Morning Notes for September 25, 2024

Energy Startup Moves to Arlington — “Dandelion Energy Inc. has raised $40 million in fresh funding for the national rollout of its geothermal systems that heat and cool single-family homes and multifamily housing… It also comes following the relocation of Dandelion’s headquarters from Mount Kisco, New York, to Arlington earlier this month… By year’s end, [CEO Dan Yates, who co-founded Arlington utility management provider Opower Inc.] plans to staff about 15 people at new offices at 1515 N. Courthouse Road.” [ WBJ ]

Food Waste Collection Pilot — “Arlington residents have answered the call to feed the green machines deployed to collect food scraps and food-soiled paper to divert them from trash bins. To date, more than 11,000 pounds of food waste has been collected since the launch of the Solid Waste Bureau’s pilot program in early July, which seeks to expand the County’s ability to compost food scraps and prevent waste.” [ Arlington County ]

Open House for Long Bridge Trail — “Learn about Arlington’s Long Bridge Drive Multimodal Connection Project , which aims to improve transportation for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. Attend the Concept Design Open House on Thursday, September 26, from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM.” [ Twitter ]

Latino Festival Friday Evening — “The Arlington County government will host the 2024 Festival Latinoamericano on Friday, Sept. 27 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Arlington Mill Community Center. The free event will feature delicious food, captivating performances and a warm community atmosphere, organizers said.” [ GazetteLeader ]

Beyer Introduces AI Bill — ” U.S. Representatives Deborah Ross (NC-02) and Don Beyer (VA-08) introduced the bicameral Secure Artificial Intelligence Act, legislation to enhance the monitoring and management of security and safety incidents and risks related to artificial intelligence.” [ Press Release ]

GMU Admission Pilot Program — “Some Northern Virginia seniors will be admitted to George Mason University without having to fill out an application, as part of a pilot program that aims to address the falling number of underrepresented students applying to college… At a school board meeting last week, Arlington Public Schools Superintendent Francisco Durán said students at Wakefield and Washington-Liberty High Schools, as well as the Arlington Career Center, will have access to the program.” [ WTOP ]

Old Post Chapel Temporarily Closed — From Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall: “Old Post Chapel will be closed until Nov. 9 for pipe organ restoration and audio upgrades.” [ Twitter ]

New F.C. Library Director — “Megan Dotzler has been hired as the new Library Director for Mary Riley Styles Public Library (MRSPL) in the City of Falls Church… Dotzler joins MRSPL from the Arlington Public Library in Arlington, Virginia, where she was head of Central Library youth services and before that branch manager for Arlington’s Aurora Hills location.” [ City of Falls Church ]

Whooping Cough Cases Rising — “The United States is seeing a rise in the number of whooping cough cases. Nationally in 2024, cases are nearly five times higher than the previous year. In Virginia, there have been 424 cases so far in 2024, compared with 72 in 2023 — an increase of 488 percent.” [ Patch ]

It’s Wednesday — Expect showers and possible thunderstorms today. Patchy fog may occur before noon. The day will otherwise be cloudy with a high near 73 and a southeast wind around 9 mph. There’s a 60% chance of precipitation, with new rainfall amounts ranging from a tenth to a quarter of an inch, or higher in thunderstorms. Wednesday night, there’s a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, with cloudy conditions, a low around 68, and a south wind at 7 mph. [ NWS ]