Arlington County Government, VA / Around Arlington

The Arlington Art Truck delivers cultural experiences to where you live, work and play. Outfitted with both digital and traditional creative tools, this ordinary van is a mobile tool box for artists-in-residence to engage you in the creative process!

arlingtonarts.org

This inspirational story illustrates how teaching and learning touches everyone involved at Arlington Weaves, Etc.

Arlington Weaves, Etc. is a group of artists/weavers with developmental disabilities. The program is operated by ServiceSource, on a contract basis with the Arlington County Department of Human Services

We visited Oakgrove Park and witnessed the creative solutions Landscape Architect Kathy von Bredow and her team used when redesigning the playground.

Arlington County Manager Mark Schwartz explains the new projects map function on the My Arlington page.

https://my.arlingtonva.us/projects

ATV's regular roundup of news and notes. In this edition:

Thanksgiving closure schedule 0:20

Fill The Cruiser 0:54

Made In Arlington 1:40

StreetBeat: Washington Blvd 2:22

Leaf Collection 4:15

Additional County Board Meeting 4:44

ATV's regular roundup of news and notes. In this edition:

Town Hall on Opioids 0:25
Arlington top location for conventions and business meetings 0:58
Mulch recycling program 1:30
Washington Boulevard striping plan 3:32
Yowhatan Skate Park Re-design 4:07
Check your smoke alarms 4:40
Watch out for trick or treaters 5:11

Arlington TV's regular roundup of news and notes from Around Arlington. In this edition:
0:23 We're holding a series of roundtable discussions on the upcoming budget
1:10 There's a bigger gymnastics facility at Barcroft
4:41 Real estate and personal property taxes are due Oct 5
4:06 Emergency Prep
1:43 Street Beat segment on some changes to Wilson Blvd near Dominion Hills.

ATV's regular roundup of news and notes. In this edition, we take a tour of Arlington's Earth Products Recycling Yard. We also celebrate some awards, we look forward the Arlington County Fair and the Police, Fire and Emergency Management's Block Party and we share some tips for staying out of the heat.

arlingtoncountyfair.us

Approximately 70,000 bees were saved and hundreds of pounds of honey recycled from a building in Arlington, Virginia

ATV's regular roundup of news and notes. In this edition, we take a look at the long-planned sidewalk upgrade on Old Dominion. Bluemont Park renovations celebrate with a ribbon cutting. The county has to BEE careful at a building in Nauck. JFAC is holding an informational meeting on bus storage in the county, which you can stream live right here. The Office of Emergency Management held a HERricane. The Office of Human Rights annual conference on work place discrimination looked at "Overcoming Barriers for Employment and Advancement of Females and Minorities." And we hold a meeting... in a bowl?

ATV's regular roundup of news and notes. In this edition, County Board Chair Jay Fisette reflects on his time with the Board at the State of the County speech, Arlington gets a huge honor from the American Planning Association, the Four Mile Run Valley and the Open Spaces Master Plans have public forums scheduled, and the Joint Facilities Advisory Commission reports to the County Board.

ATV's regular roundup of notes and news. In this one, we wrap up the JFAC Public Forum and look forward to the Women of Vision awards. Also, the Country joins many cities, states, and businesses around the country who claim "We're Are Still In" to the Paris Accord, we count up our flora and fauna, and it's time for the annual gang prevention summer soccer tournament again.

ATV's regular roundup of news and notes. In this edition, we attend the opening of the Crystal City multi-modal center and we look forward to the JFAC Interactive Public Forum on May 24 at Wakefield High School. There's also an emotional ceremony for a fallen police officer, and new historical markers at Jennie Dean park.

ATV's regular roundup of news and notes. This edition attends a ceremony commemorating the 100th anniversary of the US entry into World War I. Also, a call for Foster Parents, and an extended deadline for nominations for the annual Women of Vision Awards. We look forward to the very first Arlington Palooza on April 29 and we look again at all the amazing activity going on at the Arlington County Trades Center.

ATV's regular roundup of news and notes from around Arlington. In this episode we take a behind the scenes tour of the Trades Center and also welcome a lot of new American citizens.

ATV's regular roundup of news and notes. In this edition we check in on the public roundtables that the Joint Facility Advisory Commission has been holding. In other stories, it's spring which means free mulch pickup and street paving work coming to your neighborhood.

ATV's regular round up of news and notes. In this edition we celebrate Black History Month with a historic marker commemoration in Hall's Hill and the launching of Project DAPS, an online exhibit examining the history of school desegregation in Arlington and Virgina. Also, JFAC is having a series of roundtables in March which you can register to attend at commissions.arlingtonva.us

ATV's regular roundup of all the news and notes around Arlington. In this edition, we join the newly appointed Joint Facilities Advisory Commission as they get to work. We also take in the exciting announcement that Nestlé USA has chosen Arlington as their new corporate headquarters. They'll move in to the 1812 N. Moore Street building. We also check out the new car decal and look forward to the annual Feel the Heritage festival at Charles Drew Community Center on February 26. Lastly, ATV has launched a daily show, Arlington Today, subscribe to our You Tube channel to get it first every day.

ATV's regular round up of all the news and notes from around Arlington. In this edition, we visit an Arlington County Police Dept. community outreach program that's been going strong for two years. There's also community meetings coming up to design Lubber Run's new community center, and discuss safety issues for pedestrians and bicyclists on Washington Blvd. You can also see the calendar for all 2017 Board Meetings and check the agenda for January's, including items for public comment. We revisit an inspiring ceremony honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. and look forward to a month of events honoring African American History in February. And finally, real estate values are up in Arlington, both residential and commercial. You can check yours by going to topics.arlingtonva.us/realestate.

In this edition of Around Arlington, the County Board kicks off 2017 with it's traditional Organizational Meeting, nominating Jay Fisette for Board Chair, and Katie Cristol as Vice-Chair. It's also time to get ready for winter weather, and in a new "Street Beat" segment, we look back on a year's worth of paving efforts. The county will be closed twice in the coming week for MLK Day and the Presidential Inauguration. And on Sunday, January 15th, the 48th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial tribute will take place at Wakefield High School.

In this edition of Around Arlington, we take a look at the recent public design workshops for the Four Mile Run Valley initiative. We also pay homage to the 2016 James B. Hunter Human Rights honorees, drop in on Board Chair Libby Garvey's latest swearing in ceremony, and look forward to some holiday closings. With the year winding down, we look forward to the 2017 County Board Organizational meeting, which will take place on Tues., January 3rd at 6 pm in the County Board room at 2100 Clarendon Blvd.

ATV's regular round up of news and notes. In this edition, the County and School Boards have kicked off the FY 2018 budget process with their traditional opening forum. Both Boards want to hear from the community so please go to budget.arlingtonva.us or the APS website and let your voice be heard. We also attend the opening of Quincy Park, the first in Arlington to incorporate state of the art Universal Design elements. It's a beautiful new public space! Also, with the holiday season here, it's time to give! Bring toys to the Police department until Dec 16 and they'll dispense to children in need through their Fill the Cruiser program. You can also take part in DHS' Secret Santa program by delivering a $25 gift card or check to DHS by Dec. 16.

ATV's regular roundup of news and notes. In this edition, our Commuter Services get a big honor, we get ready for the election and the Marine Corps Marathon, and our Street Beat takes a look at the creative ways that our heavy equipment operators prepare for the winter season ahead. Don't forget to vote!

ATV's regular round up of news and notes around Arlington. In this edition we hear everything you could want to know about the county's fall leaf collection and mulch program. It's also time to register to vote, and we take a moment to acknowledge Domestic Violence Awareness month and promote Project Peace. There's a new pop-up library in Crystal City, restoration work going on at Four Mile Run, and the county hit an all time high in tourism revenues.

ATV's regular roundup of news and notes. In this edition, we commemorate 9/11 and celebrate "Parking Day." We also look forward to our digital destiny, celebrate Hispanic heritage and in the most recent Street Beat segment we take a trip down into the Minor Hill Reservoir.

ATV's regular round up of news and notes. In this edition, we hit the Street Beat to find out how the county ensures our bridges are safe. Also, another public meeting to discuss temporary location for Fire 10 will be held and we attend the Police Department's block party and hang out with the dogs in Shirlington. Upcoming events include 9/11 commemorations and it's back to school time in Arlington!

ATV's regular round up of all the news and notes from around Arlington. In this edition, we tips to beat the heat, and the county wants to help you plant some trees. Arlington was named the #1 Digital County in the nation for its size. We take a look at the Complete Streets effort with DES and look forward to the 2016 County Fair

ATV's regular roundup of news and notes. In this edition, we check in with the Street Beat team to learn about upcoming SafeTrack Surge plans and we visit the annual Women of Vision awards. We also take a look at the County Board's recent statement that Arlington is an inclusive and welcoming community. We visit a rare Magnolia Bog, meet a new Police Chief for a Day and check out a great new piece of public art.

