Arlington will again be alive with the sound of thousands of pedaling cyclists, as the Armed Forces Cycling Classic returns in June.
Previously known as the Air Force Association Cycling Classic, the event will celebrate its 20th anniversary when it takes place on June 10 and 11.
Presented by The Boeing Company, the event benefits members of the U.S. armed forces.
“For two decades, the Cycling Classic has paid tribute to the men and women in uniform who serve courageously to protect America at home and around the world,” said Boeing chairman, president and CEO Dennis Muilenburg in a statement. “Throughout our 100-year history, Boeing has a proud tradition of partnering with the U.S. military, and we’re honored to support this year’s event, which benefits active-duty and retired veterans and their families.”
The weekend begins with the Clarendon Cup, in the heart of Clarendon. The following day, the Challenge Ride offers a closed course to cycling enthusiasts of all abilities in and around the Pentagon, Crystal City and the Air Force Memorial.
The race for the Crystal Cup follows on Sunday in Crystal City, pitting professional and amateur racers from around the world in a series of races. Free races for children aged 9 and under also will be held both days, in addition to the lifestyle and sponsor expo.
“We’re proud to celebrate our involvement with the Armed Forces Cycling Classic,” said Angela Fox, president and CEO of the Crystal City Business Improvement District, in a statement. “Over the past decade, we’ve watched both the professional races and community Challenge Rides grow while providing an exciting and transformative experience for participants and spectators alike.”
Starbucks is applying to be the first retail tenant in the space
Marymount University will control one building
The other building will have 267 apartments
The buildings at 1000 N. Glebe Road replace the “Blue Goose”
Construction is almost complete at Marymount University’s “Newside” building, and it has landed its first retail tenant.
Permit applications filed with the county indicate that Starbucks will move into the property at 1000 N. Glebe Road in Ballston.
The coffee giant would be the first to commit to moving into the new building’s 5,000 square feet of retail space. The structure replaces the “Blue Goose” that was demolished in 2015.
Two buildings are under construction on the site: a nine-story office building and a 12-story, 267-unit residential building.
The former will be owned by Marymount University, with the university using six floors as office and educational space. The top three floors will be leased out as office space.
Between the two buildings, there will also be a 10,600-square-foot public plaza and pedestrian passageway.
Construction is expected to be completed this summer.
Sin & Saint would replace Grill Kabob and add a DJ and dance floor
Several other bars and restaurants are nearby on 23rd Street S.
An Afghan restaurant in Crystal City is applying for a major revamp, including a name-change and the ability to host live entertainment.
Planning documents filed with the county indicate that Grill Kabob at 507 23rd Street S. hopes to be renamed Sin & Saint. It also would like to add a dance floor on the second level for use on Friday and Saturday nights, in addition to live entertainment from a DJ.
In the application, the owners said the DJ will use speakers and subwoofers, most likely the Electro-Voice brand. The live entertainment would be provided from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
The restaurant is located among other bars and eateries along the 23rd Street corridor.
The applicant and county staff discussed the project last night at the Aurora Highlands Civic Association’s monthly meeting.
State Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-30) speaking for Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam
County Board member Christian Dorsey speaking for Justin Fairfax
County Board candidate Peter Fallon
County Board candidate Kim Klingler
County Board candidate Vivek Patil
School Board member James Lander
School Board candidate Maura McMahon
Elizabeth Perriello Rice speaking for former Rep. Tom Perriello
Lt. Gov. candidate Gene Rossi
Del. Mark Levine (D-45)
A record number of people turned out for last night’s Democratic Party straw poll, where County Board candidate Erik Gutshall and School Board candidate Monique O’Grady were some of the victors.
Hosted at the Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse by Del. Alfonso Lopez (D), more than 120 people cast ballots for Democratic candidates for Arlington County Board, Arlington School Board, lieutenant governor and governor. The attendance set a record for the event, now in its third year.
Lopez said the event raised around $12,500 from ticket sales, which he said will be funneled to Democratic candidates in other House of Delegates races across the commonwealth. Lopez added that getting people excited about the upcoming races was a big point of emphasis, as opposed to focusing purely on the straw poll results from a limited voter pool.
