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.

Most-Read Arlington Stories of the Week: Oct. 18-22, 2021

By ARLnow.com
Halloween decorations along N. Jackson St. (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

After sunny, near-perfect weather during the work week, a cloudier and cooler weekend awaits.

The local news cycle in Arlington has remained busy, shifting from stories around this month’s County Board meetings to the upcoming election. Expect another round of “Why Should You Vote for Me” essays from local candidates at the end of next week.

It the meantime, here are the most-read ARLnow articles of the past week:

  1. Police investigating ‘drive-by shooting’ near Shirlington
  2. Bomb squad investigation at State Dept. office in Rosslyn
  3. Video shows man lighting American flag on fire outside Arlington Heights home
  4. HQ2 to house alternative high school permanently, Arlington and Amazon announce
  5. This Week’s Cartoon: Advanced Towing
  6. Video: Arlington animal control officers rescue dog from fence along I-395
  7. President Biden coming to Arlington next week for another McAuliffe campaign event
  8. Rescue underway after car careens into woods along GW Parkway
  9. Person seriously injured in Rosslyn crash
  10. Hundreds of APS high school students stage walkout over sexual harassment and assault
  11. Firefighters battle a blaze near Shirlington
  12. New restaurant brings Uyghur cuisine to Cherrydale

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

Open Houses in Arlington This Weekend

By ARLnow.com
1409 N. Wakefield Street (vis Google Maps)

We’ve got a cool and sunny weekend ahead, which makes it a great time to explore open houses in Arlington.

Currently, 706 homes are for sale in Arlington with a median list price of $635,000 and the median sales price is $654,950, according to Homesnap.

Take a look at a few open houses you can look forward to:

  • 5158 14th Street N.
    5 BD/4.5 BA single-family home
    Noteworthy: Covered front porch, finished basement, two-car garage
    Listed: $1,595,000
    Open: Sunday, 1-3 p.m.
  • 1716 12th Street S.
    4 BD/2.5 BA single-family home
    Noteworthy: Wood burning fireplace, hardwood floors, brick front porch
    Listed: $975,000
    Open: Sunday, 12-2 p.m.
  • 1409 N. Wakefield Street
    5 BD/3 BA single-family home
    Noteworthy: Hardwood floors, partially finished basement, two-car garage
    Listed: $895,000
    Open: Sunday, 2-4 p.m.
  • 851 N. Glebe Road #1217
    2 BD/2 BA condo
    Noteworthy: Corner unit, gas fireplace, private balcony
    Listed: $725,000
    Open: Saturday, 1-3 p.m.
  • 900 N. Stafford Street #2129
    2 BD/2 BA condo
    Noteworthy: Located atop the Ballston Metro station, new stove and dishwasher
    Listed: $639,500
    Open: Sunday, 1-3 p.m.
  • 1021 N. Garfield Street #335
    1 BD/1 BA condo
    Noteworthy: Private balcony, floor-to-ceiling windows, new custom flooring
    Listed: $540,000
    Open: Sunday, 2-4 p.m.

Image via Google Maps

This Week’s Cartoon: Advanced Towing

By ARLnow.com
“All I did was think about where I was going to park, and they just showed up!” (Cartoon by Mike Mount)

Each week we’ve been bringing ARLnow Press Club members a new editorial cartoon by Arlington resident Mike Mount.

Starting this week we’re going to start publishing the toons here on a regular basis, after hearing from members that they prefer that Press Club content be seen by the entire ARLnow community.

Members will still get an early look at the cartoons, much like they get the Morning Notes four hours early each day, as well as a a preview of the stories we’re planning to cover later in the day.

