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MANASSAS TAKES A STAND ON SOBs
The Manassas City Council voted Monday night to retain outside legal advice on sexually-oriented business — dubbed SOBs in city paperwork.
The goal of the resolution is to disperse any future sexually-oriented businesses to keep them apart to prevent “combat zones” or districts with a number of such businesses.
Spreading out sexually-oriented businesses will also allow the council to keep them away from schools, churches, day care centers, playgrounds, youth activity centers and libraries, said Manassas City Councilman Jonathan L. Way. (Inside NoVA)
ARLINGTON BOARD VOTES TO WITHDRAW FROM FEDERAL IMMIGRATION PROGRAM
The Arlington County board voted Tuesday afternoon to become the first community in Virginia — and one of the only communities in the country — to withdraw from the federal Secure Communities immigration enforcement program.
Following an impassioned presentation by board member Walter Tejada, and without further discussion, the board voted 5-0 to direct County Manager Michael Brown to formally notify Virginia State Police and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement of Arlington’s intention to withdraw from the program, which Virginia implemented statewide earlier this year. (ARLNow.com)
FERAL CATS AND THE DC CONVENTION CENTER HOTEL
At Shaw Main Streets’ development forum last week, the developer of D.C.’s new convention center hotel was inundated with questions and commentary from nearby residents about what the construction process will be like.
But none stood out more than an inquiry from a woman who wanted to know what would happen to a feral cat population living on the north block of L and 10th streets. She had taken to feeding the cats, according to Capstone Development’s Norm Jacobs, and was concerned they’d have nowhere to go. (Washington Examiner)
COLUMBIA ROOM GETS KUDOS FOR COCKTAILS
Derek Brown honed his craft in Japan, home of the world's most precise bartenders. Using a cleaver, he breaks down large chunks of ice and stores the cubes in a basket, where they melt as slowly as glaciers. Ask him nicely and he might carve one into a diamond. The private, narrow space is open just three nights a week. Your reward for getting in: the best martini in America. The process entails gin stored in a medical freezer, a crystal glass, and a thermometer (thirty-one degrees is optimal). It's an expensive privilege to drink here. But just like in Tokyo, the receipt is prettier than a college diploma. (GQ via DCist)
