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.
Update at 3 p.m. — The road has reopened, per police radio traffic.
A portion of S. Walter Reed Drive is closed due to a gas line rupture.
The artery is currently closed between 6th and 7th streets — about halfway between Route 50 and Columbia Pike — after reports of a construction crew accidentally rupturing a sizable gas line.
There’s no word on how long the road closure will last. Firefighters are on scene with hoses at the ready should something ignite the leaking natural gas before Washington Gas crews can shut off the line.
LOCATION: S Walter Reed Dr / 7th St S INCIDENT: Fire Department Activity IMPACT: S Walter Reed Dr is closed from 6th St S to 7th St S. Seek alternate routes. pic.twitter.com/qK5QNQ1QD4
2023 Arlington Best Business Award Winners (L-R: Dr. Jelena Kecmanovic, John Benner, Scott Donelson, Deborah Simpson Taylor, Mark Zetlin)
2023 Arlington Business Hall of Fame Inductees (L-R: Ralph Johnson on behalf of the late Bert W. Johnson, Lola C. Reinsch, Robert H. Hawthorne)
2023 Arlington Best Business Awards (staff photo)
2023 Arlington Best Business Awards (staff photo)
2023 Arlington Best Business Awards (staff photo)
2023 Arlington Best Business Awards (staff photo)
2023 Arlington Best Business Awards (staff photo)
2023 Arlington Best Business Awards (staff photo)
2023 Arlington Best Business Awards (staff photo)
2023 Arlington Best Business Awards (staff photo)
Mastercard, Mercedes-Benz of Arlington and a behavioral health clinic in Courthouse are among the latest winners of the annual Arlington Best Business Awards.
The event, organized by the Arlington Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Arlington Community Federal Credit Union, was held earlier this week at Army Navy Country Club. It also included three inductions into the Chamber’s Arlington Business Hall of Fame.
Mastercard is based in Purchase, New York, but has a technology hub in Ballston. Its ubiquitous logo tops the office building at 4250 Fairfax Drive.
More, below, from a Chamber of Commerce press release.
On May 16, the Arlington Chamber of Commerce celebrated the 37th Annual Arlington Best Business Awards at Army Navy Country Club, sponsored by Arlington Community Federal Credit Union. The Best Business Awards are presented to area businesses that consistently deliver exceptional quality of service to their customers, are industry leaders or offer a unique approach to delivery of goods or services, achieve significant growth or stability over the lifetime of their business, display an interest and concern for the success of the Arlington community, and demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The 2023 Best Business Award Winners are:
Home Energy Medics — 2023 Sustainable Business of the Year
National Capital Treatment & Recovery — 2023 Nonprofit Business of the Year
Mercedes-Benz of Arlington — 2023 Retail Small Business of the Year
Arlington/DC Behavior Therapy Institute — 2023 Service Small Business of the Year
Mastercard — 2023 Large Business of the Year
This prestigious awards dinner recognized businesses in the Arlington community that go above and beyond to serve clients and make Arlington a great place to work and live.
“We’ve been doing business in Arlington for 86 years, and we’re very proud of our history,” said Mark Zetlin, of Mercedes-Benz of Arlington. “We always aim to take the best care of our customers, and we are proud to be valued by this diverse community.”
Following the presentation of the awards, the Chamber inducted the late Bert W. Johnson, Lola C. Reinsch, and Robert H. Hawthorne into the Arlington Business Hall of Fame.
The inductees captivated the sold-out crowd as they shared inspiring tales of how their upbringing influenced their careers. From leveraging family connections within the Arlington Chamber to secure their first post-college job to joining a traveling circus on the weekends, the Hall of Fame speeches not only entertained the audience but also showcased the diverse paths that led these individuals to their success.
Mr. Johnson served as the first professional County Manager for Arlington, from 1962 to 1976. He had the insight to develop the Rosslyn neighborhood as an office center and was instrumental to the Metro subway system construction in the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor.
