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.
This Sunday, Daylight Saving Time begins. Next Sunday is the start of spring. And the Sunday after that is Easter.
To celebrate the season, the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City mall is bringing the Easter bunny himself (or is it herself?) to the mall for photos with children.
The Easter bunny’s first official day on the job at the mall is Friday. The photo sessions will run though Saturday, March 26.
Look for the bunny and his photographer on the ground floor of the mall (not to be confused with the lower, “Metro” level), near Nordstrom. From the mall’s website, here are the dates and times for bunny photos.
Arlington Agenda is a listing of interesting events for the week ahead in Arlington County. If you’d like to see your event featured, fill out the event submission form.
Bring your ideas (and gentle barbs) to round three of Arlington’s Cards Against Urbanity Game Night! Come out and shuffle the deck of Arlington’s streetscape and contribute your own ideas for cards.
The True Adventures of Pinocchio, the Yorktown High School spring production, will be staged March 10, 11, and 12 at 7:00 PM, with an additional matinee at 2:00 PM on March 12. Tickets are $10.
Let’s Help Kids is holding its sixth annual “Dual Gala.” Both kids and adults are invited. Enjoy cocktails, music, dinner, silent and live auctions, and dessert. The kids’ room is full of activities too. Organizers say it’s “definitely not one of those boring galas.”
NCE proudly celebrates International Women’s Day all week long and salutes great American music by putting the spotlight on the music of great American composer Amy Beach (1867-1944). With guest host JaLynn Prince.
The New Jersey-based party band brings its “ultimate audio visual experience” to Clarendon. The four-member band includes female vocalist Kelly Caruso, a former American Idol contestant.
Sunday
Living With MS
Arlington Cinema Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike)
Time: 3:15 p.m.
Those with MS share how they keep their heads up and continue living life to its fullest after an MS diagnosis. Also, neurologist Dr. Heidi Crayton offers advice on making MS a “back burner” issue.
The Arlington County Board this weekend is scheduled to consider a massive 7.65 acre redevelopment project that would reshape the Rosslyn skyline.
Developers Vornado and Gould Property Company are proposing a five-phase project that would eventually replace seven existing buildings — the Rosslyn Spectrum Theater, the London Apartments, the Normandy Apartments and four office buildings.
In its place would be 2.5 million square feet of space across five buildings, including 1.8 million square feet of office, 550 residential units, 200 hotel rooms and 45,000 square feet of retail space. Also planned area new, nearly one acre Rosslyn Plaza Park, an Esplanade and two new east-west streets breaking up the super block between N. Kent Street and N. Arlington Ridge Road.
County staff is recommending approval of a Phased Development Site Plan and a rezoning for the project. Each of the five phases will still need its own final site plan approved by the Board.
“The applicant’s proposed redevelopment of the Rosslyn Plaza property will permit the redevelopment of a critical site in
Rosslyn and introduce new elements of public infrastructure identified in the Rosslyn Sector Plan,” wrote county staff, “including the construction of improvements to Wilson Boulevard and N. Kent Street along with two new streets to break up the superblock, creation of the Rosslyn Plaza Park and other public open space improvements, a reconfigured N. Arlington Ridge Road, and bicycle trail improvements including portions of the Esplanade.”
The developers are also proposing a public pedestrian and bicycle bridge over I-66 and the GW Parkway, connecting one of the new roads with the Mt. Vernon Trail.
“The Mount Vernon Trail is used by over 3,000 cyclists on an average day, and provides a trail exit and connection to Rosslyn at Lee Highway near North Lynn Street,” county staff wrote. “The PDSP envisions a pedestrian and bicycle connection to the Mount Vernon Trail, via a bridge at the end of 18th or 19th Street over Interstate 66 and the George Washington Memorial Parkway. Its feasibility has not been determined and will be discussed during future final site plan applications.”
Currently, the apartments in the Rosslyn Plaza site supply fewer than 10 students to Arlington Public Schools. County staff estimate that once completed, the new development will generate a total of 42 APS students — attending Key Elementary School or Arlington Science Focus Elementary School, Williamsburg Middle School and Yorktown High School.
The first phase of the project would demolish the London Apartments, the Spectrum Theater and one of the office buildings. County commissions and the Rosslyn Business Improvement District have been supportive of the project, although some local neighborhood groups have expressed concerns about the height of the proposed buildings and the impact on traffic.
