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.

Arlington Under Wind Advisory Thursday

By ARLnow.com

Arlington County will be under a Wind Advisory for much of the day tomorrow.

The advisory is in effect from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday. The National Weather Service says gusts of up to 50 mph are expected, potentially causing downed tree limbs and power outages.

More from NWS:

…WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM EDT THURSDAY… * WHAT…WEST WINDS 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH EXPECTED. * WHERE…THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, PORTIONS OF CENTRAL AND NORTHERN MARYLAND, CENTRAL, NORTHERN AND NORTHWEST VIRGINIA AND EASTERN WEST VIRGINIA. * WHEN…FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM EDT THURSDAY. * IMPACTS…GUSTY WINDS COULD BLOW AROUND UNSECURED OBJECTS. TREE LIMBS COULD BE BLOWN DOWN AND A FEW POWER OUTAGES MAY RESULT. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… USE EXTRA CAUTION WHEN DRIVING, ESPECIALLY IF OPERATING A HIGH PROFILE VEHICLE. SECURE OUTDOOR OBJECTS. &&

Update at 10:45 a.m. — The gusty winds are expected to arrive early this afternoon.

Introducing ARLnow’s One-Click Local Takeout and Delivery List

By ARLnow.com

It’s been one month since Arlington’s first coronavirus case was announced, and part of adjusting to stay-at-home life for many has eating a lot more meals from the grocery store.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. Arlington’s restaurants are open and ready to serve you delicious food in the comfort of your home.

That is why ARLnow, in partnership with our friends at Arlington Community Federal Credit Union, has compiled the ultimate Arlington takeout and delivery guide.

The list includes one-tap links to menus, delivery apps and the phone number for more than 150 locally-owned Arlington restaurants.

So go ahead — indulge a bit while supporting a small local business and its employees. You’ll also be helping to reduce food waste in the process.

See anything that needs to be updated? Email ARLnow’s Turquoise Jackson at [email protected]. Happy dining!

Pet of the Week: Ernie

By ARLnow.com
1/4

Meet Arlington’s newest Pet of the Week, Ernie, an 18 year old Beagle mutt who has never let his age dampen his spirits.

Here is what Ernie’s owner had to say about his long and full life here in Arlington:

Ernie is an 18 year old beagle mutt that we adopted from Lost Dog Animal Rescue in September of 2003.  Despite his age and a few minor deficits, Ernie is the same as he’s always been: snuggly, goofy, and special. He has survived many ailments and has never let them stop him. He loves his walks, he loves to greet the mailman barking, he loves playing with big dogs despite his small size, and most of all he loves curling up in our arms on the couch to snuggle. We love him more than anything. Ernie is the definition of man’s best friend.

Coronavirus Cases in Arlington Now Above 250

By ARLnow.com

There are more than 250 known coronavirus cases in Arlington.

The county has 254 reported cases, according to Wednesday’s data from the Virginia Dept. of Health. That gives Arlington the second-highest per-capita rate of infections in the state (107.24 per 100,000 people), and the highest per-capita rate in Northern Virginia, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.

It has been a month since the first confirmed coronavirus case in Arlington.

Statewide, there are now 3,645 reported COVID-19 cases, 615 hospitalizations, 75 deaths, and 30,645 people tested. Of the fatalities, 23 have been in Northern Virginia.

Local, state and federal officials are continuing to urge people to wear masks to slow the spread of the disease. The virus spreads primarily through respiratory droplets, which masks help to mitigate. Even those without symptoms may have and be spreading the disease, making it more important for everyone to wear masks while out.

In just the past couple of weeks there has been a notable uptick in mask wearing among customers in local grocery stores, ARLnow has observed.

‘Peruvian Brothers’ Take Over ‘The Stand’ in Crystal City

By ARLnow.com

There’s a new option for grab-and-go empanadas and Inca Kola in Crystal City.

The Stand, a small food pavilion in the Crystal City Water Park which formerly hosted a rotating cast of pop-up eateries, is now a full-time location for D.C. area food truck favorite Peruvian Brothers.

