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.

Open houses in Arlington this weekend

By ARLnow.com

Happy Friday!

According to Homesnap, there are currently 502 homes for sale. In the last 4 weeks there have been 168 new listings and 277 sales.

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

  • 4713 37th Street N.
    5 BR/3.5 BA Single-family home
    Noteworthy: Wood burning fireplace, screened porch, electric fireplace
    Listed: $1,249,000
    Open: Saturday, 1-3 p.m. (John Moore – Compass)
  • 2931 S Grant Street
    5 BR/4.5 BA Single-family home
    Noteworthy: Covered porch, deck, solar skylights
    Listed: $1,995,000
    Open: Sunday, 1-4 p.m. (James Andors – Keller Williams Realty)
  • 3131 9th Street N.
    3 BR/2.5 BA Townhouse
    Noteworthy: Fully fenced backyard, wood burning fireplace, new carpeting
    Listed: $1,000,000
    Open: Sunday, 1-3 p.m. (Eileen Aronovitch – Keller Williams Realty)
  • 881 N. Frederick Street
    3 BR/3 BA Single-family home
    Noteworthy: Walk-out basement, wood deck, expansive kitchen
    Listed: $925,000
    Open: Saturday, 1-3 p.m. (Casey O’Neal – Compass)
  • 109 S. Fillmore Street
    3 BR/3 BA Single-family home
    Noteworthy: Hardwood floors, finished basement, patio
    Listed: $839,900
    Open: Sunday, 1-4 p.m. (Matthew Leighton – Century 21 Redwood Realty)
  • 3409 Wilson Boulevard #511
    2 BR/2 BA Condo
    Noteworthy: Two balconies, floor-to-ceiling windows, washer/dryer
    Listed: $729,900
    Open: Saturday, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. (Lyndsay Evans – Century 21 Redwood Realty)

See all Arlington open house listings here.

Want your open house to appear here? You can now submit sponsored listings.

4713 37th Street N.

* Denotes sponsored listing

4713 37th Street N. image via Google Maps

Adoptable Pet of the Week: Luna

By ARLnow.com
1/2

Do you like caramel ice cream? Are you looking for a forever friend?

Meet Luna, an adventurous pup who is looking for her forever friend and the newest Adoptable Pet of the Week.

Luna’s friends at Animal Welfare League of Arlington, which is currently at or near capacity for its dog kennels, had this to say:

Luna’s favorite things are playing, snuggling, eating and adventure!

Her special talent is being extremely cute, loving and brave. Her perfect day would be waking up, playing outside, sleeping on the couch, walking around somewhere new, and finally sleeping and snuggling.

If Luna were an ice cream flavor, she would be caramel because her fur is a caramel-like color!

An important fact about her is that she loves to adventure, but sometimes gets scared of really big trees!

If you like caramel ice cream and interested in meeting Luna, check out her complete profile!

Want your pet to be considered for the Arlington Pet of the Week? Email [email protected] with a 2-3 paragraph bio and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos of your pet. Please don’t send vertical photos — they don’t fit in our photo galleries!

Poll: Does Arlington need more live music venues?

By ARLnow.com
Exterior view of Renegade in Clarendon (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The live music scene in Arlington — Clarendon, more specifically — lives on.

The closure of long-time music venues Clarendon Grill and Iota Club between 2017 and 2018 left a void in the local live music scene. That has since been filled by a new generation of venues: The Renegade and the recently-opened B Live, both in Clarendon.

The latter was premised on the need for more performance venues in a place like Arlington.

“Clarendon, historically, has had several live music venues and we saw a few of them fall away,” B Live co-owner Mike Bramson told ARLnow in an interview that published yesterday. “The only remaining live music venue was the Renegade. They do a fantastic job and that’s a great venue, but we felt that historically there was always more than just one live music venue… there should be more than one option for live music as most towns and cities have.”

Of course, our larger neighbor just across the river has a much wider variety of music venues, from the 9:30 Club to Echostage to U Street Music Hall to Pearl Street Warehouse — and plenty more. It’s certainly nice to stay in Arlington for a night out, but whatever we lack here is available in D.C. within a reasonable Uber or Metro ride.

Nonetheless, Arlington continues to grow and has a large population of younger adults who value experiences like live music. And Clarendon is a regional draw — Northern Virginia’s most prominent bar district — so it’s not just Arlington residents that such venues attract.

Today we’re asking whether readers think the pair of live music venues we have now is enough, or whether more are needed.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com
A pedestrian tunnel under Route 50 near the National Guard Readiness Center (Flickr pool photo by Cyrus W.)

