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.

UPDATED: Stores Evacuated, Road Closed Due to Gas Leak Along Columbia Pike

By ARLnow.com
1/5

(Updated at 2:10 p.m.) A reported ruptured gas line behind Papillon Cycles prompted evacuations and a road closure near the intersection of Columbia Pike and S. Walter Reed Drive.

As of 2:10 p.m., the gas leak has been stopped and police re-opened Walter Reed Drive, after temporarily closing it between the Pike and 9th Street S.

Some stores in the area, on the 2800 block of Columbia Pike, were evacuated during the incident, according to scanner traffic.

One restaurant owner said that means their business had to close, but told ARLnow, “but that’s fine, it’s a Wednesday so it’s slow anyway.”

A full fire department response has been dispatched to the scene as a precaution, as gas company crews work to stop the leak.

Arlington Pet of the Week: Ferda

By ARLnow.com
1/4

This week’s Arlington Pet of the Week is Ferda, a sweet rescue pup who recently found her forever home.

Here is what Ferda’s owner says about life here in Arlington.

Ferda was adopted from Pet Rescue Alliance in mid summer. My husband saw her online and fell in love, so when we heard she was still available we jumped at the chance to meet her. When we brought her home she explored for a minute, then claimed a cushy spot on the couch and promptly fell asleep. I guess she decided she was home.

Ferda is probably a mix of a Boxer and a Boston Terrier, though since she was found abandoned as a puppy we don’t really know for sure. Our research into that mix revealed that they are known to be smart, affectionate and very loyal. Considering how she’s basically velcroed to us when we’re home I’d say it’s an accurate description.

Ferda loves looking for squirrels along Four Mile Run and joining us for happy hour at the many dog-friendly patios in Arlington.  She’s a goofball who makes us laugh everyday. She mastered ‘shake” really quickly,  which is a super cute trick. We’ve put in some effort at expanding her repertoire, with a little ‘roll over’ and ‘spin’, but so far her response to each has been to wave at the air until we shake her little paw.  Oh well, she’s definitely enjoying tons of treats no matter the results of her training.

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!

Each week’s winner receives a sample of dog or cat treats from our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, along with $100 in Becky’s Bucks. Becky’s Pet Care is the winner of eight consecutive Angie’s List Super Service Awards, the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters’ 2013 Business of the Year and a proud supporter of the Arlington County Pawsitively Prepared Campaign.

Becky’s Pet Care provides professional dog walking and pet sitting in Arlington and all of Northern Virginia, as well as PetPrep training courses for Pet Care, CPR and emergency preparedness.

Whitlow’s Seeking to Renew Lease

By ARLnow.com

Clarendon nightlife mainstay Whitlow’s on Wilson is “actively negotiating” for a new lease, manager Jon Williams says.

Readers tipped ARLnow off to a commercial real estate website listing the Whitlow’s space at 2854 Wilson Blvd as available for lease starting on July 1, 2021.

Per the listing:

Total street-level, enclosed area of approximately 8,450sf; plus 350sf of sidewalk seating area; plus 500sf of outside dining area (under tent); plus 4,100sf of Rooftop area; plus 2,500sf of Basement area (storage and walk-ins); and a private driveway for storage, parking and loading.

Fans of Whitlow’s and its rooftop tiki bar shouldn’t start breaking out the hankies just yet. Williams said the listing is part of the lease negotiation process.

“We plan on being here for years to come,” he said.

Whitlow’s celebrated its 20th anniversary in Clarendon in 2016. Earlier this month the bar raised some $8,000 to benefit flood July 8 victims in Westover, according to Williams.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Home Prices Around HQ2 Soar — “The median sale prices for all home types in the 22202 ZIP code, where Amazon is building and staffing up HQ2, was $995,000 in July — the highest for any month in a decade — according to data provided by MarketStats by ShowingTime based on listing activity from Bright MLS. It’s a 72% jump from June, when median sales were at $615,000, and a 25% year-over-year increase.” [Washington Business Journal, InsideNova]

ACPD Launches Anti-DUI Campaign — “The high-visibility national enforcement campaign, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, runs from August 14 through September 2, 2019. During this period, police will conduct nightly saturation patrols with the goal of drastically reducing incidents of drunk driving on our roadways.” [Arlington County]

