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
Haze over homes and trees in the Old Glebe neighborhood (staff photo)

Forecast: Home Prices to Keep Soaring — “An already constrained inventory coupled with developers circling the community in search of lots viable for Missing Middle-type housing could continue pushing the price of single-family homes higher in Arlington. That’s the conclusion of a new report from the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors and Center for Regional Analysis at George Mason University, which predicts 2023 will end with Arlington single-family-home prices up an average of 9.2 percent from the year before.” [Gazette Leader]

APS Examining Renovation Needs — “Arlington School Board members on June 8 are slated to approve a contract to finish up an ongoing analysis of existing facilities in preparation for future renovation. The second-stage contract of $832,273 will go to Arlington-based MTFA Architecture, which in coming months will develop an analysis that focuses on the conditions of: 25 elementary schools. Six middle schools. Six high schools and high-school programs.” [Gazette Leader]

Local History Event Tonight — “Did you know that during the Civil War our county was home not only to a ring of US Army defensive forts but also to convalescent camps? In 1862 the US Army established a convalescent camp north of Four Mile Run. The camp had barracks for 5,000 convalescents, tents for 1,000 men returning to their regiments and hospital wards for 500 patients.” [Event Calendar]

Welcome Interns — ARLnow and sister site FFXnow are proud to introduce our 2023 summer intern class: Anya Wareck, Hallie LeTendre and Vivian Hoang. Readers will be seeing their work on our sites over the next two months.

It’s Thursday — Widespread haze. Areas of smoke. Sunny, with a high near 79. North wind around 8 mph. At night: Widespread haze. Partly cloudy, with a low around 57. Northwest wind around 7 mph. [Weather.gov]

UPDATE: ‘Very unhealthy’ air outside Thursday morning

By ARLnow.com
1/3

Update at 9:30 a.m. — The air quality has worsened and entered the “Code Maroon” — or “hazardous” — category.

Update at 8:50 a.m. — Air quality in Arlington has reached well into the Code Purple “Very Unhealthy” category, with an AQI of 276. All locals should avoid spending time outside if possible or wear an N95 or similar mask.

Arlington Public Schools and the county parks department, meanwhile, have cancelled all outdoor activities Thursday.

“School will operate as usual today with some modifications,” APS said this morning. “All APS field trips scheduled for today to outdoor locations have been canceled. All APS outdoor activities, including outdoor afterschool activities, have been canceled. APS indoor activities will continue as planned.”

From DPR: ” Due to the air quality, all outdoor DPR and partner programs are canceled for today. We will continue to monitor the health advisory and will notify you of any future related cancellations.”

Air quality reading for Arlington as of 8 a.m. Thursday (via airnow.gov)

Earlier: Thursday will be another Code Red air quality alert day for Arlington and the D.C. area.

The good news, though, is that some relief from the wildfire smoke is in sight.

Authorities issued the Code Red alert just before 5 p.m. today, urging people to stay inside and avoid outdoor exercise. From the National Weather Service:

…AIR QUALITY ALERT IS IN EFFECT FOR THURSDAY JUNE 8 2023…
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality has issued a Code RED Air Quality Alert Thursday for Northern Virginia. A Code Red Air Quality Alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region are unhealthy for the general population. The effects of air pollution can be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors. For more information on ground-level ozone and fine particles visit the web site Virginia DEQ air quality web site at www.deq.virginia.gov.

Separately, NWS said in a Special Weather Statement that a front should “bring some reprieve to fine particle concentrations” on Friday.

…POOR AIR QUALITY IN THE MID-ATLANTIC THROUGH FRIDAY DUE TO CANADIAN WILDFIRES…

Due to Canadian wildfires, smoke is prevalent in the mid-Atlantic region, including the greater Baltimore and Washington metropolitan areas. Under northerly winds, smoke will continue to be pushed south over our area. The smoke is expected to be rather thick to start the day Thursday, but may start to decrease through the day. A front on Friday will bring some reprieve to fine particle concentrations.

Depending on your location, Air Quality will vary, with much of the area either Code Orange or Code Red – possibly through Friday. […]

Some areas may see Code Red, which means “unhealthy for the general population.” If you are under a Code Red Air Quality Alert, everyone should keep outdoor activities light and short.

For those people in sensitive groups, consider moving all activities indoors.

The effects of air pollution on people can be minimized by avoiding strenuous outdoor activity or exercise indoors. Go indoors if you have symptoms.