ATV's regular roundup of news and notes from Around Arlington, in this edition County Manager Mark Schwartz stops by to discuss the Capital Improvement Plan. We also take a walking tour of Four Mile Run Valley and the county pledges it's support for the LGBT community. We get an award for walkability, former students and staff of John H. Langston Elementary School share their memories, and we ask residents to share their ideas on how the county can help its business thrive.

ATV's regular roundup of news and notes. In this edition, we talk with Director of Transportation regarding Arlington's response to WMATA's "Safetrack" program, and pay some thanks to all the folks who keep our streets repaired on a new Streetbeat. Also, spraygrounds and farmers markets herald summer officially open, the library's summer reading program begins, and we honor the original volunteer heroes of Hall's Hill's Fire Station No. 8.

ATV's regular roundup of all the news and notes from Around Arlington. In this edition, we focus on the County's recent Small Business Summit. We also take a look at some of the recent personnel changes the County has made to service it's community better, and look at the recently announced Four Mile Run Valley development working group.

ATV's regular roundup of all the news and notes from Around Arlington. In this edition, we focus on the County's recent Small Business Summit. We also take a look at some of the recent personnel changes the County has made to service it's community better, and look at the recently announced Four Mile Run Valley development working group.

ATV's regular roundup of all the news and notes from Around Arlington. In this edition, the Crystal City Transitway is now open! And StreetBeat takes us to the ribbon cutting to let us know why it's important. We also celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Arlington County Civic Federation, the 40th anniversay of the Arlington Education Employment Program, and plant a pinwheel garden for child protection services. Plus, don't miss the free Small Business Summit coming up on May 6.

ATV's regular roundup of news and notes. In this edition, Arlington's Health Director Dr. Reuben Varghese, discusses what we need to know about the Zika virus and general control of the mosquito population. In other news, Crystal City is bringing back 5K Fridays for the month ofApril. The department of Parks and Recreation is looking for help in funding ADA updates to a community garden, the ACPD has a new online resource to help you track crime, the county is seeking a new poet laureate, and Arlington Reads program returns for another year of great reading.

ATV's regular roundup of news and notes. In this edition we make a call for the Pothole Busters, go to an Alice in Wonderland themed ball, introduce year round yard waste, check out the new courts at Virginia Highland Park, make a call for nominations for Women of Vision 2016, and dust off an old old, song.

ATV's regular round up of all the news and notes from Around Arlington. In this edition, we speak with Arlington County Manager Mark Schwartz about the work in progress to develop the FY 2017 budget. Also, the county launches Text 9-1-1, the Design Arlington award winners are honored, the Lit Ball is coming up to support the Friends of the Library, and more.

The County is holding a Community Snow Forum on Feb. 24 at Francis Scott Key Elementary to get your feedback on snow clean up efforts. Also, registration for Summer classes is beginning, the county offers free tax advice for low and moderate income residents, the annual Feel the Heritage celebration returns, and in this week's Street Beat we look at efforts to make the I66/Washington Blvd intersection work better and safer for everyone.

Take an in depth look as to what the county contends with during an epic snow storm like Snowzilla. Also the new My Arlington App has launched and is ready to work for you!

Ever wondered what goes into to the county's snow removal efforts? Take a quick look to view just some of the statistics of this historic storm.

ATV's regular round-up of all the news and notes from around the county. In this edition, learn how to stay informed about winter weather, watch as Gov. Terry McAuliffe presents Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing with a large gift, check out the new pop up library at Arlington Mill Community Center, enjoy the Martin Luther King Day celebration and hear from the brand new County Manager, Mark Schwartz.

ATV's regular roundup of news and notes from around the County. In this edition, we welcome a new board and a new Board Chair as Libby Garvey was unanimously elected Chair of the County Board for 2016. Open Door Mondays have kicked off; Christmas Tree recycling program has started, the Arlington Police Dept. partners with Open Door, and the County makes plans for Martin Luther King Day.

ATV's bi-weekly roundup of all the news and notes around Arlington. In this edition, we say goodbye to two long-time members of the County Board, and welcome two new ones. We also roll out a new segment on County street maintenance, called appropriately "Street Beat." There's also the annual Secret Santa program, and the kickoff of the Nauck Town Center design process.

!!CORRECTION: THE NEW COUNTY BOARD MEMBERS WILL HOLD OFFICE JANUARY 1ST!!
ATV's regular round-up of news and notes from around the county. In this edition, the Lee Highway Alliance envisions the future of their neighborhoods, the Arlington County Board welcomes two new members after the November elections, the innovative Chefs vs. Chiefs competition helps raise awareness for AFAC, and new LED lights are helping to save money at county facilities.

ATV's regular round-up of news and notes from around the county. In this edition, the County's Water-Sewer-Streets Division holds a truck rodeo to get ready for the upcoming snow season; a new pop-up gallery highlighting the work of the Columbia Pike Documentary Project popped up at Arlington Mill; a change in the County's plastic bag recycling policy; an invitation to attend a charrette to plan the future of Lee Highway; a rare albino squirrel sighting in North Arlington; and we say farewell to a beloved member of the County's K-9 force.

ATV's regular round-up of news and notes from around the county. In this edition, the county's new permanent homeless services shelter opens; the eCARE recycling event was rescheduled to October 31; parking meter rates rose 25 cents per hour in the county; we're accepting nominations for this year's Design Arlington Awards (through Nov. 16); the fall leaf collection program is gearing up, and the public art program dedicated its newest public art installation at the Water Pollution Control Plant.

ATV's regular round up of all the news and notes around Arlington. In this edition, Arlington kicks off Hispanic Heritage month, we envision a new Courthouse Square, attend the dedication of the newly renamed Freedmans Village Bridge, and take an in-depth look at FirstResponders.net, a new technology to keep us safe in the event of an emergency.

ATV's regular round up of all the news and notes around Arlington. In this edition, a moving tribute to a brave public servant, three decades in the making. Also, a new way for teens to get around town, emergency preparedness month, and improved business services for the county,

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ATV's bi-weekly roundup of all the news and notes Around Arlington.

Community meetings about a new site are underway. In this edition of Around Arlington, we'll talk with Fire Chief Jim Schwartz about the site selection process, but first...

It's been really hot lately! Arlington's Department of Human Services reminds everyone to stay cool by drinking plenty of water, wearing light-weight clothing, and staying inside during the hottest part of the day. All County facilities are air-conditioned and open to the public. So stop by a community center or library to cool off and check out the many programs we offer. We've got more tips for keeping cool on our website at arlingtonva.us.

The Ball Sellers House is the oldest house in Arlington County. Built in the 1750s - long before air conditioning - the Ball-Sellers House is a rare example of the kind of home an ordinary person lived in during the 18th century. It's located in the Glencarlyn neighborhood and is open to visitors every Saturday through October from 1 to 4 p.m.

Arlington County is considering relocating Fire Station 8 to an area further north. Relocating would improve response times to a larger number of Arlington homes. Here's Fire Chief Jim Schwartz to tell us more. To learn more about the site selection process for Fire Station 8, go to the Projects and Planning section of our website. .

In the newest edition of County Board Wrap Up, Board Chair Mary Hynes discusses the Board's deliberations on Fire Station 8. She also reviews recent Board actions including approval of the Rosslyn Sector Plan, recruiting an internal auditor, new Capital BikeShare stations, and more. You can watch County Board Wrap Up right here on this channel, or stream it on our website at arlingtonva.tv.

The Third District Police Team hosted a Safety and Community Awareness event to help acquaint Arlington residents with their local police officers. Activities included free VIN etching to discourage car theft; a chance to experience what it's like to be a police officer; a distracted driving simulator; a K-9 demonstration; and lots of fun for kids. Learn more about police services and events at police.arlingtonva.us.

Well that's it for this week. We'll see you next time, Around Arlington.

Arlington TV's bi-weekly round up of all the news and notes around Arlington. In this edition, meet Mark Schwartz, the new Acting County Manager for Arlington. Also, we check in on the State of the County, go to the park, and hear about a Mongolian Community event.

ATV's bi-weekly round up of all the news and notes from around Arlington. In this edition, we have a new Police Chief... well, for a day. And we look at the new restoration plan for Four Mile Run. There's also the Women of Vision Awards, a tree is planted in memory of Affordable Housing champion Charlie Rinker, Drew Elementary school students celebrate their community with the innovative art exhibit Nauck Community Portraits, and we look forward to July 4th at Long Bridge Park.

ATV's bi-weekly roundup of news and events. This edition features an interview on the most recent Resident Satisfaction Survey, as well as fun things do to in the summer time, a new Chief of Police, and the annual Peace Officer Memorial Ceremony.

ATV's semi-weekly roundup of news and events around Arlington. This edition includes memories of the time when Clarendon was known as Little Saigon. Also, there's a great new tool on the website to follow the progress of street paving in Arlington, the County purchased a new plot of land, we have new voting machines to show off, and Neighborhood Day once again featured a Walk for the Animals.