The new Peruvian Brothers outpost officially opened this week. While perhaps not the best timing, given the pandemic, the stand does let customers order and pick up meals while never needing to go indoors.

Options on the menu include three types of empanadas — chicken, beef, plus spinach and cheese — as well as an Alfajor cookie and a selection of drinks.

More from a press release:

Peruvian Brothers is now open at The Stand in the Crystal City Water Park.

“We are thrilled to welcome Peruvian Brothers to the National Landing neighborhood,” said Amy Rice, Senior Vice President of Retail Leasing at JBG SMITH. “With the opening of their new location, residents will be able to support a local business and enjoy a delicious carry out meal while they get some fresh air during these challenging times.”

The Peruvian Brothers, co-founded by brothers Giuseppe and Mario Lanzone, expanded over the last seven years from operating one food truck to three food trucks, a catering company, and now brick-and-mortar concession stands throughout the region. The Peruvian Brothers’ new location at The Stand will serve authentic “Comida Criolla,” the tastiest part of their Peruvian heritage, which is rooted in Andean, Spanish, African, and Asian influences. The menu includes their renowned baked empanadas, desserts, and drinks, such as Peruvian coffee, for carry out.

“The ability to bring people together through food is incredibly important to us.  As National Landing residents ourselves, we want to serve our neighbors fresh, delicious food when they need it most,” said Giuseppe Lanzone, CEO. “We plan to bring many of the Peruvian flavors we miss most from our childhood to The Stand for others to experience, as they remind us of family and home.”

Peruvian Brothers at The Water Park, at 1601 Crystal Drive in Arlington, will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for carry out only.

Photos: Hearts Across Crystal City at Local Hotels

By ARLnow.com
1/5

The hotel industry has been hit hard by coronavirus crisis. Huge hotels are now only hosting a handful of guests while most of the country hunkers down at home.

But that hasn’t stopped some local hotels from showing their community some love during tough times.

The DoubleTree Hotel in Crystal City, one of the first buildings you see when driving into Arlington via the 14th Street Bridge, has turned one of its now-vacant wings into a large, lighted heart.

The hotel’s general manager, who together with another manager turns the 52 lights on at night, told WJLA that the gesture is intended to “help everybody recognize that they are not alone and that there’s a little bit of love and hope out there.”

“We’re going to get through this together and we will be here to welcome them back when the time comes,” he told the station.

Other hotels in the Crystal City area, as seen in the following social media post from Arlington County, have followed suit.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

VHC Has Supplies, Extra Beds — “Virginia Hospital Center officials said not all of their 394 beds are full at the moment and that the hospital could expand above 400 in the case of a surge… Melody Dickerson, chief nursing officer at VHC, said thanks to changes such as extending the life of personal protective equipment (PPE), under new CDC guidelines, they expect to have enough for at least next month, assuming shipments continue as expected.” [Washington Post]

Bayou Bakery Owner on CNBC — While working to give away food to those in need, Bayou Bakery is facing its own challenges. Chef and owner David Guas appeared on CNBC’s Squawk Box Tuesday morning and discussed his decision to close and lay off all of his staff, while also working to apply for loans and eventually reopen. [CNBC]

Pile Driving Starting Soon at HQ2 Site — “Clark Construction Group, the lead HQ2 contractor, is planning to start a particularly noisy bit of work this week… It does have a solution, of sorts, for those nonessential workers who are sheltering in place. ‘They have provided us with ear plugs to help us deal with the noise, knowing that many of you are working from home,’ Aura management wrote.” [Washington Business Journal]

New Grocery Store Changes — Harris Teeter and Giant stores will be limiting the number of shoppers in their stores, in the interest of social distancing. Giant is also implementing one-way aisles. [Washington Business Journal, WTOP]

Beyer Wants Temperature Checks at Airports — “Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) today wrote to Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf urging the adoption of stricter measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at American airports… such as enforcing social distancing, implementing temperature checks for travelers, providing guidance on how to self-quarantine for exiting travelers, and protective equipment for staff.” [Press Release]

‘Virus Vigilantes’ on the Lookout — ARLnow has been getting a deluge of emails, tips and tweets from locals concerned about other people not maintaining social distancing. Surreptitious photos of teens on sidewalks, construction workers at jobs sites, and even unsuspecting people in parks have been sent our way. It’s apparently part of a national trend of “virus vigilantism,” as people take it upon themselves to enforce health guidelines.