Earlier today, Arlington hit measured air quality levels even worse than the Code Red threshold, though it has since improved somewhat.

Listing of the Day: 1034 N. Randolph Street

By ARLnow.com
1/5

Address: 1034 N. Randolph Street
Neighborhood: Randolph Square
Type: 2 BR, 2 BA condo — 1,356 sq. ft.
Listed: $850,000

Noteworthy: Exquisite renovation and thoughtful design only 2 blocks to Ballston Metro!

Welcome to Randolph Square — an intimate condominium community nestled among the bustling Ballston corridor! This exquisite renovation and thoughtful design unfold the very moment you step into the Foyer!

No detail spared in the nearly 1,400 finished sq. ft. spread over 2 beautifully appointed levels. A bright open concept begins in the spacious living room adorned by a cozy wood burning fireplace flanked with custom built in cabinetry. At the heart of the home, the renovated kitchen is ready for the most discerning chef — five burner induction cooking, double wall oven, vented range hood, waterfall quartz countertops, ceramic farmhouse sink, soft close cabinetry, and dedicated wine fridge.

The main level offers a generous bedroom suite with walk-in closet (with built in shelving) and adjacent full bath (with air jet tub)! The upper level boasts another bedroom with custom mirrored closets and luxurious ensuite bathroom. The stunning bathroom renovations showcase marble tile and frameless glass shower doors. Convenient laundry room includes more built in cabinetry and side-by-side washer/dryer.

This home was designed to entertain both in and outdoors. Enjoy the upcoming summer BBQ season on your private outdoor patio under a canopy of mature trees. Ample storage options. One reserved parking space, 1 guest parking pass, and ample street parking. Newer heating/cooling system (2015) and tankless water heater (2016). NEW whole house water filter (2023). LOW condo fees!

EXTRA, EXTRA, EXTRA… durable vinyl plank flooring, designer lighting, closet organizers, plantation shutters, neutral paint, built in Bose surround sound and more!

Listed by:
Kelly Bacon — ERA Teachers, Inc.
[email protected]
(571) 437-5898

Arlington Soccer Association ditches white shorts

By ARLnow.com
The 2006 Boys Academy team last year, in a group photo (courtesy of Arlington Soccer Association)

Arlington’s preeminent youth soccer league is nixing white shorts.

The Arlington Soccer Association announced yesterday that it would replace white shorts with blue shorts, starting in the fall. The move will create the “best possible environment for [female athletes] to feel comfortable and perform at their highest level.”

The issue, a spokesperson for the association says, is that the white shorts can be somewhat transparent at times and are easily stained. Similar moves away from white shorts for female soccer players have been reported this year among national teams and a U.S. National Women’s League Soccer team.

A Time article about the New Zealand and England national teams adopting new shorts colors cites “female athletes around the world voic[ing] concerns over period anxiety during matches.”

White shorts will be replaced by blue shorts for all travel teams — boys and girls — ASA says.

“We already have an all-blue uniform set for our home games. And then we currently wear all white for our away game uniforms,” noted Jerome Boettcher, ASA’s Director of Communications and Engagement. “The new away uniforms will be a white jersey top with blue shorts. The away uniforms will remain all blue.”

The organization’s full press release about the move is below.

The Arlington Soccer Association will replace white uniform shorts with blue beginning in the fall of 2023 for all of its travel teams for home and away games. The change is intended to promote player confidence.

“We believe in empowering our female athletes,” Arlington Soccer Executive Director Frank DeMarco said. “As a result of player feedback, and their concerns about wearing white shorts, we have decided to implement a change. We want to support them by creating the best possible environment for them to feel comfortable and perform at their highest level.”

Arlington Soccer values all its players and strives to foster their love of soccer. The club recognizes the importance of supporting girls in sports throughout their adolescence and providing every opportunity for them to continue playing. Ensuring that all players are comfortable and confident in Arlington Soccer uniforms is one of many efforts that demonstrates the club’s commitment to player well-being and their overall experience.

UPDATED: Police respond to reported fight and shot fired in Green Valley

By ARLnow.com
1/5

Update at 6:20 p.m. — Arlington County police just announced that a 21-year-old suspect has been arrested and charged in the incident. A shot was fired, police confirmed, in close proximity to a preschool and Drew Elementary School.

