Author: ARLnow.com

Launched in January 2010, ARLnow.com is the place for the latest news, views and things to do around Arlington, Virginia. Started by a Pentagon City resident who has spent the past several years working in local TV news, ARLnow.com seeks to distinguish itself with original, enterprising, up-to-the-minute local coverage.

Church fire near Ballston caused $1 million in damage, ACFD says

By ARLnow.com
Fire response at Mt. Olivet Methodist Church (photo via ACFD)

Mt. Olivet Methodist Church suffered about $1 million in damage as a result of an early morning fire on Friday.

That’s according to the Arlington County Fire Department, which also said in a press release today (Monday) that the cause of the fire in the church’s attic “remains undetermined.”

From ACFD:

At approximately 2:42 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022, the Arlington County Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire in the 1500 block of N. Glebe Road.

Units quickly arrived on the scene and found fire through the roof of the structure. Due to significant smoke conditions and amount of work required to extinguish the fire, a second alarm was quickly requested bringing additional firefighters to the scene. The fire was extinguished within 30 minutes of dispatch time, and firefighters then worked carefully to remove material from the area of origin to fully check for hot spots or any fire extension.

Units from the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, Alexandria Fire Department, and Joint Base Myer – Henderson Hall Fire Department assisted on this incident.

The Arlington County Fire Prevention Office conducted a thorough origin and cause investigation and concluded that the fire started in the attic space; currently the cause remains undetermined. Initial estimated damages are $1,000,000.

Located at 1500 N. Glebe Road, just north of Ballston, Mt. Olivet is built on the oldest church site in continuous use in Arlington.

There’s no word yet on when services inside the church might resume. Mt. Olivet’s pastor said the sanctuary and preschool wings of the church were not damaged, though the music and education wing likely has “extensive smoke and water damage.”

The church held an outdoor worship service on Sunday, as covered by NBC 4.

Bread & Water has closed its Pentagon Row location

By ARLnow.com
1/2

Bread & Water has closed its standalone “cube” location in Pentagon City after four-and-a-half years in business.

The outpost of the Fairfax County-founded artisan bakery — which in addition to baked goods also offered coffee, tea, sandwiches, salads — first opened in February 2018 at what was then Pentagon Row (now Westpost). It was generally well reviewed online.

The business told customers in an email this morning, below, that it was closing in Pentagon City “effective immediately.”

Hey Bread and Water friends…we just wanted to let you know that effective immediately our CUBE – Pentagon City location will be closed.

We’re so grateful for all the support from our amazing customers here. We have loved our time at the Row, but we’ve got big things planned for our Alexandria location and sister restaurants (shout out to Bun Papa & BeeLiner Diner). We look forward to serving you at our other locations.

See you soon.

Reached by ARLnow, the business said it simply declined to renew its lease.

“Lease was just up,” said company founder Markos Panas. “Bread & Water and the team are doing better than ever and we’re focusing on bigger things… We are moving full speed ahead!”

It’s unclear what, if anything, is planned to replace Bread & Water in the small, standalone space at 1201 S. Joyce Street, near the shopping center’s plaza that hosts the ice rink during colder weather months.

Hat tip to Paul W. Matt Blitz contributed to this report. 

Arlington event calendar highlights (Oct. 17-23)

By ARLnow.com

Looking for something to do this week in Arlington?

Check out the following selections from our event calendar. If you’d like to see your event featured, fill out this form.

 

Encore Learning: Legal Expert Chuck Rosenberg on Current DOJ and FBI Activities

Monday, October 17 @ 2:30 PM

Online event (see link)

Arlington’s Acoustic Cafe

Tuesday, October 18 @ 7:00 PM

Walter Reed Community Center (2909 16th St S)

Homebuying 102: Finding the Right Mortgage for You

Wednesday, October 19 @ 5:30 PM

Online event (see link)

This is part 2 in our first-time homebuyer webinar series where we answer all your questions about the homebuying process: what makes up your credit score, how to get pre-approved, and loan options.