Crystal City is emerging as a home for start-up and tech companies. Recently, Governor Terry McAuliffe, County Board members and others welcomed an important new company to Arlington. We'll tell you more about that later in our program, but first …

Senator Tim Kaine got a taste of what Arlington has to offer in terms of creative job training during his visit to a chef training program called La Cocina VA. It's a bilingual program that provides immigrants with the skills they need to work in a commercial kitchen. While in training, the cooks prepare meals that are provided to low-income families through the Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing. These types of programs often rely on volunteers. To help out, search for Volunteer Arlington on our website.

The demolition of Marymount University's Blue Goose building is nearly complete, paving the way for modernization of the school's Ballston campus. In its place, two attractive and energy efficient buildings will grace the corner of Fairfax Drive and Glebe Road. Both will feature ground floor retail and underground parking, and will be connected by an outdoor plaza. Blue elements will be incorporated into the new structure and plaza in homage to the bright blue building that stood there since 1963. Learn more about redevelopment in Arlington at projects.arlingtonva.us

Crystal City is home to a growing community of startups that operate in industries where government is a key player. Global startup 1776 acquired Disruption Corporation, Crystal City's leading startup platform, and is partnering with Vornado/Charles E Smith to open a new campus in Crystal City. Take a look....

To learn more about economic development in Arlington and the efforts underway to attract new business, take a look at the website "arlingtonvirginiausa.com"

Barton Park now features a quietly beautiful Healing Garden that includes the labyrinth that was graciously donated by the Whitman-Walker Clinic of Northern Virginia. The small park overlooks the Barton Street Community Gardens and the newly refurbished Rocky Run Park. Find out about other hidden gems in Arlington's park system at parks.arlingtonva.us.

Lubber Run Community Center has housed popular programs for decades and frankly, it's time for a new look. Planning for a NEW Lubber Run Community Center begins in 2016, but we want to hear your ideas now. Stop by the building on April 29 at 7 p.m. for a visioning session, where you can share your thoughts. A walk-through of the existing community center will take place at 6:30. For more, information, go to our website. We want to hear from as many voices as possible and hope you can join us!

April's County Board meeting focused on the budget. We take an in-depth look at those issues and more in our new County Board Wrap Up program. You can watch it here on ATV, or on line at arlingtonva.tv.

Well, that's it for now. Thanks for watching! We'll see you next time, Around Arlington.

We're a smart bunch here in Arlington and we may be named the top Intelligent Community in the World for 2015. We'll tell you how later in our program, but first...

Have you noticed the water tasting a little different lately? No your not going crazy it actually does! Each year, the Washington Aqueduct temporarily changes the water disinfectant it uses to clean the pipes and maintain high water quality for customers. It will revert to the regular disinfectant after May 4th. for more information, go to water.arlingtonva.us.

No more searching for coins with EasyPark! and you don't need a credit card either to park in Arlington's metered parking spaces. Instead, you buy an EasyPark device and add parking money to it. You can do this on line, on the EasyPark site, or in person at the Treasurer's office, at Courthouse Plaza.

Residents weighed in on priorities at recent budget & tax rate hearings on the 2016 budget. Be sure to watch the April edition of County Board Wrap Up as Chair Mary Hynes will discuss the Board's budget and tax decisions. You can review the proposed 2016 budget online at budget.arlingtonva.us.

Arlington's smart planning and smart growth has earned it a spot among the top 7 finalists in the Intelligent Community Forum. Longtime resident Joe Pelton was among the many people who have worked to earn us this prestigious recognition. To learn more about the Intelligent Community Forum, go to their website at intelligent community.org. We'll find out if we won in June. But even if we don't win, it is truly an honor to be nominated and share top billing with only 7 other communities in the world.

The Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing broke ground for construction on The Springs Apartments, which will add 98 new units to Arlington's affordable housing stock. Arlington has seen a dramatic decrease in the amount of affordable housing in recent years. The Affordable Housing study and draft master plan will provide a framework for increasing affordable housing options for residents. Community review of the plan is continuing throughout the spring. To learn more about affordable housing options in Arlington, check our website at arlingtonva.us, search housing.

The affordable housing in Courthouse are classified as historic resources and they will continue to be affordable even after the new development there. Planning has begun for an office building, public plaza, ground-floor retail and underground parking at the intersections of Courthouse Road, Wilson Boulevard and Clarendon Boulevard. The site currently houses a Wendy's and a Wells Fargo bank. The planned redevelopment will preserve the Wakefield Manor and Courthouse Manor apartments, which will continue as market rate affordable units. Well, that's it for now. Thanks for watching! We'll see you next time, Around Arlington.

Spring is here at last! Flowers are blooming, birds are chirping, and potholes are opening up all around the County. We’ll tell you more about our spring paving program later in the show but first….
County Manager Barbara Donnellan will retire at the end of June after three decades with Arlington County, including the last five years as County Manager. Under her leadership, Arlington has implemented nationally-recognized Smart Growth policies and continued the sound financial policies that have earned the County its triple-triple-A bond rating for many years. The County Board plans to name Deputy County Manager Mark Schwartz as Acting County Manager. He will serve in the position as we hold a national recruitment search for a new Manager.
Arlington’s spring paving program repairs potholes, replaces damaged roadways, and resurfaces streets throughout the County. We have a lot going on with DES this time of year. As a part of street preventive maintenance program our Water, Sewer, Streets Bureau identifies streets that need repairing or paving. This is a routine preventative street maintenance program. 24 to 48 hours prior to the start of the operation we send out door hangars that are delivered to each of the households. And along with those door hangars we post “No Parking” signs on the streets. Failure to obey those signs could result in their cars being towed so we strongly encourage people to look out for those door hangars and street signs. Some level of disruptions are expected such as noise, dust, and traffic detours, but we work our best to try and minimize those disruptions. And the end result really is a smooth, long-lasting driving surface.
We also have street name signs that are going up that will gradually appear throughout the county to comply with policy set forth by the Federal Highway Administration. The new signs are larger and they contain lower and upper case reflective lettering. They promote visibility, better navigation and thus safety. Although the Federal requirement is for new and replacement signs because of the improved visibility with the new signs we’re implementing the new style across the county. We’re starting the effort this spring and it’s starting with Wilson Blvd., Clarendon Blvd, and Crystal Drive and we’re gradually going to implement them throughout the county as resources allow. So there’s a lot for residents to look forward to.
For more information on the paving schedule, and to find out how to report a pothole, visit the transportation section of our website at transporation.arlingtova.us.
And, don’t forget about the brave men and women who fix our streets. National Work Zone Awareness Week encourages you to Expect the Unexpected, and focus on safe driving through work zones. The national kick-off event was held at Arlington’s very own intersection of Washington Boulevard and Columbia Pike.
Have you ever been confused while watching a county board meeting? Well, we’re launching a new show to help you out! County Board Wrap-Up takes a look at key issues from the most recent County Board meeting, and explains the Board process. In this month’s episode, Board Chair Mary Hynes talks about speaking before the Board, changes coming to the Courthouse area, updates to the parking citation appeals process, and more. She also talks about a tucked-away section of Bluemont Park that has been renamed Mary Carlin Woods to honor long-ago resident Mary Carlin, who was born nearby and whose family owned most of the woods for more than a century. Renaming the woody area makes it easier for first responders to find it in emergencies. To learn more about why the woods were renamed, tune into County Board Wrap Up, where Mary Hynes explains why the Board approved this request from the Bluemont Civic Association.
Well, that's it for now. Thanks for watching! We'll see you next time, Around Arlington.

The Arlington Partnership for Children, Youth and Families just celebrated 10 years of its Connect With Kids Champions program. It honors those who let young people know they are valued here in Arlington. We'll tell you all about that later in our program, but first...

Nerdwallet tracks economic trends, and it puts the DC-Arlington & Alexandria metro near the top of its list of best places for black-owned businesses in the country. We came in at Number 5, and Nerdwallet singled out the support that Arlington's small business assistance program, BizLaunch, provides in their success. BizLaunch offers workshops and seminars throughout the year for all local entrepreneurs and small business owners. Find out more by searching for BizLaunch at arlingtonvirginiausa.com.

It may be cold outside now, but the Parks Department is already gearing up for summer camp. Registration has begun! Don’t let fees be a barrier to participating, as assistance is available. Check the parks website for a list of camps, or call the office for help.

Do you know a Connect with Kids Champion? Each year The Arlington Partnership for Children, Youth and Families honor Arlingtonians who go out of their way to develop positive relationships with young people. This year 6 new champions were honored through the Connect With Kids program. If you want to nominate a champion or learn how to connect with young people contact Michael Swisher at Connect with Kids.

Celebrate Black History Month at Arlington’s 23rd annual Feel the Heritage Festival on Saturday, February 28 from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Drew Community Center. This free and fun event offers lots to see and do, including live music and dance, a “Hall of History,” fun for kids, delicious soul food and a great selection of vendors. We hope to see you there! Check the Parks website for the full program

Well, that's it for now, stay warm. Thanks for watching! We'll see you next time, Around Arlington.

We all want to save money on energy costs right? But what are the best ways to do it? Well, the Arlington Initiative to Rethink Energy, or AIRE, helps us make smart decisions about energy use at home and at work. More about that in a moment, but first…the new decal!

