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.
County Board candidate Audrey Clement in November 2022 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
There’s persistence, and then there is Audrey Clement and her decade-plus effort to get elected to local office in Arlington.
Clement talked with ARLnow editor Scott Brodbeck to talk about her latest unsuccessful run for County Board, her allegations of media bias and age discrimination, Missing Middle zoning changes, proposed changes to Arlington County’s governance, and why she keeps running for public office.
I-395 Ramp Closure — “Beginning at 5 a.m. Friday, Dec. 1, weather permitting, the ramp from southbound I-395 to eastbound Boundary Channel Drive (Exit 9/Clark Street) and the eastbound Boundary Channel Drive ramp to southbound I-395 will close permanently as part of the Boundary Channel Drive at I-395 Interchange Improvements project.” [VDOT]
Tribute to Boundary Channel Ramp — From Dave Statter: “Less than 12 hours left and I’m getting nostalgic and a bit teary-eyed… Countless drivers have convinced themselves it’s perfectly fine to dash almost perpendicularly across four lanes to get from that ramp to the left-side ramp for Route 1. Some made it. Some didn’t.” [Twitter]
Metro Station Closure — “The Virginia Square-GMU station will be closed to customers Sunday, Dec. 3 between system opening and about 2 p.m. as Metro staff and emergency personnel conduct a full-scale safety exercise. Free shuttle buses will replace trains between Ballston and Clarendon during that time.” [WMATA]
New Security Procedures at VHC — “It is our top priority to ensure the safety and security of all individuals within our campus. As a result, we are making several security enhancements, including a new visitor check-in system, as well as changes to the entry points for our staff, physicians and badged contractors starting November 27, 2023.” [VHC Health]
Reminder: Holiday Festival — “The National Landing Business Improvement District is planning a ski-themed holiday festival — dubbed ‘The Lodge’ — at Metropolitan Park in Pentagon City, according to a press release. It’s happening the first weekend in December — Friday, Dec. 1 through Sunday, Dec. 3 — at the park (1400 S. Eads Street) next to Amazon’s HQ2.” [ARLnow]
Crash Caught on Camera — From Dave Statter: “The intersection of Army Navy Drive, S. Hayes Street & the I-395 ramp in Pentagon City is a frequent spot for collisions. This one is from just before 7 this morning.” [Twitter]
Second Leaf Pass Starts Today — “View our leaf vacuum interactive progress map. On the map, neighborhoods will be coded orange (first pass) and blue (second pass) when leaves have been collected.” [Arlington County]
It’s December — Expect rain, with a high near 51 and south winds of 5-13 mph, gusting up to 18 mph. Precipitation has an 80% chance, with new amounts under a tenth of an inch. Friday night, rain is likely before 7pm, followed by cloudiness and a low of 46. [Weather.gov]
Address:3362 N. Dickerson Street Neighborhood: Country Club Manor Type: 3 BR, 4 BA single-family detached — 2,772 sq. ft. Listed: $1,249,000
Noteworthy: Fully updated; all bathrooms remodeled; open family room with vaulted ceiling; 1-car garage
This nearly 2,800 sq. ft. 3-4 BR/4 BA expanded and fully updated colonial + 1-car garage in Country Club Manors combines old world charm with practical/open space on a quiet dead-end street. Walk to Jamestown ES/Williamsburg MS — both less than a mile.
Traditional formal living and dining rooms are enhanced on the main level by a huge light-filled family room with beamed vaulted ceiling and skylights plus eat-in/family room addition off of the open kitchen. Full bathroom on main level for guests’ use. Gourmet kitchen features new quartz counters and backsplash, including pull-up bar, all SS appliances and white cabinetry. The kitchen addition offers an eat-in area or bonus family room, leading to expansive wood deck, perfect for entertaining.
Upstairs you’ll find a generous-sized primary bedroom with en-suite fully remodeled bathroom (2020) plus a massive walk-in closet (formerly the 4th bedroom). Second and third bedrooms are both spacious and share an updated full hall bathroom. The lower level was fully remodeled in 2019, including large rec. room and full bathroom and laundry. New paint and refinished hardwoods, new family room carpet. Exterior brick has been freshly painted to current taste and shutters recently replaced. Plantation shutters throughout.