Ping Pong + Cornhole Tournament in The Plaza at Westpost

Wednesday, October 19 @ 6:00 PM

Westpost at National Landing (1201 South Joyce Street)

Arlington Reads: George Saunders

Thursday, October 20 @ 7:00 PM

Central Library (1015 N Quincy St)

Workshop: Portrait Painting in Oils with master artist Teresa Oaxaca, Oct. 22-23

Saturday, October 22 @ 10:00 AM

Art House 7 (5537 Langston Blvd)

This is a wonderful opportunity for those interested in portrait painting. Learn from master artist Teresa Oaxaca, a remarkable talent in both painting and teaching. Two-day workshop, Sat Oct. 22-Sun

5th Annual Shucktoberfest

Saturday, October 22 @ 11:00 AM

5th Annual Shucktoberfest (4021 Campbell Avenue)

National Landing Oktoberfest

Saturday, October 22 @ 12:00 PM

23rd Street Restaurant Row (556 22nd St S)

Fall Family Celebration

Saturday, October 22 @ 12:00 PM

Columbia Gardens Cemetery (3411 Arlington Blvd.)

Harvest Moon Tea Ceremony with Study Japanese in Arlington (SJA)

Sunday, October 23 @ 2:00 PM

First Presbyterian Church (601 N Vermont Street)

Highlighted items are sponsored

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com
Biking down Columbia Pike at twilight (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Parishioners Worship Outside After Fire — “The congregation that would normally pile into the pews of the oldest church in Arlington, Virginia, instead filled the green area across from the building on Sunday after a fire did enough damage to shut it down. Flames tore through part of Mount Olivet United Methodist early Friday, leaving members without a physical place to worship. But leaders say the fire did not destroy the real church – that’s wherever the people gather.” [NBC 4]

WaPo on Missing Middle — “It’s an idea that would do away with single-family zoning, which remains central to the American idea of suburbia. And it’s being considered by more communities around the country as their housing stock has failed to keep up with all the people trying to live there. Officials in Gainesville, Fla., hope the city might lower rents in their increasingly costly college town. Spokane, Wash., city planners think they could accommodate the influx of transplants who moved in during the pandemic.” [Washington Post]

Clement Wins Greens Endorsement — “Saying she is the one candidate who will do the right thing for Arlington’s most-in-need residents, the Arlington Green Party has announced it will support independent Audrey Clement for County Board. ‘She will stand up to the developers and bring an independent voice for Arlington residents to the board,’ said Mark Antell, a Green Party member and longtime local activist.” [Sun Gazette]

Bottle Throwing Leads to Arrest — “200 block of N. Glebe Road. At approximately 7:36 p.m. on October 13, police were dispatched to the report of an assault just occurred. After further investigation it was determined the male suspect was inside a restaurant when he allegedly threw two bottles at an employee, one of which struck the victim in the face causing non-life threatening injuries. The suspect remained on scene and was taken into custody by arriving officers.” [ACPD]

Fundraiser for Puerto Rico — “Join us in helping rebuild Puerto Rico which has been devastated by the damage caused by Hurricane Ian, recently. Yas Media is inviting you to a happy hour next Wednesday, October 19th at Buena Vida Gastrolounge. We will be collecting donations in-person and via qr code.” [Event]

Ebbin Quoted in Snyder Article — “But when [state Sen. Adam] Ebbin pushed [Washington Commanders owner Dan] Snyder on specifics, like how much tax revenue a new stadium would bring in and what it would ultimately cost taxpayers, Snyder had no answers. Nor did Snyder’s chief of staff or two lobbyists also present at his house that day. ‘It was a weird meeting,’ Ebbin says.” [ESPN]

Stranger Offers Ride to Kids in F.C. — “On the afternoon of Wednesday, October 12, a man approached a group of students walking home from Oak Street Elementary School and offered them a ride. The students declined and immediately reported the event.” [City of Falls Church]

It’s Monday — Possible light rain in the morning. High of 66 and low of 54. Sunrise at 7:21 am and sunset at 6:29 pm. [Weather.gov]

Saint Agnes School Receives 2nd National Blue Ribbon Award — Saint Agnes School (SAS) is honored to cap its 75th-anniversary celebrations with its second National Blue Ribbon Award. SAS was one of twenty-four private schools to receive the award in the… [Press Release]

Note: Items below the weather are promoted by a sponsor. Promote your content here.