“I think what’s wonderful about it is people are so fired up,” he said in an interview. “They’re coming into the room fired up, excited about the campaigns, they’re excited about the candidacies, they’re excited about their friends running for office.”
Gutshall won the County Board poll with 38 percent of the vote, ahead of Vivek Patil with 30 percent, Peter Fallon with 22 percent and Kim Klingler with 10 percent.
Gutshall, who won the straw poll last year in his unsuccessful bid for a County Board seat, said creative thinking is required to solve problems like school overcrowding and housing affordability.
“We’ve got a wonderful county here that I’m proud to be a part of,” he said. “But we can’t stay the same.”
In her remarks, O’Grady cited her “experience keeping our school system strong,” as well as being co-chair of last year’s successful $138.83 million school bond campaign.
O’Grady won the School Board straw poll with 46 percent of the vote, ahead of incumbent James Lander with 36 percent and Maura McMahon with 18 percent.
In the statewide races, current Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam won the straw poll for the governor’s race against former Rep. Tom Perriello with 67.5 percent of the vote. Speaking on Northam’s behalf, state Sen. Adam Ebbin (D) said Northam is a “fighter for our progressive values” and has advocated tirelessly for women, children and ethnic minorities.
“We can count on Ralph to be with us as the 73rd governor of Virginia,” Ebbin said.
Justin Fairfax took victory in the straw poll for lieutenant governor with 64 percent of the vote, ahead of Susan Platt with 20 percent and Gene Rossi with 16 percent. County Board member Christian Dorsey, who spoke on Fairfax’s behalf, praised his grueling campaign schedule and his long-term view on solving problems.
“The question is, who has the skill and the will and will fight for you?” Dorsey said. “In this regard, I am so impressed with Justin Fairfax.”
The Arlington County Democratic Committee holds its caucus for County Board nominee and School Board endorsement on May 9, 11 and 13. Statewide primary elections will be held on June 13.
The bomb squad investigates a threat on 16th Street S.
Police blocked 16th Street S. from S. Pollard Street
A medic was also on scene
The fire department responded to the area
Street closed by police with cones (file photo)
Update at 5:05 p.m. — The fire department said 16th Street S. is reopened after the investigation of a bomb threat earlier this afternoon. The scene has now been turned over to Arlington police, and the house being investigated for the possible bomb was deemed safe.
Earlier: Emergency crews closed 16th Street S. between S. Quincy Street and S. Pollard Street in the Douglas Park neighborhood while they investigate a bomb threat.
At around 3 p.m., police had contact with a person threatening self-harm near S. 16th Street and Quincy Street. Police said the person then indicated a house in the area may contain an explosive device. The person was removed from the scene, police said.
While the bomb squad investigates the threat, police evacuated neighbors and are preventing vehicles and pedestrians from entering the area. Also on scene was a fire truck and medic from the Arlington County Fire Department as well as a half-dozen police cruisers.
“We’re just taking all precautions,” a fire department spokeswoman said at the scene.
Crews clear ground on N. Rolfe Street for Gables Pointe 14 (file photo)
The site will also include a new Independence House for those recovering from substance abuse
Construction is expected to be completed in 2020
Ground has been broken at the site of two new residential buildings and a rebuilt substance-abuse recovery facility in Courthouse.
Approved in 2015 by the County Board, Gables Pointe 14 at 1307 N. Rolfe Street by developer Gables Residential will have 370 apartments in two buildings, underground parking and an 8,000-square-foot shared park.
As of Tuesday, crews were in the early stages of clearing ground for the new development. A pick-up point for school buses is located close to the construction zone, which is fenced off to the public. Cars are still able to park on both sides of N. Rolfe Street, with dump trucks and other construction vehicles also using it as an access road.
The buildings will be six and 12 stories in height, respectively, and include studio as well as one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Thirty-nine of the units will be committed affordable housing and the developer also has the option to install a $75,000 work of public art on the site or donate to the county’s public art fund as a community benefit.
“The Rosslyn-Ballston corridor is a highly desirable area,” Gables Residential regional vice president Jorgen Punda said in a prepared statement distributed to multipleoutlets. “Our site involved the assemblage of thirteen lots, owned by both private individuals and Arlington County. It was a successful collaboration and we believe it is a great opportunity to deliver a ‘best in class’ apartment home community, with unparalleled amenities within walking distance to the Courthouse and Rosslyn Metro stations and a variety of dining and entertainment options.”