Ms. Reinsch is the second-generation President and CEO of the Reinsch Companies. She noted that her father specifically wanted to develop properties along Columbia Pike, due to its proximity to the Pentagon and Washington DC. Her philanthropic efforts have led to her directing capital campaigns for VHC Health and Marymount University.
Mr. Hawthorne most recently was the Market President for United Bank, before retiring in 2021. Despite his monumental career in banking, Hawthorne never forgot the community that helped raise him. He noted that he first started with the Chamber, helping his bank at the time win the Arlington Chamber membership campaign, which lead to him initiating the first Membership Development Committee of the Chamber. Hawthorne would become the Chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors in 1997. He also co-founded the Leadership Center for Excellence in 2000 and served as its first Chair.
“One of the biggest things that I’ve really seen the Chamber become is a place where there is a nice balance between small, medium, and large businesses,” said Robert H. Hawthorne. “I know that the business community will continue to help the Chamber, and keep up the good work!”
The Arlington Business Hall of Fame honors men and women with a connection to Arlington County who have demonstrated a long record of successful management, expertise, and business skills, along with notable achievements and exceptional civic and community involvement.
Virginia Hospital Center expansion under construction (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
NAACP Grant for More Trees — “Today the local branch of the oldest and largest civil rights organization in America announced a $60,000 charitable contribution to EcoAction Arlington, which was founded in 1978 and whose mission focuses on encouraging environmentally-friendly behaviors, ensuring environmental justice, and addressing the climate crisis. The NAACP selected EcoAction Arlington through a strategic grant and partnership from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” [Press Release]
Seat Belt Enforcement Campaign — “As the Memorial Day holiday approaches, the Arlington County Police Department is again partnering with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to remind motorists about the importance of seat belt use. The high-visibility Click It or Ticket seat belt campaign, which coincides with the busy travel season, runs from May 22 through June 4, 2023.” [ACPD]
Costs Rise for Project Near Rosslyn — “The Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing now expects to spend 14 percent more in hard construction costs; 19 percent more for soft construction costs; and a whopping 100 percent more in financing costs than previously estimated in its plan to create a new 12-story apartment property at 1300 North Pierce St.” [Gazette Leader]
Single-Family Home Prices Up — “The high fever has to break eventually – right? – but for now, there seems no upper limit on sales price of single-family homes in Arlington. The average price of the 74 single-family properties that went to closing in April rose 8 percent year-over-year to $1.455 million even as other segments of the market declined.” [Gazette Leader]
Local Battle Over Traditional Latin Mass — “In the months after Traditionis Custodes was issued, many priests and families personally pleaded with Cardinal Gregory of the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. and Bishop Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington not to restrict the Traditional Latin Mass. Parishioners warned of dire spiritual and financial consequences and destruction of parish communities. I authored an open letter that received over 2500 signatures from Catholics in Arlington Diocese.” [Catholic Herald – UK]
It’s Friday — Partly sunny, with a high near 73. Southeast wind 7 to 11 mph. At night: A chance of showers after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Southeast wind 5 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. [Weather.gov]
Address:4904 15th St. N. Neighborhood: Waycroft Woodlawn Type: 4 BR, 3 (+1 half) BA single-family detached – 2200 sq. ft. Listed: $1,395,000
Noteworthy: Kitchen open to large family room with doors to screened porch and deck
Expanded Cape Cod on a tree lined street just blocks to Woodlawn Park and bike trail. Enter through a foyer with window seat, closet, and built in shoe storage to the traditional living room with fireplace and dining room that is perfect for large gatherings.
The kitchen is open to the breakfast area and the family room with vaulted ceiling and more built-ins. Both rooms have doors to the deck and large screened porch overlooking the level, fenced rear yard. Two more bedrooms are on this level along with laundry, bathroom, and powder room. Upstairs, the primary bedroom has a walk in closet, second walk in closet off the bathroom, and a den — now used as a nursery. The fourth bedroom is on this level and has architectural detailing.
