Arlington Police to hold event to deter auto theft

The Arlington County Police Department is inviting citizens to a free auto theft deterrence event on Saturday, November 7th, 2009. At the event, car owners can have their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) etched into their exterior windows. Motorcycle owners will be provided with a custom set of micro decals that contain their VIN and instructions on how to apply them by trained experts. It’s a quick, simple process that can reduce the chances of theft, or in the event of a theft, increase the likelihood the vehicle will be recovered quickly.

This event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Arlington County Fire Station #1, 500 S. Glebe Rd. It is being provided FREE of charge by the Arlington County Police Department and the Virginia State Police HEAT (Help Eliminate Auto Theft) Program.

Pioneer Day!

Although the weather was a bit soggy, we had a wonderful time making candles, listening to great music, sampling gingerbread cookies and cider, writing with a piece of slate, and visiting the old log cabin and blacksmiths. Thanks to so many of you for going out and supporting the nature center. Thanks also to those who made their tax deductible donations to the Friends of Gulf Branch Nature Center!!

Police Investigate Attempted Abduction

September 14, 2009
MEDIA CONTACT: Det. Crystal Nosal, 703 228-4331; 571 221-1492

Police Investigate Attempted Abduction;
Suspect Tried to Stun Female Victim

ARLINGTON, VA. – The Arlington County Police Department’s Special
Victims Unit is investigating the attempted abduction of a woman in the
2000 block of N. Quincy Street. The attack occurred on Sunday,
September 13, 2009, around 6:45 a.m.

The 32 year old victim was walking near a bus stop when an unknown man
approached her from behind. He grabbed her around the neck, and they
both fell to the ground. The victim fought the attacker and screamed
for help. The suspect then attempted to stun the woman with a Tazer or
similar device. The stun gun did not work, and the suspect ran off.
This appears to be an isolated incident and there are no reports of
similar assaults.

The suspect is described as a white Hispanic male around 25 years old,
5′8″ with a medium build. He was clean shaven, with short black hair.
The suspect was wearing a black short sleeved t-shirt with yellow
writing on the front, and jeans.

People may have heard the victim screaming or witnessed part of the
assault, and police ask that they come forward to be interviewed.
Anyone who has information about this incident or the identity of the
suspect is asked to call the Arlington County Police Department at 703
558-2222, or Detective Michael Austin at (703) 228-4241.

Witnesses can also call Arlington County Crime Solvers at 866-411-TIPS
(8477). Crime Solvers offers a reward of up to $1,000 for information
leading to an arrest. Callers to Crime Solvers do not have to give
their names and do not need to testify in court.

Detective Crystal L. Nosal #1187
Media Relations/Legislative Affairs
Arlington County Police Department
1425 N. Courthouse Road
Arlington, VA 22201
703-228-4331
cnosal@arlingtonva.us

Tips for Staying Healthy This Flu Season

Hand washing is the single most important way to prevent the spread of swine flue germs, according to the CDC. Cough into your elbow rather than cover your mouth with your hand. When you are sick, stay at home. Get two vaccinations, one for the regular flu and one for H1N1, which will be available in the fall.

Recycling Compact Fluorescent Bulbs (CFLs)

After converting all your old incandescent to CFLs it seems like a waste to simply throw those used bulbs away. Properly recycling used CFLs is just as important as making the conversion from incandescents. CFLs contain a small amount of mercury, less than the amount in a typical thermometer, but enough that proper disposal is important.

There are various County locations as well as private businesses that accept used CFLs. Also, if your bulb is Energy Star certified and it fails to last one year it can be exchanged for a new bulb at its place of purchase.

Arlington County recycles used CFLs as part of their household hazardous materials (HHM) program. Drop-off locations include:

• Aurora Hills Library at 735 S. 18th St., 703-228-5715
• Central Library at 1015 N. Quincy St., 703-228-5990
• Courthouse Plaza Library at 2100 Clarendon Blvd., 703-228-3352
• Solid Waste Bureau at 4300 S. 29th St., 703-228-6570
• HHM Disposal Facility at 530 S. 31st St., 703-228-6832. Only open Saturdays.

Operation times for these locations vary, so please call for details.

Some businesses also accept used CFLs. We’ve included some examples and the nearest locations. (Note – by listing this information, ACE is not endorsing these companies.)

• Home Depot at 6210 Seven Corners Center, Falls Church, 703-534-9580
• MOM’s Organic Market at 3831 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria.

For more recycling locations and information, please visit Earth 911’s web site or disposal facts featured on Arlington County’s recycling web site.

Are you Ready? Are you REALLY Ready?

There is a disconnect in Virginia.  People believe they are ready for emergencies, but they are not.  Consider this: although half of Virginians think they are prepared, 71% do not have these four essentials:

• Three days’ food that won’t spoil, such as canned goods and packaged foods

• Three days’ water (one gallon per person per day)

• Working battery-powered radio with Weather Band and extra batteries

• Written family emergency plan

 Do you have these items?  This is a minimum list for being ready for emergencies.  This list is about survival … not about comfort.  Of course, you can add other things such as a flashlight and first aid kit – and you should – but this list is the starting point for being prepared. 

September is National Preparedness Month.  The goal for the month is to help Americans understand what it truly means to be Ready.  If you don’t have three days’ food and water, a battery-powered radio and a family plan, then you are not ready.  National Preparedness Month is a great time for you to begin.   

