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.

Covid still on the decline in Arlington, for now

By ARLnow.com
Covid cases in Arlington as of 10/13/22 (via Virginia Dept. of Health)

Arlington’s Covid test positivity rate dipped below 10% earlier this month, for the first time since April.

That’s according to the latest data from the Virginia Dept. of Health, which is currently reporting a seven-day moving average of about 30 cases per day in the county, down from 200 daily cases in late May.

Arlington remains roughly in the middle of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s case range for a “low” Covid rate, at just over 100 cases per week per 100,000 in population. The CDC is reporting about five Covid-related hospital admissions per week per 100,000 people in the county.

Covid test positivity rate in Arlington as of 10/13/22 (via Virginia Dept. of Health)

The relative lull in cases comes as the U.S. healthcare system braces for a sharp rise in Covid and flu cases this winter.

From NPR earlier this morning:

The U.S. should prepare for a spike in COVID cases this winter as more people gather indoors and infections already begin to rise in Europe, White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Ashish Jha says.

The warning echoes that of some other experts who anticipate a rise in cases in the coming months, while other modelling suggests that infections will recede in the near future.

“We are seeing this increase in Europe, and Europe tends to precede us by about four to six weeks,” Jha told NPR. “And so it stands to reason that as we get into November, December, maybe January, we are going to see an increase in infections across much of the country.”

“I’m pretty worried about what the ER will look like this winter,” Virginia Hospital Center emergency department chair Mike Silverman wrote in his latest weekly Facebook post. “It’s always busier in the winter than the summer. Our weekly volume is currently higher than our pre-pandemic volume and we’re starting to see an increase in the [number of] patients presenting with respiratory illnesses.”

Some experts are predicting a more modest Covid surge this winter, owing in part to greater natural immunity in the population in addition to the new bivalent vaccine booster shots that are intended to better target the Omicron variant.

But even if Covid does not spike to the levels of past winters, the flu and other respiratory viruses are likely to keep hospitals and other healthcare providers busy.

“If you go around the nation and ask hospitals how busy they are, every single one of them will tell you: They’re busy,” Dr. Carlos del Rio of Atlanta’s Emory University School of Medicine told NBC News.

Morning Notes

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

New Amazon Skills Center — “Amazon’s cloud computing arm will open a training facility in Arlington’s Crystal City neighborhood this month, the company said, part of its effort to engage with area residents and expand the local tech workforce as it builds a new headquarters nearby.” [Washington Post, Amazon, WJLA]

Deputy Mayor Out After Alleged Assault — “Chris Geldart is out as D.C.’s deputy mayor for public safety and justice after a personal trainer alleged in a criminal complaint that the city official assaulted him and questions emerged over whether he was violating the requirement that cabinet members reside within city limits.” [Washington Post]

Weak Earthquake Shakes Region — “A tiny earthquake struck near the town of Sykesville, in northern Maryland, on Tuesday night. The tremor was centered about 20 miles west of Baltimore and 30 miles north of Washington. The U.S. Geological Survey reported that the weak quake was rated magnitude 2, and that it occurred at a depth of 3.1 miles. Hundreds of people reported feeling the earthquake, which struck at 11:49 p.m.” [Capital Weather Gang]

Real Estate Appeal ‘Deluge’ –“A deluge of appeals and a county-staffing shortage will require the Arlington County Board to extend the term of the Board of Equalization of Real Estate Appeals by two weeks. Under a county ordinance, the panel can hear appeals of real-estate assessments through Oct. 31, when its authority ceases. But county officials acknowledge there is little chance the body will be able to work its way through remaining cases by then.” [Sun Gazette]

GW Parkway Crash — “ACFD responding to a three vehicle crash on the GW Parkway near the exit to the airport. Reports of one vehicle overturned but everyone out of the vehicle and only minor injuries.” The crash appears to have taken place in a work zone. [Twitter]

Office Tenant Moving to Shirlington — “Federal Realty Investment Trust announces newly signed Washington Workplace to its recently renovated The Offices at The Village at Shirlington (The Offices), located at 2700 South Quincy Street in Arlington, Virginia. Washington Workplace will relocate from 2300 South Ninth Street in the Penrose community of Arlington into a 2,200-square-foot space on December 1.” [Press Release]