Each year, Arlington high school artists submit photos as part of the vehicle decal contest. The winning design will adorn more than 160,000 vehicles in this year.

The Decal Fee funds a variety of street improvement and signage projects. To learn more about where the funds go, and how students can get involved in the design, visit the Treasurer's website.

In January, the County made it simpler to do business in Arlington by adding online business registration and one-stop payments for building permits. And the County Board accepted grants to fund the safe routes to schools projects around 3 Arlington schools. Learn about these and other items by attending the monthly County Board meetings, watching them here on ATV, or reviewing past meetings on our website. You can also read about Board highlights in the County newsroom at newsroom.arlingtonva.us

Arlington County Board Chair Mary Hynes has announced that she will retire from the Board when she completes her term at the end of 2015. Her decision comes a week after County Board Vice Chair Walter Tejada announced that he will not seek the Democratic nomination for another term on the Board. The next general election will be held on November 3rd. Check vote.arlingtonva.us for information on the primary schedule.
At the recent Energy Journey Games, kids and adults picked up energy tips, learned about the latest technologies, and had a great time, too. If you missed the games be sure to visit the AIRE website at arlingtonva.us, keyword AIRE. And make sure you get there next year.

The Washington Post published a long article on Arlington’s successful efforts to reduce homelessness in the County. Our personal approach of identifying who is homeless and what their needs are breaks through the red tape and delivers services directly to those who need them. You can read the piece on the Post’s website at washingonpost.com.

Ok, that’s just about it, but remember that Arlington County government offices, courts, schools and libraries will be closed on February 16th in honor of George Washington's Birthday. There will be regular trash and recycling pickups. Check our holiday closings schedule for more info.

The annual year end video for Arlington, VA looks at Arlington's ability to continue to prosper through continual change through planning and civic engagement.

Arlington is getting ready for winter weather! With new equipment and ongoing safety training, our snow team is poised to respond. We'll tell you more about that later in our program, but first....

The Arlington County Board voted 4 to 1 to cancel the streetcar that would have run along the Columbia Pike and Crystal City-Potomac Yard corridors. Board Chair Jay Fisette said it was a painful decision, but necessary, as concerns over the streetcar project were dividing the community and overshadowing other important issues. He stressed that the Board remains committed to Arlington's smart-growth vision; and to the revitalization of both Columbia Pike and the Crystal City-Potomac Yard areas. For more information on the decision, go to news.arlingtonva.us to read the press release.

The Arlington Food Assistance Center is asking for your help to feed families in need. Food drives are a great way to help out. To set one up, visit afac.org and register your food drive. Then, download one of their flyers to help publicize it. If you have any non-perishable food that you’re ready to donate, simply drop by AFAC headquarters, or visit afac.org to find a donation center near you.

Arlington is gearing up for winter weather by providing simulator training for snow plow safety. We've also committed to removing snow from popular bike trails, and are instituting a pilot program to keep the bike lanes clear. Take a look... For all your winter weather related needs, visit our webpage and search Snow Central.

The financial planning site NerdWallet ranks Arlington as the Number One place – in the entire United States - for young adults to start a business. Some of the factors included in the study were networking and mentorship opportunities, access to funds, and a high level of education. To find out how to start a business in Arlington, check our BizLaunch site at arlingtonvirginiausa.com, keyword BizLaunch.

Well the Leaves keep falling, and Arlington’s leaf collection continues. County crews will collect leaf bags through January 9th on the first business day after your trash collection. Vacuum leaf collection continues through December 19th. Watch for signs in your neighborhood, or check the schedule on our website, keyword: Leaf.

Well, that’s all for this week, thanks for watching, and we'll see you Around Arlington.

Arlington installed a historic marker at the site of the Green Valley Pharmacy in a ceremony that honored Doc Muse and his six decades of service to the community. We'll tell you more about that later in our program, but first....

A recent house fire claimed the lives of an Arlington mother and daughter. The home had no working smoke detectors. The Arlington County Fire Department urges everyone to install smoke alarms on every floor and in every bedroom. You should also test the alarms each month, and change the batteries twice a year, ideally when the clocks change. And, you should replace the alarms themselves at least every 10 years. Make sure you have an escape plan, and practice it. For more information, go to our website, keyword smoke alarm.

Arlington’s Emergency Winter Shelter is now open for the season. This shelter offers men and women who are living on the streets a safe place to sleep through the cold winter months. For more information on shelters in the region, check our website, keyword, shelter, or call the Department of Human Services at 703-228-1300.

Find out the facts about Ebola and other infectious diseases at a town hall meeting on December 8. Local experts will discuss the impact of infectious diseases on our community. The meeting is free, and so is the parking, with validation. Check the County Calendar on our website for more information.

When Doc Muse opened Green Valley Pharmacy in 1952, he provided a place where African-American customers could get their prescriptions filled and dine at the pharmacy's counter. Six decades later, Doc is still working behind the counter, and Arlington honored his service to the community, with a historic marker in front of his store. Take a look. For more information on Green Valley and the historic community of Nauck, visit our website, keyword Nauck.

Just a reminder that Arlington County offices, libraries and community centers will be closed on both Thursday, November 27 AND Friday November 28 for the Thanksgiving holiday. The county will provide normal trash and recycling pickup on both days. Check the holiday schedule page on our website for details, and have a GREAT Thanksgiving.

Well, that’s all for this week, thanks for watching, and we'll see you Around Arlington.

November is Animal Shelter Appreciation month, and the Animal Welfare League of Arlington kicked it off in style with its second annual Golden Paw Gala. We'll tell you more about that later in our program, but first...

Congratulations to John Vihstadt, who was elected to the Arlington County Board on November 4. Vihstadt, who was elected previously on a special election, will retain his current seat within the county board. Be sure to Check our website for details on the swearing in, or call the Board office for the time and date. To learn more about all of the board members, check the county board webpage at county board dot arlingtonva dot us.

We are so proud that Arlington has met its goal of finding housing for 100 homeless Arlingtonians. The 100 Homes Campaign is part a larger national effort to prevent and end homeless-ness in our communities. To find out how you can help, or if someone you know is at risk of becoming homeless, contact Arlington's Department of Human Services.

Fairlington is getting a farmers market! The Fairlington Farmers Market will open Sundays, 9 to 1, starting in April 2015. It'll have local fruits and veggies, baked goods, dairy, flowers and more. To find the hours and locations of all Arlington farmers' markets, check our website, keyword Farmers Markets.

Ebola is dominating the news, but experts say you are much more likely to be exposed to the flu. The best way to protect yourself from the flu is to get vaccinated. You can get the vaccine at your doctor's office, pharmacy, and even some supermarkets. We've got a Flu Health Map on our website to help you find a spot close to you! Go to arlingtonva.us, keyword: flu.

Dogs, cats, birds, guinea pigs... and more are waiting for loving homes at the Animal Welfare League of Arlington. The Golden Paw Gala is just one way that the shelter raises funds and awareness of homeless animals in our community. Take a look. To find out how you can adopt one of the many animals in need, visit the Animal Welfare League of Arlington’s website at AWLA.org.

And a reminder that Arlington County offices, including libraries, will be closed on Veterans Day, November 11. Due to huge concert honoring our veterans in downtown DC, transportation may be affected, so you'll want to check the bus and metro schedule at commuterpage.com before heading out.

Well, that’s all for this week, thanks for watching, and we'll see you Around Arlington.

Fall is officially here, and that means that leaf collection is right around the corner. We’ll tell you when to expect leaf collection in your neighborhood later in our program. But first…

Arlington Cemetery is using the latest technology to help visitors explore the area. The ANC Explorer app connects families, visitors and the public to the cemetery's history by helping them locate gravesites and points of interest. The app is free and available for download via the iOS App Store and Android Google Play.

Commonwealth Attorney Theo Stamos and Police Chief Doug Scott will take part in a community forum, discussing trust and confidence in the criminal justice system on Oct. 15 from 7-9 p.m. at Wakefield High School. It’s a great chance to learn about how law enforcement and the community interact. Everyone is welcome to attend and participate. To learn more, visit the police webpage at police.arlingtonva.us

Arlington’s streetcar system is one step closer to reality. The Arlington County Board approved a $26 million contract for HDR Engineering, Inc. to develop preliminary design plans for the Columbia Pike and Crystal City -Potomac Yard segments. HDR will also work on technical specifications for the streetcar vehicles. To learn more about the planned streetcar system, go to arlingtonva.us keyword: streetcar.

Fall is finally here, and that means the trees will soon begin shedding their leaves. It’s time to get prepared for the County’s extensive leaf bag pickup and vacuum collection program. Leaf bags are collected the day after your regular trash collection day, starting November 3. Vacuum collection begins November 10, and is organized by civic association. Check our website for information about when the vacuum truck will be in your neighborhood.