Glebe Elementary Choir Performs Online — Barrett Elementary got a shout out from Sir Elton himself for its staff dance video, but Barrett is not the only Arlington school creating music videos. Glebe Elementary made its own video recently, featuring the school’s fifth grade choir together performing “We Want to Sing” from their homes. [YouTube]

Serial Flasher Arrested After Incident in Virginia Square

By ARLnow.com

A man previously convicted of indecent exposure and other crimes in Arlington is now facing more charges.

Police say 36-year-old Donte Smith of D.C. sat down next to a woman at an outdoor table in the Virginia Square area Monday afternoon and “allegedly began touching himself inappropriately.” The victim backed away from the suspect, who “then exposed his genitals and continued touching himself inappropriately,” Arlington County Police said in a crime report.

Police were called and officers took Smith into custody without incident.

Smith has faced at least 30 different charges in Arlington over the past five years, including indecent exposure and simulated masturbation, according to Arlington General District Court records.

More from the ACPD crime report:

INDECENT EXPOSURE, 2020-04060086, Wilson Boulevard at N. Oakland Street. At approximately 2:30 p.m. on April 6, police were dispatched to the report of an indecent exposure in progress. Upon arrival, it was determined that the victim was seated at an outdoor table when the male suspect approached, sat down near her and allegedly began touching himself inappropriately. The victim moved away from the suspect, who then exposed his genitals and continued touching himself inappropriately. Arriving officers located the suspect and took him into custody without incident. Donte Smith, 36, of Washington, D.C. was arrested and charged with Indecent Exposure: 3+ Offense in 10 Years and Public Masturbation.

Wardian Wins Wacky Ultramarathon Conducted via Zoom

By ARLnow.com

Arlington’s resident extreme endurance athlete has pulled off another improbable feat.

Michael Wardian was among the participants in the “Backyard Quarantine Ultra,” a virtual race conducted via Zoom and social media. The race kicked off Saturday and attracted worldwide attention for its unique format — it challenged runners to run about 4.2 miles on the hour, each hour, and broadcast it via the video conferencing app.

What started with 2,300 runners from 50 countries quickly became a battle of attrition. By day two, it was down to just two: Wardian, 45, and Czech runner Radek Brunner.

A TV crew from WJLA showed up to film the spectacle as Wardian repeatedly ran the same loop around the Arlington Forest neighborhood, where he lives, to the cheers of neighbors.

With the round-the-clock race dragging into its third night and surpassing the 250 mile mark, the audience grew.

Finally, at 11 p.m. last night, Brunner — who was running inside on a treadmill — made a mistake: not starting in time when the horn sounded. He was disqualified and Wardian crowned the champion after he completed his loops. He had competed for 63 hours, had not slept, and ended up running a total of 262.52 miles.

“It was a real honor and privilege to be a part of something beyond my imagination,” said an exhausted Wardian, who came a few hours shy of a world record after the race ended.

Congratulations flowed in from all corners of the globe, including from his hometown.

County Officials Reminding Residents to Stay Out of Closed Parks, Maintain Distance on Trails

By ARLnow.com
1/5

Arlington officials are reminding residents that it’s okay to go outside during the pandemic — as long as they maintain social distancing and stay out of closed facilities.

The county closed parks, playgrounds, athletic courts, tracks, dog parks and other outdoor places where people congregate late last month. Despite that, there have been repeated examples of people still using such facilities, necessitating more stringent measures and — in some cases — a response from Arlington County Police.

With the weather turning warmer, the Arlington Dept. of Parks and Recreation yesterday posted a reminder to Twitter about the closures and the need to maintain a 6-foot distance from others, including on increasingly crowded local trails. It has also been posting signs about social distancing around local parks.