The Board is set to consider the development plan at its meeting on Saturday.
(Updated at 3:4o p.m. on 12/23/21) A 42-year-old man was arrested yesterday after police say he was masturbating along the W&OD Trail, in Bluemont Park.
The incident happened around 1:30 p.m., out in the open in broad daylight, with a number of people around using the park and the trail at the time. It happened near the train car, just a short distance from Ashlawn Elementary School.
A pregnant woman who was walking by called police after the man started talking to her while in the act. The man was subsequently arrested and jailed without bond.
From the Arlington County Police crime report:
OBSCENE SEXUAL DISPLAY, 160308032, 600 block of N. Manchester Street. At approximately 1:30 p.m. on March 8, a female victim was walking on the bike trail and observed a male subject masturbating. Darrell Devon [Redacted], 42, of no fixed address, was arrested and charged with obscene sexual display. He is being held on no bond.
This week’s Pet of the Week is named after a brunch dish.
Benedict Eggs Burns — Beni Burns for short — is a teacup poodle who apparently loves carrying around leaves in his mouth and is most certainly the apple of his mother’s eye.
Here’s what dog mom Mallory had to say about her little guy.
I am writing to you to submit my beloved little angel teacup poodle, Beni Burns (Short for Benedict Eggs Burns ;)) to Arlington Pet of the Week! I don’t even know where to start with Beni, but I will say that when a dog comes into your life, e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. changes. I was always told it’s going to be suchhhh a life change Mal, you don’t need a dog right now, you can’t go to happy hours after work right away anymore, you are going to pay so much. I could go on. What I wasn’t told, was the happiness that a tiny, four-legged, 2 lb., best friend would bring. The tiny paw prints that have already marked their place in my heart are something you cannot anticipate for. You can anticipate the money, the schedule change, the responsibility – but my heavens!! You cannot anticipate the love. The joy. He has changed my world in such a beautiful way. He has become my best friend, my precious little son!!
Beni is now 5 months old, pushing 2 pounds :) He is supposed to be 2.5-3LB total. Follow him on instagram at @Kingbeni_ :)
He doesn’t yap, he goes potty outside, he sleeps under my neck, he is the epitome of a good dog and I am so blessed and so grateful that he is in my life.
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.
Coatroom, a new nail and waxing salon in Ballston, says it expects to open this spring.
The salon is located at 850 N. Randolph Street, in the former FroZenYo space. It aims to make nail and waxing services an invigorating experience.
“Your beauty maintenance should be a highlight, not a chore,” says the business’ website. “We are creating an enjoyable escape from your daily grind. Our lively atmosphere and friendly team make you smile the second you walk through our doors and feel refreshed when you leave.”
As Arlington Public Schools continues to grapple with ever-increasing enrollment, the school system is continuing to add relocatable classroom trailers to over-capacity schools.
Superintendent Dr. Patrick Murphy included $2.6 million in his proposed budget for the purchase of relocatable classrooms next school year. As the trailers are parked outside of schools, there is increasing concern about the loss of open, recreational space.
At Arlington Science Focus School, near Virginia Square, the PTA recently expressed concern that two additional relocatables, slated to be added next school year, would have to be placed on the school’s blacktop — thus resulting in the loss of a recess and phys ed area. (Four relocatables are already placed on a field outside the school.)
The PTA, working with APS, came up with a solution already at place at some other schools: a “six-plex” modular school unit that houses six classrooms and a common space, not unlike this one. The consolidated unit would cut down on the amount of open space taken up.
There are already five “six-plexes” in Arlington: two at McKinley Elementary and one each at Claremont, Oakridge and Taylor elementary schools.
APS spokesman Frank Bellavia says the school system works with schools, parents and neighbors to figure out the best way to place relocatables at schools. But the need for the modular classrooms, he said, points to the need for APS to continue building new schools and school additions expeditiously.
“We work with school leadership and the neighboring community to find the best location for the relocatables,” Bellavia said. “This is why we need more seats for more students.”
After the jump: the letter from the Science Focus PTA to parents.
It’s much diminished from its post-blizzard glory, but the big snow pile next to the Ballston mall parking garage is still hanging on despite temperatures well into the 70s.
The snow pile was melting steadily when we visited it yesterday afternoon. The ground around it was gray, from the dirt deposited as the glacier-like pile recedes.