County Combating Opioid Crisis — “It may be a case of swimming upstream against a national tsunami, but Arlington officials said collaborative efforts are paying dividends in trying to stem the impact of opioid addiction in the community. ‘This is in fact a crisis, but we as a community are addressing it,’ said Suzanne Somerville of the county government’s Department of Human Services, who spoke at the annual meeting of Arlington County Crime Solvers, held Oct. 6 in Shirlington.” [InsideNova]

F.C. OKs Tax Dollars for Movie Theater — “Lawmakers in Falls Church voted Tuesday night to approve a deal that would grant up to half a million dollars in tax revenue each year for a long-awaited movie theater in this tiny Northern Virginia suburb. The unusual economic-incentives deal had been subject to criticism from some residents and city leaders who questioned whether funding a movie theater was an appropriate use of city money.” [Washington Post]

Cider Fest Moved Indoors — “Join us at tomorrow’s Rosslyn Cider Fest! The event has been moved to @TheViewofDC, entrance right at Central Place Plaza, due to weather forecast.” [Twitter]

It’s Thursday — Rain until evening. High of 66 and low of 60. Sunrise at 7:17 am and sunset at 6:34 pm. [Weather.gov]

Power out in part of Ballston after possible transformer explosion

By ARLnow.com
Fire engine in front of the AVA Ballston Square building in Ballston after power outage (staff photo by Lene Query)

(Updated at 1:55 p.m.) At least a couple of large buildings in Ballston are without power after reports of a possible transformer explosion.

Firefighters were initially dispatched to the area shortly before 1 p.m. after a caller reported a loud explosion-like sound and some smoke believed to be coming from a power transformer.

They were subsequently also dispatched to the AVA Ballston Square apartment building at 850 N. Randolph Street for a report of an elevator that was stuck with people inside after the power went out.

An office building across the street, which houses ARLnow’s offices, is also without power.

The outage appears to be relatively isolated, according to Dominion’s outage map, with just under 400 homes and businesses affected. Restoration of power is currently estimated between 5-8 p.m.

Morning Poll: How many pumpkins are you buying this year?

By ARLnow.com
Pumpkins outside Whole Foods in Clarendon in 2011 (staff photo)

There’s a nip in the morning air, the leaves are starting to turn, sweaters have been moved to the top dresser drawers, and the citizenry of Arlington is switching from cold brews to hot coffees.

Yes, it’s pumpkin season. And with Halloween less than three weeks away, we were wondering just how many pumpkins the average Arlingtonian buys.

Just one to display proudly? A dozen to line your walkway? None because seasonal decorating isn’t your jam?

Yes, inflation may be hitting our pocketbooks, but pumpkins, despite their size, remain in the mid-single-digits in price at the grocery store. It almost seems like a bargain.

So how many are you buying this year?

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com
Apparent reference to Crystal City’s Kabob Palace restaurant on the long-running CBS series NCIS (photo courtesy Scott Cota)

Arrest in Arlington Man’s Murder — Updated at 10 a.m. — “Police in the Turks and Caicos Islands have made an arrest in last week’s shooting death of an Arlington, Virginia, man killed while on vacation. Kent Carter, a vice president of the Arlington branch of the NAACP, was killed Oct. 2, when suspected drug gangs opened fire on a car returning him and others to their hotel after a jet-skiing outing… ‘In the last seven days an arrest has been made of a person of interest who remains in custody,’ said Trevor Botting, police commissioner.” [WTOP]

District Taco’s Expansion Plans — “District Taco aims to add 20 to 25 franchises a year for the next five years, Ganz said. The company has units in the Washington, D.C., Virginia and Maryland region, with some corporate locations in the Philadelphia suburbs. But the company would like to expand as far north as New York, as far south as South Carolina and as far west as Tennessee, Ganz said. District Taco is also attracting operator interest from Florida.” [Restaurant Dive]

WHS Seeks Female Wrestlers — “Since the Virginia High School League last month officially sanctioned girls wrestling as a separate varsity sport, Wakefield Warriors’ first-year head coach John Leinberger has been busy promoting the opportunity in his school and throughout Northern Virginia. He is trying to organize girls-only dual matches and possibly an all-female tournament.” [Sun Gazette]

It’s Wednesday — Increasing clouds during the day, then possible light rain overnight. High of 69 and low of 49. Sunrise at 7:16 am and sunset at 6:36 pm. [Weather.gov]

Here are some of the Arlington businesses being offered for sale this fall

By ARLnow.com
For sale sign in front of a business district (photo illustration by ARLnow, background image generated by DALL-E 2)

In Arlington, as elsewhere, local business is not static.

