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Opening Date Set for T.J. Maxx in Pentagon City

Published October 12, 2016 at 2:15PM

The new 20,000 square foot T.J. Maxx store on Pentagon Row now has a grand opening date: Saturday, Oct. 29.

Located in the former Hudson Trail Outfitters space, the off-price retailer will offer “high-quality and on-trend merchandise from top designers at amazing prices,” plus “jewelry, home, beauty, pet products, toys and more.”

As part of its Oct. 29 grand opening and 7:30 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony, T.J. Maxx says it is donating $5,000 to local nonprofit Doorways for Women and Families.

Extensive Community Process for Athletic Field Lights Nearing Conclusion

By ARLnow.com

Published October 12, 2016 at 1:00PM | Updated November 16, 2016 at 1:34PM

Three years, 18 working group meetings and 886 pages of posted documents later, the county is nearing the final stretch of a public process to decide whether to add lights to the athletic fields at Williamsburg Middle School.

The Williamsburg Field Evaluation Work Group will be holding a public meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 2 to discuss the process and gather more community input before drafting a report for the County Board.

“Come see what was learned, ask questions and share your input,” said a description of the meeting, which will be held from 7-9 p.m. at the middle school (3600 N. Harrison Street).

The process started in September 2013, with the County Board’s approval of a new elementary school — later named Discovery Elementary — on the Williamsburg site.

Controversy over whether new synthetic turf fields should be lighted — which pitted soccer parents against a group of residents who live near the school — prompted the Board to call for the creation of a working group. The group’s charge was finally approved, after a bit of additional intrigue, in 2015.

The 15-member group was tasked “to lead a robust community process to evaluate whether or
not to light the Williamsburg synthetic fields.” At issue: whether resident concerns about excessive light, noise and traffic at night outweigh the county’s usual policy of lighting synthetic fields to maximize use (primarily for youth sports) and return on investment.

Earlier this year the timeline for the working group was pushed back: it’s now expected to prepare a draft report in November and finalize its recommendations in January. The County Board is then expected to consider the group’s recommendations at its February meeting.

Image via Google Maps

Arlington Pet of the Week: Dobby

Published October 12, 2016 at 12:15PM

This week’s Arlington Pet of the Week is Dobby, a cat who loves kneading and sleeping in fluffy blankets.

Here’s what Dobby’s owner, Bridget, had to say about him:

Dobby – aka Dib Dobs, Dobbers, Dobby Doodles, and whatever else his human thinks of – is a black-and-white house cat who is approximately three years old. A Jersey boy at heart, he was found as a stray in his human’s aunt’s neighborhood, but after being discovered by his human’s sister, he made the trip down to Arlington. After adjusting to the scarcity of Wawas and the abundance of Nats fans in Northern Virginia, Dobby quickly made himself at home and learned to love new apartment view of the Air Force Memorial and Washington Monument!

Dobby’s favorite things are fluffy blankets, and he alternates between sleeping on them and kneading them. Despite his love of fleece fabric, however, he does not share his fictional namesake’s love of clothing (his human has tried).

Dobby also goes completely insane when the laser pointer is brought out and loves to throw himself full-force against the wall to “catch” it. Sometimes he reverts to his “street manners” and has been known to drag an entire steak off the counter if you’re not watching him – but he’s so cute, his human can’t be mad! At the end of a long day, Dobby likes to sleep on top of his human during a good Netflix session. His human thinks she couldn’t have asked for a better binge watching partner (or pet)!

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 six 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.

#Pet of the Week

Poll: Which Arlington Resident Has the Most Embarrassing Orthodontics Story?

Published October 12, 2016 at 11:15AM | Updated October 13, 2016 at 12:03AM

Last month we asked our readers to tell us your most embarrassing orthodontics story.

You responded and… yowza… there were some really embarrassing and weird stories. We’ve whittled the submissions down to four cringe-worthy finalists and now it’s up to readers to vote for your favorite.