DCA Sign Changes Start Tomorrow — “We’re making it easier to find your gate! Beginning June 4, we will be updating our signage to include a letter in front of each gate number. Don’t worry, no airlines or gates are actually moving!” [Twitter, DCist]

Summer Reading Program Underway — “The Arlington County library system’s summer-reading program kicked off June 1 and will run through Sept. 1. ‘Readers of all ages are invited to immerse themselves in reading, participating in 500 free programs and explore the 2022 theme, ‘Oceans of Possibilities,” library officials said.” [Sun Gazette]

Weekend Road Closures — “There are planned road closures to accommodate the 2022 Armed Forces Cycling Classic bicycle races, which will take place during the weekend of Saturday, June 4 – Sunday, June 5, 2022.” [ACPD]

New Name for Park Near HQ2 — “Before the HALRB’s meeting of May 18, it looked like “Teardrop Park” would be a runaway choice for the new space, which will be bounded (in a teardrop shape) by South Eads Street and Army Navy Drive and bisected by 11th Street South… But at the HALRB meeting, Berne stopped that train in its tracks by countering with “Arlington Junction Park,” which would pay homage to an important trolley-line nexus of the last decade of the 19th century and the first four decades of the 20th.” [Sun Gazette]

Free Donuts Today — “It’s National Donut Day on Friday, and several eateries in Virginia and Washington, D.C., are offering a sweet deal or two to lure in donut lovers across the state.” [Patch]

Paper Calls for Return of SROs — “One wonders if Arlington’s School Board members will have a change of heart, now that there is a national drumbeat for more, not less, public-safety presence in schools. Sadly, one presumes not.” [Sun Gazette]

It’s Friday — Mostly cloudy throughout the day. High of 78 and low of 65. Sunrise at 5:46 am and sunset at 8:31 pm. [Weather.gov]

JUST IN: Northbound GW Parkway closed after serious crash

By ARLnow.com
File photo

Update at 10:15 p.m. — All lanes have reopened.

Earlier: Northbound lanes of the GW Parkway are closed for an investigation after a serious crash.

The crash happened along the Parkway, just north of N. Glebe Road, around 5:30 p.m.

One person was trapped in a vehicle and rescued by firefighters. They were brought via ambulance to a local hospital.

The northbound lanes were still closed as of 6:15 p.m. and are expected to remain closed for an extended period of time for a crash investigation, according to U.S. Park Police. Traffic is being diverted onto Spout Run Parkway.

Congrats to the winners of our DC Bike Ride VIP giveaway

By ARLnow.com

Registration is underway for the annual DC Bike Ride on Sept. 10, but three lucky ARLnow readers will be getting their registrations comped.

DC Bike Ride invites riders of all ages and abilities to bike through 20 miles of completely car-free streets filled with epic views, local performers, and fun photo stops. Additionally, the ride helps to support safer streets and local food relief programs.

Two weeks ago, we offered readers the chance to win a pair of VIP registrations ($470 value) or standard registrations ($276 value). Today we’re announcing the winners.

  • Grand prize winner (VIP registrations): Thomas D.
  • Runners up (standard registrations): Sophia G. and Danielle T.

The winners have been contacted via email and we’ll also soon be sending a special offer for those who entered but did not win.

For everyone else, you can book your registration online and we’ll see you along the course — which runs through D.C. and Arlington — in September. Thank you to DC Bike Ride for sponsoring this giveaway and supporting ARLnow!

UPDATED: Severe Thunderstorm Watch, Flood Watch issued for Arlington

By ARLnow.com
Flowers along S. Joyce Street in Pentagon City flutter in the breeze as storm clouds move into the region in June 2021 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Update at 3:15 p.m. — A Flood Watch has also been issued, through 8 p.m.

“Training storms capable of producing 2 to 3 inches per hour may lead to an increased threat for flash flooding over the more urban areas along the I-95 corridor,” the National Weather Service says. “Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas.”

Earlier: Arlington and the entire D.C. area are under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch this afternoon and evening.

The National Weather Service issued the watch just before 2 p.m. It will remain in effect until 9 p.m.

“Scattered severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging winds and large hail will be possible this afternoon and evening,” the weather service said, noting that wind gusts up to 65 mph are likely.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com
Soccer practice at twilight at Long Bridge Park (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

State Budget Adds Marijuana Misdemeanors — “Today, the Virginia General Assembly voted to approve the budget bill which contains language to recriminalize personal possession of over four ounces of marijuana in public. The language, which creates two new misdemeanors, will take effect immediately upon Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin’s signature on the budget.” [NORML, Washington Post]

Man Exposes Self in Women’s Restroom — “500 block of 12th Street S. At approximately 12:33 p.m. on May 31, police were dispatched to the report of an indecent exposure. Upon arrival, it was determined the female victim exited a restroom stall and observed the unknown male suspect inside the women’s restroom with his pants down and genitals exposed. The suspect fled the scene prior to police arrival.” [ACPD]

