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It’s Cyber Monday… Consider These Local Options

Published November 30, 2020 at 3:30PM

At this point, your inbox is probably flooded with Cyber Monday deals from stores you haven’t ordered from in at least three years — 30% off here, 50% off there.

But instead of getting distracted by the *best* and *lowest* prices from these national chains, we want to highlight a few local businesses that we love, and happen to be current advertisers or partners.

You can shop these businesses online today and throughout the entire holiday season.

Arrowine: Place an online order for wine, beer, charcuterie and/or cheese to pick up at Arrowine.
HUNGRY: Schedule a Virtual Xperience for your family, friends or co-workers and spend time together cooking up a meal, mixing cocktails or decorating cookies.
GRUMP at Home: Shop more than 25 arts and crafts vendors at this local online holiday market.
VIDA Fitness: Commit to a year at VIDA Fitness today and pay no dues until January 2021, or get 50% off virtual and outdoor classes for the next three months.
RSVP Catering: Get your holiday meals delivered straight to your door.
Delhi Dhaba: Take 15 percent off your entire takeout order today as Delhi Dhaba wraps up its Diwali celebrations.
Pacers Running: Get $20 to spend in store or online between December 26 and March 31 when you purchase a $125 gift card by December 4.

Know of other deals at local businesses? Let us know in the comments.

Even if none of the above have what you’re looking for, we hope you’ll consider shopping local over the next few weeks.

Soldiers, Not Volunteers, to Lay Wreaths at Cemetery This Year

By ARLnow.com

Published November 30, 2020 at 2:00PM

The annual Wreaths Across America holiday wreath-laying is back on at Arlington National Cemetery, but with some big changes.

Due to the pandemic, the legions of volunteers that usually participate will not be able to do so this year. Instead, most of the nearly quarter-million wreaths will be placed — and removed, after Christmas — by soldiers based at Fort Myer.

“Unfortunately, including the general public is not possible during the pandemic, and the cemetery will be closed to the public from December 13 to 19,” the cemetery said last week. “This year’s event will be a multi-day, phased plan involving family pass holders, the Military District of Washington (MDW), soldiers from the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) and the Wreaths Across America organization.”

“This approach will enable these partners to safely lay and recover approximately 267,000 wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) and Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home National Cemetery,” the cemetery added.

The wreath-laying was initially cancelled by cemetery officials this year, but was brought back after intervention by military brass and President Trump.

The cemetery’s press release is below.

Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) and Wreaths Across America (WAA), along with our partners the U.S. Army Military District of Washington (MDW) and the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment, “The Old Guard” (TOG), will safely lay and recover approximately 267,000 wreaths to honor our nation’s heroes and their family members this December.

We developed this plan to balance our security posture and health and safety requirements with the desire to allow limited in-person participation. Therefore, family pass holders of those interred at ANC and Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home National Cemetery (SAHNC) will be able to lay wreaths in person at designated times. Members of the general public can take part in this year’s National Wreath Day in a virtual setting.

This plan enables us to preserve our capability to execute our primary mission to bury our nation’s service members and their eligible family members with the honor and dignity the American people have come to expect from Arlington National Cemetery.

Event schedule:

Sunday, December 13: Family pass holders only will be welcomed to lay wreaths at their loved ones’ graves from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The cemetery will be closed to the general public.

Monday through Friday, December 14-18: The cemetery will be closed to the general public, enabling the MDW and TOG soldiers to safely place wreaths on graves while ANC simultaneously conducts over 100 funerals during the week. Family pass holders are welcome to visit the cemetery daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to place their private wreaths flowers.

Saturday, December 19: A small group of Wreaths Across America team members will place wreaths in a designated section of the cemetery, and the National Wreath Day event will be broadcast for the public to experience. The broadcast link and time will be available closer to the event. Family pass holders are welcome to visit the cemetery from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to place their private wreaths or flowers.

During the week of December 13-19, the cemetery will be closed to the general public.

Sunday, December 20: The cemetery will reopen to the public. Visitors are welcome to place graveside tributes of privately purchased wreaths or flowers in accordance with our floral policy […]

Arlington National Cemetery is complying with the Department of Defense directives and supplemental “Force Health Protection Guidance for the Novel Coronavirus Outbreak,” and with current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance for this virus. The health protection of our workforce and our visitors is a top priority, and ANC maintains our commitment to honor the nation’s veterans who rest on these iconic grounds.

Flickr pool photo by Erinn Shirley

Spotted: A Couple on an Elaborate Date at Gravelly Point

By ARLnow.com

Published November 30, 2020 at 11:45AM

A pandemic is raging, the country is sharply divided, and many people and businesses are struggling.