Click here to join the ARLnow Press Club, support our work, and be the first to know what’s going on in Arlington.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com
Tracking the Hunter Moon from Rosslyn (Flickr pool photo by Joanna Hiatt Kim)

Taller Crystal City Buildings? — “With all of the new projects proposed for the area, developers have been increasingly urging Arlington County to consider bumping up maximum building heights to allow for striking new designs to remake the Crystal City skyline. Led by the area’s dominant property owner, Amazon landlord JBG Smith Properties, this effort has the county on the precipice of allowing more structures there to reach 250 or even 300 feet tall along Richmond Highway.” [Washington Business Journal]

New Scooters on Local Roads — “Bird is rolling out its Bird Three, the world’s most eco-friendly shared scooter, in Arlington. Arlington will be one of the first cities in the DMV to have an exclusive fleet of Bird Three e-scooters. When Arlington residents choose to ride a Bird Three down to dinner at the Crossing Clarendon or to start their holiday shopping early on Rosslyn, they’ll have the safest and smartest riding experience possible.” [Press Release]

Public Comment Policy Pilloried — “Are Arlington County Board rules for community comment at its meeting violating the constitutional rights of the public? That was part of the message of one speaker at the Oct. 14 County Board meeting, criticizing the board’s policy of hearing only one speaker per topic during its ‘public comment’ free-for-all that starts off the monthly meetings. ‘You are venturing very, very close to serious violations, violating people’s political speech,’ local resident Juliet Hiznay said.” [Sun Gazette]

Road Closures in Shirlington Tomorrow — “The 2021 Shirlington Shucktoberfest will take place on Saturday, October 23, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Set-up for the event will begin at approximately 6:00 a.m. and clean-up should be completed by 7:00 p.m. The Arlington County Police Department will conduct the following road closures during that time in order to accommodate the event.” [Arlington County]

Washington Gas Woes Persist — “Complaints about Washington Gas have come up again and again in the NBC4 Responds call center. Customers report having no one pick up calls, an inability to get service and waiting on hold for hours. A Maryland man reported being put on hold for about four hours… In an exclusive interview, a Washington Gas executive promised better customer service and said the company is grappling with a staffing shortage. ” [NBC 4]

It’s Friday — Updated at 8:15 a.m. — 🌤 Partly sunny today, with a high near 70. Northwest wind 5 to 7 mph. Sunrise at 7:25 a.m. and sunset at 6:19 p.m. Saturday will be partly sunny, with a high near 68, and Sunday will be mostly sunny, with a high near 70.

Flickr pool photo by Joanna Hiatt Kim

JUST IN: President Biden coming to Arlington next week for another McAuliffe campaign event

By ARLnow.com
President Joe Biden and Virginia governor candidate Terry McAuliffe at Lubber Run Community Center in July (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated at 4:05 p.m.) President Biden is coming back to Arlington.

Like he did in July, Biden will be campaigning with Terry McAuliffe, who’s in the home stretch of his campaign for a second term in the Virginia governor’s mansion. The Democratic campaign event is scheduled to take place from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday at Virginia Highlands Park (1600 S. Hayes Street) near Pentagon City.

Those registering to attend must attest to being fully vaccinated against COVID-19. No signs are permitted at the event, says the RSVP page.

Biden previously campaign with McAuliffe at Lubber Run Park near Ballston.

McAuliffe will face off against his GOP opponent, Glenn Youngkin, in the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 2. Early voting is currently underway and taking place through Saturday, Oct. 30. The deadline to request a mail-in ballot is tomorrow (Oct. 22).

McAuliffe, who served as governor from 2014-2018, will also be coming to Arlington tomorrow. The Friday event to kick off his bus tour of the Commonwealth is scheduled to take place from 8:45-10 a.m. outside county government headquarters at Courthouse Plaza (2100 Clarendon Blvd).

BREAKING: Two construction workers hurt at Arlington elementary school

By ARLnow.com
1/6

(Updated at 11:30 a.m.) Two workers were hurt after a construction accident at an Arlington elementary school.

It happened around 10:30 a.m. at Key Elementary School, in the former Arlington Traditional School building at 855 N. Edison Street. Firefighters and police are on scene.

Initial reports suggest part of a wall collapsed and the workers were struck by falling cinder blocks. Both are being rushed to the hospital with serious injuries.

