The Arlington County Board has set policy determinations for development of the area around the East Falls Church Metro. The final plan is to be adopted within six months with emphasis on neighborhood-oriented businesses including a grocery store, public gathering space, a western entrance to the Metro Station, and better pedestrian and bicycle access. The Board pledges to preserve single-family homes, protect historic sites, and limit building heights to four to six stories where buildings meet streets. There is still concern from the neighboring residents, however, about the feasibility of the Board’s plan to reduce traffic congestion in the area by reducing parking at the Metro Station.
Capitals Development Camp
Stay cool and inside this week while you watch top hockey prospects and recent draft picks on the ice for drills and scrimmages during the Capitals Development Camp July 12-17. All sessions are at the Kettler Capitals Iceplex and are free and open to the public. http://ht.ly/2akhe
Washington-Lee Summer Concert Series
The US Army Band begins it’s “Washington-Lee Summer Concert Series” tonight, July 8th at 7:30 with the US Army Blues bringing their high-energy and artistic verve to this program featuring big-band classics and new compositions by its members.
The series continues on July 22nd with the US Army Ceremonial Band and July 29th with the U.S. Army Band Downrange with Washington-Lee High School student and Arlington Idol 2010 winner, Sophia Delmar.
The U.S. Army Concert Band performs August 5th and the U.S. Army Orchestra closes out the sereis on August 12th.
All performances will be held at the Washington-Lee High School Auditorium in Arlington and are free and open to the public.
For a complete schedule, including other local venues, click here.
Arlington and DC are launching Bike Share Program
A joint effort has been announced between Arlington and the District of Columbia to expand bike sharing tenfold in the region. Both jurisdictions have signed contracts for what will become a regional bike sharing system later this year. This expanded system will launch with roughly 1100 bikes at 114 stations making it the largest of its kind in the U.S.
Photo courtesy of Alta Bike Share who will be running the program.
Cherry Blossom Festival
Spring in Washington is my favorite time of year. Growing up here, I always enjoyed the annual trek downtown to the Tidal Basin to see the cherry blossoms in bloom. The “guest of honor” (the cherry blossoms in bloom) doesn’t always arrive in time for the annual festival, or may have arrived and already be gone, but some years the peak date of blooms falls right within the festival celebration and if the temperatures don’t get too warm, rainy or windy, we may be able to enjoy the blossoms through the parade.
For details on the Cherry Blossom Festival and its related events, go to the official festival site here.
The area around the Tidal Basin and East Potomac Park is the most popular place to visit and you can even rent a paddle boat to get out on the water and enjoy them there. But if you don’t want to fight the crowds at the Tidal Basin, try the National Arboretum which offers a self-guided tour on their mobile app or visit the Kenwood neighborhood near River Road and Brookside Drive in Bethesda/Chevy Chase which offers a seasonal walk. Blooms in Kenwood should peak a few days later than the ones in DC because of cooler temperatures.
For a walking map of Cherry Blossoms in Arlington, check out the WalkArlington site.
Sledding Allowed on Capitol Hill this weekend
According to local news sources, Senator Chris Dodd requested and received a waiver on the ban on sledding on the hill at the Capitol for the President’s Day weekend.