Despite the gloom and doom, however, every once in awhile a glimmer of hope, joy and humanity manages to shine through. Such was the case on Friday, when a couple enjoyed a white tablecloth dinner, complete with wine and flowers, outdoors… at Gravelly Point.

The plane-watching and picnic destination just north of Reagan National Airport became the couple’s date spot, as captured by a Twitter user who posted a photo (below) on Sunday.

“At Gravelly Point day after Thanksgiving. Was it the first in-person date? Guy was waiting for a long time. I think he’s a keeper,” the user wrote.

“Planes on a first date? Definitely a keeper!” the Twitter account for the airport responded.

Planes on a first date? Definitely a keeper! https://t.co/n8VAbaFXV8

— Reagan Airport (@Reagan_Airport) November 30, 2020

Know the couple? Please contact us, we’d love to tell their story.

Cases Dip After Reaching New Record, But Hospitalizations Are Up

By ARLnow.com

Published November 30, 2020 at 11:00AM

The level of new coronavirus cases in Arlington has receded a bit after reaching a new record over the weekend.

As of Sunday, the trailing seven-day average of daily coronavirus cases reached 75.7 — or 530 cases over the course of a week — a new local record. As of Monday, it’s now 63.3 daily cases, or 443 over a seven-day period, the lowest point since Nov. 21.

The county’s test positivity rate, meanwhile, is down to 4.8%, after reaching 7.8% mid-month. The decrease in the positivity rate comes as the level of testing reached a new peak leading up to Thanksgiving, with a seven-day moving average of 1,164 daily tests.

Hospitalizations, on the other hand, have been on the rise over the Thanksgiving weekend. Seventeen new COVID-related hospitalizations were reported in Arlington since Thanksgiving, bringing the one-week hospitalization total to 20. That’s the highest point since early June.

Hospitalizations are increasing statewide, as well.

“The number of Virginians hospitalized for treatment of COVID-19 hit a new high Sunday, as average numbers of new cases continued to set records both statewide and in Northern Virginia,” InsideNova reported. “The Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association reported Sunday morning that 1,628 patients were hospitalized statewide, surpassing the pandemic’s prior peak of 1,625 set on May 8.”

InsideNova also reported over the weekend that Northern Virginia’s case average has doubled in two weeks.

No new deaths were reported in Arlington, however. According to Virginia Dept. of Health data, the last COVID-caused death in the county was reported on Nov. 23. The cumulative number of cases, hospitalizations and deaths in Arlington over the course of the pandemic is now 6,299, 589 and 157, respectively.

Despite the lack of recent local fatalities, the long-term debilitating effects of a coronavirus infection for some patients is coming into sharper view.

On Sunday, Washington Post food critic Tim Carman revealed that he and his wife were sickened by the virus earlier this month, and after a grueling battle with the disease at home, he’s still not back to 100%. Still others lose the senses of taste and smell, perhaps never to fully recover, or have lasting gastrointestinal problems, memory issues or loss of energy.

#coronavirus

Postal Service: Send Packages Early to Arrive by Christmas

By ARLnow.com

Published November 30, 2020 at 9:45AM

Send your holiday packages early this year.

That’s the message from the U.S. Postal Service, which says that the pandemic leading to both operational challenges and a big increase in shipping volumes. That, in turn, may cause delays as Americans rush to ship gifts to friends and family.

In-person sales were down for many retailers on Black Friday, but online sales hit new records. Today’s Cyber Monday online shopping event is expected to see a jump in sales, up to 15-35%, as many holiday shoppers hunker down at home.

Between the jump in e-commerce and more families staying apart for the holidays, USPS says the crush in package volume means you should send your gifts early in order to arrive by Dec. 25.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published November 30, 2020 at 6:00AM

Local Dog Adoption Demand is High — “Kim Williams, who volunteers for the Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation of Arlington, Virginia, has tapped into a puppy pipeline of sorts to bring some of Georgia’s homeless pet population to the mid-Atlantic region where they are bombarded by requests for dogs to adopt.” [WMAZ]

American Reducing Service at DCA — “American Airlines is discontinuing service to more than 20 destinations from Reagan National Airport in January, according to new data reported by the Official Airline Guide. Cities and/or airports dropped range from major (New York-JFK; Las Vegas; St. Louis; Minneapolis-St. Paul) to smaller (Jackson, Miss.; Manchester, N.H.; Greensboro, N.C.). Many were served just once or twice per day.” [InsideNova]

Land Transfer May Speed Bridge Project — “Interesting: NPS is ‘supportive’ of conveying four acres of parkland to VA and DC to construct the Long Bridge(s), rather than just permitting. That would likely speed design and construction, and could result in a ped/bike span that doesn’t compromise as much on width and lighting in order to conform to NPS interests.” [@CarFreeHQ2/Twitter]