The winner will receive professional teeth whitening sessions for two from Rosslyn-based VCO Orthodontics. The runner-up will get a professional teeth whitening session for one.

These stories may be ugly but there is good news: if you or your kids need orthodontic treatment, the modern ortho techniques employed by VCO’s Harvard-educated founder, Dr. Crissy Markova, make for a much better experience than you might have gotten back in the day.

Here are the finalists:

1. Lisa

The scene: middle school in the San Francisco Bay Area in the mid 1970s.

The facts: I will admit that I didn’t wear my headpiece at night like I was supposed to. I was warned but didn’t believe the ortho. He said he would wire it in if I didn’t wear it.

The other fact: our choir was invited to sing on the local TV station, and I had a solo.

Next ortho appt: the ortho wired in my headpiece. I begged him not to. The next day I was in the TV studio in SF singing. With a big lisp. ” I THAW three THIPS come THAILING in on CRETHMATH DAY…..” Yep, lovely.

2. Katie

Once a few years ago I had an accident that required the repair of two broken teeth. While the operation itself, shots of novocaine and all was 100% successful, it was made most unpleasant when the saliva suction tube fell out while I was waiting for the orthodontist and the technician stepped away for a few minutes. I realized it had fallen out after my mouth started swelling up with spit, and I couldn’t swallow it because it built up too quickly that I was worried I would choke. All I could do was sit there and be frustrated that I had to essentially spill like a cup of my own spit onto the floor. Turns out those suction tubes are super important if removed for 5 minutes!

3. Sarah

Back in fifth grade after I had my braces taken off I was given a retainer to wear. It was pizza day for lunch and I discretely took my retainer out, wrapped it in a napkin, and put it on my lunch tray. When I got home from school my mom asked where my retainer was and I realized I had thrown it away with my lunch tray. We hopped in the car, drove to the school, and I got in the dumpster to pull out the lunch trash bags. We sifted through a few bags, and found my retainer! She soaked and cleaned it and I went back to wearing it the next day.

4. Kathy

Well my experience was terrible in the 80s and continues to haunt me. I had an appliance that was supposed to bring my lower jaw forward and it puffed my cheeks like a chipmunk. During my first week of middle school (living in Florida and I am female), someone asked me if I was chewing tobacco. I am now 48. A year ago, I was diagnosed with “short roots” attributed to the fast track method of orthodontia implemented in my early teens. Because of this, I now need to wear a retainer nightly so I don’t lose my front two bottom teeth.

So which embarrassing story has your vote?

Voting closes next week on Wednesday, Oct. 19. Good luck to the entrants!

#contest

Incorrect Voting Information Sent to Thousands of Arlington Residents

By ARLnow.com

Published October 12, 2016 at 10:00AM | Updated October 12, 2016 at 1:53PM

Incorrect voting information sent to Abingdon precinct residents

Residents in three Arlington voting precincts have received erroneous voter cards from the county.

With four weeks to go until Election Day, voters in the Crystal City, Wilson (Rosslyn area) and Abingdon (Fairlington) precincts were sent cards that incorrectly listed the Lyon Park Community Center as their voting location, Arlington County Registrar Linda Lindberg confirmed to ARLnow.com.

Those who live in the Abingdon precinct also received an erroneous flyer, intended for Wilson precinct voters. Wilson and Crystal City voters received the correct flyer.

“Our mailroom sent cards to the correct voters but pulled incorrect precinct data,” said Lindberg. “They are [resending] with a letter of apology from me. I personally proofed the new cards so I know they are correct.”

“The County mailroom has taken full responsibility for the error and are working to get the correct information out to voters as soon as possible,” Lindberg added.