Stores and restaurants are continuously being opened, closed or sold. In this ongoing series, we list some of the businesses being offered for sale via BizBuySell, an online aggregator.

The businesses are described but not named in the listings. Eagle-eyed readers who have followed our previous business sale posts this year, however, may have noticed at least one apparently listed business that has since closed and another that is changing to another restaurant.

Though this is a time of inflation and economic uncertainty, the owners of small local businesses may be looking to move on for a variety of reasons, including retirement or a desire to focus on another business venture.

Some of the businesses in Arlington that appear to have been listed for sale since our post this past summer are below.

1. Highly profitable Hair, beauty and Spa ($599,000)

This is a successful hair salon with Variety of beauty and spa services in Arlington Virginia. The owners have been in business for about 30 years. They moved to the current location in 2010. They are highly dedicated and experienced. Services offered are color, balayage, foil highlighting, skin care, manicures and pedicures for men and women. If you are looking for a designer hair cut with beautiful look and wonderful customer service and relaxing to restore your natural beauty this is the place to go to.

2. 5 Day Cafe in Prime Location ($149,000)

Prime location restaurant and cafe on a main road in Arlington opened only 5 days a week. Surrounded by office buildings, apartments and retail makes this a great location given the high volume walking traffic during work hours and evenings. This restaurant has been in business since 2016. The current menu consists of soups, salads, sandwiches and much more but can be converted to fit most menus/concepts.

3. Pizza Restaurant in DC Metro Area, Prime Location ($145,000)

Looking for Potential Buyer for my pizza restaurant Located just 5 miles from white house. Our 5 Miles delivery area covers DC, Regan Airport, Mclean, Tysons Corner, Falls church,Annandale and surrounding areas. Restaurant has Dine In Capacity and customer restroom, located on one of the busiest road that connects VA,DC & MD. Unfortunately, I cannot give enough time to store as I have another venture.

4. Fast Casual Restaurant & Bar with Outdoor Seating ($279,000)

Fast casual restaurant & bar with outdoor seating located in a prime location in Arlington. This restaurant has been in business since 2019 and has been profitable ever since. To date this business has had very little marketing attention due to the fact the current owner has another business outside of the restaurant to run full time. In need of a hands on owner operator to take this business to the next level.

5. Low Rent & Profitable Free Standing Restaurant ($299,000)

Profitable free standing restaurant in Arlington VA located on a heavy traffic road surrounded by residential. This restaurant has been in business since 1998 and has EXTREMELY LOW RENT for this area. The current menu and concept can be converted to almost any type of food or be kept the same. Very big kitchen great for catering and to accommodate large orders. With a rent of $5,700 per month and annual sales around $800,000 this is an excellent money making opportunity.

(more…)

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com
“A fox in his new residence on the roof of a waiting for tear-down house in the Tara Leeway Heights neighborhood” (photo courtesy anonymous)

TV Tackles ‘Missing Middle’ — “A debate over housing has sparked an intense debate in Arlington County that involves possible zoning changes to what types of houses can be built in certain neighborhoods. It’s called missing middle housing, and while supporters say it will allow more affordable housing, opponents say it would ruin single-family neighborhoods.” [Fox 5]

It’s Fire Prevention Week — “Fire Station 10 in Rosslyn is the Arlington County Fire Department’s newest fire station, and it’s needed because the community is growing so quickly. This Fire Prevention Week, firefighters want to make sure that the public knows to make an escape plan so they can be safe inside their home.” [WUSA 9]