From an ACPD press release:

The Arlington County Police Department’s Homicide/Robbery Unit is announcing the arrest of a suspect following an investigation into a fight with a shot fired. Chase Smith, 21, of Arlington, VA is charged with Attempted Aggravated Malicious Wounding and Discharge of a Firearm within 1,000 feet of a School. He is being held on a $3,500 secured bond in the Arlington County Detention Facility.

At approximately 10:29 a.m. on June 7, 2023, police were dispatched to the 2200 block of S. Kenmore Street for the report of a fight involving a firearm. Prior to police arrival, the suspect ran from the scene. Responding officers located him in the 3400 block of 22nd Street S. and took him into custody without incident.

The preliminary investigation indicates the victim and suspect were involved in a verbal dispute when the suspect allegedly displayed a firearm. A physical altercation ensued over the firearm, during which a shot was fired. No property damage or injuries were reported as a result of the firearm discharge. A firearm was recovered on scene.

The victim and suspect were transported to an area hospital for non-life threatening injuries sustained during the physical altercation.

This remains an active criminal investigation and anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the Arlington County Police Department’s Homicide/Robbery Unit at 703-228-4180 or [email protected] or anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). For additional community resources and contact information, visit our website.

Earlier: Police have swarmed the Green Valley neighborhood after a report of at least one gunshot being fired.

The incident unfolded around 10:30 a.m. on the 2200 block of S. Kenmore Street.

Initial reports suggest that two men were fighting at a bus stop and at least one had a gun, which was fired. Both men have injuries but so far there’s no indication that anyone was shot.

After a brief search of the neighborhood, police now have two people detained, according to scanner traffic.

The same intersection of S. Kenmore Street and 22nd Street S. was the scene of shots exchanged between two vehicles in January. In October, a report of an armed man firing gunshots in the neighborhood led to a non-fatal shooting of the suspect by police.

UPDATED: Local air quality reaches Code Red level as wildfire smoke thickens

By ARLnow.com
1/2

(Updated at noon) Air quality measurements have exceeded Code Red levels in the D.C. area, according to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.

It’s no surprise to anyone who can see and smell the smoke outside. The thick haze has been wafting into the region from the north, amid severe wildfires in Canada.

The Council of Government says it expects tomorrow to be a Code Red day as well.

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) has issued a Code Red Air Quality Health Advisory for the metropolitan Washington region. Current air quality conditions have reached Code Red, unhealthy levels for everyone. In addition, tomorrow, June 8, is currently forecast to be a Code Red day.

The region has experienced 6 Code Orange days (unhealthy for sensitive groups) so far this year, and no Code Red days until today.

Smoke coming from fires in Quebec, Canada is contributing to the increased levels of fine particle pollution.

COG advises the following health precautions:

  • Everyone may experience health effects and should limit outdoor activity.
  • Members of sensitive groups like individuals with respiratory and heart ailments, emphysema, asthma, or chronic bronchitis may experience more serious health effects.

Residents can check current air quality conditions and the forecast on COG’s website or by downloading a free air quality app from COG’s Clean Air Partners program.

Air quality levels (via Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments)

Among other impacts, at least one Arlington elementary school postponed a planned outdoor field day due to the unhealthy air. And, just before noon, Arlington Dept. of Parks and Recreation cancelled all outdoor programs.

It’s not only people who are being urged to stay inside. The Animal Welfare League of Arlington is reminding residents to keep their pets inside as well.

As of 11 a.m., as pointed out by a reader on social media, the air quality level in Arlington has reached 204 AQI, or the purple “Very Unhealthy” category above Code Red.

“Everyone may experience more serious health effects and should avoid outdoor activities,” the MWCOG air quality table says about the level.

The Arlington County Fire Department, meanwhile, has responded to several calls this morning for people — including an Arlington Public Schools student — experiencing trouble breathing, according to scanner traffic.

Air quality reading for Arlington as of 11 a.m. Wednesday (via airnow.gov)

ARLnow Daily Debrief for Jun 6, 2023

By ARLnow.com

Good Tuesday evening, Arlington. Today we published articles that were read a total of 11985 times… so far.

📈 Top stories

The following are the most-read articles for today — Jun 6, 2023.

  1. Insect damage jeopardizes the oldest building in Arlington
  2. Morning Notes
  3. Chicken + Whiskey hopes to start serving this week in Clarendon
  4. Here are a dozen businesses listed for sale in Arlington this summer

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Wednesday in Arlington, from our event calendar.

☀️ Wednesday’s forecast

Widespread haze. Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Northwest wind 6 to 10 mph. At night: Widespread haze before 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 57. Northwest wind around 7 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.

