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.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Pro-Reopening Parent Group Incorporates — “An advocacy organization born of the fight to bring Arlington students back into classrooms has formalized its status as a lobbying group. Arlington Parents for Education has incorporated under Section 501(c)(4) of the federal tax code, giving it tax-exempt status while allowing it to engage in limited political-advocacy efforts.” [Sun Gazette]

Ballston Pierogi Eatery Expanding — “The rebranded Rogi restaurant currently operates out of a kiosk in the Ballston Quarter food hall, where it set up shop in December. Another counter-order location will open in Leesburg’s Chefscape food hall and culinary incubator on Friday, September 10. Hardy is also planning a Tysons branch in the Urbanspace food hall at Tysons Galleria shopping mall, which will likely open by the end of the year.” [Washingtonian]

Murder Near Bailey’s Crossroads — “A man reported missing on Monday in Fairfax County, Virginia, was found dead Wednesday, and police said they have arrested his son on second-degree murder charges. The Fairfax County police said 78-year-old Truman Nguyen was last seen on Sunday and was reported missing on Monday… Police later received a tip that a body might be buried in the yard of Nguyen’s house on the 3300 block of Nevius Street.” [WTOP]

Flickr pool photo by Kevin Wolf

Just Sold (List Price vs. Final Price): Sept. 9, 2021

By ARLnow.com
4112 26th Road N. (via Google Maps)

This past week, 43 properties were sold in Arlington, according to Homesnap.

As of Sept. 5, the median list price for homes on the market was $594,900, and the median sales price was $652,500. Additionally, homes are spending an average of 71 days on the market.

To get a closer look at these numbers, let’s take a look at a few properties that were sold this past week, including their original list price, final sales price and days spent on market.

  • 3200 N. Abingdon Street — 5 BD/5.5+ BA single-family home
    List price: $3,175,000
    Final price: $3,200,000 (+$25,000)
    Under contract 6 days after hitting market
  • 6733 Lee Highway — 7 BD/4.5 BA single-family home
    List price: $1,795,000
    Final price: $1,650,000 (-$145,000)
    Under contract 34 days after hitting market
  • 4112 26th Road N. — 3 BD/3.5 BA single-family home
    List price: $1,175,000
    Final price: $1,225,000 (+$50,000)
    Under contract 3 days after hitting market
  • 2114 S. Joyce Street — 3 BD/2 BA single-family home
    List price: $830,000
    Final price: $905,000 (+$75,000)
    Under contract 6 days after hitting market
  • 1025 N. Stafford Street — 3 BD/2 BA townhouse
    List price: $800,000
    Final price: $800,000 (+/-$0)
    Under contract 6 days after hitting market

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

Image via Google Maps

Early Morning Notes for Thursday, Sept. 9

By ARLnow.com

Good morning, Arlington. Jo here. It’s Thursday, September 9: National Teddy Bear Day and Adam Sandler’s 55th birthday.

This post is exclusively for ARLNow Press Club members. Not a member? Join here.

Members can sign in here.

UPDATED: Arlington Under Severe Thunderstorm, Flash Flood Watches Tonight

By ARLnow.com

(Updated at 9:25 p.m.) Arlington County and the immediate D.C. area, as well as points north, are under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch tonight.

The watch is in effect until midnight. Forecasters say an approaching cold front will bring storms and potentially damaging winds to the area over the next few hours. Heavy rain and hail are also expected.

Just before 9:30 p.m., a Flash Flood Watch was also issued for Arlington. The watch is in effect until 4 a.m.

More from the National Weather Service:

924 PM EDT WED SEP 8 2021

…FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM EDT THURSDAY…

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS EXPANDED THE

* FLASH FLOOD WATCH TO INCLUDE PORTIONS OF DC, CENTRAL MARYLAND AND NORTHERN VIRGINIA, INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING AREAS: IN DC, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN CENTRAL MARYLAND, ANNE ARUNDEL AND PRINCE GEORGES. IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA, ARLINGTON/FALLS CHURCH/ALEXANDRIA, EASTERN LOUDOUN, FAIRFAX, PRINCE WILLIAM/MANASSAS/MANASSAS PARK AND WESTERN LOUDOUN.

* UNTIL 4 AM EDT THURSDAY.

* SHOWERS AND SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED TONIGHT. AVERAGE RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF ONE-HALF TO ONE INCH IS EXPECTED. HOWEVER, THUNDERSTORMS WILL CONTAIN VERY HEAVY RAINFALL WITH RAINFALL RATES AROUND 1 TO 3 INCHES PER HOUR. LOCALIZED RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 2 TO 4 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE.

* HEAVY AMOUNTS OF RAIN IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME MAY CAUSE CREEKS AND STREAMS TO RAPIDLY RISE OUT OF THEIR BANKS AS WELL AS THE POTENTIAL FOR FLASH-FLOODING IN URBAN AREAS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS BE ISSUED.

Adoptable Pet of the Week: Bella

By ARLnow.com
1/4

Meet the latest Adoptable Pet of the Week, Bella. Her friends at Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation compare her to the sleek, black Batmobile — and she has a “purr motor” to match.