Start with a family plan.  You may not be together when an emergency happens.  Sit down as a family and plan in advance what you will do in an emergency and how you will get in touch with each other.  Write it down.  Go to www.ReadyVirginia.gov for a family plan worksheet.  Making a plan is free and simple and will make a difference. 

During National Preparedness Month in September, you may hear and see new Ready Virginia public service announcements on radio and TV stations that remind us to take steps to prepare for emergencies in our homes, businesses and communities.  September is also prime hurricane and flood season in Virginia.  There is no better time for you to get ready.  For more go to www.ReadyVirginia.gov, www.ListoVirginia.gov and www.Ready.gov

Emergency preparedness is everyone’s responsibility.  Are you really ready?

Arlington County Consolidated Plan FY 2011-2015 Community Forum

You are invited to review and comment on Arlington County’s Fiscal Year 2011 – 2015 Five Year Consolidated Plan. 
 
A Consolidated Plan is a blueprint for developing affordable housing, preventing homelessness, ensuring fair housing, expanding economic opportunities, improving neighborhoods, and more. The Consolidated Plan provides a vision to guide policies and the use of County resources to address these important issues over a five year period. 
 
 When: Saturday, September 26, 2009 
  9:00 AM – 12:30 PM 
 
 Where: Walter Reed Community Center 
  2909 16th Street South 
  Arlington, VA 22204 
 
Attend breakout sessions that include discussions on barriers to affordable housing; preventing homelessness; needs of low-income residents, which includes workforce training, energy conservation and financial literacy; and the review of the Affordable Housing Goals and Targets. Please plan on attending as your input guides the use of resources in this plan. For questions and further information please contact the Housing Division at 703-228-3760. 
 
The County provides accommodation for individuals with a disability that is covered (protected) under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). To request this please call (703) 228-7096 (voice and TTY) or email jrodriguez@arlingtonva.us . Spanish translators will be available at the Forum. For other languages, please contact dbennett@arlingtonva.us

Local Foods, Local Chefs

Starting September 15 and continuing each week through October 14, dine at participating Arlington restaurants and enjoy a dinner made with locally grown ingredients. Supporting local vendors strengthens our local economy. But supporting local farmers goes even further. You’ll be helping to keep farmland in production and your food is fresher when it was just picked the day before. 
 
Join County Board member Jay Fisette at the Local Foods, Local Chefs Kickoff September 15, 6-9pm at Whole Foods, 2700 Wilson Boulevard where you’ll enjoy some tastings and get a chance to meet local farmers and learn more about the benefits of local foods. And then on to the dinners! Each of the restaurants below will feature a dinner on their designated night made with locally grown ingredients. Restaurants will also feature information about the farms from which they have procured the ingredients. 
 
September 16 Liberty Tavern, 3195 Wilson Blvd. 
September 17 Santa Fe Café, 1500 Wilson Blvd. 
September 22 Willow Restaurant, 4301 N Fairfax Dr. 
September 23 Tallulah Restaurant and EatBar, 2761 Washington Blvd. 
September 29 Eventide Restaurant, 3165 Wilson Blvd. 
October 6 Restaurant Vero, 5723 Lee Hwy. 
October 13 Restaurant 3, 2950 Clarendon Blvd. 
 
To keep your brain as full as your belly, come to our series of film viewings and discussions at Fairlington Community Center (3308 S Stafford St.). All films will begin at 6:30. 
 
September 30 The True Cost of Food 
October 7 The Garden 
October 14 FRESH 
 
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. Support local farms! Support local chefs! Enjoy delicious food! Doing the right thing never tasted so good. For more information call 703-228-6400 or go to http://offices.ext.vt.edu/arlington/news/local_foods_local_chefs_arlington.html

Arlington Police Join Over the Limit, Under Arrest Campaign; Crackdown on Impaired Driving

ARLINGTON, VA -Arlington County Police Department announced today it
will join other law enforcement agencies throughout the country in
support of an intensive campaign regarding impaired driving August
21-September 7, known by its tagline, “Drunk Driving. Over the Limit.
Under Arrest.”

In 2007 alone, nearly 13,000 people died in crashes in which the drivers
or motorcycle riders were legally impaired, according to the latest
statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Among them were 245 children under age 15 – innocent victims of crashes
that could have been avoided.

“All too often, innocent, law-abiding people suffer tragic consequences
and the loss of loved ones due to this issue. Because we’re committed to
ending injuries, we’re intensifying enforcement during the crackdown.
We’ll be especially vigilant during high-risk nighttime hours when
impaired drivers are most likely to be on our roads,” said Lieutenant
Robert Medairos.

It is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or
higher in every state. More than 10,000 police agencies will participate
in this year’s mid-August through Labor Day campaign, including the
Arlington County Police Department.

The national Drunk Driving, Over the Limit, Under Arrest, crackdown is
led by NHTSA and combines high-visibility enforcement with heightened
public awareness through advertising and publicity.  For more
information on the crackdown, visit the High-Visibility Enforcement
Campaign Headquarters at www.StopImpairedDriving.org.

“Driving impaired is simply not worth all the consequences. Do not take
the chance. Remember, if you are over the limit, you’re under arrest,”
said Lieutenant Medairos.

Gulf Branch Nature Center

Tell us about your ideas, personal stories, and data points on how we can keep the Gulf Branch Nature Center open.  The Civic Association will be speaking in front of the County Board on Tuesday, March 24th and we want to be sure to capture all of your thoughts.  Thanks!