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.
Signs are up for a new Chopt location in Arlington.
The salad purveyor, popular with lunchtime office crowds, appears to be coming to the ground floor of the Ballston Exchange complex, next to Shake Shack and across from Ballston Quarter mall.
It’s unclear when it will open. No additional information about the new location could be found on the Chopt website and the company has not responded to an inquiry from ARLnow.
Chopt has existing locations in D.C. and Northern Virginia, including in Rosslyn at 1735 N. Lynn Street. Other locations include McLean, Vienna and — opening today — Kingstowne Town Center, just south of Alexandria.
In Ballston the new Chopt will compete with existing salad spots Sweetgreen (4075 Wilson Blvd) and Sweet Leaf Cafe (650 N. Quincy Street), each a couple of blocks away.
The U.S. Air Force Memorial (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
YHS Wins State Field Hockey Championship — “Yorktown field hockey sticks to its routine to accomplish something it never has before… Patriots beat Western Branch, 1-0, for their first state championship.” [Washington Post]
ACPD Ramping Up Seat Belt Enforcement — “The Arlington County Police Department is teaming up with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on the national Click It or Ticket campaign. Law enforcement agencies across the country will increase enforcement efforts from November 16 – 28, 2021, to work towards reducing the number of fatalities that occur when motorists fail to buckle up.” [ACPD]
County Has Available Kid Vax Appointments — “Arlington County Public Health is continuing vaccinations for 5-11-year-olds this week, Monday-Friday from 2-7 p.m. Over 6,000 kids ages 5-11 have already received their first dose. Schedule your appointment today.” [Twitter]
Arlington Man Charged in Fatal Crash — “A tip led to the arrest Monday of a 54-year-old Arlington man wanted on charges of DUI-related involuntary manslaughter and operating without a driver’s license in connection with a Nov. 6 crash in Montclair that killed a Dumfries man. Investigators obtained warrants Thursday for John William Harris… but attempts to locate him had been unsuccessful, police said.” [InsideNova]
Free Coffee at Taco Bamba — “To promote the breakfast menu and the free coffee program, Taco Bamba is giving away branded coffee tumblers to the first 50 guests at each store who purchase a breakfast item.” [Press Release]
Secret Santas Wanted — From Arlington County: “You can make the holiday season a little happier for some of Arlington’s most vulnerable residents by taking part in the @ArlingtonDHS’ Secret Santa/Holiday Giving Program. This program benefits Arlington’s at-risk residents.” [Twitter]
It’s Tuesday — Today will feature mostly cloudy skies through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 53. Sunrise at 6:52 a.m. and sunset at 4:53 p.m. Tomorrow will be sunny, with a high near 65. [Weather.gov]
If you were looking for a place to procure a hearty sandwich, a lovely bouquet and a cold beer with the same swipe of a credit card, the wait is almost over.
Poppyseed Rye, a new restaurant and flower shop concept, is opening this week in the former Buzz Bakeshop space at 818 N. Quincy Street in Ballston. It will officially open to the public on Friday (Nov. 19), though a couple of private “soft opening” events are likely earlier in the week.
The shop will specialize in fresh flowers and craft sandwiches, while also featuring home goods, toasts, cold press juice, charcuterie, beer, wine, and champagne. That’s according to co-owner Scott Parker, who’s also a partner in Don Tito and a trio of other Ballston businesses: Bearded Goat Barber, BASH Boxing, Bronson Bierhall.
Parker is opening Poppyseed Rye with partners Alex Buc, who formerly ran Jetties sandwich shops in D.C., and Akeda Maerdan, who owns Farida Floral in Fairfax. The opening can be seen as a vote of confidence in Ballston as a place that can support the kind of businesses that one might more commonly see in the city.
(Part of the neighborhood is, in fact, more population-dense than anywhere in the District.)
“Ballston is on fire,” Parker told ARLnow over the weekend. “We’re so excited to open in this buzzing neighborhood, and bring the best sandwiches and fresh flowers you can find in the area.”
Poppyseed Rye will we open from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. daily, starting Friday.
Abingdon Elementary School students cross the road on the first day of school (file photo)
The speed limit is being lowered in some local roads.
