Alexandria Absent from Short Bridge Park Plans — “While plans for the border-spanning park are underway on the Arlington side, one frustration expressed at the County Board was that Alexandria has no plans to develop its side of the park… ‘That’s a little disappointing,’ County Board member John Vihstadt said. ‘I am concerned we’re going to be spending significant amounts of money for improvements on the Alexandria side.'” [Arlington Connection]

Review of Columbia Pike’s BrickhausBrickhaus, which opened last year at the intersection of Columbia Pike and S. Walter Reed Drive, is like a miniature, “year-round, indoor beer garden [that] serves German-inspired fare.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Commuting Satisfaction in Arlington — According to data from Arlington County’s Mobility Lab, Arlington residents commute to work by means other than driving alone 60 percent of the time. Those who walk or bike have the highest rate of satisfaction with their commute, while those who take a train have the lowest satisfaction rate. [Mobility Lab]

Fmr. Clarendon Restaurant Owners Like Falls Church — David and Rebecca Tax, the founders behind classic Clarendon restaurants like Big Belly Deli, Lazy Sundae, Clare and Don’s and Mexicali Blues, are happy with their decision to move Lazy Sundae and Clare and Don’s to Falls Church more than a decade ago. “Falls Church is a lot like what Clarendon was like in 1996 when we opened Lazy Sundae,” said David, while Rebecca remembered the Clarendon of the mid-to-late 90s as “more family oriented, fewer singles.” [Eater]

Mobile Phones Could Be Banned at Pentagon — A military review of personal electronics policies, ordered by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, could result in non-military cell phones being banned at the Pentagon. About 30,000 servicemembers, civilians and contractors work at the Pentagon. [Stars and Stripes]

Japanese Embassy Lauds New Arlington Decal — Via a tweet from the Embassy of Japan in D.C.: “As this year’s @CherryBlossFest nears, we’re excited to hear that the blooming cherry trees along the Potomac River will soon be displayed on windshields in Arlington County. Congratulations to @OConnellHS’s Schuyler Workmaster for winning @ArlingtonVA’s decal contest!” [Twitter]

Flickr pool photo by Kevin Wolf


Someone slashed the tires on seven vehicles parked in the Columbia Forest neighborhood near Columbia Pike, according to police.

The vandalism spree was reported Saturday morning around the intersection of S. Columbus Street at 10th Street S.

More from this week’s Arlington County Police Department crime report:

DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY (Series), 2018-01280098, S. Columbus Street at 10th Street S. Between 2:30 a.m. on January 27 and 11:00 a.m. on January 28, seven parked vehicles had their tires slashed. Nothing was reported missing and no further damage was reported on any of the vehicles. There is no suspect description. The investigation is ongoing.

The rest of this past week’s crime report highlights, including some that we’ve already reported, after the jump.

Map via Google Maps

(more…)


A Taiwanese noodle and dumpling restaurant is coming to the food court level of the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City.

A construction barrier and “coming soon” signs are up outside the storefront, located between Garrett Popcorn and Haagen-Dazs.

Described as a “dumpling and noodle house,” Yong Kang Street has existing locations at a mall in Houston and on the Las Vegas Strip. From the mall’s website:

Yong Kang Street showcases the flavors of Taiwan, Hong Kong and China with a menu that is structured differently than a typical Chinese restaurant. With everything made fresh, it features a variety of Dumplings, a large selection of Noodle Soups, Dry Noodle Dishes, Fried Rice, wok-tossed vegetables, dessert as well as Dim Sum carts.

Just steps away from the future Yong Kang Street, also on the Pentagon City mall’s food court level, a “Mediterranean patisserie” called Al Bohsali recently opened. The kiosk, which offers baklava and other baked goods, has another location at Tysons Corner Center mall.


Market Common Redevelopment Approved — The Arlington County Board last night approved a plan to redevelop a portion of Market Common Clarendon. The project is described as “a major renovation and expansion of a commercial-retail block in the heart of Clarendon,” which will preserve the A&R Engravers building and widen the Wilson Boulevard sidewalk at Edgewood Street. [Arlington County]

Gondola Idea Not Dead Yet — “A gondola connecting Georgetown and Rosslyn adjacent to the Key Bridge is still in the works,” with those on the D.C. side of the Potomac continuing to work on it despite Arlington’s public reticence. However, the project now faces an exceedingly complex Environmental Impact Study. [Washington Business Journal]

Man Shot and Killed in Philly IDed — A local man who was shot and killed by an off-duty police officer in South Philadelphia after allegedly deliberately striking a pedestrian with his car has been identified. Per the Philadelphia Inquirer: “Khalil Lawal, of the 100 block of South Frederick Street in Arlington, Va., was shot early Monday morning by the officer in the face, torso, and legs, police said.” [Philly.com]

Mitten Under Consideration for Michigan Job — Arlington Deputy County Manager Carol Mitten is among three candidates under consideration for the job of City Manager in Grand Rapids, Michigan. [Grand Rapids Business Journal]

Ship’s Hatch Under New Ownership — Long-time military gift store Ship’s Hatch has been sold to a new owner. Founder Mary Beth Cox, 73, is retiring after more than three decades of running the store in the Crystal City Shops. [Washington Post]

Flickr pool photo by GM and MB


Local News Now, the publisher of ARLnow, Reston Now and other local news websites, is seeking an individual of uncommon organizational and interpersonal skills to be our Manager of Accounts and Marketing.

This new position, within a growing startup-style company, will entail working closely with LNN’s Director of Operations and our founder to help achieve the marketing goals of our clients and of our company. This person will coordinate with clients and help them create successful advertising campaigns, while also executing internal marketing and digital lead generation campaigns.