Arlington Ridge Store Robbery — “At approximately 5:19 p.m. on October 7, police were dispatched to the report of a robbery by force. After further investigation, it was determined the male suspect allegedly entered the business and began concealing merchandise in his backpack. When the loss prevention officer confronted the suspect, a verbal dispute ensued, during which the suspect struck the loss prevention officer before fleeing the scene on foot.” [ACPD]

Young Dems Pounce in PA Race — “It could be the race that determines control of the U.S. Senate and, by extension, what transpires in the next two years of the Biden presidency. And members of Arlington Young Democrats are aiming to have an impact on the Pennsylvania showdown between Democrat John Fetterman and Republican Mehmet Oz.” [Sun Gazette]

Well Paid Maids Growing — “With the arrival of vaccines, Well-Paid Maids,” an ARLnow advertiser noted for engaging in the comments section of its sponsored posts, “established a vaccine mandate for its staff, which now totals 33, including 28 home cleaners. The out-of-the-house rule has been replaced by masking, and revenue has returned, even improved — from $350,000 with PPP in 2020 to $800,000 with the second PPP loan in 2021 and already $1 million in 2022.” [Washington Business Journal]

F.C. Really Wants a Movie Theater — “This tiny Northern Virginia suburb could be sealing the deal on that cinema with an unusual shot in the arm: Its own tax dollars. City lawmakers are set to vote Tuesday on a deal that could grant as much as half a million dollars every year for the next three decades to the developer behind the Founders Row project.” [Washington Post]

It’s Tuesday — Clear throughout the day. High of 70 and low of 48. Sunrise at 7:15 am and sunset at 6:37 pm. [Weather.gov]

Morning Poll: What do you call the second Monday in October?

By ARLnow.com

Columbus Day is the one federal holiday that Arlington County government does not observe.

Both because it’s a convenient holiday to swap for an off day on the unofficial holiday of Black Friday — the day after Thanksgiving — and because, despite his exploration feats, Columbus is regarded by some as “a murderer, tyrant, and scoundrel,” Columbus Day here is just any other day for county employees.

Of course, for many — including federal employees and Arlington Public Schools students — Columbus Day is a day off. But Columbus is not always mentioned as the reason.

“No School for Students (Countywide PL for Staff)” is how APS describes today’s day off, while other holidays on the school calendar are named.

Arlington Transit, meanwhile, is operating on a modified schedule, but Columbus is not credited.

“In observance of the Indigenous People’s Day holiday on Monday October 10, 2022, ART will be operating on a Saturday schedule,” the transit agency wrote.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day is now recognized by the White House, but started in the states, with South Dakota first adopting a version (“Native American Day”) as an alternative to Columbus Day in 1989 and other states like Alaska and Minnesota following suit in the mid-2010s. In some cases it’s used instead of the term Columbus Day, while in others it’s used in addition.

Columbus has his supporters, who tout his accomplishments despite all of the negatives associated with his journeys. And there are those who have simply always known today as Columbus Day and aren’t going to start calling it something else now.

But for others, calling the second Monday in October Indigenous Peoples’ Day is preferable.

With Columbus out of favor as a historical figure, especially locally, we’re wondering how many Arlington residents have, in their personal lives, taken to referring to today’s holiday as Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead of Columbus Day.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com
Ballston at twilight (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

County Offices Open — “Arlington County Government offices and facilities are closed on all federal holidays except Columbus Day.” [Arlington County]

Metro Service Plan Today — “In observance of Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Monday, Oct. 10, Metrorail will operate normal weekday service and Metrobus will operate on a Saturday supplemental schedule. MetroAccess customers may make reservations to travel on the holiday; however, subscription trips will be canceled.” [WMATA]

WHS Counselor Controversy — A conservative news site says a Wakefield High School counselor is “part of [a] group offering to resettle gay kids with new parents,” while a liberal news site says the report constitutes “a massive right-wing freakout” about what is actually an as-yet unused offer of “emergency housing.” [Daily Wire, Salon, Fairfax Times]

Local Author’s New Book — “My Gap Year — Reinterpreted is an experimental rewrite of a diary that journalist-author Charlie Clark produced at age 18 during a nine-month hitchhiking tour of nine countries of Europe and North Africa. More than a travelogue, the essay is personal and reflective, taking advantage of a 68-year-old’s wisdom (ha!) and insight into his younger self during a time of change.” [Politics and Prose]