Local Wildlife Caught on Camera — “Arlington resident Levi Novey and his wife Alicia have captured footage documenting quite an array of critters passing through their yard via a fence that Levi has dubbed a ‘wildlife superhighway…’ So far their fence camera has photographed foxes, raccoons, mice, housecats, chipmunks, and lots of birds and possums.” [WJLA]

Redistricting Commission Applications Open — “Beginning Monday, Virginians will have a month to apply for one of eight public seats on the state’s new redistricting commission, which has begun its work with a panel of retired judges setting out plans for the application process.” [Washington Post]

Stormy Day Today — “Get ready for a wild weather finish to November. A strong storm system develops and moves through… bringing a mix of hazards to our area in a short time frame, capped off by the potential for strong to possibly severe storms Monday afternoon. No specific warnings or advisories have been issued, but expect a good soaking of one to two-plus inches of rain (and some wild temperature swings).” [Capital Weather Gang, Twitter]

ARLnow Weekend Discussion

By ARLnow.com

Published November 27, 2020 at 3:30PM

Congratulations on getting through Thanksgiving, whether that meant a large family dinner, a smaller pandemic-appropriate gathering, or a solo holiday.

Today is Black Friday, which usually means large crowds at the malls but will likely be more noticeable in the form of lots of delivery vans criss-crossing local streets next week. As always, but especially this year, please try to shop local whenever possible.

Despite the holiday-shortened week, there was plenty to report on. Here are the most-read articles of the past five days on ARLnow:

Feel free to discuss those stories, or anything else of local interest, in the comments. Enjoy the rest of your holiday weekend!

#weekend discussion

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published November 27, 2020 at 7:30AM | Updated November 27, 2020 at 8:00AM

Restaurants Get Ready for Winter — “On November 6, TTT’s expansive rooftop bar unveiled a permanent structure with a retractable roof and sliding glass walls that can be heated when the air is chilly. Iricanin hopes the addition will keep the rooftop in use during the winter months. The new structure can seat up to 60 diners with social distancing. Ambar, meanwhile, is poised to open a winter garden in its rear parking lot with a similar heated structure that can accommodate 60 to 70 guests, pending final approval from the county. ” [Arlington Magazine]

Leaf Collection Update — The second pass for Arlington County’s vacuum leaf collection is set to begin Saturday and run through Dec. 19. [Arlington County]

New YouTube Channel for 55+ Programs — “The Office of 55+ Programs at the Arlington Department of Parks and Recreation has launched a YouTube channel offering local presentations on everything from fitness to cooking to technology. In addition, members of the 55+ Programs staff host a bimonthly talk show on the channel.” [InsideNova]

Arlington’s Oldest House — “The Ball-Sellers House on Third Street South in Arlington is the oldest building in Arlington County, Va. It was built in the 1750s by farmer John Ball. Later, three generations of the Carlin family owned the house, helping save it from destruction. Today, it is owned by the Arlington Historical Society.” [Washington Post]

Library Offering Book Bundles for Kids — “The Arlington library system is offering ‘book bundles’ for young readers, part of the library system’s outreach effort as its branches remain shuttered. Bundles of 10 picture books or 10- early-reader books are available for pickup at Central Library during the hours of holds-pickup, with a limit of one per library card.” [InsideNova]

Grant to Fund Grocery Gift Cards — “A half-million-dollar grant to… Virginia Hospital Center will help struggling families with $1,200 in grocery store gift cards over the next six months. Health clinics and pediatric units on the front lines of the pandemic are finding a side-effect of the economic crisis: food insecurity and hungry children.” [WJLA]

Former ACPD Chief Cites County Board As Reason for Early Departure

By ARLnow.com

Published November 25, 2020 at 1:15PM

Arlington’s former police chief says disagreements with the County Board led him to seek an early retirement.

M. Jay Farr, who retired in September, wrote a letter to the editor of the Sun Gazette, which was published online today. In it, he refuted claims that he left amid agreements with Arlington’s new, reform-minded prosecutor.

“While it is true that Ms. Tafti and I did not look through the same lens all the time, we did strive to seek common ground wherever possible,” Farr wrote. “On those occasions where there was a difference of opinion, I found Ms. Tafti willing to consider the police department’s position. Overall, we had a very professional and respectful relationship.”

The former chief said his relationship with the County Board was not as positive.

Reference my retirement and early departure, I was in a deferred-retirement option that I entered into in December of 2017 and was obligated to depart the county in December of 2020. My decision to leave early was based entirely on my relationship with the Arlington County Board.