Update at 1:50 p.m. — The Washington Post reports that about 9,000 Arlington voters received mailings with incorrect information. That number was not immediately available from officials this morning.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published October 12, 2016 at 9:15AM

Court Judgment Against Fmr. Johnny Rockets Owner — The owner of the former Johnny Rockets diner in Pentagon City mall has been ordered to pay more than a half million dollars in back wages and damages to 55 servers. The servers worked at Johnny Rockets locations in Pentagon City and Union Station in D.C.; a Dept. of Labor lawsuit alleged they had to share tips with non-tipped employees and did not receive overtime for working more than 40 hours per week. [Patch]

Arlington GOP Still Supports Trump — In an email this week, the chair of the Arlington County Republican Committee said that the party continues “to strongly support Donald Trump for president,” despite joining with GOP leaders in denouncing Trump’s recorded 2005 remarks about women. [Blue Virginia]

Delta to Fly from DCA to LAX — Delta Air Lines has announced plans to start flying from Reagan National Airport to Los Angeles International Airport, starting April 24. Currently, American Airlines and Alaska Airlines fly the direct DCA to LAX route. [Patch]

Food Truck Party on the Pike — On Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Columbia Pike residents have organized a “food truck party” in the recycling center lot at the intersection of the Pike and Four Mile Run Drive. [Columbia Forest]

Flickr pool photo by Erinn Shirley

Just Reduced Properties in Arlington

By ARLnow.com

Published October 12, 2016 at 6:00AM

Each week, “Just Reduced” spotlights properties in Arlington County whose price have been cut over the previous week. The market summary is crafted by licensed broker Aaron Seekford of Arlington Realty, Inc. GET MORE out of your real estate investment with Aaron and his team by visiting www.MrArlington.com or calling 703-836-6116 today!

Please note: While Aaron Seekford provides this information for the community, he is not the listing agent of these homes.

Hurricane Matthew caused catastrophic damage to our neighbors to the south. As we each do what we can to support their recovery efforts, it’s also a good time to remember to prepare our very own homes for the remainder of hurricane season (Nov. 30).

Virginia has had its share of hurricanes over the years – Isabel, Camille, Floyd, Fran, Irene, among others.

In our neck of the woods, it’s an especially important time of year to ensure your roof is protected/secured and that any obtrusive shrubbery or trees are kept trimmed. These items are not only important to address ahead of a hurricane, but ahead of any of the bad thunderstorms that are known to roll through our area.

While I’m here to help you find a home, I also want to ensure you keep your investment protected. Here’s to a hopefully calm remainder of the hurricane season!

As of October 9, there are 237 detached homes, 64 townhouses and 318 apartments for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 49 homes experienced a price reduction in the past week.

Here is this week’s selection of Just Reduced properties:

Please note that this is solely a selection of Just Reduced properties available in Arlington County. For a complete list of properties within your target budget and specifications, contact Aaron Seekford.

#Just Reduced

Terrible Evening Commute for Many

By ARLnow.com

Published October 11, 2016 at 6:50PM | Updated June 29, 2018 at 11:11AM

Tonight’s evening commute was much worse than usual for many local residents.

A combination of factors — track problems on multiple Metrorail lines and a fuel spill that blocked the Outer Loop of the Beltway in Maryland — led to very crowded Metro stations and trains and very heavy traffic, particularly on I-395.

The latest Metro woes come as WMATA is reportedly considering raising fares to close a big anticipated budget shortfall.

Currently: There are significant Metro delays, traffic is a nightmare, the outer loop of the Beltway is blocked and the Nationals are losing pic.twitter.com/yGU5Pxbzec

— Arlington Now (@ARLnowDOTcom) October 11, 2016

Yellow Line: Expect residual delays in both directions due to an earlier switch problem at National Airport.

— Metrorail Info (@Metrorailinfo) October 11, 2016

Orange Line: Single tracking btwn Smithsonian & Federal Ctr due to a track condition outside Smithsonian. Add'l delays in both directions.