The flat fully fenced backyard is surrounded by nature, ideal for play and enjoying a BBQ with guests. Detached garage includes storage.
Jamestown ES/Williamsburg MS/Yorktown HS. Just over a mile to the revitalized Chesterbrook Shopping Center (Safeway/Starbucks/South Block). Easy access to EFC and Ballston metros, I-66, and a quick shot to Tysons Corner.
Expect rain to begin after 2pm, with highs near 50°F, accompanied by a south wind at 5-9 mph. There’s an 80% chance of precipitation, with less than a tenth of an inch likely. On Friday night, there is a 50% chance of rain mainly before 9pm, followed by patchy fog after 3am. The night will be mostly cloudy, with lows around 46°F and a southwest wind at 5-9 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” – Thomas A. Edison
🌅 Tonight’s sunset
Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.
This adorable and fluffy senior pup is up for adoption at the Animal Welfare League of Arlington. He is currently in foster and his adoption fees have been paid!
Kumo and his friends had this to say:
Hello, I’m Kumo! I’m looking for a home where I can bask in the simple joys of life, surrounded by love and warmth.
I promise to be a loyal friend and fill your days with the quiet joy that comes from sharing your life with a wise and grateful soul.
I may have a few white hairs, but my heart is still full of love and companionship. Due to my age, I am seeking a special type of adoption known as a hospice adoption. While it might sound serious, it simply means I’m looking for a compassionate soul who can provide me with a comfortable and caring environment for the time I have left.
Kumo’s foster told us that he is an elderly gentleman and he likes to go on a leisurely 1 to 1½ mile walk once a day and a very short potty walk at other times. He likes being out off-leash in my yard and just rolling in the grass and sniffing around. When he wants to he can run quite fast.
He gets along well with my dog who is a little smaller. He gets along well with my cats. He is okay with well mannered children. Kumo does sleep a lot. He either sleeps in his crate or on the floor. He is house trained but has to go out at least four times a day for potty breaks. He does not do staircases, can’t really go easily up or down stairs.
Is Kumo the match you’re been looking for? You can read his entire profile to learn how to start the adoption process!
Want your pet to be considered for the Arlington Pet of the Week? Email [email protected] with 2-3 paragraphs about your pet and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos.
The Lee Heights Shops in May 2023 (via Google Maps)
It’s been a banner year so far for online holiday shopping.
Fresh records for online shopping were set on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. There’s some question, however, as to whether the online holiday shopping growth — in total up 7.8% from Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday, according to Adobe — is a good sign or bad sign for brick-and-mortar merchants.
The segment makes up less than 16% of U.S. retail sales.
The National Retail Federation separately reported on Tuesday that more than 200 million people shopped online and in-person during the five day period between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday — exceeding last year’s record number of 196 million. […]
Thanksgiving fell early this year, which may have boosted numbers. Same goes for “favorable” weather, according to NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay.
On the other hand, overall traffic to in-person retail locations was down slightly. From Reuters:
Online shoppers rose 3.1% to 134.2 million during the Thanksgiving weekend, making up for a slight dip in the number of customers who visited brick-and-mortar stores. The period saw about 121.4 million in-store shoppers, down from 122.7 million in 2022, according to the retail body.
Today we’re wondering how these numbers translate locally. Are Arlingtonians shifting more of their holiday spending online? Or are they still supporting local shops?
We have two polls, below, to try to gauge the state of local retail.