The Arlington County Board voted 5-0 on Saturday to approve the establishment of “School Slow Zones,” with 20 mph speed limits. Implementation, around 13 public and private schools, is expected to be complete this later winter or in the spring.
County staff will evaluate the effectiveness of the initial slow zones before moving forward with potentially implementing the lower speed limits around all Arlington schools.
More from an Arlington County press release:
Today, the Arlington County Board voted 5 to 0 to approve the creation of “School Slow Zones,” which aims to reduce traffic speeds around 13 schools across the County. The zones address a key action item in the Vision Zero Action Plan, adopted by the Board in May, and are the first application of permanent 20-mile-per-hour speed limits permitted under Virginia law.
Schools are a key focus area for Vision Zero in Arlington – a nationally recognized strategy to eliminate all fatalities and severe injuries no matter the means of travel, while increasing safety and mobility. Some specific data points:
One in four crashes in Arlington involves speeding.
Every year, there are 10+ crashes involving speeding around schools in Arlington.
The risk of injuries and deaths increases as vehicle speeds increase.
Children are among the most vulnerable travelers.
The School Slow Zones are the result of an interdepartmental partnership between the Arlington Department of Environmental Services’ Transportation Division, Arlington Public Schools (APS) and the Arlington County Police Department.
“The recent tragic traffic fatalities in our community remind us how important it is to achieve our Vision Zero goal of eliminating serious traffic injuries and deaths,” said Arlington County Board Chair Matt de Ferranti. “These zones are one of many steps the County is taking to help road users reduce speed and increase awareness of people – usually children — walking and biking near our schools.”
What are School Slow Zones?
A School Slow Zone is a permanent 20 mile-per-hour speed limit on a neighborhood street within 600 feet of an access point to a school. Speed limit signs and pavement markings clearly define the zone.
Where will the First Slow Zones Be Located?
This demonstration project approved by the Board will install 11 School Slow Zones around 13 public and private schools in the County (two zones both include pairs of schools very near to each other), to test the effectiveness of the treatments developed by transportation staff. County and APS staff identified schools for the demonstration project from three different sources:
Through Vision Zero
Hoffman-Boston Elementary School
Gunston Middle School
Drew Elementary School
In coordination with APS
Escuela Key Elementary School (formerly Arlington Traditional School)
Arlington Traditional School (formerly McKinley Elementary School)
Innovation ES (formerly Key Elementary School
Cardinal ES (new school)
Because existing safety beacons suitable for a School Slow Zone need immediate replacement
Tuckahoe Elementary and nearby Bishop O’Connell High School
Glebe Elementary School
Wakefield High School and nearby Claremont Elementary School
St. Thomas More Cathedral School
Implementing School Slow Zones
Implementation of the first Slow Zones is expected to take between three and five months.
During the demonstration stage, transportation staff will collect “before” and “after” vehicle speed data to assess whether zones, as designed, successfully reduce speeds around schools. Transportation staff will also collect public feedback before considering adjustments to zone infrastructure and placement for all remaining schools in Arlington.
Moving forward, the County anticipates adding ten Slow Zones each year, meaning that the 40-plus public and private schools in the County could be updated within the next three to five years.