In the lower level, there is a large rec room with full height windows, den or private space for a guest or au pair, bathroom, and extensive storage. A door from the lower level opens to the “landlocked” garage which offers extensive storage. Between Westover Village and Ballston with easy access to everything. Glebe, Swanson, and Washington-Liberty schools.
A home laden with character and space and in most-convenient location.
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73. Southeast wind 7 to 10 mph. At night: A chance of showers after 3am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 57. Southeast wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
🌅 Tonight’s sunset
Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
A group formed to address noise issues associated with National Airport says allowing more and longer flights is a bad idea.
A bill introduced last week in Congress would “allow 28 more flights daily and permit airlines to offer more long-distance service out of National Airport, where federal rules allow only a handful of flights to operate beyond a 1,250-mile perimeter,” the Washington Post reported.
A subsequent (unscientific) ARLnow poll found that just over 50% of respondents “definitely” support the bill, while another 15% support it with reservations. But the DCA Community Noise Working Group said Tuesday in a letter to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation that it “strongly objects to any changes to the DCA perimeter rule.”
“DCA was designed as a regional airport and is situated in the middle of densely populated and noise-sensitive residential areas,” the group wrote. “While expanding the perimeter to permit non-stop flights to cities such as San Antonio or El Paso may benefit a limited few in terms of convenience, many thousands more D.C. area residents would suffer the negative impacts of those flights.”
A spokesperson for Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) tells ARLnow that local lawmakers have expressed objections to the bill.
The bill “would dangerously overload DCA’s operational capacity and the very significant noise impact on the area,” said Aaron Fritschner, Beyer’s Deputy Chief of Staff.
“There’s a reason this bill is getting pushed by people who represent Delta [Air Lines] hubs over the objections of people who actually work with [the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority] and the local community to strike the balance for the different things people want from DC’s airport system,” he added.
Arlington, D.C., Montgomery County (Md.) and Alexandria residents, especially those who live along flight paths near the Potomac, have long engaged in a tug of war over aircraft noise associated with National Airport. The complaints have led to noise studies, tweaks in flight paths, and — last year — a provision in a law, inserted by Beyer, that calls for NASA to accelerate work on quieter and more climate-friendly aviation technology.
The full letter from the Community Noise Working Group is below.
Performers from the Washington School of Ballet perform at the second annual Freedom Concert at the Netherlands Carillon (Flickr pool photo by Jeff Vincent)
Redevelopment Plan for Goodwill — “An all-affordable residential development has been pitched for the site of a Goodwill store in Arlington. Goodwill and AHC, Inc. have filed plans with Arlington County for a 128-unit development at the site of the Goodwill retail store and donation center at the intersection of South Glebe Road and Arlington Boulevard.” [UrbanTurf]
Gov. Visits Local Legion Post — From Gov. Glenn Youngkin: “During the opening of American Legion Post 139 in Arlington, we rolled out the Gold-Standard Digital Hub which will improve connectivity and access to resources and benefits for veterans, transitioning service members, and their families.” [Twitter]
Arlingtonian Assumes Office as U.S. Archivist — “Dr. Colleen Shogan assumed the role of Archivist of the United States today and, immediately after taking the oath of office, began her work as the head of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).” [National Archives]
Road Closures for Shirlington Event — “The Shirlington Spring Fling: A Village Block Party will take place on Saturday, May 20, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. The Arlington County Police Department will conduct the following road closures from approximately 5:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. in order to accommodate the event.” [Arlington County]
N. Va. Real Estate Prices Still Rising — “The median sales price of homes sold in April ($690,000) was up 0.7 percent from a year before, as the lack of inventory helped those sellers who did opt to put their homes on the market. And when held up against the last pre-COVID April (2019), the median sale price had grown 23 percent from $560,000.” [Gazette Leader]
It’s Thursday — Sunny, with a high near 69. Northeast wind 6 to 8 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 52. Southeast wind 5 to 9 mph. [Weather.gov]
Sunny, with a high near 69. Northeast wind 7 to 9 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 52. Southeast wind 6 to 10 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
🌅 Tonight’s sunset
Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.