And what if you don’t have a rake for all those leaves? No problem, because Arlington’s Central Library has launched its Garden Tool Lending Program. You can easily check out many tools to help you prepare for all the seasons, and make your yard look great. If you want to check out a garden tool – visit the Library website at library.arlingtonva.us.

With that green thumb still in mind, just remember that residents are responsible for trimming trees and shrubs on their property, especially if they encroach on public spaces such as sidewalks and streetsigns. This will help ensure safety and better visibility for everyone walking around town. To learn more about caring for your trees and shrubs, visit arlingtonva.us keyword tree.

And finally, do you know an Arlington resident, group or business that’s accomplished something significant for their community? If so, let us know! The Arlington Human Rights Commission is accepting nominations for the 16th Annual James B. Hunter Human Rights Award. Entries should highlight achievements that promote: respect, cultural diversity and equal rights for all residents. Learn more at our website, keyword Human Rights.

Well, that’s all for this week, thanks for watching, and we'll see you Around Arlington.

Fire Chief Jim Schwartz and the Arlington County Fire Department were honored by Arlington Cemetery with a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. We’ll tell you more about that later in our program, but first…

Arlington’s Circuit Court Clerk, Paul Ferguson, was ready to perform the first same-sex marriages in Arlington at 8 a.m. on August 21. But the night before, the US Supreme Court put the weddings on hold, as it considers reviewing whether an amendment prohibiting such marriages is constitutional. While we don’t anticipate an announcement anytime soon, you can keep up to date with all community news by bookmarking our newsroom at news.arlingtonva.us

The Arlington Employment Center hosted U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, who announced that USDA is offering up to $200 million in grants to train job seekers. The funds will be used to help recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to acquire necessary job skills. Learn more at usda.gov, keyword SNAP.

Wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a solemn tribute to the sacrifice of America’s veterans. Fire Chief Jim Schwartz and the Arlington County Fire Department were honored at the ceremony. To learn more about the Arlington fire department, see their website at fire.arlingtonva.us

In many Latin American countries, a notary public can provide legal advice, but in the U.S., notaries-public who are not attorneys are not authorized to do so. Unfortunately, some Virginia notaries have taken advantage of this misunderstanding. Governor Terry McAuliffe was in Arlington to sign a bill to prohibit non-attorney notaries-public from misrepresenting themselves and providing advice on legal and immigration matters. To learn more about this issue, go to governor.virginia.gov/news.

It’s back to school for thousands of Arlington kids. We’d like to remind drivers to watch for children walking to and from school, and follow all traffic laws related to school buses and zones. Be a PAL! That’s Predictable, Alert and Lawful - whether you are in a car, on a bike or on foot. Learn more at commuterpage.com keyword PAL.

Thanks for watching! We'll see you Around Arlington.

Arlington Police Chief replaced by 9-year old boy? We’ll tell you more about that later in our program, but first…

Arlington marked the 30th anniversary of Dark Star Park on August 1st by declaring Dark Star Park Day. That’s when the shadows of the Rosslyn sculpture align with specific markings on the ground. With the proclamation, Arlington also celebrated it’s commitment to public art. To find out more about Arlington’s public art program, which is among the most respected in the nation, and where you can see other pieces of public art, visit our website at publicart.arlingtonva.us.

On another design front, three concepts were unveiled for community feedback at the third Envision Courthouse Square Community Workshop. Each concept is a draft based on input collected earlier. The County is accepting feedback on the designs from the community to determine the right mix of elements for the area. The next working group meeting is September 17. To get involved in the process, check our website at arlingtonva.us keyword “envision”

Metro launched its Silver Line service, connecting Arlington to five new stations in Fairfax County, including McLean, Tysons Corner, and Reston. The new line joins the Orange Line on the existing Metro system. It will eventually extend to Dulles Airport. To learn more about transportation options in Arlington, go to Arlingtontransit.com

OK, relax…Chief Doug Scott wasn’t really replaced… instead, he shared his job with Patrick Omberg, who submitted the winning essay that transformed him from a mild-mannered Taylor elementary school student to Chief of Arlington Police – for a day. The Arlington County Police Department hosts the Chief-for-the-Day contest for students aged 8 through 12. To find out more about the police force in our community, visit our website at police.arlingtonva.us.

With the recent adoption of the County’s 10-Year Capital Improvement Plan, pedestrian and bike upgrades have been accelerated around the East Falls Church Metrorail station, improving safety and accessibility. And, Tyrol Hills Park can expect a replacement playground and gazebo. To learn more about the Capital Improvement Plan, visit our website and search CIP.

In other parks improvement news, the County Board voted unanimously to approve funds to renovate the courts at one of Arlington’s biggest and most popular parks. Improvements at Virginia Highlands Park will include replacement lighting, improved drainage and other amenities. To learn more about Parks improvement projects, go to our website and click on the tab that says Projects & Planning.

That’s it for this show. Thanks for watching! We'll see you Around Arlington.

Arlington held a ground-breaking ceremony for the Crystal City Potomac Yard Transitway, the DC area’s first dedicated right-of-way for public transportation. We’ll tell you more about that later in our program, but first…

Starting this summer, you’ll be able to pay for metered parking with your smartphone! The Parkmobile App, already popular in DC, is coming to Arlington. To learn how Parkmobile works and how to sign up, go to arlingtonva.us and search “Parkmobile.”

The Arlington County Board approved the Capital Improvement Plan – or CIP – to invest $2.7 billion over 10 years to support County infrastructure. This means funding for a wide variety of projects, including full support for the Arlington Public Schools improvement plan; park upgrades, a new fire station, Metro & the streetcar system. To learn about all the projects supported by the CIP, go to our website and search CIP.

Speaking of the streetcar, the Commonwealth of Virginia plans to increase its funding for the Columbia Pike streetcar by up to $65 million – bringing Virginia’s contribution to as much as 50 percent of total design and construction costs. The streetcar is expected to generate a substantial economic and fiscal return in the form of new real estate value, tax revenues and new jobs for the area. Learn more on our website, keyword Streetcar.

The new Transitway between the Crystal City metro in Arlington and the Braddock Road Metro in Alexandria will provide faster, more reliable bus service along the congested Route 1 corridor.

The Arlington Fire Department sponsors a 3-day camp that helps teenage girls find out firsthand what it’s like to be a County firefighter or EMT. The girls lugged hoses and fire extinguishers and experienced the physical challenges involved in firefighting and rescue response. The program is designed to encourage girls to consider a fire service career. To learn more about the camp for next year, check our website and search Girls Fire Camp.

And finally… It’s hot out there! Good thing we’ve got lots of places to cool off! There’s a public swimming pool at each of our three high schools, plus the Ocean Dunes Waterpark at Upton Hill Regional Park. And, we’ve also got spray grounds, which are great for small children who love to play under giant sprinklers. Find out the hours Arlington pools and spraygrounds are open on our website, keyword pool.

That’s all for now, thanks for watching! We'll see you Around Arlington.

In Arlington, we love our volunteers -- so we threw them a party! We'll tell you more about that later in our program, but first...

There's a new bocce court in town! You'll find it in the Clarendon-Courthouse area, in a small open space that used to be a vacant lot. Today, it's a relaxing environment for nearby workers and residents to enjoy, with seating for lunch and areas to play. Drop by and enjoy this new urban space!

In other Parks news, Fort Barnard Park is now open. Located just off Walter Reed Drive, the renovations include new playgound equipment, a picnic shelter, and landscaping. To learn more about Arlington's parks and to find a park near you, go to our website at parks.arlingtonva.us.

The Parks & Rec afterschool program, "Kids in Action," ended the school year with a parade and color run sponsored by Care for a Change. The program is part of Arlington's Partnership for Children, Youth and Families. Members work to encourage empathy and caring among young people, and the kids have a great time! To join Care for a Change or learn more about the Partnership and how they help Arlington's kids and families, check out their website.

Each year, Arlington hosts a reception to thank everyone who volunteers for the county. Did you know that 32% of Arlingtonians volunteer? In fact, over 10,000 volunteers donate over 500,000 hours to the County each year, saving Arlington over $10 million annually.

Hosting this volunteer reception is just one of many ways we express our appreciation for all our volunteers do. And you would be amazed at how much there is to do! These volunteers

Help at libraries and community centers,
clean up parks and streams;
coach sports teams
Teach classes
and so much more.
You can become a volunteer, too! Check out an opportunity that's right for you at volunteer.arlington.com. Use the search function to find a great match for your skills and interests.

We're excited to report that urban planning for Columbia Pike won the 2014 "Best Corridor Plan" from the Congress for New Urbanism We know we are on the right track with our planning, and are proud to be recognized with this national award. To learn more about Columbia Pike's revitalization, go to columbiapikeva.us.

And finally... Artisphere and TandemNSI recently hosted a Google regional conference. About 300 local software developers and entrepreneurs participated; learning about new products and networking opportunities. To learn more about TandemNSI programs, go to TandemNSI.com.

That's it for this week, thanks for watching, and we'll see you Around Arlington.