Courthouse Market Back On Next Weekend — After initially being set to skip next weekend due to scheduled parking lot paving, the Courthouse farmers market is back on for Saturday, Aug. 24. [Arlington County]

Amazon Truck Blocks GW Parkway — The southbound GW Parkway was temporarily blocked at the Memorial Bridge yesterday afternoon due to a too-tall Amazon tractor trailer. [Twitter]

Betting at Local Bars — “Locally, prosecutors haven’t paid much attention to the games. Arlington County Commonwealth’s Attorney Theo Stamos said she wasn’t even aware that any machines were in the county until informed by the WBJ that bars in both Clarendon and Ballston operate them. An Arlington police spokeswoman said the department hasn’t noticed “any issues or concerns related to” the machines.” [Washington Business Journal]

Cheesetique to Open New Location in Shirlington

By ARLnow.com

(Updated at 8/16/19) Wine and cheese store and restaurant Cheesetique is opening a new location in the Village at Shirlington.

State and county permits show the local shop is planning to open at 4024 Campbell Avenue, in the former Luna Grill and Diner space, just down the road from its existing Shirlington location.

According to permits, the Luna space is being renovated on the first floor and the basement level, while exterior changes are being made to the storefront. There will be a new sidewalk cafe outside the restaurant and operable windows, the county permits suggest.

“After 8 years in Shirlington, Cheesetique will open a new, larger location at 4024 Campbell Avenue this autumn,” owner Jill Erber confirmed to ARLnow, following the original publication of this article. “The new Cheesetique will be home to private dining and event spaces, more generous restaurant seating, and an enhanced retail cheese and wine shop. Our current location at 4056 Campbell Avenue will close once we relocate.”

Cheesetique has locations in Shirlington, Alexandria’s Del Rey neighborhood and the Mosaic District in Fairfax County. A Cheesetique location in Ballston closed in June.

File photo

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Storms Expected Today — “Strong to locally severe thunderstorms are in the forecast Tuesday afternoon and evening, and the potential exists for this to be a significant severe weather event.” [Capital Weather Gang]

ACPD: Expect Police at Fair — “As in years past, the [Arlington County Fair] will have dedicated police staffing and resources and fairgoers can expect to see a visible police presence… There are no known threats to Arlington County, however, the public is encouraged to remain aware of your surroundings at all times.” [Arlington County]

Local Volunteer Firefighting Legacy — “Tucked inside the Clarendon fire station on N. 10th St. is a special closed-off room. By long-standing arrangement with the county, it is dedicated to honoring the station’s decades of reliance on volunteer firefighters. Today’s professionally staffed Fire Station 4 deploys ‘no active volunteers, but retains a volunteer presence.'” [Falls Church News-Press]

Hotel Near HQ2 Sells For Big Bucks — “Host Hotels & Resorts sold the Residence Inn Arlington Pentagon City, a 299-room high-rise property at 550 Army Navy Drive, for $99.1M in a deal that closed July 1, according to Arlington County property records.” [Bisnow]

Deer Rescued from Fence — “Last week, Officer Solano and several neighbors were able to safely untangle this juvenile deer from a soccer net in a resident’s backyard. The deer immediately ran away, uninjured, back into the woods nearby.” [Twitter]

Man Brings Loaded Shotgun to Pentagon — “A Kentucky man taken into custody at the Pentagon last week had a shotgun, ammunition and a machete in his pickup truck, according to court documents… While speaking to the officers, [the man] made ‘incoherent statements about being in the area for ‘liberty business.”” [Fox 5]

Arlington 9/11 Memorial 5K Returning Next Month

By ARLnow.com
1/3

Arlington public safety personnel are again organizing a 5K race for a good cause, in memory of those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001.

The 18th annual Arlington Police, Fire and Sheriff 9/11 Memorial 5K will be held on the evening of Saturday, Sept. 7. This year, the race will raise money for two organizations:

  • HEROES, which is “dedicated to aid families of law enforcement officers and firefighters who have died in the line of duty in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.”
  • The Pentagon Memorial Fund, which is working to build a new visitor center.