“It’s hard, but social distancing saves lives,” Arlington County Board Chair Libby Garvey said in a video accompanying the parks department’s social media post. “We must do all we can to flatten this curve.”

Not everyone thinks that limiting people’s outdoor recreation options is a good thing, though. While sports that require contact with a shared object, like a ball, are riskier, there is less evidence that being in moderately populated parks is dangerous.

Some believe, in fact, that measures encouraging people to stay inside rather than enjoying the outdoors is harmful. Among them is writer and academic Zeynep Tufekci, who was among the first to prominently question official health guidance against wearing masks (which is now being encouraged) earlier in the outbreak.

Arlington County is trying to strike a balance between the two, closing parks but also encouraging outdoor, individual exercise.

The Dept. of Parks and Recreation’s guidance is below, after the jump.

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JUST IN: Another Big Jump in Arlington Coronavirus Cases as County Encourages Masks

By ARLnow.com

Arlington has confirmed another 34 COVID-19 cases since Monday, the county’s second-largest increase in cases since the outbreak began.

There are now 237 known coronavirus cases in Arlington, up from 104 cases a week ago.

Statewide, the Virginia Dept. of Health is reporting 3,333 cases, 563 hospitalizations, 63 deaths and 28,645 people tested as of Tuesday.

As the numbers continue to increase, Arlington County is urging residents to follow the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention’s new guidance regarding wearing masks while in public.

Especially while in places like grocery stores and pharmacies, the county says, residents should wear a cloth facemask. Such masks can be made at home, as Arlington County Board Chair Libby Garvey demonstrated in a new video.

The county says masks — which are commonly worn in Asian countries, especially during flu season — are a way to prevent the spread of disease.

“The cloth face covering is to protect people around you if you are infected but do not have symptoms,” the county said. “To be clear, this is not meant as a replacement to staying at home, handwashing or maintaining six feet of distance — those remain the cornerstones in the effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus.”

There remains a stigma around wearing masks in public in the U.S., however. Just this morning, someone called Arlington County Police to report a “suspicious” man wearing a mask and supposedly pushing an empty baby stroller while looking into car windows. Arriving officers found that the man was a resident of the caller’s building and that there was a baby in the stroller

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam is also pushing residents to wear masks, assuring those with concerns that a law that makes wearing masks in public in public a felony will not be enforced due to his declaration of a statewide emergency.

The full county press release is below.

Arlington County is encouraging all Arlingtonians to wear cloth face coverings when in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.

This directive is in accordance with a new recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which encourages the cloth face coverings in public (e.g. grocery stores and pharmacies).

To be clear, this is not meant as a replacement to staying at home, handwashing or maintaining six feet of distance – those remain the cornerstones in the effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Why Do You Need to Wear Cloth Face Coverings?

There is now evidence that people with coronavirus can transmit it to others before showing symptoms (“asymptomatic” or “pre-symptomatic”). The use of a cloth face covering can help to slow the spread, particularly among those who have the virus and do not know it.

To be clear: the cloth face covering is to protect people around you if you are infected but do not have symptoms.

What Type of Cloth Face Covering Should be Worn?

The suggested cloth face coverings, fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials, are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators – those are critical supplies needed by healthcare workers and other medical first responders.

The CDC offers three types of cloth face coverings for use:

  • Sewn Cloth Face Covering
  • Quick Cut T-shirt Face Covering (no sew method)
  • Bandana Face Covering (no sew method)

All cloth face coverings should:

  • fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
  • be secured with ties or ear loops
  • include multiple layers of fabric
  • allow for breathing without restriction
  • be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape

All cloth face coverings should be cleaned routinely in a washing machine. Individuals should avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth when wearing or removing their face covering and wash hands immediately after removing.

For more information about the COVID-19 coronavirus and how you can help protect yourself and those around you, visit arlingtonva.us/Coronavirus.

For questions about COVID-19, call the Arlington County COVID-19 Information Line at 703-228-7999.

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