— Metrorail Info (@Metrorailinfo) October 11, 2016

@wmata literally the worst service today. Rosslyn is packed to the brim. Take Lyft or Uber if you're commuting through Rosslyn. #rosslyn

— Yumi Kim (@YumiKimSK) October 11, 2016

Photos: ‘Girls’ Star Lena Dunham Campaigns for Hillary in Rosslyn

By ARLnow.com

Published October 11, 2016 at 3:50PM | Updated October 11, 2016 at 4:08PM

(Updated at 4:05 p.m.) “Girls” star Lena Dunham campaigned for Hillary Clinton in Rosslyn Tuesday afternoon.

The actress, writer, producer and director attended a lunch with Arlington young professionals at Barley Mac (1600 Wilson Blvd) around 12:30 p.m. She spoke of the importance of electing Mrs. Clinton and defeating GOP candidate Donald Trump.

“The message I just wanted to share with millennials, with people my age… is just to say that voting isn’t the only way that you engage civically, but it’s one of the most important ways,” Dunham said. “So many people don’t [vote] and it’s so important that we take advantage of that power. None of us wants to see a country that Trump is imagining… and the only way we can prevent that is getting out on November 8th.”

“Something that I say a lot is that I’m not voting for Hillary Clinton because she is the lesser of two evils, I’m voting for her because she’s the president that I’ve wanted since I was six years old,” she said. “I know so many women and men who feel that way and it’s so heartening to see a room full of people who I know are ready to advocate for that.”

After the Rosslyn event, Dunham was scheduled to attend subsequent events at George Mason University and in Falls Church, where she was to encourage Northern Virginia residents to check their voter registration status and register to vote by the Oct. 17 registration deadline.

“Dunham will lay out the stakes of this election, discuss with voters why Donald Trump’s pattern of disrespecting and demeaning women makes him unfit to hold our nation’s highest office, and share her support for Clinton’s agenda to make us stronger together and raise the minimum wage, fight LGBT discrimination, ensure women have access to reproductive health care, and tackle climate change,” according to a Clinton campaign press release.

A rush transcript of Dunham’s remarks at the restaurant, after the jump.

(more…)

Clarendon Pacers to Provide Marine Corps Marathon Packet Pickup Alternative

By ARLnow.com

Published October 11, 2016 at 3:00PM

Those running the Marine Corps Marathon on Oct. 30 now have an alternative to picking up their race packets at National Harbor this year.

The new packet pickup location has some worried about crowds at the Maryland shopping, entertainment and tourism destination, which is not Metrorail accessible. In response, local running store Pacers has made a deal to pick up packets for customers and bring them to Pacers locations, including the store at 3100 Clarendon Blvd in Clarendon.

The catch: you have to buy at least $125 in Brooks running gear — including Marine Corps Marathon apparel, which will be available — at Pacers between Sept. 28 and Oct. 24 to be eligible.

Pacers will also be holding mini-expos at the company’s Clarendon and Navy Yard stores just before the marathon.

“We will be hosting expotiques at Pacers Navy Yard and Pacers Clarendon on Friday, October 28 and Saturday, October 29 with all the great last minute essentials and great deals you expect at the expo — just without the massive crowds and travel headaches!” Pacers said on its website. “And for those of you who participate in our packet pick up program, we’ll have your packet waiting for you with a smile.”

Armed Robbery at Arlington Forest Shopping Center

By ARLnow.com

Published October 11, 2016 at 11:50AM

Three masked men with guns robbed a business in the Arlington Forest Shopping Center last night.

The robbery happened around 11:40 p.m. The men fled on foot with cash from the business’ cash register.

Police would not reveal which store was robbed, but the only business in the shopping center that is open past 10 p.m. is the Brick’s Pizza shop.

From an Arlington County Police Department crime report:

ARMED ROBBERY, 161010039, 4800 block of N. 1st Street. At approximately 11:39 p.m. on October 10, three unknown black males entered a business armed with handguns wearing black ski masks. The suspects stole an undisclosed amount of cash from the register and fled the area on foot. Investigation is ongoing.