Fundraiser for Man Killed in Crash — An online fundraiser for Stevan Zikic, the 26-year-old Alexandria man killed when he collided with a school bus while riding a motorcycle in Arlington’s Green Valley neighborhood, has raised nearly $35,000 for “overseas transportation and funeral costs.” [GoFundMe]
County Board Approved Pike Plan — “The County Board voted 5 to 0 to approve zoning updates that will help realize the vision of Columbia Pike as a walkable ‘Main Street’ by providing greater flexibility for commercial, office, light industrial, and agricultural uses–including animal boarding and craft beverage production — on ground floors along the Pike.” [Arlington County]
Public Art Plan OKed — “The Arlington County Board voted 5 to 0 today” — despite some last-minute opposition — “to approve an update to the Public Art Master Plan (PAMP) that will better serve placemaking efforts and improve the quality of public spaces around the County. The update, which is part of the County’s overall Comprehensive Plan, details the vision and guiding principles of public art in Arlington and sets priorities and themes centered around goals to integrate, expand, connect and engage through public art installations around the County.” [Arlington County]
Unhoused Taking Up Residence Under Bridge — “Eight months after the W&OD bicycle-pedestrian bridge opened at the Arlington-Falls Church border, members of our homeless population have gravitated there… I’m told by Kurt Larrick, assistant director of the Human Services Department. ‘Our outreach teams,’ which include PathForward volunteers, ‘are making regular visits.’ On Oct. 15, they spoke to two men sleeping at the base of a footing for the bridge. They didn’t seem interested in services now but agreed to discuss the possibility when reminded of the location’s vulnerabilities.” [Falls Church News-Press]
Beyer ‘Falling Short’ in Fundraising — “Let’s say you’re independently wealthy, well-regarded by most constituents (even from the opposition party) and occupy a district so reliably Democratic that the only way an incumbent could possibly lose the seat is via a scandal… What would you be doing? If you were U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-8th), you’d still be asking supporters to send you money.” [Sun Gazette]
Two Men Beaten in Crystal City Area — “Victim One was inside the business in line at the register behind the suspect, when the suspect allegedly turned around, struck him in the face, exited the business and verbally threatened him from outside. A short while later, Victim Two attempted to enter the business when the suspect, who was still standing outside, allegedly struck the victim in the back of the head with a blunt object before fleeing the scene on foot. Arriving officers located Victim Two outside of the business with a large laceration on the back of his head and administered aid until medics arrived on scene.” [ACPD]
Here Comes the Flu — From Virginia Hospital Center ER chief Mike Silverman’s latest social media post: “Our COVID isolation numbers in the ED have been pretty stable over the last 3 weeks. We’re better than a month ago but we continue to have a steady number of patients who require our COVID isolation protocol. Hospital wide, our inpatient census is up a touch from last week and our overall percent positive rate for the hospital is also up a bit. We are starting to see just a sprinkling of flu cases over the last month. It’s not too late to get your flu shot.” [Facebook]
It’s Monday — Today will be breezy and mostly sunny, with a high near 51. West wind 9 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph. Sunrise at 6:51 a.m. and sunset at 4:54 p.m. Tomorrow will be mostly sunny, with a high near 53.
Inside the nearly-completed new CarPool bar in Ballston (Photo via CarPool/Facebook)
(Updated at 3 p.m.) Those waiting on CarPool to make its triumphant return might have to keep waiting for a week — or several.
The beloved bar, which closed its original Ballston-area location on Fairfax Drive in 2017 and moved (temporarily) to Fairfax County, was hoping to open in October. But the global supply chain woes affecting everything from car manufacturing to wire hangers are delaying the opening.
“We are pretty much ready (and have been for a couple weeks now), but have been delayed while awaiting a couple parts needed to repair a couple pieces of kitchen equipment in order to get the final sign-off from the Department of Health,” co-owner Mark Handwerger told ARLnow this afternoon. “This whole supply-chain mess seems to be at the core of the matter, but in any event we are hoping to have things finalized next week.”
Handwerger cautioned that if CarPool is unable to open next week, it will likely have to wait until after the following week’s turkey leftovers are cleared from the fridge.
“It may be after Thanksgiving since I feel certain no one will be doing anything that week and, even if we get things shored up on our end I’m guessing we won’t be able to get inspected and have licenses and the like processed during the holiday,” he said.
The new CarPool is located in the nearly 6,400-square-foot former Greene Turtle and Bistro 1521 space, in the Virginia Tech building at 900 N. Glebe Road.
Photos posted to the watering hole’s social media accounts over the past month show what’s in store when it does reopen: billiards tables, dart boards, lots of TVs, plenty of beer taps, and other old favorites like the antique gas pumps, antique signs, and garage doors. There will also be a large outdoor space and, we’re told, pinball machines.
Hoping to make a move? Find open houses across Arlington this weekend, from high-rise condos to multi-story townhomes.
Here are few open houses to explore, then check out more on Homesnap.
401 S. Jefferson Street
6 BD/4 BA single-family home
Noteworthy: Electric fireplace, hardwood floors, gated fence
Listed: $1,590,000
Open: Sunday, 12:30-3:45 p.m.
3925 N. Woodstock Street
4 BD/2.5 BA single-family home
Noteworthy: All brick rambler, fireplace, walk-out lower level
Listed: $1,100,000
Open: Sunday, 2-4 p.m.