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On this episode of Around Arlington, the county retains its triple AAA bond rating, we take a look at the reduction in the homeless population in the county, and the new update to Arlington's Noise Ordinance. We also visit the new state of the art small animals facility at the Animal Welfare League, and celebrate all of Arlington's volunteers.

Artisphere hosted Tandem NSI's recent National Security Deal Day to identify opportunities for entrepreneurs. We'll tell you more about that later in our program, but first...

New transit stations along Columbia Pike will cost 40 percent less than originally anticipated, thanks to a review and re-design. Adjustments to the canopy, simplifying the design and using standardized parts allows the county to build four different size stations, and cut costs. To learn more about the transit stations and streetcar project, go to arlingtonva.us and search "streetcar."

The 19th Annual Walk for the Animals was great fun for all the participants. The walk raises money to support animal care and rescue services. To adopt a pet from the Animal Welfare League of Arlington, check their website and choose from the dogs, cats, birds, and others who are looking for their Forever Home.

Tandem NSI brings the resources of Amplifier Ventures and Arlington Economic Development together. Its Deal Day program matches national security entrepreneurs with those who need their skills. To learn more about events offered by TandemNSI, go to their website at TandemNSI.com.

May is Asian-Pacific-American Heritage Month, and events around the County focused on the contributions of Asian and Pacific Americans. At the Columbia Pike Library, visitors enjoyed poetry and a film from Nepal. And ATV filmed an Arlington Historical Society presentation on the "Little Saigon" neighborhood that grew up around Clarendon in the 1970s. Check our schedule to see this and other ATV programs featured at the library.

Members of the Arlington police department gathered to observe Peace Officers Memorial Day, honoring the memory of those law enforcement officers who gave their lives during service to our community. The commemoration took place during National Police Week, which has been observed annually nationwide since it was proclaimed by President Kennedy in 1962. For more information, or to donate to the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service, visit the national police week website.

The Commission on the Status of Women held its annual award ceremony to honor women of vision in Arlington. We'll tell you more about that event later in our program, but first...
Arlington celebrated Arbor Day at Barcroft Elementary School, with its 18th consecutive Tree City USA Award from the National Arbor Day Foundation. Arlington also honored 18 new Notable Trees and their caretakers. This brings us to 283 registered notable trees, which contribute to our ever-growing tree canopy. To see them all, check our website at environment.arlingtonva.us keyword notable.
It just got safer to walk and bike in Pentagon City. The County upgraded the area around South Hayes Street which sees thousands of bus, rail and bike riders each day. There are new traffic signals and crosswalks, as well as landscaping to beautify the neighborhood. For more information on the Pentagon City project, type multimodal into the search engine at arlingtonva.us.
Arlington recently celebrated the reopening of Rocky Run Park, which has something for everyone! For kids, there's a new tot lot and playground. Adults will enjoy the new courts, synthetic turf field, and outdoor fitness opportunities. Plus, there's a picnic shelter and landscaping that makes the park a great place to pass the time. Check it out at the corner of N. Barton Street and Fairfax Drive in the Courthouse area, and find any park using the find a park feature on the county website.
The Women of Vision awards are presented each year by the Arlington County Commission on the Status of Women as part of the celebration of Women's History Month. The awards are given to individuals who demonstrate a strong commitment to women's issues in the community. Take a look.
The Commission on the Status of Women empowers women in Arlington and advocates for their interests. If you want to serve on this or any of Arlington's commissions or advisory groups, apply on line at commissions.arlingtonva.us.
Friday, May 16 is Bike to Work Day, and what better way to finally put this winter behind you. Arlington is hosting six of the 79 pit stops throughout the metro area, with food, fun, and prizes. Register at biketoworkmetroDC.org -- it's free, and there's a t-shirt for the first 14,000 people who register and attend.
We often direct you to our website for more information, so you may have noticed a change in the way it looks. It's been updated and streamlined so that you can more easily find the information you need. Take a look at our same address, and click on the feedback button to let us know what you think!
That's it for another week. Thanks for watching! We'll see you Around Arlington.

Could changes be coming to the area around Courthouse Metro? Arlington wants your input and we'll tell you how you can get involved later in our program, but first...

Arlington has a new County Board member! Attorney John Vihstadt captured 57% of the vote in a recent special election. Vihstadt was sworn in on April 11 and participated in his first Board meeting the next day. He's lived in Arlington since 1981, and has been active in County advisory groups and commissions, the Civic Federation, and Arlington Public Schools. To learn more about our newest board member, go to countyboard.arlingtonva.us  

The Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing celebrated its purchase of the Arna Valley View Apartments. This adds 101 units to Arlington's affordable housing stock, in an area that was historically home to low-income residents. The Partnership financed the purchase by combining loans from three Arlington County programs and two Virginia state programs. For more information, go to apah.org.

The Arlington Civitan Flea Market is one of Northern Virginia's largest and oldest public flea markets. It's tucked away in the I-66 garage, adjacent to Washington-Lee high school. With more than 150 vendors selling goods of all sorts, you're sure to find something interesting. Check it out on the first Saturday of the month from April through November. For more information about vendors and items, go to Arlington-fleamarket.com.

Envision Courthouse Square is a community planning effort to re-imagine the County's civic center and create a great public destination. It's currently in its early planning stages. Take a look...

There are lots of ways to get involved in the planning process. Check arlingtonva.us, keyword courthouse square, to find out about upcoming workshops and meetings. You can also sign up to receive updates on the project.

The weather is nice at last, and it's time for spring cleaning! Arlington's curbside trash and recycling services pick up a wide variety of items, from yard waste to mattresses. You can schedule a pickup for appliances, and drop off hazardous household materials like rechargeable batteries at the County's collection site. For a chart listing things that can be trashed or recycled, check the Trash & Recycling page on our website at recycling.arlingtonva.us.

That's it for another week. Thanks for watching! We'll see you Around Arlington.

With changes in building construction, firefighters need to learn new techniques to fight fires that spread hot and fast through buildings and homes. We'll tell you about Arlington's new Fire Training Academy later in our program, but first...

How can you find out how many people are biking on our trails? You install a bikeometer! Our first bikeometer was installed at Lee Highway and North Lynn Street, where nearly 500,000 bikes whiz by each year. You can see how many have gone by on a screen and we'll use the data to plan bike routes and improve bike safety. To learn more about this, other bike trails in Arlington and bike safety go to Bikearlington.com

While bikes whiz by on paths, data whizzes through Arlington at speeds that are infinitely faster than anywhere else in the Capital region. That's because of the ConnectArlington broadband network. It was developed by Arlington County government to link County buildings and schools together, but now we're extending that super high-speed fiber to Arlington businesses. The service will roll out over the next year. To learn more, go to arlingtonva.us: keyword, connect arlington.

A new study shows that Arlington can expect a huge return on its investment in the Columbia Pike streetcar. According to the report, the streetcar project will generate between 3 and 4 billion dollars in benefits for Arlington and Fairfax over a 30 year period. This is between 2 and 3 billion dollars more than enhanced bus service would provide. To learn more about this study and its findings, go to arlingtonva.us: keyword streetcar.

Arlington Firefighters demonstrated their life saving skills during an intensive training exercise at Arlington's new state-of-the-art fire academy. Take a look.

Remember, you are the first line of defense against fires in your home. Make sure you have a working smoke detector and an evacuation plan. For more fire safety tips, check our website at fire.arlingtonva.us.

Arlington Library will host Ann Beattie and Richard Ford as part of this year's Arlington Reads program. Beattie will hold a conversation with Library Director Diane Kresh on April 10, while Ford will interviewed by Jeffrey Brown of the PBS NewsHour on April 24. Both events are free at Central Library, and books by the authors will be available for purchase and signing. For more information, visit library.arlingtonva.us.

And finally, the newest member of the Arlington County Board will be sworn in after the winner is announced. Stay tuned to ATV to find out when, and watch it live. All County Board meetings are open to the public, and each month's agenda can be found at countyboard.arlingtonva.us. So come on down on Saturday and meet your new County Board member!

That's it for another week. Thanks for watching! We'll see you Around Arlington.

You may have noticed a lot of construction -- and increased traffic - in the Rosslyn area. We'll tell you what's going on there, and why, later. But first, Changes are coming to one of Arlington's largest parks.
Glencarlyn Park serves thousands of residents every year who enjoy its open space and amenities. Now, the playground areas are getting a long-needed upgrade, so that kids today and in the future will be able to enjoy this beautiful outdoor space. The project is funded as part of the Neighborhood Conservation Program. To find out how your neighborhood can benefit from this grant program, go to the County's website and search neighborhood conservation.
The Arlington County Board accepted a grant awarded by the Commonwealth of Virginia to connect technology companies with national security agencies headquartered in Arlington. TandemNSI, highlights our ability to attract and retain successful national security-related businesses. To find more about TandemNSI, visit TandemNSI.com
Construction has begun on Central Place, the centerpiece of a new Rosslyn. However, along with the transformation, comes the reality of traffic backups. Let's find out more. Take a look...
For ongoing construction updates and traffic impacts, visit our website, keyword Central Place.
Later this year, over 160,000 Arlington cars will be sporting a new decal designed by Wakefield High School student Mobin Fateh. His design depicts the Crystal City Water Park and reflects the diversity of Arlington. Congratulations to all who entered. Interested young artists should watch for the announcement of next year's contest on the Arlington County Treasurer's website and in the Sun Gazette.
Well, that's it for another week. Thanks for watching! And we'll see you Around Arlington.