UPDATED: Reports of armed man firing gunshots in Green Valley leads to police shooting

By ARLnow.com
1/7

(Updated at 3:30 p.m.) A man said to be armed and firing gunshots in the Green Valley neighborhood has been hospitalized after what police are calling an “officer-involved shooting.”

Officers swarmed the neighborhood after a dispatch, shortly after 7:35 p.m., for a man sitting in front of a house and firing gunshots on the 2100 block of S. Shirlington Road. It’s unclear what he was shooting at prior to police arriving on scene.

A chaotic series of transmissions on the police dispatch channel followed, including officers saying that shots were being fired, that the suspect was walking down the street and not dropping the gun, the sound of yelling, and warnings of potential crossfire. Shortly thereafter, the suspect was reported to be down.

Both police and the suspect fired shots, according to the Arlington County Police Department.

“ACPD responded to 2100 block of Shirlington Rd for the report of shots fired,” the department said. “Arriving officers made contact with armed suspect. Suspect and officers discharged firearms. Suspect has been transported to an area hospital. No officers injured.”

Later, police said the man is expected to survive.

“The suspect, an adult male, is in stable condition at the hospital,” ACPD said. “There are no outstanding suspects related to this incident. There is no apparent ongoing threat to the community.”

The Critical Incident Response Team, established by Northern Virginia police and sheriff agencies to investigate police shootings and other “critical incidents” involving law enforcement, “will conduct the criminal investigation into tonight’s officer-involved shooting,” ACPD said.

Several blocks of Shirlington Road remained closed for an extended period of time. S. Glebe Road was temporarily closed during the incident.

ACPD issued for following press release Saturday afternoon, identifying the suspect as a 44-year-old Maryland man.

A Maryland man is facing charges following an investigation into shots fired in the Green Valley neighborhood which resulted in an officer-involved shooting. El-Amin Mutee, 44, of Waldorf, MD is charged with Brandishing and Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Additional charges are pending.

At approximately 7:36 p.m. on October 14, police were dispatched to the 2100 block of Shirlington Road for the report of multiple shots fired. Responding officers encountered the armed suspect in the roadway and gave him commands to drop his weapon. The suspect refused to comply with the officers’ commands and raised the firearm. Two officers then discharged their firearms, injuring the suspect. Officers administered first aid and the suspect was transported to the hospital where he remains in stable condition. The suspect’s firearm was recovered on scene and the preliminary investigation confirmed shots had been fired. No officers or community members were injured as a result of the incident.

At the request of Chief Andy Penn, the regional Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) was activated to investigate the incident. Following completion of the investigation by CIRT, the investigative file will be forwarded to the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office for independent review. In accordance with department policy, the two officers have been placed on routine administrative leave.

There is no ongoing threat to the community related to this incident. This remains an active criminal investigation and anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact CIRT through the Arlington County Police Department’s Tip Line at 703-228-4180 or [email protected]. Information may also be reported anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).

Most-read Arlington stories of the week: Oct. 10-14

By ARLnow.com
Rainy over Rosslyn (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

It was a mostly pleasant fall weather week, save for yesterday’s soaking rain, and this weekend — particularly Saturday — is also looking pretty nice.

There’s plenty to do this weekend, so be sure to check out our event calendar when making your plans.