Address:6249 Williamsburg Blvd Neighborhood: Minor Hill / Williamsburg Circle Type: 5 BR, 4 (+1 half) BA single-family detached — 5,146 sq. ft. Listed: $1,899,900
Noteworthy: This a pre-market offering of a luxury home in the Discovery ES District
Spacious and renovated 5 bedroom 4.5 bath 2006 built Colonial style floor plan, located in Discovery/Williamsburg/Yorktown School Districts.
A 2022 dream kitchen renovation with white Quartz counters, gold pulls and fixtures, induction range, beverage fridge and barn doors — stunning elegance! (see the photos!) 2021 luxury master bath renovation, 3 walk-in closets, soaring 2-story sundrenched foyer, raised hearth stone wood burning fireplace, main level dedicated laundry with refreshing amounts of space and cabinets!
And an attached 2 car garage with custom dog shower! Huge finished lower level with den, full bath, rec room, and media room, walk-out rear entrance areaway to a lovely flat 0.23 acre level fenced yard, stately brick front elevation with three sides (2022), white Hardi Plank exterior siding, 2 zone HVAC and 1 mile to East Falls Church Metro.
A 23-year-old Minnesota woman is facing a pair of charges after police say she drunkenly threw a bottle at a passing car.
The incident happened around 5:45 p.m. yesterday (Tuesday) in Pentagon City, at the intersection of 12th Street S. and S. Hayes Street, near the Metro station entrances.
“Police were dispatched to the report of a possible intoxicated subject walking in and out of traffic,” Arlington County police said today in a crime report. “Upon arrival, it was determined the female suspect allegedly threw a bottle at the windshield of a passing vehicle.”
“Responding officers located the suspect on scene, took her into custody and she was evaluated by medics,” the crime report adds. “No injuries or property damage were reported. [The suspect], 23, of Brainerd, MN was arrested and charged with Throwing a Missile at an Occupied Vehicle and Public Intoxication. She was held without bond.”
A cyclist rides in front of the under-demolition RCA building in Rosslyn (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Prosecutor-Police Relationship Debated — “‘To wear animosity towards the police department almost as a badge of honor makes no sense,’ said Josh Katcher, who is seeking to knock off first-term prosecutor Parisa Dehghani-Tafti in the primary and clearly aimed that remark in her direction. Dehghani-Tafti shot back that she has a ‘healthy’ relationship with the police rank-and-file and its leadership, suggesting that Katcher (who long served in the prosecutor’s office) has had a ‘too cozy’ relationship with them.” [Gazette Leader]
New Taxiway for DCA — “The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded $5 million to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport for the construction of a new taxiway, U.S. Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine announced Tuesday. The funding was awarded through the Federal Aviation Administration’s fiscal year 2023 Airport Improvement Program.” [Patch]
GOP Faces Historic Electoral No-Show — “Not to put any additional pressure on the Arlington County Republican Committee leadership team – that’s not the media’s job – but if the party can’t in coming weeks find any candidates for local/legislative races this year, it will be the first time in at least a half-century the GOP has come up so short.” [Gazette Leader]
Bike to Work Day Coming Up — “Friday, May 19, 2023… Hop on a bike and ride with us this Bike to Work Day (BTWD) whether you’re working at home or commuting to the office. Join people all over the region in celebrating this fun, healthy, and sustainable activity. Celebrate biking and commuting with us.” [Bike Arlington]
It’s Wednesday — Sunny, with a high near 72. North wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Tonight: Clear, with calmer winds and a low around 47. [Weather.gov]