Fairfax Chafes at Dillon Rule — “Fairfax County deserves more local authority, Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay says, calling Virginia’s Dillon Rule “increasingly more intrusive” in day-to-day operations. The Dillon Rule dictates that localities only have the authority to create laws, set guidelines, and wield power if the state expressly grants it to them.” [FFXnow]

It’s Monday — Clear throughout the day. High of 66 and low of 44. Sunrise at 7:14 am and sunset at 6:39 pm. [Weather.gov]

Arlington event calendar highlights (Oct. 10-16)

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.

 

Ping Pong + Cornhole Tournament in The Plaza at Westpost

Wednesday, October 12 @ 6:00 PM

Westpost at National Landing (1201 South Joyce Street)

LWV-Arl/Alex Virtual Candidate Forum – 8th District US House of Representatives

Thursday, October 13 @ 7:00 PM

Online event (see link)

Arlington Mills: A Forgotten History

Thursday, October 13 @ 7:00 PM

Marymount University Library Auditorium (2807 North Glebe Road)

Synetic presents the Vampire Ball

Thursday, October 13 @ 8:00 PM

Synetic Theater (1800 S Bell Street)

Rosslyn Cinema

Friday, October 14 @ 5:00 PM

Gateway Park (1300 Langston Blvd.)

45th Arlington CROP Hunger Walk

Saturday, October 15 @ 8:00 AM

First Presbyterian Church (601 Vermont St.)

Disability Voting Rights Event

Saturday, October 15 @ 1:00 PM

Arlington Central Library (1015 N. Quincy St.)

BREAKING: Woman fatally struck by SUV driver along Little Falls Road

By ARLnow.com
1/5

(Updated at 12:35 a.m.) A pedestrian has died after being struck in the Williamsburg neighborhood this morning.

The crash happened around 9 a.m. Saturday at the intersection of Little Falls Road and John Marshall Drive. Initial reports suggest that that an older woman was struck by the driver of an SUV in or near a crosswalk, and that the woman was in cardiac arrest when she was rushed to a local trauma center.

We’re told that the victim was familiar to local residents and is often seen walking in the area.

Police were still on site investigating the crash well into the morning, with the scene surrounded by police tape. The driver of the SUV remained on scene.

At 11 a.m., a police spokeswoman told ARLnow that the victim, who was in her 80s, has died.

“She was pronounced deceased at the hospital and police remain on scene investigating the fatal crash,” said Arlington County Police Department spokeswoman Ashley Savage. “Her identity is being withheld pending proper notification.”

This is the third fatal pedestrian crash along a two-block stretch of Little Falls Road near Nottingham Elementary School over the past eight years.

In 2014 a local mother unloading a minivan near the school was fatally struck by a passing dump truck, the driver of which was later charged with a traffic infraction. In September 2019, a 55-year-old Arlington woman was struck while walking her dogs in a crosswalk at the intersection of Little Falls Road and N. Ohio Street; she later succumbed to her injuries in the hospital..

ACPD issued the following about the crash Saturday night, with the victim’s name plus a bit more information on the crash and how it happened.

The Arlington County Police Department is investigating a fatal pedestrian crash that occurred in the Williamsburg neighborhood on the morning of Saturday, October 8.

At approximately 9:01 a.m., police were dispatched to the report of a crash with injuries involving a pedestrian in the 5800 block of Little Falls Road. Upon arrival, officers located the pedestrian in the roadway suffering from serious injuries. She was transported by medics to the hospital where she succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased. She has been identified as Gwendolyn Hayes, 85, of Arlington, VA.

The preliminary investigation indicates the driver of the striking vehicle turned left from John Marshall Drive onto Little Falls Road and struck the pedestrian as she was crossing the roadway in the crosswalk. The driver of the striking vehicle remained on scene.

This remains an active criminal investigation. Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is asked to contact Detective D. Galiatsos at [email protected] or 703-228-4163. Information may also be reported anonymously to Arlington County Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS.

Hat tip to Charlie Clark

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