Now, here are the most-read local articles of the week:

  1. Arlington could scrub ‘dance halls’ from its county code books
  2. Ballpark favorite Haute Dogs coming to former BBQ restaurant space in North Arlington
  3. Huge Hilton hotel coming to new Rosslyn development
  4. Woman fatally struck by SUV driver along Little Falls Road
  5. Arlington CivFed’s Missing Middle discussion last night required rules of engagement
  6. Here are some of the Arlington businesses being offered for sale this fall
  7. Arlington Restaurant Week starts Monday with 40 restaurants participating
  8. How a Penske truck rental lot along Columbia Pike could figure into the Barcroft redevelopment
  9. Your next doctor’s appointment could be in Ballston Quarter
  10. After crash, neighbors again concerned about intersection near Lubber Run Community Center
  11. Salt Pot Kitchen in Ballston has closed, new tenant unknown
  12. Arlington asks: should Covid-era outdoor dining be a permanent fixture?

Feel free to discuss those stories or anything else of local interest in the comments. Have a great weekend!

Arlington home hunt highlights for Oct 14, 2022

By ARLnow.com
1/2

Happy Friday, Arlington!

We have a new round of open houses to explore this weekend, whether you’re looking to buy or rent.

Currently, there are 548 homes for sale. Of those homes, 328 are condos, 185 are detached homes and 35 are townhomes. In the last 4 weeks there have been 164 new listings and 197 sales according to Homesnap.

Here’s a look at some of the open houses taking place this weekend:

  • 1833 N. Columbus Street, (Highview Park)*
    6 BR, 6.5 BA single-family detached
    Noteworthy: Brand new single-family home in Highview Park!
    Listed: $1,899,900
    Open: Saturday, 12-2 p.m. (Alex Ordonez and Nxt Shell LLC)
  • 5001 34th Street N.
    7 BR, 7.5 BA single-family detached
    Noteworthy: Gas fireplace, deck, two car garage
    Listed: $2,375,000
    Open: Saturday, 1-3 p.m. (Tam Nguyen – KW Metro Center)
  • 1503 S. Stafford Street
    4 BR, 3.5 BA single-family detached
    Noteworthy: Freshly painted, white oak hardwood floors, deck
    Listed: $1,150,000
    Open: Sunday, 2-4 p.m. (Tori McKinney – KW Metro Center)
  • 2300 S. Rolfe Street
    4 BR, 3.5 BA townhome
    Noteworthy: All brick, 3 levels, private stone patio
    Listed: $975,000
    Open: Saturday, 1-3 p.m. (Patrick Flynn – Keller Williams Realty)
  • 1411 Key Boulevard #308
    1 BR, 1 BA condo
    Noteworthy: In-unit washer/dryer, double vanities, den
    Listed: $625,000
    Open: Saturday, 1-3 p.m. (Patty Couto – Compass)

See all Arlington open house listings here.

Here are some other options to consider if you’re in the market to rent or buy:

  • 4035 8th Street S.
    4 BR, 3 BA single-family detached
    Noteworthy: Three finished levels, side patio, hardwood floors
    Listed: $4,500/mo
    Open: Saturday, 2-4 p.m. (Mass Farzan – Samson Properties)
  • 3601 13th Street N.
    5 BR, 3 BA single-family detached
    Noteworthy: Remodeled kitchen, private deck, updated bathrooms
    Listed: $4,300/mo
    Open: Saturday, 2-4 p.m. (Rosa Mascaro – RE/MAX Gateway)
  • 1830 Columbia Pike #307
    1 BR, 1 BA condo
    Noteworthy: Private balcony, new carpet, vinyl floors
    Listed: $245,000
    Open: Sunday, 2-4 p.m. (Angelique Andrae – Human Places, LLC)

Want your listing to appear here or as the Listing of the Day? You can now submit sponsored listings.

* Denotes sponsored listing

2300 S. Rolfe Street image via Google Maps

Gold’s Gym parking lot near Ballston the scene of another incident

By ARLnow.com
The Gold’s Gym near Ballston (via Google Maps)

There has been even more drama in the Gold’s Gym parking lot near Ballston.