The Arlington County Fire Department has an important message for all residents to help keep everyone safe this winter.

We'll have those safety tips from the Arlington County Fire Department later in our program. but first, Arlington has been named one of the Top 7 Intelligent Communities in the world for 2014 by the Intelligent Community Forum. Arlington is one of only two communities in the United States to achieve this honor. We were cited for the construction of our own fiber-optic network and for encouraging economic growth in the Metro corridors while preserving neighborhoods, parks and open space. To learn more about how Arlington achieved this honor, visit intelligentcommunity.org.

And speaking of forward thinking, The County Board recently approved a plan to replace the Blue Goose, a 1960s style building that has graced the corner of Glebe Road and Fairfax Drive for over 50 years, with two, more energy efficient buildings. The development will allow Marymount University to maintain and expand its presence in Ballston, while adding apartments, ground floor retail and a public plaza. Several elements of the Blue Goose will be incorporated into the new buildings, including a blue panel design at its base, and a horizontal blue glass band, To learn more about the project and it's design, visit the county webpage and search, blue goose.

There were close to 50 carbon monoxide incidents in Arlington last year, as well as several fires related to improper disposal of embers. The Fire Department wants you to know steps you can take to stay safe. Take a look.

Remember, If the carbon monoxide alarm in your home sounds, immediately move to fresh air and call 9-1-1. Its important to make sure your alarms are UL tested, and inspected every year. For more fire safety tips, visit arlingtonva.us/fire.

February is African American History Month. There will be events all around the County celebrating African American heritage. To find what is happening in your community, and how you can partake in the various events, visit the county website and search feel the heritage.

Well, that's it for another week. Thanks for watching! And we'll see you Around Arlington.

Arlington's 45th annual Martin Luther King event held this year at Washington-Lee High School is one of the longest running tributes to Dr. King in the country.

Hi, we'll tell you more about how Arlington commemorates Martin Luther King Day later in our program, but first, we want to bring you up to date on the weather.

We've had a Polar Vortex and an Alberta Clipper. Whether the Groundhog sees his shadow or not, there's clearly more winter weather to come. The Arlington website provides information and resources you can use during a storm. It includes a list of contacts for reporting downed trees and wires, and streets that need plowing. Arlington's Emergency Winter Shelter is open during the winter months to supplement services to homeless people during cold weather events.

The Sun Gazette reports that the jobless rate in Arlington remains the lowest of Virginia's 134 counties and cities. Arlington's jobless rate is 3.2 percent, according to recent figures from the Virginia Employment Commission. The unemployment rate in the County follows a general downward trend in the region.

Arlington's recent celebration of Dr. King's life, featured music from the Duke Ellington School of the Arts Show Choir, dance from Lesole's Dance Project and a presentation by Arlington's own Joan Mulholland. A civil rights activist and freedom rider, Joan Mulholland was the keynote speaker at this year's annual Martin Luther King Day celebration at Washington-Lee High School. She was part of the infamous Woolworth's sit-in, in Mississippi, in 1963.

To hear more from Joan Mulholland's extraordinary life, tune in to the next episode of Here/Now, running on Arlington TV starting in February.

Volunteering on Martin Luther King's birthday as part of a National Day of Service has become a tradition. An important, and popular, volunteer activity is helping to clean up our favorite Arlington parks. Volunteers worked along a section of the Four Mile Run, pulling trash out of Arlington County's largest stream watershed.

There are two special, region-wide awards we want to tell you about. County Board Member Mary Hynes was honored with the Elizabeth and David Scull Metropolitan Service Award, by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. The Scull award recognizes local, state and federal elected officials for outstanding contributions to the Washington area. Receiving the Scull award symbolizes excellence in regional service while in public office.

And secondly, the founders of Arlington's Synetic Theater were named Washingtonians of the Year by Washingtonian Magazine. The award recognizes people who make the Washington region a great place to live. Synetic's creative dramatization of Shakespeare and other stories through pantomime and dance is a boundary-pushing theater experience popular with all ages. Congratulations Paata and Irina Tsikurishvili.

Well, that's it for another week. Thanks for watching! And we'll see you Around Arlington.

Using materials more often seen in highway signs, artist Alicia Eggert explores our relationship with time, anticipation and motion. We'll tell you more about Alicia Eggert's artwork later in our program, but first...

Four hard working entrepreneurs got to pitch their business ideas before a panel of celebrity judges during Ballston's version of "Shark Tank." The Launchpad Challenge program mentored 14 contestants as they developed their ideas into business plans. And there was not one, but TWO winners! The panel of judges included Caps owner Ted Leonsis, Aneesh Chopra, former CTO for Barack Obama; Congressman Gerry Connolly, and Mark Gruhin, of the Saul Ewing law firm. To learn more about business startup opportunities, go to Ballstonbid.com or check out Arlington Economic Development at arlingtonvirginiausa.com.

The work around the Clarendon metro is complete, and the result is an upgraded park and plaza where you can stroll, visit a farmers' market, listen to music, and, of course, catch the Metro. Improvements on the 1.1 acre park were done in conjunction with Metro and have yielded an active, multi-use plaza that's attractive to residents and commuters. The park is also home to the war memorial dedicated to Arlington citizens who gave their lives for our country since World War I. To find out more about park renovations or to find a park near you, check arlingtonva.us/parks.

Arlington Police participated in a recent soccer tournament at Washington-Lee high school to provide at-risk youth with a day of fun and teamwork. The tournament offers teens an opportunity to learn about community recreation programs, and builds trust between teens and the community. Research shows that youth with access to fun, productive activities such as soccer are less likely to become involved in gangs or engage in substance abuse and other destructive behaviors. To learn more, check out www.preventgangsnova.org

Sometimes a sign is just a sign, and sometimes it's a work of art. Alicia Eggert took her illuminated, billboard-style sculpture," You are (on) an island" to the streets of Arlington. Eggert's largest multi-media exhibition to date is on view at Artisphere until February 2. Check the schedule for her work and other exhibits and programs at www.Artisphere.com .

Arlington recently honored four community members with the James B. Hunter Human Rights Award. Leslie Alden, Richard Cobb, Thomas Kelley and Margaret Patterson were honored for their commitment to cultural diversity, human rights, and helping those with little access to government. If you are passionate about helping others and want to volunteer, consider joining one of Arlington's many community groups or the human rights committee. Check our website at arlingtonva.us search commissions.

Well, that's it for another week. Thanks for watching! And we'll see you Around Arlington.

This 2013 highlights reel looks at how the County "Moved Forward Together" in the past year.
The summary of accomplishments includes: the commissioning of the USS Arlington; opening of the George Washington University baseball field; urban agriculture task force food action plan recommendations; Capital Bikeshare station expansion; completion of the new Rosslyn Metro station entrance; reduced emissions in County operations; completion of new parks and play areas as well as nearly 150 capital projects; increase in the number of affordable housing units; opening of the new Arlington Mill community center; and more.

During the months of November and December, Arlington County collects leaves from residents who receive county curbside trash and recycling services. Residents can rake their leaves in loose piles to the curbside for Vacuum Leaf Collection , or put their leaves in Biodegradable Leaf Bags for collection. In a classic recycling effort, the County mulches the leaves and brush it collects from residents, and grinds them to create mulch that is available to residents. This year Arlington County is taking a proactive approach to enhance the leaf collection program based on citizens concerns raised last year with thorough research and planning. Find out more about this years leaf collection planning process.

In 2006, Arlington recycled enough leaves to cover the Wizards basketball court at the Verizon Center with a 18-story leaf pile!

Collection Schedule - Arlington 's Department of Environmental Services (DES) comprehensively reviews historical data, analysis of tree canopy type and density, the National Weather Service Forecast, the Virginia Dept. of Forestry Forecast, and resident feedback to develop our leaf collection schedule. The schedule helps us to better allocate collection resources and serve neighborhoods when fallen leaves are heaviest. Yet, even with all of this analysis and planning, it's still ultimately up to Mother Nature as to when the leaves will fall.

Commitment to Service - The leaf collection program is an important County service with nearly 100 people dedicated to the program each season and over 30 pieces of equipment including vacuum trucks, rear loading collection trucks, and loaders. DES begins planning early in the year so the program will run seamlessly and cost-effectively.

Each year, staff recruit and hire approximately 40 temporary employees, prepare equipment, train workers, and evaluate data to develop an effective collection schedule. Other County employees post signs, deliver bags, and provide processing and storage support. Still others manage communication updates and answer the phones. And even before the final biodegradable leaf bags are collected, many of these same employees are already working on Christmas tree collection.