Air quality alert issued for Wednesday amid smoke from Canadian wildfires

By ARLnow.com
Soccer at Highlands Park in the haze along Hayes Street in Pentagon City (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Updated at 9:45 a.m. — The Code Orange alert has been changed to a Code Red alert.

Wednesday is forecast to be a “Code Orange” day in Arlington and across the D.C. area.

That’s according to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, which says local air quality will be “unhealthy for sensitive groups.”

Air quality is low across much of the eastern U.S. as smoke from wildfires in Canada is blown south, making for hazy skies and, in some cases, a campfire-like smell outside.

More on the Code Orange alert, below, from MWCOG.

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) has forecast a Code Orange air day for the metropolitan Washington region tomorrow: Wednesday, June 7. Code Orange levels mean the air is unhealthy for sensitive groups. Smoke coming from fires in Canada will contribute to the increased levels of fine particle pollution.

On unhealthy air days, COG advises the following health precautions:

  • Children and older adults should reduce outdoor activities.
  • Healthy individuals should limit strenuous work or exercise, especially outdoors.
  • Individuals with respiratory and heart ailments, emphysema, asthma, or chronic bronchitis should limit their activity level. If breathing becomes difficult, move indoors.

Residents can check current air quality conditions on COG’s website or by downloading a free air quality app from Clean Air Partners.

On unhealthy air days, residents are encouraged to take the following actions to help reduce pollution:

  • Turn off lights and electronics when not in use and follow tips from your electric utility about how to use less electricity to cool your home.
  • Avoid lawn mowing or use an electric mower.
  • Use transit, carpool, or work from home to limit driving. Fill up your gas tank during evening hours.

COG provides air quality forecasts and current air quality conditions for metropolitan Washington. It also educates the public about voluntary actions people can take to reduce pollution and the health risks of bad air quality through its Clean Air Partners program, which is co-sponsored by the Baltimore Metropolitan Council.

It’s possible that a Code Red air quality alert could be issued in the coming days, as the smoke gets worse locally, according to the Capital Weather Gang.

Here are a dozen businesses listed for sale in Arlington this summer

By ARLnow.com
Business sale question graphic (photo illustration by ARLnow)

Arlington is full of great local businesses, and sometimes those businesses change hands.

We occasionally check in on the state of local business by taking a look of the entities being offered for sale via BizBuySell, an online aggregator. The businesses are described but usually not named in the listings.

When ARLnow last checked in this past October, we highlighted eight businesses for sale, including restaurants, a moving company and a salon.

Today, we have a dozen to highlight, including one that appeared — for some reason — via a real estate listing.

1. 2900 N Sycamore Street – Williamsburg Deli ($65,000)

Perfect Location with Huge Potential Deli. Deli has demonstrated its pandemic proof with steady sales generated by a well-established core customer base within the neighborhood. Great business opportunity for first-starters.

2. Fantastic Corner Cafe’ and Market ($145,000)

European café and market. Serving breakfast, lunch, evening snacks and deserts. All types of coffees, lattes, and teas. Pastries and bagels. Sandwiches, soups, and salads. Chips, candy, cigarettes’, and Ice cream, Refreshments, select micro beers, and fine wines. Inside and outside seating. A real must see.

3. Newly Renovated, Beautiful restaurant with Patio for Sale ($60,000)

Beautiful newly built out Restaurant, brand new equipment. Big patio. Price for a quick asset sale as Seller wants to pursuit different opportunity.

4. High Volume Restaurant & Bar in Prime Location ($1,100,000)

High volume restaurant & bar in a prime location of Arlington surrounded by residential & office buildings. This restaurant has been in business for over 10 years and averages an immaculate $3,200,000 in annual sales. Beautifully built out with a full service bar serving some of the best wines and specialty cocktails in the area.

5. Specialty Dessert Boutique Franchise ($149,000)

Specialty dessert & gift franchise locations for sale. For a low price of $149,000 you can be the owner of 2 dessert franchise businesses located in Arlington & DC. The current owner of these locations is absentee and we are looking for a new hands on owner to take this established business to the next level.

6. Top rated/top sales with great revenues Burger ($450,000)

Top rated gourmet Burger with potential growth in different directions. Located next to a bustling high-rise residential area. It is not just a burger joint, but also a bar and a hanging out place for the community. With top sales and great revenues, it’s evident that this burger have become a favorite among locals and visitors alike.