The parking lot has gained notoriety after featuring prominently into the Virginia Attorney General’s largely unsuccessful lawsuit against Advanced Towing last year and, more recently, being the scene of an alleged assault that led to the resignation of a D.C. deputy mayor this week.

The latest incident happened around noon yesterday (Thursday). Police were dispatched to the parking lot on the 3900 block of Wilson Blvd for a report of a man with a crowbar smashing the window of a car while someone was inside.

“At approximately 12:13 p.m. on October 13, police were dispatched to the report of a destruction of property,” said Arlington County Police Department spokeswoman Ashley Savage. “Upon arrival, it was determined the male victim was inside his vehicle when the suspect approached and smashed the front passenger side window. The suspect fled the scene when he noticed the victim was inside the vehicle.”

The getaway vehicle was said to be a black Honda Civic, according to scanner traffic.

While the timing was conspicuous, given the highly-publicized case involving the D.C. official, police said it does not appear to have any connection to that incident and was likely an attempted theft.

“The victim’s wallet was in the passenger seat at the time of the incident and it appears this incident may have been an attempted larceny from auto,” Savage told ARLnow. “The investigation is ongoing.”

Photo via Google Maps

NEW: Firefighters battle overnight fire at church near Ballston

By ARLnow.com
1/3

There was a fire early this morning at Mt. Olivet Methodist Church, the oldest church site in continuous use in Arlington.

The fire broke out at the church, located at 1500 N. Glebe Road near Ballston, before 3 a.m. and prompted a two-alarm response. Flames could be seen coming from the roof of the building, according to scanner traffic.

“The fire began in the attic above the music and education wing. Thankfully no one was in the building and there are no injuries,” the church said in an update posted by its pastor this morning. “There is likely extensive smoke and water damage to that part of the building. The sanctuary and preschool wings were not harmed.”

Sunday morning worship will not be held in the building but the church says it is working on an alternate plan.

The Arlington County Fire Department is currently investigating the cause of the blaze, which was extinguished by firefighters before it could spread to other parts of the building.

The full update from the church is below.

Dear Mount Olivet Family,

You have likely heard the news of a fire at Mount Olivet early this morning, Friday, October 14.

The fire began in the attic above the music and education wing. Thankfully no one was in the building and there are no injuries.

Thanks to many fire fighters and first responders from Arlington, Fairfax, and Falls Church, the fire has been extinguished.

There is likely extensive smoke and water damage to that part of the building. The sanctuary and preschool wings were not harmed.

Due to the ongoing nature of this situation, we will not be able to hold worship in our building this Sunday morning. Once we know what our plan will be for Sunday morning worship and beyond, we will let you know!

Currently, the building is not secure and the fire investigation is on going. Please do not enter the building until further notice.

We are beyond grateful that no one was injured and this was no worse than it is, but we still ask that you be in prayer for our community, clergy, and staff as we navigate the following days and weeks.

Grace and Peace,
Pastor Sara

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com
A crew boat passes by Rosslyn along the Potomac River (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Bus Stop Crowding Concerns — “Dozens of parents in Arlington County, Virginia, are worried their children’s bus stop is an accident waiting to happen. Nearly 100 elementary-age students converge on a single bus stop each day along Columbia Pike, many guided by parents who are worried about their young kids near the busy road.” [NBC 4]

New Boosters Available for Kids — From Arlington County: “Updated bivalent COVID-19 boosters are now available for 5-11 year-olds — find a location near you at http://vaccines.gov. Check back next week for availability at the Arlington County Public Health clinic.” [Twitter]

Another Gun Nabbed at DCA — “On Wednesday, a Fauquier County man was prevented by TSA officers from bringing a 9mm gun loaded with eight bullets, including one in the chamber, onto a flight at Reagan National Airport. The loaded gun was detected among the man’s carry-on items.” [Patch]