“It is related to the construction of the new kitchen,” APS spokesman Frank Bellavia said of the accident. “Two workers were injured… No students were near the site as it is only accessible by construction workers.”

Workplace safety officials are being requested to the scene to investigate the incident.

A portion of N. George Mason Drive in front of the school may be at least partially blocked by the emergency activity.

The principal of the school sent the following message to families this morning.

Dear Escuela Key Staff and Families,

I am writing to notify you about a construction accident which occurred in the area under renovation in the kitchen at Escuela Key this morning. No students were involved or near the site. The area where the construction is occurring is in the kitchen, which is sealed off and separate from students at all times. Two workers were injured and have been taken to the hospital for evaluation and treatment. I wanted you to be aware due to the increased police and fire department activity at the school this morning.

Thank you,

Marleny Perdomo
Principal

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com
Rosslyn skyline, with Tysons in the background (Flickr pool photo by Kevin Wolf)

Update on Shirlington Area Shooting — “At approximately 9:40 a.m., police were dispatched to the report of a shooting in the 4400 block of 31st Street S. Upon arrival, it was determined that the suspect approached the area in a vehicle, exited and fired shots towards two individuals sitting outside a residential building. The suspect then reentered the vehicle and fled the scene. No injuries were reported.” [ACPD]

Passenger Recounts Metro Derailment — From NBC 4’s Adam Tuss: “EXCLUSIVE — we talk to a passenger tonight who was on last week’s derailed Blue Line Metro train. Noelle Purcell says there was smoke, no communication, and she didn’t know if she was going to make it out.” [Twitter, Twitter]

Beyer Pushes for More Buses — From WAMU’s Jordan Pascale: “Rep. Don Beyer out with a statement telling WMATA to ‘maximize bus service’ as 7000-series sidelined for an undetermined amount of time… Metro says no go on bus increase, ‘all of our available operators and buses are already in service.'” [Twitter]

New Restaurant in Pentagon City –“The Ritz-Carlton hotel in Pentagon City has revamped its restaurant as a Mediterranean place that serves modern meze, small pours of glamorous Napa wines, and an espresso martini built with a brand of chocolate rum owned by Bruno Mars. Santé opened over the weekend at 1250 S. Hayes Street in Arlington, Virginia, for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner.” [Eater]

Unusual Protest Outside DEA — “A group called ‘Anonymous Apes’ placed a nine-foot monolith outside the Drug Enforcement Administration’s headquarters in Arlington, Virginia. The protest was staged by criminal justice and drug policy reform activists dressed in ape costumes who wanted to decry the DEA for preventing ‘research into the therapeutic uses of many natural plants and substances,’ the activists said to the District of Columbia Marijuana Justice Organization in a press release.” [NBC 4]

Spotted: Wienermobile — Arlington motorcycle officers spotted the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile while on patrol yesterday. [Twitter]

Howl-O-Ween in Rosslyn — “The Rosslyn BID and the Rosslyn Dog Owners Group (R-DOGS) are teaming up for a Halloween themed evening of dog-friendly activities, treats and fun in celebration of Rosslyn’s new Interim Dog Park at Gateway Park West! Beginning at 3 p.m. on Friday, October 22, Rosslyn’s pet community is invited to enjoy local pet-themed vendors, speakers, a social media dog costume contest and giveaways.” [Rosslyn BID]

It’s Thursday — ☀️ Today will be sunny and just about perfect, with a high near 77. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon. Sunrise at 7:24 a.m. and sunset at 6:21 p.m. Tomorrow will be cooler and partly sunny, with a high near 69.

Flickr pool photo by Kevin Wolf

Video: Arlington animal control officers rescue dog from fence along I-395

By ARLnow.com
Rescue of dog caught in fence along I-395 (via Animal Welfare League of Arlington)

A dog is lucky to be alive after getting caught in a fence along I-395.

Animal control officers from the Animal Welfare League of Arlington rescued the petrified pup from along the busy highway earlier today. A video and account of the rescue was posted on social media.

