limit).
• Household cleaners, chemicals, solvents and many other flammable, poisonous or corrosive household products.

Compost bins can be purchased for $17. Save energy before coming to E-CARE — combine items with neighbors and save a trip.

Can't make it on Oct. 3?
You can also schedule curbside pickup for electronics via www.arlingtonva.us/des or by calling 703-228-6570.

  Improving Pedestrian Safety and Neighborhoods in Arlington

South Garfield Street:
A water main and most of the gas service lines to homes were replaced in the 100 block of S. Garfield Street as part of the Neighborhood Conservation project that also included installation of new curb and gutter, a sidewalk on the west side of the street and storm drainage improvements.

North Lexington Street (Lee Highway to Little Falls Road):
A new traffic circle, speed cushions, nubs, textured crosswalks and gateway treatments were installed at the Lee Highway and Little Falls Road ends of the project site.

Courthouse Plaza Area:
Milling, repaving and marking were completed this summer for significant stretches of Clarendon Boulevard and Wilson Boulevard from N. Wayne Street to Courthouse, and several blocks of 15th St. North from Wilson Boulevard to N. Taft Street. Street surfaces were smoothed; crosswalks were made safer and more visible, bike lanes were added and refreshed. More curbside parking stalls were added, as was a second bus stop on 15th St. North near Courthouse Plaza.

7th Road South & South Dinwiddie Street:
A new sidewalk was installed around this dangerous curve, improving safety for residents of the adjacent large apartment building and multi-family dwellings. The sidewalk also enhances access to the nearby Arlington Mill Community Center.

  College and Post-High School Prep Top Priority for APS

Senior year of high school can be demanding. Besides making sure that they have the credits and grades to graduate, students have to get ready for college. That includes visiting colleges, applying to schools, securing financial aid information and much more. This fall, graduates of the Arlington Public Schools class of 2009 will attend one of 266 colleges across the country.

APS provides a number of support options for high school students to prepare them for college or to help transition them into the workforce. "Providing students with information about the college admissions process is an important part of preparing them for a successful college experience," said Assistant Superintendent of Student Services Dr. Alvin Crawley.

College prep activities for students include class, small group and individual meetings, college searches, the annual APS College Fair, college visits and assistance with applications, transcripts, scholarships and financial aid documents. There are also four major initiatives designed to support students in their desire to attend college.

College Summit
Both Washington-Lee and Wakefield participate in College Summit, a national nonprofit organization that partners with schools and districts to strengthen the college-going culture and increase college enrollment rates, so that all students graduate careerready and college-ready.

College Summit helps seniors with the college application process, securing financial aid, selecting majors, adjusting to campus life, and developing leadership skills. The program has grown from 25 students in 2006-07 to 65 students last year. In the 2007–08 school year, 95 percent of students participating in College Summit completed at least one application. College Summit is unique because it is an elective course where students can receive credit towards graduation.

"This class has been very helpful. We accomplished many goals, including obtaining scholarships and writing personal statements that helped us be accepted into colleges," said Wakefield senior Jahzell Delgado.

Early Identification Program (EIP)
The George Mason Early Identification Program began in 1987 as a partnership between Fairfax Public Schools and George Mason University. Arlington joined that partnership in 1988 with three students. Today, there are 125 Arlington students in the program.

EIP prepares students in grades 8-12 who could be the first in their families to attend college in the United States and works to identify students who have academic potential and need further support.

The Pathway to Baccalaureate Program
The Pathway to the Baccalaureate Program increases access to higher education for selected Northern Virginia high school students who have both the desire and the capacity to achieve a baccalaureate degree. Over 240 seniors representing all APS high schools and secondary alternative programs participated in the program during the 2008-2009 school year. A school-site counselor provides students guidance in the areas of college selection, admission requirements, financial aid, social adjustment to college, and scholarships. Upon graduation from APS, students attend a range of colleges and universities. One of the key features of the Pathway Program is the option for students who have successfully completed a program at Northern Virginia Community College to gain an automatic admission to George Mason University.

Governor's Career and Technical Academy
Created in the fall of 2008, the Governor's Academy adds dualenrollment courses with Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) and a focus on integrative Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education. Dual enrollment students must pass NOVA entrance exams, and meet all high school and NOVA attendance requirements while maintaining a C or better average in dual enrollment classes in order to transfer credit to four-year colleges or universities.

"Hopeful, excited, anxious, nervous and confident are some of the emotions that the 1,296 graduating seniors feel as they walk across the stage and receive their diplomas, and we are proud of each one of them," said Crawley.

To see a complete list of colleges that Arlington seniors are attending, visit www.apsva.us/colleges.

  Let's Give a Cheer

Arlington Career Center automotive instructor Mike McGhee and the Supported Work and Transition (SWAT) program's “Brown Box Lunch Program” received 2009 Virginia Career and Technical Education Creating Excellence awards. The awards recognize programs that challenge teachers to identify, initiate, and implement activities that provide exceptional classroom instruction or positive outcomes for students in career and technical education.

H-B Woodlawn science teacher Dr. Dat Le was selected as a Virginia finalist in the National Science Foundation's 2009 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching Program. Le was chosen based on outstanding performance in the classroom and his contribution to science education.