(more…)

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com
Construction and haze along Columbia Pike (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Five Arlington Cos. in Fortune 1000 — “Thirty-six Virginia-based companies made Fortune magazine’s 69th annual Fortune 1000 list, notably including newcomers to the commonwealth Raytheon Technologies Corp. and Boeing Co. [both based in Arlington] as Virginia’s second and third highest-ranking companies. Freddie Mac remained Virginia’s top-ranked company, at No. 45, and 24 Virginia companies made this year’s elite Fortune 500 list.” [Virginia Business]

Free ART Rides Coming — “The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission on June 1 called an audible, opting to provide the Arlington County government $566,000 to enable free rides on certain Arlington Transit (ART) buses over a five-month period. The plan aims to increase ART ridership, which was hit hard during the pandemic and has been slow to recover, staff of the regional transit body said.” [Gazette Leader]

I-395 Crash Caught on Camera — From Dave Statter: “Another I-395S crash because someone didn’t want to miss Exit 8C to Crystal City. Yesterday at 2p. The driver then blocked the ramp, almost getting hit by another driver making the 8C dash.” [Twitter]

Another I-395 Exit Crash — From Dave Statter: “Being able to now confirm long held assumptions with @SafetyVid video, it’s clear drivers trying to make the left side exit cause most of the many, many I-395N Exit 10C crashes. This was yesterday at 10:10 am.” [Twitter]

Dashcam Captures I-395 Crash in D.C. — From WTOP’s Dave Dildine: “Dashcam footage of Sunday’s fatal crash in DC shows a vehicle careening off the 9th Street Tunnel overpass and falling into southbound traffic on I-395 below.” [Twitter]

Bonus Change for County Workforce — “Arlington government leaders will no longer be required to show that employees receiving bonuses are deserving based on merit, under a proposal slated for a public hearing and likely enactment in July. County Board members on June 10 are slated to set a July 15 public hearing on changes to the county government’s civil-service code, stripping a past requirement that bonuses be restricted to ‘exceptional services rendered.'” [Gazette Leader]

Marymount Grant for Fall Prevention — “As the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries in adults over the age of 65, falls can greatly impact the health and well-being of older adults… In response to this critical health issue, Marymount University and its Center for Optimal Aging were recently awarded a third round of funding – totaling $548,298.” [Press Release]

Hazy Day Expected Due to Canadian Smoke — “We’ve got more smoke coming at us here in the DC area, sourced from wildfires in Quebec. Probably arriving later today/tonight and peaking on Tuesday, when air quality could be affected some.” [Twitter, Twitter]

It’s Tuesday — Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Northwest wind 8 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. At night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 58. North wind 6 to 9 mph. [Weather.gov]

ACPD: Man beat up at busy N. Glebe Road intersection

By ARLnow.com
Arlington police car (file photo)

Arlington County police are looking for a pair of suspects in a serious assault yesterday evening.

The incident happened Sunday just before 6 p.m., at the intersection of N. Glebe Road and N. Pershing Drive in Buckingham. According to scanner traffic, the victim was beat up by two men and, while he was down, kicked in the head.

The victim was found on the ground, reportedly bleeding from the head. The suspects fled the scene but a witness told police that he had video of the attack.

More, below, from today’s ACPD crime report.

MALICIOUS WOUNDING, 2023-06040185, N. Glebe Road at N. Pershing Drive. At approximately 5:51 p.m. on June 4, police were dispatched to the report of an assault just occurred. Upon arrival, it was determined the male victim was pushed to the ground and assaulted by the two male suspects. The suspects fled the scene on foot and were not located by responding officers. The victim was treated on scene for serious, non-life threatening injuries and refused transport to the hospital. Suspect One is described as Hispanic male, approximately 25-35 years old, 5’5”-5’6”, wearing a white shirt and white pants. Suspect Two is described as a Hispanic male. The investigation is ongoing.

Also in today’s crime report, a woman allegedly threatened a male victim with a knife along Columbia Pike early Saturday morning.

From ACPD:

ATTEMPTED MALICIOUS WOUNDING (Late), 2023-06030223, 2900 block of Columbia Pike. At approximately 7:45 p.m. on June 3, police were dispatched to the late report of a brandishing. Upon arrival, it was determined at approximately 1:30 a.m., the known female suspect became involved in a verbal dispute with the male victim and a witness. During the dispute, the suspect allegedly approached the victim and brandished a knife before being separated by witnesses. No injuries were reported. The investigation is ongoing.

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