From AWLA:

Chief Toussaint and Officer [Elpers] made a life-saving rescue today, after this terrified dog somehow got himself stuck between two fences right next to interstate 395.

Chief Toussaint had to cut the fence with bolt-cutters to get to him, and after trying treats and a few other methods, put dog food on her slip lead, waiting for him to start eating, and then slowly slipped the leash over his head. In total it took about an hour and half to get the dog safely into a crate, all the while traffic was roaring by right next to them.

The dog is now safe and sound here at AWLA while we look for his family. We are so grateful to Chief Toussaint and Officer Elpers for getting this dog to safety!

DEVELOPING: Rescue underway after car careens into woods along GW Parkway

By ARLnow.com

Update at 3:25 p.m. — The driver has successfully been rescued and is being transported to a local trauma center with serious injuries, per scanner traffic.

Earlier: Firefighters are working to rescue an injured driver after their car careened off the northbound GW Parkway and into a thick patch of woods, just north of Spout Run.

The vehicle is reported to be some 50 feet into the woods, on the embankment that leads down to the Potomac River. Firefighters had difficulty locating it after Arlington County’s dispatch center received a 911 call from the driver, who reported having a leg injury; the U.S. Park Police Eagle 1 helicopter helped to locate it, according to scanner traffic.

The driver is said to be conscious and alert as rescuers figure out the best way to get him or her to safety.

Fire boats from Alexandria and D.C. also in the area, ready to assist if rescuers need to bring the driver down to the river instead of up to the Parkway.

The northbound GW Parkway is closed in the area as a result of the emergency activity, according to an Arlington Alert. Google Maps shows heavy traffic on the GW Parkway backing up to the Roosevelt Bridge.

This is not the first time a car has driven well into the woods between the Parkway and the river. Earlier this year the Parkway was partially closed to allow for the removal of two crashed cars in the woods.

Map via Google Maps

Arlington Pet of the Week: Karma

By ARLnow.com
1/5

Meet well traveled Karma, Arlington’s latest Pet of the Week. This 13-year-old Old English Sheepdog/Bearded Collie mix grew up in Seattle, but now calls Arlington home.

Here’s what Karma’s mom had to say about her travels.

Karma is well traveled. She has frolicked in the beaches of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, hiked in the Olympic National Forest, climbed sand dunes in White Sands National Monument and looked for aliens in Roswell, New Mexico.

She has visited the grassy knoll and book repository in Dallas, hiked in Smoky Mountain National Park, learned about the Salem witch trials, enjoyed the picturesque Nantucket lighthouses and so much more.

Karma has even lived in Beijing where she climbed the Great Wall of China! Although she has slowed down with age, Karma still loves walking the neighborhood in North Arlington and having adventures meeting new friends. The sun may be setting, but she continues to brighten the lives of everyone she encounters.

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!

Langston Blvd sign replacement project expected to wrap up in a couple of weeks

By ARLnow.com
1/5

Lee Highway is in full retreat and near surrender as it falls back to the Courthouse area.

The Arlington County Board voted in July to change the name of Lee Highway to Langston Blvd, honoring the first U.S. representative of color from Virginia rather than the Confederate general. Recently, county crews have been replacing the Lee Highway signs along the Route 29 corridor, working from west to east, to reflect the new name.

As of Tuesday the work reached the intersection of Langston Blvd and N. Veitch Street, just north of Courthouse.

“Crews have replaced signs from Williamsburg to North Veitch and will continue to Rosslyn,” Arlington Dept. of Environmental Services spokeswoman Jessica Baxter tells ARLnow. “This will take a couple of weeks as it is dependent on weather and scheduling with other ongoing maintenance work.”

Baxter noted that the sign replacement project will cost several hundred thousand dollars.

“The cumulative cost estimate, including the replacement I-66 signage, is up to $300,000 and will be paid for out of the County Manager’s Contingent in the FY 2022 operating budget,” she said.

Fairfax County last week launched a community engagement process to determine whether its stretch of Route 29 should drop the Lee Highway name.

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