Board member Christen Dorsey’s comments regarding the Police Review Committee highlighted his concerns about the police department. He noted that this committee, a project out of the county manager’s office, once completed should finally provide recommendations for a police department that this community deserves. Not exactly a glowing endorsement of my efforts, or others’, over the past 30 years. It became apparent that the County Board and Mr. Dorsey were seeking to move in a different direction.

Farr added that he is “confident” that acting chief Andy Penn “is continuing to build a strong working relationship with the commonwealth’s attorney to provide the best service possible to the Arlington community.”

In an interview with ARLnow today, County Board Chair Libby Garvey said that while the Board had disagreements with Farr, he was a “consummate professional” and there was mutual respect between Board members and the former chief.

Garvey said the Board does want some policing practices to change — a public process to review practices and suggest changes was launched after the killing of George Floyd and an increase in local use-of-force complaints — but noted the such changes are likely to be incremental.

“We want to step back and look at our policing,” Garvey said. “I think the whole country is looking at policing. We’re part of that. I think our community expects us to do that.”

“I don’t expect there to be a major change because I think we have an excellent police force… but we’re moving into a different era,” Garvey added. “Moving into the 21st century you need to look at how you’re doing things. Life changes.”

Asked about the rise in crime in the county, Garvey said that potential reforms like removing uniformed police from mental health calls and traffic enforcement duties could allow officers to better focus on reducing crime.

“You want to have a community that’s strong and safe, I think we have that and we’re working to continue that,” she said.

As for disagreements among the police department, the County Board, and the prosecutor’s office, Garvey said it is healthy to have people from different backgrounds and perspectives hash out issues “in a professional and respectful way.”

“You don’t want groupthink where everyone agrees and thinks things are fine all the time,” she said. “I think the fact that there are some disagreements is a healthy thing — it’s about how you work them out.”

‘Notes’ Post Leads to Removal of Fake Sign

By ARLnow.com

Published November 25, 2020 at 10:45AM

A recent Morning Notes post on ARLnow has resulted in a fake road sign being removed in Arlington.

ARLnow published the photo above, taken along N. Glebe Road near Chain Bridge, on Nov. 5. Though the construction sign in the foreground gets top billing, eagle-eyed readers might have noticed the “Adopt-a-Highway” sign behind it, which says — in the space reserved for the adopting organization — “PLEASE JUST RAISE TAXES.”

Was that strictly a prank, or did a group by that name really sign up, using the name to send a snarky message about the concept of volunteer roadway trash collection.

A regular ARLnow commenter, known as Smiley456, emailed VDOT to ask about it.

“Can you verify if the group mentioned on the Adopt a Highway sign either exists or someone defaced the sign?” Smiley456 asked in an email sent to the agency’s Adopt-a-Highway inbox earlier this month.

The answer that came back, from a VDOT employee, was that it was indeed a prank.

“Upon investigation we found that this current road section is available for adoption via the Adopt-a-Highway program,” the employee said. “The previous permit holder’s sign was vandalized with a look-alike VDOT sticker reading ‘PLEASE JUST RAISE TAXES.’ Currently we have removed this portion of the signage and have an order to remove the former Adopt-a-Highway group’s signage in process.”

“I appreciate you bringing this to my attention and allowing me to investigate and resolve this situation,” the employee added, attaching a photo of the removed portion of the sign.

Those interested in adopting that stretch of Glebe Road can find out more about the Adopt-a-Highway program on VDOT’s website.

Photo (below) via VDOT

Another Case Record in Arlington, Amid Pre-Thanksgiving Barrage of Testing

By ARLnow.com

Published November 25, 2020 at 9:45AM

More than 1,000 coronavirus tests were performed in Arlington on at least four days over the past week.

The surge in testing may be attributable to returning college students, traveling relatives and others seeking a virus-free Thanksgiving gathering. It has pushed the county’s seven-day testing average up to 928 daily tests and the test positivity rate down to 6.3%, from 7.6% just four days ago.

Amid the rise in testing, the number of average daily cases continues to rise. Arlington hit a new record today, with 482 coronavirus cases reported over the past seven days, or a trailing seven day average of nearly 69 daily cases.

The cumulative number of confirmed cases in Arlington over the course of the pandemic is now 5,994, just shy of the 6,000 mark. It crossed 5,000 on Nov. 8.

No new COVID-related deaths were reported in Arlington today by the Virginia Dept. of Health, but three new hospitalizations were reported overnight, bringing the seven-day total of local hospitalizations to nine.

The Centers for Disease Control is recommending that Americans avoid traveling for Thanksgiving this year, as the pandemic rages in much of the nation. Arlington County, meanwhile, last week issued “Guidelines for a Safer Thanksgiving During COVID-19,” including keeping gatherings small, hosting guests outside, and wearing masks.