New Workforce Development Program — “Arlington Economic Development (AED) is proud to announce an innovative workforce development program benefitting Arlington residents and tech employers. AED is working with Arlington-based Exelaration, the #2 tech and engineering internship provider in the U.S., on the Arlington Talent Pilot program.” [Arlington County]

Historical Society Needs Moving Help — “As it embarks on a renovation of its Arlington Ridge Road museum, the Arlington Historical Society is seeking community help in preparing many of its historic items for relocation. The organization has received space donated by JBG Smith in Crystal City for storage of its collection. ‘Now, the real costs will be in packing and moving the approximately 5,000 artifacts that are not on display,’ the organization said in a recent missive to supporters.” [Sun Gazette]

County Offers Hurricane Prep Tips — “The 2022 Atlantic hurricane season officially begins on June 1, and now is the best time for Arlington residents to prepare for hurricanes, tropical storms and flooding. Here are four helpful tips to help you and your loved ones prepare for hurricane season.” [Arlington County]

New Paint Job for Clarendon Restaurant — “And #MexicaliBlues gets fresh blue! Summer Is Here!” [Twitter]

Metro Ridership Rising — From NBC 4’s Adam Tuss: “Metrobus ridership continues to trend upward, topping 300,000 trips per day according to the most recent data. Are gas prices pushing people to the bus?” [Twitter]

It’s Thursday — Rain and storms in the afternoon. High of 85 and low of 73. Sunrise at 5:46 am and sunset at 8:30 pm. [Weather.gov]

Most expensive Arlington homes sold in May

By ARLnow.com
3901 N. Upland Street (via Google Maps)

There are homes you can actually afford, and then there are homes that are just fun to look at.

Our list of the most expensive recently-sold homes in Arlington, below, is definitely the latter for all but the most well heeled.

Looking back during the month of May, there were 277 sales and 168 new listings. May had a median list price of $599,900 and a median sales price of $680,000, according to Homesnap.

In the market? See properties that have been Just Listed and Just Reduced.

Image via Google Maps

County confirms duplicate property tax bills, blames vendor error

By ARLnow.com
Flags outside county government headquarters in Courthouse (photo courtesy Arlington County)

(Updated at 3:45 p.m.) A printing vendor accidentally mailed tens of thousands of duplicate property tax bills to Arlington property owners, the county said today.

ARLnow started getting reports from readers earlier this week about the rogue mailings.

“We received a duplicate real estate tax bill today and contacted a couple of friends who also don’t have mortgages and they did too,” said one reader. “All of us have already paid and, in any case, the taxes aren’t due until 6/15.”

“Isn’t this a terrible waste of time and postage expense of our tax dollars by the county?” the reader added.

In each case, the readers said they countacted the county, which confirmed that they had in fact paid and the mailings were sent in error.

Arlington County Treasurer Carla de la Pava tells ARLnow that her office is not at fault and taxpayers won’t bear the extra expense, though she apologized for the confusion the letters caused.

The county treasurer’s office is issuing the following statement this afternoon.

The Arlington County Treasurer’s Office discovered yesterday, May 31, 2022, that an error made by our external print vendor resulted in the printing and mailing of approximately 26,000 duplicate letters to our taxpayers.  The vast majority of these duplicate letters were real estate tax bills, and we regret the confusion and inconvenience that this error has caused our customers.

The Treasurer’s Office routinely sends test files to our outside print vendor before major billings like the recent billing for 1st installment real estate taxes.  Although our office followed established procedures, unfortunately our external print vendor did not. A print vendor employee mistakenly printed and mailed letters from the test environment, and Arlington County customers began to receive the letters last weekend.

Arlington County taxpayers will not bear any of the cost of printing and postage resulting from this error. In addition, we will work with our print vendor to improve their internal control procedures to prevent errors like this from occurring in the future.  If you are concerned about a particular bill, please email us at [email protected] or call 703-228-3702.

De la Pava estimated the total cost of the mailing, had the county been on the hook for it, at around $14,000.

A similar incident involving a “significant number” of duplicate tax bills happened in 2016. It was blamed on “a glitch” in sending data to the printing contractor.

“We are currently having conversations with [the contractor] to find out what processes and procedures they have in place, or can put in place, to stop duplicate files from being printed and mailed,” de la Pava told the Sun Gazette at the time.

GW Parkway blocked by crash, diverted at Spout Run

By ARLnow.com
Traffic on northbound GW Parkway due to crash (via Google Maps)

Update at 1:45 p.m. — The crash has been cleared and the lanes reopened.

Earlier: Traffic from the northbound GW Parkway is being diverted onto Spout Run Parkway due to a crash.

A crash and reported fire has closed the Parkway’s northbound lanes at the first scenic overlook in Arlington. Drivers caught between the crash and Spout Run are sitting at a standstill.

So far there’s no additional word on the nature of the crash or on injuries.

Photo via Google Maps

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