Here’s what we are looking for:

  • Exceptional ability to communicate effectively with clients to ensure we are consistently meeting their needs and goals.
  • Ability to operate in a fast-paced and team-oriented environment.
  • A passion for problem solving and overcoming business challenges with high attention to detail.
  • Basic knowledge of digital marketing techniques. Understanding of Google DFP, Google Analytics and/or WordPress is a plus.
  • Technical aptitude and ability to quickly learn how to use new digital tools.
  • Ability to organize, juggle and prioritize multiple client accounts and campaigns.
  • Someone who is proactive, responsible and can work independently.
  • Prior sales or account management experience is a plus.

The position offers:

  • Competitive compensation.
  • Health insurance.
  • Energy-filled work environment in a Clarendon co-working space.

Do you possess the attributes listed above? Does helping to build a successful business model for online local news sound like a mission that you would like to support? If so, email us ([email protected]) a resume and a two-sentence explanation of what excites you about this opportunity. Please also note if you have any of the following optional skills/experience:

  • Graphic design/Adobe Photoshop.
  • News-style writing.
  • Digital inbound marketing and/or paid social marketing.
  • Notable social sports or pub trivia skills, should any inter-office competition arise.

Lee Highway is currently blocked at the Spout Run Parkway due to a crash in the middle of the intersection.

Initial reports suggest 2-3 vehicles were involved and at least one person might have been briefly trapped in their vehicle.

Police and firefighters are on scene and all lanes of Lee Highway are temporarily blocked due to the emergency response, though some lanes are expected to reopen shortly.


Two men broke into a Lee Highway pharmacy and stole an unspecified quantity of prescription drugs, according to police.

The burglary was reported early Monday morning at the Walgreens at 3130 Lee Highway. The store was closed for a period of time while police investigated, a tipster told ARLnow.com.

More from an Arlington County Police Department crime report:

BURGLARY, 2018-01290031, 3100 block of Lee Highway. At approximately 5:56 a.m., police were dispatched to the report of a burglary just discovered. Upon arrival, it was determined that two unknown suspects forced entry into a business and stole prescription drugs. Suspect One is described as a black male, between the ages of 25-35, approximately 6’0-6’5, with an athletic build, wearing a black sweatshirt with a grey hood, black pants, white shoes and a black mask. Suspect Two is described as a black male, between the ages of 25-35, approximately 6’0-6’5, with an athletic build, wearing a black jacket/sweatshirt with a black hood, black pants and tan gloves. The investigation is ongoing.

Photo via Google Maps


Former Clarendon Walgreens Building Purchased — JPMorgan Chase has bought the building that housed the former Walgreens in Clarendon for $25 million, perhaps for a new bank branch. [Washington Business Journal]

Local Man Shot and Killed in Philly — An Arlington man who “appeared to be intentionally trying to run down people” with his car was shot and killed by an off-duty police officer in South Philadelphia. The shooting is under investigation. [WPVI]

More Details on Arlington Vehicle Decals — “The 2017-18 Arlington car-tax decal may come with a new feature: personalization. The county treasurer’s office is working on a plan that would add each vehicle’s year, make and model onto the new decals, which will start being distributed over the summer.” [InsideNova]

ACPD Launches Super Bowl Sobriety Campaign — “The Arlington County Police Department and law enforcement agencies across the country are huddling up with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for a special Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk reminder to urge football fans across the nation not to drop the ball on this issue.” [Arlington County]

VHC Named Top Hospital for Nurses — Virginia Hospital Center is the top hospital for nurses in Virginia, according to new rankings from a nursing website. [Nurse.org]

Signs Up for Nestle in Rosslyn — A Nestle sign is now up on the company’s new headquarters at 1812 N. Moore Street in Rosslyn. [Twitter]

State Senate OKs Arlington Hotel Tax Bill — The Virginia state Senate has passed a bill to authorize Arlington to impose a 0.25 percent hotel tax surcharge, to fund tourism promotion. The county’s current authority to collect the surcharge expires July 1. [InsideNova]

Robert Parry Obituary — “Robert Parry, an investigative journalist who was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 1985 for his Associated Press exclusives about the CIA’s production of an assassination manual for Nicaraguan rebels, died Jan. 27 in Arlington, Va. He was 68.” [Washington Post, Consortiumnews]


Local bicycling retailer and bike ride organizer Freshbikes has closed.

The store’s Ballston location, at 3924 Wilson Blvd, is shuttered. The Freshbikes location in Bethesda has also reportedly closed. Its Mosaic District store in Fairfax County closed last year.

A message on the Freshbikes website thanked customers and said the closing was “due to circumstances outside of our control.”

Thank You For a Great 11 Years!

For the past 11 years, it has been our honor and our pleasure to serve you. Effective immediately, due to circumstances outside of our control, all Freshbikes locations are closing permanently.

A special thanks to Arlington County for supporting our Tuesday Night Ride through the years.

Lastly, we thank our our outstanding staff, as we couldn’t have done any of this without this team of  dedicated professionals.

Scott & The Freshbikes Team

Several years ago Freshbikes was sued by a former employee who alleged sexual harassment. The suit was later settled and the store posted an apology on its website.

File photo


Electronics and gadget retailer Brookston closed its store in the Pentagon City mall over the weekend.

Signs in the store indicate that it closed Saturday after a 70 percent off clearance sale. Customers are encouraged to shop at Brookstone.com for their drone, electric scooter and Cordless Heated Gronk Shiatsu Massager needs.

The store’s shuttering appears to be one of a recent spate of closings for the company from coast to coast. It was located in one of the mall’s most heavy foot traffic areas, between the main entrance and the escalators to the food court.


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