The pile was created by local snow crews, which dumped the snow they were removing from roads there and in a number of other locations around Arlington.
With a high of 80 predicted today and tomorrow, the snow pile may not be long for this world. Which means it won’t match the longevity of its snow pile cousin — which survived until April in the same location six years ago.
APS Mulls Background Checks for Parents Who Work in Schools — Arlington Public Schools is considering requiring background checks for parents who provide enrichment services in schools. The School Board has sent back a staff proposal, however, which calls for parents who are paid for their time to receive background checks. Parents who volunteer would not get such screening. School Board members said the amount of staff supervision, not money, should determine who should gets background checks. [InsideNova]
Clarendon Eatery Offers 50 Percent Off for Military — Through the Sunday, Brixx Pizza in Clarendon (1119 N. Hundson Street) is offering 50 percent off food for those with a valid military ID. [Facebook]
Arlington Dems Predict Landslide Against Trump — If Donald Trump is the Republican nominee for president, local Democrats believe they could run up a 50,000 vote margin against him in Arlington alone, perhaps enough to win Virginia. Arlington Democrats also believe it’s possible that nationally, a Trump nomination could swing Democrats back into the majority in the House of Representatives. [InsideNova]
Arlington Home Show Returns — The annual Arlington Home Show and Garden Expo is back for 2016. The huge hometown event will take place Saturday, April 9 at the Thomas Jefferson Community Center. [Arlington County]
Introducing Our Newest Columnist — Meet Thomas C. Block, our newest columnist. Tom’s column, Around the Financial Block, begins this afternoon. [MassMutual]
NOVA Armory, the controversial planned gun store in Lyon Park, says it will hold a grand opening at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 26.
The store, at 2300 N. Pershing Drive, says it has all applicable permits needed to open. The grand opening will feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony with “several VIPs,” the store’s website says.
The Lyon Park Citizens Association, however, is still discussing the store and has planned a membership vote on whether the association should take an official stance on NOVA Armory. It’s unclear what stance the association would take, though many residents have expressed concerns about the store and its proximity to a nearby preschool.
John Goldener, president of the civic association, confirmed the vote was to take place at some point this week. It comes after NOVA Armory, in a press release issued Friday, threatened to sue opponents and “local crazies.”
“The Association will not… respond favorably to any threats to our residents or to free speech in our meetings, our online forums, or on individual members’ social media pages, as appeared in NOVA Armory’s own March 4 press release to this and other media outlets,” Goldener said Monday. “We assume that the business owner is a proud and responsible gun owner, as are many residents of Lyon Park and members of the LPCA. He should understand better than most that the Constitution is not a buffet, and your cannot infringe upon individuals’ First Amendment rights in order to defend those in the Second.”
“We remain wholly committed to productive and constructive dialogue on this any any other issue of interest or concern to our residents,” Goldener added.
On Friday NOVA Armory said on its website — in a post that has since been removed — that is cancelled a planned private meeting with the citizens association and would only meet with residents at the store. Since then, the stance of NOVA Armory’s owner appears to have softened a bit.
“Dennis Pratte and I have been in touch today, and we are working together to find a new time for him to meet with the Association,” Goldener told ARLnow.com Tuesday.
Pratte, meanwhile says his business is legal and wants Lyon Park residents to stop by the store to clear up “misinformation floating around the internet” before voting.
“NOVA Armory’s application for zoning was approved and all the inspections were passed by the county,” Pratte wrote. “The business received an occupancy permit. And, every inspector, and every law enforcement official that has visited the shop has left confident knowing that they have met all the requirements to operate this business, and to operate it safely from this location. So, before the committee votes, I would hope they take this information into account, or at least stop by the business before casting their vote so they can make an informed decision.”
Republic Kitchen & Bar (801 N. Quincy Street) has been shuttered for the past several days and may be closed for good.
The Ballston eatery has a sign in the window that reads “We close [sic] to make some changes today, sorry for your inconvenience.” Its phone number, meanwhile, has been disconnected, as has its website. The restaurant’s Facebook page was last updated Jan. 16.
Another sign in the window — this one handwritten — states that the local backgammon club has moved its meeting to Carpool, at least temporarily.
Republic served “modern comfort food” and took on something of a lounge atmosphere at night. After it opened, Republic’s owner bragged that the food was so fresh the microwave in the kitchen wasn’t even plugged in and was being used for storage.
Yes, it’s that time of year again.