Here’s what else Belly’s friends had to say about her:

Did you admire the sleek black Batmobile? We have our own feline version! Bella means beautiful in a whole lot of languages and it’s true. Bella the cat is a knockout with her glossy black coat and lustrous eyes.

She is a full-figured sedate gal who needs a bit of time to settle in, but once she does, she makes a great kitty companion, affectionate and social. Bella is very sweet and just LOVES chin scratches and pets of any kind. She is blessed with a big time purr generator: as soon as you start petting/scratching her, her purr motor starts up!

While comfortable being by herself, she thrives when given ample attention. A kitty who will play almost on demand, Bella’s favorite pastimes include chasing a feather around the living room and batting catnip toys of all shapes and sizes. While she does not like to be held, she will sit with you on the couch, follow you from room to room, roll on her back for tummy and chin rubs, and snuggle up on the bed each night.

We think she would do best in a quieter home — but that way you can hear her better when she squeaks for you to pay her attention! If you are looking for true companion, Bella is a really good kitty for you.

Learn more about Bella — and watch her chase a laser pointer — over at Lost Dogs & Cat Rescue Foundation.

APS Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer On Leave to Start School Year

By ARLnow.com
Dr. Arron Gregory (photo courtesy APS)

The virtual learning staffing shortfall is not the only issue facing Arlington Public Schools. APS is also starting the school year without its Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer.

Dr. Arron Gregory, who was appointed to the then-newly-created position in December 2019, is currently on “approved leave,” APS spokesman Frank Bellavia confirmed to ARLnow. He has been on leave since at least last week, as the new school year got underway.

No further explanation for the leave was given, nor is there any word on how long Gregory might remain on leave.

“I have no additional details,” said Bellavia.

In Gregory’s place, Dr. Jason Ottley, the newly-appointed Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for APS, is assuming the top DEI job — which reports directly to Superintendent Dr. Francisco Durán — on an interim basis, according to a staff memo obtained by ARLnow.

The full memo, sent on Tuesday, August 31, is below.

Dear APS Staff,

I am writing to inform you that Dr. Arron Gregory, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, is currently on approved leave from Arlington Public Schools. In the meantime, I am pleased to announce that Dr. Jason Ottley, the newly appointed Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, will step into this role temporarily as Interim. Dr. Ottley will assume this position on Wednesday, September 1, 2021, and will help advance the priorities of the office.

Dr. Ottley has been a teacher, school-based administrator and has worked in higher education as faculty and administration.  His body of work demonstrates a commitment to data-informed practice, and he has experience with equity audits and policy reform. Please join me in welcoming Dr. Ottley as he assumes this interim role.

Thank you.

Dr. John Mayo
Chief Operating Officer

A 2020 podcast episode on education reform described Ottley as a race scholar and founder of The Bond Educational Group, “which strives to promote greater inclusivity and representation through the American education system and entrepreneurship.”

A D.C. area native, Ottley received his doctorate in 2018 from West Virginia University and has been focused on finding ways to promote student advancement in underserved communities while also boosting minority representation among teachers, according to the podcast. He has also taught at American University.

Before joining APS, Gregory served as Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the school district in Trotwood, Ohio.

“Gregory brings over 18 years of experience in education with the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) including the Educational Service Center of Central Ohio,” APS said in a press release when he was appointed. “His responsibilities included leading the development and implementation of proactive diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, which support the APS strategic plan.”

New Dunkin’ Near Clarendon Nears Opening

By ARLnow.com
1/8

(Updated at 10:15 a.m.) Work is nearly complete to convert a dilapidated former restaurant space near Clarendon to a “next gen” Dunkin’ store, while a nearby location has closed.

Signs — including “now hiring” — are up at the renovated storefront at 3300 Wilson Blvd, which will feature a drive-thru window for those who want their coffee and donuts on the go. The space was once a Dunkin’ Donuts, before it closed and was succeeded Peruvian chicken restaurant Pio Pio, Indian-Pakistani-Bangladeshi restaurant Naan Kabob, and, briefly, Red Hook Lobster Pound.

After only a few months of construction, the store is now expected to open at some point this month, according to a company spokesman. No exact date was given, but it could be as soon as this week.

A sign on the front door of the Dunkin’ location 3009 Clarendon Blvd, in Clarendon, says the store — which also housed a Baskin-Robbins ice cream shop — is now closed and customers should instead head to other Dunkin’ locations in Courthouse, Ballston or at 3300 Wilson Blvd. The latter is opening this coming Friday, Sept. 10, the sign says.

