Author: ARLnow.com

Mob Assault in Pentagon City — “At approximately 9:21 p.m. on December 26, police were dispatched to the report of a fight. Upon arrival, it was determined the group of juvenile victims were in the area when a group of approximately 15 suspects approached them and attempted to steal one victim’s clothing items. The victims attempted to leave the area during which one of the suspects struck another victim. The victims then entered a nearby business when the suspects followed them and a physical altercation ensued inside the store, causing property damage.” [ACPD]

Group Pushing for Performance Space — “An arts-advocacy group begins 2024 as it did 2023 – on the hunt for a location and funding to support a dedicated, community-based performance center in Arlington. ‘Our number-one goal for 2024 is to locate a site for a new performing-arts center, to allow us to move forward on this critical project with a capital campaign,’ said Janet Kopenhaver, president of Embracing Arlington Arts.” [Gazette Leader]

Arlington Library Director Profiled — “Library directors typically aren’t on the front lines of testy national debates, but with the backing of the county board, and a solid-blue constituency, Kresh has given a full-throated voice to fight against book bans. The Arlington native is using a voice honed over decades in professional and personal pursuits that led her through a 30-plus year career at the Library of Congress and through two marriages to men before she finally acknowledged she is gay.” [Washington Post]

VHC Holds Kids Xmas Event — “More than 600 people were on hand Dec. 21 as the VHC Health (Virginia Hospital Center) Pediatrics Center held its annual Coat & Toy Drive Holiday Party. Children attending the event received a collective 400 toys and 450 coats to make for a joyous and warm holiday season.” [Gazette Leader]

WHS Boys Off to Hot Start — “The host Wakefield Warriors start play in the annual three-day, eight-team George Long Holiday Hoops Tournament today playing well with a 6-1 overall record and a 1-0 mark in the Liberty District.” [Gazette Leader]

It’s Thursday — Partly sunny skies and a high near 58 with a northwest wind at around 7 mph today. Tonight, expect a low around 43. [Weather.gov]

Flickr pool photo by Jeff Vincent

Amazon HQ2 Employment Update — “Five years and a month after choosing Arlington County as the home of its second headquarters, Amazon.com Inc. has secured its place as the county’s top private employer, leapfrogging a pair of mainstays… HQ2’s headcount continues to stand at 8,000, an Amazon spokesperson said Tuesday. It has not changed since June, when the ribbon was officially cut on Metropolitan Park’s two, 22-story high-rises.” [Washington Business Journal]

Bethesda Woman Brings Gun to DCA — “Bethesda woman was prevented from bringing a loaded 9mm handgun onto her flight at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Christmas Eve, according to the Transportation Security Administration. The 9mm gun was loaded with six bullets when TSA officers detected the weapon among the woman’s carry-on items. The gun was the 39th that TSA officers at Reagan National Airport have detected at the airport’s checkpoints so far this year.” [Patch]

Avoid Arlington? — A viral video posted by Clarendon-based Axios earlier this month received some backlash in the comments for an attempt at humor — a takeoff of the “We’re DINKs” TikTok trend — that included the line “We’re Washingtonians, we avoid Arlington at all costs.” [Instagram]

Arena’s Expected Economic Impact — “An economic impact report released last Friday said the new Potomac Yard arena would create 30,000 jobs and more than double the economic output of previous development plans. The report came from HR&A Advisors, a consultant hired by the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership.” [ALXnow]

It’s Wednesday — Expect showers and possible thunderstorms after 1pm, along with patchy fog and a high near 56. The east wind will be 7-10 mph, with a 100% chance of precipitation and new rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch. Wednesday night, showers are likely with potential thunderstorms and patchy fog before 1am. The night will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 47 and an east wind at 6 mph becoming light and variable. The chance of precipitation is 60%, with new amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, though higher amounts could occur in thunderstorms. [Weather.gov]

Crash Closes George Mason — “Arlington County Fire and EMS said North George Mason Drive at North Buchanan Street was shut down in both directions after a car crashed into a utility pole. Fire officials shared photos of the aftermath on the X platform on Friday, Dec. 22. The photos showed a black car with its back end crumpled and the utility pole shooting through the trunk.” [DC News Now]

Free Arts Workshops — “The Northern Virginia Local Arts Agencies (NVLAA) is proud to present seven free workshops for artists and arts organizations, covering topics such as gallery representation, cultural intelligence, arts marketing insights, creating content in a digital world, and more.” [Arlington County]

New Clarendon Fitness Studio — “Cut Seven, a boutique fitness studio, officially opened its flagship studio on Thursday in the Clarendon neighborhood of Arlington. After a series of construction delays, the 5,000-square foot space, at 3101 Wilson Blvd across from the Clarendon Metro station, is now open. The new studio has indoor and outdoor space, as well as a cold plunge, sauna and recovery area.” [Patch]

Another Eight Years for Ferguson — “He’s usually the one doing the swearing – er, we mean doing the swearing in – but on Dec. 19, it was Paul Ferguson taking the oath of office for a third eight-year term as Clerk of the Circuit Court for Arlington and Falls Church. The oath was administered during his office’s holiday party by Circuit Court Chief Judge Judith Wheat.” [Gazette Leader]

It’s Tuesday — Expect rain mainly after 1pm, with cloudy skies and a high near 51, accompanied by a 6 mph east wind. Precipitation chances are at 70%, with less than a tenth of an inch possible. Tuesday night will bring more rain and a low around 48, along with a 7 mph east wind. Precipitation chances increase to 90%, with new amounts between a quarter to half an inch possible. [Weather.gov]

Flickr pool photo by wolfpackWX