1109 S. Columbus Street
6 BD/3.5 BA single-family home
Noteworthy: Private rear yard, deck, remodeled lower level
Listed: $895,000
Open: Sunday, 1-4 p.m.
3835 9th Street N. #601E
3 BD/2 BA condo
Noteworthy: Oak hardwood floors, breakfast bar
Listed: $759,900
Open: Saturday, 1-3 p.m.
1024 N. Utah Street #116
2 BD/2 BA condo
Noteworthy: Enclosed patio, reserved garage parking
Listed: $524,800
Open: Sunday, 12-2 p.m.
Police outside of a Columbia Pike 7-Eleven store after reports of gunfire (photo courtesy Jose N.)
A shot was fired during a dispute in the parking lot of a 7-Eleven store on Columbia Pike last night.
The gunfire rang out around 6:45 p.m. on the 3600 block of Columbia Pike. Police say a man drew a gun during a dispute with another man and then fired a shot, though the gun might have been fired accidentally.
Police swarmed the store, placing crime scene tape around the entire parking lot as they investigated. No one was hurt, police said.
Police are describing the incident as “reckless handling of [a] firearm.” So far there’s no word on any arrests.
“At approximately 6:42 p.m. on November 11, police were dispatched to the report of a person with a gun,” said Arlington County police spokeswoman Ashley Savage. “Upon arrival, it was determined that two male subjects became involved in a dispute in the parking lot of a business. One subject produced a firearm and the firearm was discharged during the incident. The circumstances of the discharge remain under investigation. No injuries were reported. The investigation is ongoing.”
Raindrops and leaves in Rosslyn (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Biden Visits Arlington for Vets Day — “President Joe Biden saluted the nation’s military veterans as ‘the spine of America’ on Thursday as he marked his first Veterans Day as president in a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.” [WTOP]
Wet Roads Leading to Crashes — From the Washington Weather Geeks: “Please be careful out there this morning! Multiple crashes have been reported in and around the region. Wet [leaves] on the roads will help cause more hazards this morning. Slow down!” [Twitter]
Jury Duty Reminder — “Juror questionnaires were mailed in the form of a postcard with a website link in early August to 35,000 randomly selected residents of Arlington County and Falls Church City. Not everyone was chosen to receive the questionnaire. If you did not receive a postcard, there is nothing you need to do. These Questionnaires are used to qualify residents for jury duty which begins January 1, 2022, and ends December 31, 2022.” [Arlington County]
‘Missing Middle’ Study Update — “The most recent update revealed community support for the housing affordability, diversity, and supply that missing middle housing would bring. Competing concerns from homeowners have arisen regarding flooding, tree loss, and strain on infrastructure; though ultimately, existing patterns of development mean these issues already exist under the status quo.” [GGWash]
‘Spirit of Community’ Honorees — “As Arlington Community Foundation marks three decades of service this fall, this year’s Spirit of Community will honor three extraordinary people who embody Arlington’s Spirit of Community, Advocacy, and Volunteerism. In addition to recognizing these three extraordinary individuals, the program will feature Arlington youth and business leaders who have stepped up to meet the historic challenges of the last two years in inspiring and innovative ways.” [Arlington Community Foundation]
Lots of Ladybugs Around Area — “Multicolored Asian lady beetles are swarming in large numbers across the Mid-Atlantic because of late fall warmth. Also called ladybird beetles, this type of ladybug smells bad, can bite you and, if you squish it, produces a messy, yellow stain. This is another invasive insect that has found a home in our area.” [Capital Weather Gang]
WaPo’s Winter Forecast — “Overall, temperatures should work out close to average. Snow lovers are unlikely to be pleased as we’re projecting below-average amounts for the fifth time in the past six winters. We do, however, think we’ll top last winter’s snow totals… Alexandria, Arlington and Prince George’s counties and the District: 8 to 14 inches.” [Capital Weather Gang]
It’s Friday — Today there will be rain and storms until about 10 a.m., then gradually clearing through this evening. Sunrise at 6:48 a.m. and sunset at 4:56 p.m. Tomorrow there will be a chance of showers between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., otherwise it will be mostly sunny and breezy, with gusts up to 23 mph. Sunday will be mostly sunny, with a high near 51.