Located about halfway between the Virginia Square and Clarendon Metro stations, the new Dunkin’ will have some of the company’s “next generation” store features, which typically include things like front-facing bakery cases, tap-based iced coffee and tea pours, and mobile order pickup areas, a spokesman previously told ARLnow.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Firefighters Recount 9/11 Horror — “Arlington County firefighter Matthew Herrera was racing to a call for an apartment fire in Rosslyn, Virginia, 20 years ago, when his crew was rerouted. Their new destination: the Pentagon, for a report of a plane down in the area. It was Sept. 11, 2001. Herrera, now a captain, struggled to get through piles of debris inside the building, right where the plane had hit, to fight the blaze. ‘The first time I fell, I got up real quick and I remember (thinking), ‘I hope I’m not stepping on somebody.’ And I knew that I probably was,’ Herrera told WTOP.” [WTOP]

More Recollections of Sept. 11 — “What they encountered was catastrophic, unprecedented and unforgettable. ‘There was just one piece of the plane I could see,’ recalls Scott, who today holds the rank of Captain II with Arlington Fire/EMS. ‘It was the letter C, from American Airlines.’ Along with countless other responders, Scott spent hours working to suppress the fire raging on the Pentagon’s west side.” [Arlington Magazine, WJLA, NBC 4]

Car Break-ins Around Arlington Ridge — “2300 block of S. Arlington Ridge Road / 1200 block of Oakcrest Road. At approximately 9:52 a.m. on September 3, police were dispatched to the report of multiple larcenies from auto. The investigation determined that between 10:30 p.m. on September 2 and 9:52 a.m. on September 3, the unknown suspect(s) entered approximately four vehicles and rummaged through them. A variety of tools and personal items were reported stolen from the victim vehicles.” [ACPD]

First Hurricane Dog Adopted at AWLA — From the Animal Welfare League of Arlington: “Over the weekend, the first of our Louisiana dogs was adopted! We think Milo is very happy with his new family . More of the dogs from Louisiana will be available in the coming days/weeks so keep an eye on our website!” [Twitter]

Yorktown Football Undefeated So Far — “When it come to his team’s execution on offense, Bruce Hanson is hard to please. The longtime head coach of the Yorktown Patriots has a 2-0 football team already this fall that has scored 19 and 43 points in each of those high-school contests. Yet Hanson isn’t satisfied with what he says is sloppy and uneven performances, including during Yorktown’s 43-17 blowout of visiting Wilson on Sept. 2.” [Sun Gazette]

A Capital Problem Along Route 50 — “@VaDOTNOVA: Please fix the capitalization error on this sign. Should read ’14th Street,’ not ’14Th Street.’ Has annoyed me for years. On WB Arlington Blvd (US 50) near the Marine Corps Memorial.” [Twitter]

Early Morning Notes for Wednesday, Sept. 8

By ARLnow.com

Good morning, Arlington. Dana here. It’s Wednesday, September 8: National Ampersand Day and Pink’s 42nd birthday.

This post is exclusively for ARLNow Press Club members. Not a member? Join here.

Members can sign in here.

The Arlies: Vote for Your Favorite Sushi Spot

By ARLnow.com

The autumnal equinox is still a couple of week away, but today is nonetheless the start of the Fall 2021 Arlies awards.

First, the results of last week’s voting.

Your favorite moving company is JK Moving Services, followed by Two Marines Moving, Town & Country Movers and Bookstore Movers (three-way tie).

Now, let’s get to the first official category for fall! Do you have a favorite local sushi spot that caters to all your sashimi and nigiri cravings? A go-to place that has your favorite sake and maki? Let us know below or by clicking this link.

Voting is open until next Tuesday, when we announce the winners and vote on a new category.

BREAKING: Carpool to Return to Arlington This Fall

By ARLnow.com
1/4

(Updated at 11:30 a.m.) Beloved local watering hole Carpool is returning to Arlington after a more than four year absence.

A popular after-work and sports-watching spot, Carpool closed its Ballston-area location on the 4000 block of Fairfax Drive in 2017, to make way for what is now the 22-story J Sol apartment tower. After two decades in Arlington, the brand lived on in the Fair Lakes area of Fairfax County. But now it’s coming home.

Co-owner Mark Handwerger tells ARLnow that the new Carpool will open on the ground floor of the Virginia Tech building at 900 N. Glebe Road in Ballston. It will occupy a space that has been home to a succession of short-lived restaurant outposts over the past half dozen years or so, including Greene Turtle, Applebee’s and, most recently, Filipino eatery Bistro 1521.

“We have already put in for permits and licenses and hope to do minimal work and be open next month (October),” Handwerger said this morning. “We plan to bring back all the fun, tons of the decor, and a lot of the staff in a refreshed space and upgraded kitchen.”

“We also plan to feature some of our signature garage doors opening onto a large patio,” he added.

A PR rep later revealed additional details.

“CarPool’s new 6,382 SF location will offer the same fantastic experience locals and regulars know and love including billiards, pinball, craft cocktails, live sports, and an extensive draft beer selection,” the rep said via email. “The space will be able to accommodate up to 300 people, and host private parties of all sizes. Patrons will also enjoy an expanded menu, courtesy of a large, second-generation kitchen space.”

Carpool relocated to the Fair Oaks area of Fairfax County following its closure in Ballston, “but couldn’t come to terms with our landlord during the pandemic so [we] agreed to truncate the lease,” Handwerger said. That location closed at the end of May.

A second Carpool location, in the Herndon area, has been in business for nearly 20 years and remains open, he noted.

A full press release about the new Carpool in Ballston is below.

(more…)

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