In order to continually improve our efforts, we will survey a number of residents at the conclusion of each vacuum pass to assess the quality of the program. Please take the time to let us know how we did. We take your comments very seriously, and together, we can make this year's leaf collection program one of the best on record.

Hunger might not seem to be an issue in Arlington, but the high cost of living here means that there is some food insecurity. The Arlington Food Assistance Center, or AFAC, distributes groceries to over 1,500 families every week. More on the creative ways Arlingtonians are fighting hunger later, but first we have to prepare for the oncoming season. And here in Arlington we have 5! It's leaf season!And that means leaf collection.

Free biodegradable leaf bags are available at locations around the county. Bag leaf collection begins Nov. 4 and vacuum collection begins Nov. 11. Find out when the vacuum will be in your neighborhood on our website: arlingtonva.us keyword "leaf."

And remember, the leaves are recycled into mulch that residents can obtain from the county.

Talking of recycling, E-CARE events happen twice a year. That's when Arlington residents can dispose of household hazardous materials, or HHM's, electronics and much more. Nearly 1,000 residents recycled over 34 and a half tons of material filling two tractor trailers. But you don't have to wait til the next E-CARE event, Just visit arlingtonva.us keyword HazMat, to find a list of hazardous materials and locations to take them.

One of the locations to dispose of rechargeable batteries is at some of Arlington's fire stations. And the Firefighters in our next story have been helping to fight hunger. Along with three of Arlington's top restaurant chefs, three of the county's firehouse cooks went toe-to-toe in a challenge to cook three courses and raise funds for The Arlington Food Assistance Center, or AFAC.

AFAC has also teamed up with Arlington Transit, and Giant Food challenging riders and residents to 'stuff the bus' full of non-perishable food. More than 4,700 pounds of food were donated to AFAC who will deliver the free groceries to families, and elderly residents who rely on them. And AFAC are always looking for your help. If you need food assistance, know someone who does, or want to volunteer, contact AFAC at afac.org or call 703-845-8486.

The voting is now open for the 2013 People's Choice ABBIE Awards. Cast your vote by Nov. 1 for Arlington's Best Businesses! Vote for your favorites in categories like Best Brunch, Best New Business and more. You can vote online at arlingtonva.us keyword abbies.

And after you've voted for your ABBIE favorite, don't forget to vote on Tuesday Nov. 5 for Virginia's gubernatorial election. On the same ballot you can vote for your House Delegate, and a member of both the County and School Boards. If you don't know where to vote, you'll be out of town, or you have any other questions just visit vote.arlingtonva.us or call 703-228-3456

Well, that's it for another week. Thanks for watching! And we'll see you voting, Around Arlington.

Transportation and moving people through or around Arlington is one of the most important issues in our community. This is evident in the recent improvements to Crystal Drive and the installation of three high-speed elevators at the Rosslyn Metro.

Hi, more on those stories later, but first I want to talk about earthquakes, remember a couple of years ago we had one? Well, at 10:17am on Oct 17, millions of Virginians will take part in the Great Shakeout earthquake drill.

And this is how you do it, when you feel the ground shaking, DROP to the ground. Take COVER under a something sturdy, like a desk or table, and HOLD ON until it stops. You can learn more at www.shakout.org

Friends of the library Lindy-hopped back to the 1920s and raised thousands of dollars for the Arlington Library's early literacy programs. Dressed in period clothing, dancers did the Charleston in the Artisphere's ballroom to raise funds and support the 1000 Books before Kindergarten initiative. You can register for the early literacy program at any Arlington Public Library. For more information in both English and Spanish go to library.arlingtonva.us

Crystal Drive has been converted from a one-way to a two-way street. And new traffic signals help pedestrians and bicyclists cross safely. It's all part of the Crystal City Sector Plan to transform this urban village into a more vibrant and walkable neighborhood. To learn more about the new HAWK pedestrian and cyclist crossing system, visit arlingtonva.us and search 'HAWK'

You can now get in out of Rosslyn Metro Station in record time with the help of new high-speed elevators. Other improvements include a dedicated mezzanine area that's reached by a connecting passageway for better passenger flow. There's also an emergency evacuation stairwell for improved safety. To find out more about the planning process and 'Realize Rosslyn' visit arlingtonva.us/rosslyn

With its unique Community Canine Area, the James Hunter Park is now officially open. So if you live in Clarendon, work in Clarendon, or just visiting Clarendon, the park is open to you every day! The park is a short 3 minute walk from the metro station on North Hartford Street and 13th Street North. Learn more about James Hunter Park at arlingtonva.us/Parks

Well that's it for another week. Thanks for watching! And we'll see you Around Arlington.

We love our parks in this county, and there's a new one just opened in Ballston. We'll show you what's special about this park in a moment, but first let's get caught up on other news Around Arlington

It's time to nominate your favorite local business for the annual People's Choice ABBIE Awards. You have until October 4, to nominate any Arlington business in categories like "Best Happy Hour" or "Best Customer Service", you can even vote for the "Best Place to take a Date". To vote visit arlingtonva.us/Abbies.

One business that needs congratulating is Skanska, who have built Arlington's first LEED Platinum building at 1776 Wilson Blvd. This is the highest green building certificate possible, and means the latest green technologies available have been used.

Its official! Arlington Mill Community Center held a ribbon cutting and tour to celebrate its opening. The new facility has a gym, senior center and programs for all ages. It's open every day, so stop by and check it out!

Dogtober Day is almost upon us again. It's back at Lacey Woods Park on October 5 from 1-3. You can enter your dog in categories that include most adorable, cutest costume and more. Or just show up and watch the fun.

So, about that new park... along with benches, paths and flowering shrubs, it's got: not one, but two, bocce courts! Take a look as this ancient game finds fans in a new generation.

You'll have to bring your own bocce set to play, Bocce courts can be reserved ahead of time, or are available on a drop-in basis. Well, that's it for this week. Thanks for watching! And we'll see you Around Arlington

September is Emergency Preparedness Month, and there's a bunch of fun stuff going on that can help you be prepared. We'll tell you more about them later and take a look at a ceremony honoring those who are the most prepared of all -- Arlington's First Responders.

But first, the much-anticipated Arlington Mill Community Center is now open! This amazing new facility at the corner of Columbia Pike and South Dinwiddie Street has a gym and programs for all ages. Take a tour and attend the ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, September 21 from 5 to 7 p.m.

Students can use the ART bus to get around Arlington at reduced rates. Middle & high school students can pick up an iRide SmarTrip card for just $3 at local Commuter Stores. The iRide card also works as a regular SmarTrip card on Metrobus and Metrorail.

Another way to get around is by bike. BikeArlington is offering free classes in Courthouse and Rosslyn. RSVP on line for Two Wheel Tuesdays at BikeArlington.com/TWT. And, if you have a bike, make sure to register it with the Police on the Arlingtonva.us website, keywords: bicycle registration.

Bring yourself -- and your dog -- to the newly revamped James Hunter Park at 1230 N. Hartford Street in Clarendon. Recent renovations include a plaza, garden, water features, and a separate area where dogs can frolic to their hearts content.

Well, we all want to be prepared, but no one is more prepared than First Responders and sailors on the USS Arlington. Our community is still raising funds for the on-board 9/11 Tribute Room at events like the recent Navy League reception that honored Arlington's First Responders.

And, you can learn more about emergency preparedness during trivia nights at local watering holes. Or join VEST -- Arlington's Volunteer Emergency Support Team. Find out more at sites.arlingtonva.us/oem. And, don't forget to sign up for Arlington Alert to get emergency messages on your computer or handheld device at arlingtonalert.com. If there's an emergency, you'll want to know about it, and be prepared.

Construction at the new Arlington Mill Community Center is nearing completion on schedule and on budget. County officials were recently given a walk through of the facility just to check out the progress.

The 23rd Annual Rosslyn Jazz Festival is Saturday, September 7 from 1 to 7 p.m. in Gateway Park. This free event is headlined by Grammy-winner Poncho Sanchez. Come on down and enjoy one of our area's best musical events!

Andy Warhol's Silver Clouds exhibit is heading to Artisphere. You can be a part of keeping the Silver Clouds afloat by contributing to Artisphere's IndieGoGo fundraising efforts. The free exhibit will run from September 12 through October 20.

Tickets are now on sale now for A Night out with the Great Gatsby, the Eight-Thirteen Ball sponsored by the Friends of the Library. The dance includes prizes for best costume, a silent auction and more. It will be held September 28th at Artisphere to raise money for the Library's Early Literacy initiatives. Tickets can be purchased for $30 on the Friends' website.

There is an amazing ART bus design created by contest winner and 8th grade student Annemarie Dougherty who attends St. Agnes Catholic School. There was a fun ceremony to reveal the design attended by Arlington County dignitaries, staff and members of the general public, but the design has a serious message that the county wants to get across. Learn more about ART and PAL, and check ART bus schedules for your neighborhood at arlingtontransit.com. And remember the PAL message Predictable -- Alert - & Lawful on September 3rd when our kids head back to school.

Don't forget, September 2nd is Labor Day and all County offices will be closed.