View from the W&OD trail bridge over Langston Blvd (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
American Legion Drama — “Bob Romano has been Post 139’s field manager and coach the last 13 seasons, leading the team to district championships and state-tournament berths. He has heard he will not be permitted to return to the team, if one is fielded… Along with two other past commanders, Romano filed a complaint with the American Legion Department of Virginia, on issues related to the Post’s operations, he told the GazetteLeader. As a result, Post 139 is being investigated by the state and temporarily lost its charter, but got it back.” [Gazette Leader]
New Leader for Planning Dept. — “Samia Byrd has been named Arlington County’s next Director of Community Planning, Housing and Development (CPHD), beginning on Jan. 3, 2024. In this new role, she will provide vision and leadership for the next generation of land use regulations, plans, development policies and practices, housing, and community and neighborhood planning programs. Samia will succeed Claude Williamson who is retiring at the end of the year after a 26-year career with the County.” [Arlington County]
Latest on Lee Arts Center — “Its death sentence has been lifted, at least temporarily, but a modest patch of county parkland located behind the Lee Arts Center on Langston Boulevard may still need friends in high places to ensure its continued existence. ‘It’s maybe at risk,’ Arlington Park and Recreation vice chair Jill Barker said at the committee’s Nov. 14 meeting.” [Gazette Leader]
Armed Shoplifting Suspect Nabbed — From Dave Statter: “Good coordination between @ArlingtonVaPD & @PFPAOfficial tonight after an initial report a shoplifter pulled a knife on Macy’s staff at the Fashion Centre. As soon as the lookout was broadcast a Pentagon officer said that man just went into the Pentagon Metro Station. Pentagon officers went in after him and soon delivered one in handcuffs to Arlington officers.” [Twitter]
Tuesday Crash on I-66 — From Dave Statter: “This was the collision that tied up I-66W near Glebe Road just after 5 p.m. The crash caught the attention of the person walking their dog.” [Twitter]
Marker to Commemorate Lawyers — “The Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board (HALRB) on Nov. 15 gave approval to the markers, which will commemorate buildings that have fallen to the wrecking ball as redevelopment engulfs the Courthouse neighborhood. Among the buildings are five constructed between 1927 and 1941 along what was informally designated ‘Lawyers Row.'” [Gazette Leader]
New Site Design Coming in 2024 — ARLnow will be kicking off a major (for us, at least) website development project in January. We expect to replace ARLnow’s current site design, which dates back to early 2019, by mid-year. ARLnow’s sister sites and partner sites will also be updated. The work is being done by Australia-based The Code Company.
It’s Thursday — Mostly sunny with temperatures reaching a high of 53, accompanied by a south wind at 5 to 9 mph. As the night progresses, expect partly cloudy skies and a low of around 37, with a southwest wind blowing at 6 to 10 mph. [Weather.gov]
Expect a mostly sunny day with a high around 53 and gentle south winds at 5 to 9 mph. As night falls, the sky will turn partly cloudy, accompanied by a low of approximately 37 and southwest winds blowing at 6 to 10 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill
🌅 Tonight’s sunset
Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.
Police on scene of robbery in Courthouse (photo courtesy of anonymous, provided by Alan Henney)
Police on scene of robbery in Courthouse (photo courtesy of anonymous, provided by Alan Henney)
An employee of a shop in Courthouse was beaten by a robber early Wednesday morning, according to police.
The robbery happened around 3 a.m. at the Tobacco Vape Cigars store at 2305 Wilson Blvd.
“The employee was inside the closed business when he heard the male suspect force entry into the store by shattering a glass door,” Arlington County police said today in a crime report. “The employee attempted to confront the suspect, who began collecting merchandise, and a physical altercation ensued during which the suspect struck the employee before fleeing the scene on foot.”
“Medics evaluated and released the employee on scene,” the crime report continued. “Responding officers broadcast a lookout and canvassed the area for the suspect yielding negative results.”
The smoke shop is located in a small building that formerly housed SuperStar Tickets.
The circumstances surrounding this morning’s robbery are somewhat similar to those of a high-profile case in Arlington from March 2020. A group of three people broke into a smoke shop in the Green Valley neighborhood during early morning hours, and an employee who was sleeping in the back shot one of them. The employee was charged with Malicious Wounding but found not guilty last year.
The wee hours of the morning ended up being a busy time for Arlington first responders today. Around the same time as the robbery was dispatched for police, firefighters were arriving on scene of a small fire at the Ethiopian Community Development Council building, just off Columbia Pike on S. Highland Street.
Police are investigating back-to-back reported armed robberies in the Arlington Mill neighborhood.
The robberies happened around 2:30 p.m. on the 800 block of S. Frederick Street. Initial reports suggest that a masked man with a semiautomatic handgun separately robbed two people of cash.
The Fairfax County police helicopter is currently overhead, assisting Arlington police with a search for the suspect.
Neither robbery victim has been reported to be injured.
POLICE ACTIVITY: ACPD is investigating the report of an armed robbery in the 800 block of S. Frederick Street. A helicopter is assisting with an aerial search of the area for the suspect. Expect continued police activity in the area. pic.twitter.com/yTbT5lNJlz