Realtors Predict Softer Market — “We won’t have the same wild bidding wars as before and there won’t be those huge price surges of homes we had in 2020 and 2021. We will have a typical winter slowdown with fewer homes on the market and fewer buyers. Higher interest rates will dampen the chance for people to buy.” [Sun Gazette]

Pentagon Row Night Market — “A night market featuring some of DC’s top Asian and Asian-American chefs is coming to Arlington on Saturday, October 15. Chefs Kevin Tien (Hot Lola’s, Moon Rabbit) and Tim Ma (Lucky Danger) have assembled a lineup of industry friends and peers for the mini-food festival at Westpost (formerly Pentagon Row). Partial proceeds will benefit their anti-Asian racism organization, Chefs Stopping AAPI Hate.” [Washingtonian]

Scholarship for MU Student — “When Marymount University senior Emma Naing was selected in July to receive a $10,000 scholarship from the Network of Executive Women In Hospitality’s Washington, D.C., Metropolitan chapter, she felt both excitement and relief… Naing grew up in Myanmar, and originally studied interior design at LaSalle College of the Arts in Singapore before furthering her education in the U.S.” [Marymount University]

When Happiness Peaks in Va. — “Mixbook… took a deeper look to understand better when the average American believed they had attained peak life satisfaction — happiness with the trajectory of their lives, jobs, friends, family, and relationships. They surveyed 3,442 respondents aged 65 and over, discovering that the average Virginian finds their peak life satisfaction at the age of 43. This is compared to a national average of age 44.” [Mixbook]

It’s Friday — Clear throughout the day. High of 65 and low of 48. Sunrise at 7:18 am and sunset at 6:33 pm. [Weather.gov]

NEW: Huge Hilton hotel coming to new Rosslyn development

By ARLnow.com
Ground floor of the planned Hilton hotel in Rosslyn (courtesy Hilton)

A 36-story, 331-room “state of the art” Hilton hotel is coming to Rosslyn.

The hospitality giant this morning announced the signing of an agreement to operate the high-rise hotel on the former Holiday Inn site. With rooms overlooking D.C. and the Potomac River, the hotel will also feature a rooftop event space and 28,000 square feet of meeting space.

More from a press release:

Today, Hilton announces the signing of Hilton at The Key, Arlington-Rosslyn, providing even more options to travelers looking for a state of the art, full-service hotel just minutes from Washington, D.C. Located at the foot of the Potomac River’s historic Francis Scott Key Bridge in Arlington, Virginia, the 36-story, 331-room property is surrounded by numerous corporate headquarters based in Rosslyn’s business district and minutes from the 11-acre riverfront Fort Bennett Park and Palisades Trail.

The modern hotel is under development as part of The Key, a project that includes a destination restaurant, street-level retail, and 517 luxury apartments with panoramas of the water and the nation’s capital. Once completed, Hilton at The Key will feature approximately 28,000 square feet of flexible and modern meeting spaces, including an event space on the 36th floor with sweeping 360-degree views of the Washington, D.C., skyline, the Potomac River and Arlington, Virginia.

“Dittmar Company is proud to partner with Hilton as we bring a true destination meeting and event facility to Arlington, Virginia, and the surrounding DMV area,” said Greg Raines, an executive at Dittmar Company.

The 18-story, 50-year-old Holiday Inn was imploded two years ago to make way for the massive new development, which has since been dubbed The Key. A construction update last month noted that crews were preparing to pour concrete for the tenth floor of the building.

Implosion of the Rosslyn Holiday Inn hotel in Dec. 2020

The development’s 500+ unit rental apartment building has been christened “Rosslyn Towers.”

“Rosslyn Towers is the latest in the Dittmar Company portfolio of Arlington Luxury Multi-Family deliveries,” says The Key’s website. “The residences will have first class finishes to rival the unmatched location and views present at this iconic location.”

The apartment’s “uplifting live/work/play environment” will feature “an amenity package that is second to none.”

(more…)

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