The race will be held at 6 p.m. on Sept. 7, with a start and finish near the DoubleTree Hotel in Pentagon City (300 Army Navy Drive) and a course that winds around the Pentagon. Registration is $40 through Sept. 4.

“Since its inception, the Arlington Police, Fire & Sheriff 9/11 Memorial Race has had over 40,000 runners cross its finish line and has raised over $800,000 for 9/11-related charities,” the race’s website says. “Our goal is to donate over 1 million dollars and to host the 20th Anniversary 9/11 Race on Saturday, September 11, 2021.”

The post-race festival, in front of the DoubleTree Hotel, includes music and free food and drink for participants.

Officers Help Save Victim of Stabbing Near Columbia Pike

By ARLnow.com

(Updated at 3:45 p.m.) A man suffered life-threatening injuries after being stabbed near Columbia Pike over the weekend, according to police.

The incident happened just before 3 a.m. Sunday, on the 4600 block of S. Four Mile Run Drive.

Arlington County Police say they were dispatched for a report of a dispute between two acquaintances. Officers arrived on scene, found the victim — who was suffering from multiple stab wounds — and “immediately began performing life saving measures,” according to police.

The victim was rushed to a local hospital and is considered to be in critical but stable condition, according to ACPD spokeswoman Ashley Savage.

The suspect, 30-year-old Arlington resident Jeffrey Melendez, “was arrested and charged with malicious wounding,” according to a crime report. He is being held without bond.

“The exact nature of the dispute and what directly preceded the incident remains under investigation,” Savage told ARLnow.

Savage noted that ACPD officers are trained to provide emergency aid to trauma victims in situations where they are the first to arrive on scene.

“Officers receive training in TECC (Tactical Emergency Casualty Care) and are issued trauma kits which enables them to initiate stabilizing care and immediate first aid before the arrival of medical assistance,” she said.

TRAFFIC ALERT: NB I-395 Closed at 14th Street Bridge

By ARLnow.com

(Updated at 11:20 a.m.) A crash has temporarily shut down all main lanes of northbound I-395, just before the 14th Street Bridge.

First responders were first called to the scene for reports of a two-vehicle wreck with injuries.

Police and firefighters are working to move the vehicles off to the side. At least one of traffic is expected to reopen shortly.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Arlington Is Top Destination for Young Adults — Arlington County is one of “the 40 places where young people are moving… based on the number of 18 to 34 year-olds who moved there in 2017 as a share of the total county population.” [USA Today]

Local Team Notches ‘World Series’ Win — “With their bats coming alive, the Arlington Senior Babe Ruth All-Stars improved to 1-2 in pool play Aug. 10 to win for the first time in the 15-under Babe Ruth World Series in Bismarck, N.D.” [InsideNova]

Arlington Firm Fined — “A military contractor has agreed to pay $4 million to settle an overbilling case. The U.S. attorney’s office in New Jersey announced the settlement with Mission1st Group on Friday. The Arlington, Virginia-based company specializes in systems engineering, information technology and telecommunications.” [Associated Press]

Why the Crashed ART Bus is Still There — Updated at 9:25 a.m. — “The vehicle at Columbia Pike and George Mason Drive can’t be moved until the building structure is stabilized. Once repairs are made to the structure, the bus & the other vehicle pushed into the building will be moved and County Police will finalize their investigation.” [Twitter]

Photo courtesy @netforceone/Instagram

ARLnow Weekend Discussion

By ARLnow.com

It’s August and lots of people are going on vacation (including the person writing this post, from Gate 28 at DCA), but for those staying here it looks to be a beautiful weekend.

For a week in typically slow August, the past few days were especially busy news- and readership-wise.

Here are the most-read articles on ARLnow this week.

  1. Arlington Man Survived on Coca-Cola for Five Days After Falling at Home
  2. UPDATED: Widespread Power Outage in Arlington
  3. Hunan Number One Closing in Clarendon
  4. JUST IN: Street Closed in Ballston After Man Falls from Building
  5. BREAKING: ART Bus Rolls Into Building on Columbia Pike
  6. ‘World Market’ Closing at Pentagon Row With Big Sale
  7. Construction Underway on New Ballston Target
  8. APS Named Top School System in Virginia
  9. BREAKING: ART Bus Careens into Community Garden After Crash

Flickr pool photo by Samer Farha

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