Also on the 2.7-acre site will be a new building for Independence House, a transitional living facility for those recovering from substance abuse.
The Independence House would be rebuilt, but not expanded, because more residents might limit the program’s effectiveness. The new building will have 14 single-occupant units.
The project is set to be completed in winter 2020.
Expect additional traffic headaches through the fall on Columbia Pike, now that a project to relocate an underground gas main is underway there.
Crews with Washington Gas started the construction Monday between the Fairfax County line and Four Mile Run, ahead of several streetscape improvements the county has planned for the future.
At least one lane of Columbia Pike in each direction will remain open at all times during construction, and work could be possible on nights and weekends.
Washington Gas crews will store equipment and other materials at four locations along the Pike during construction. Although nearby properties still can be accessed, adjacent bus stops could be temporarily moved or closed.
This is the latest phase of a project approved in 2014 by the County Board that included new bike boulevards on 9th and 12th Streets S., as an alternative route to Columbia Pike, which runs parallel. Once the gas main work is complete, county workers will install wider sidewalks, new street lights, upgraded traffic signals, trees and bus shelters. A piece of public art will also be added at the intersection of Columbia Pike and S. Jefferson Street.
Heritage Brewing Company’s entrance at Market Common (photo via Facebook)
One of three sets of draft beer taps (photo via Facebook)
A large American flag in the bar area (photo via Facebook)
Booths are made from barrel staves where beers age (photo via Facebook)
Beer flights (photo via Facebook)
Veritas Coffee bar at Heritage Brewing
Two large fermenters in the bar area
(Updated at 2:25) The finishing touches are being made to the Heritage Brewing Company’s new gastropub, set to open tonight at Market Common (2900 Wilson Blvd) in Clarendon.
General manager Kyle Kearns said the team anticipated being ready for customers the past few days, but tonight is actually the night and they’ll open for dinner at 5 p.m. with a limited peak menu, several mainstay draft beers as well as some limited edition and seasonal brews.
Heritage had originally intended to open in February. It began a Kickstarter campaign last November to help fund the restaurant’s launch.
Kearns said that with representatives of Manassas-based Heritage Brewing Company in D.C. for the Brewers’ Association Conference, it was perfect timing to open tonight.
“We were looking for the right opportunity in terms of everything lining up for when we could open, so today happens to be the day,” he said.
Booths handmade from barrel pieces have been added, and three sets of draft beer taps have been installed. The new gastropub touts 18 craft beers on tap, a contemporary food menu, cocktails, wine, Veritas Coffee and takeout options.
“Our small team is built around a culture of passion and pursuit,” a section on the website reads. “We are passionate about our work and fortunate to have the privilege of crafting and melding that which we love. Our pursuit of excellence extends beyond our craft and process, and into our lives as proud citizens, dedicated friends, and loving family members.”
Winter has turned to spring, and that means it’s farmers market time in Arlington. Some of the county’s markets have just launched for the season and others are preparing to open soon.
Here’s a roundup of the markets and their logistics:
The FRESHFARM Crystal City Market kicked off last week at 1965 Crystal Drive. Each Tuesday until November 21 from 3-7 p.m., more than 20 farmers and producers will offer a wide range of local foods.
Clarendon Central Park will host the Clarendon Farmers Market each Wednesday until December from 3-7 p.m. The market returned last week and is a producers-only market, meaning vendors sell products they have grown themselves.
The Ballston Farmers Market has begun in Welburn Square and will take place each Thursday until October from 3-7 p.m. Every first Thursday of the month, the market becomes a Mega Market, featuring a live band, celebrity chef demonstrations with free tastings and a beer and wine garden. The first Mega Market will take place May 4.
The Fairlington Farmers Market runs each Sunday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Fairlington Community Center (3308 S. Stafford Street), starting May 7. Through November 19, the market will be selling fresh produce, grass fed meats, eggs, coffee, pastries and baked goods, flowers and other prepared foods.
Marymount University’s farmers market returns May 27 at its campus at 2807 N. Glebe Road. Also a producers-only market, each vendor grows, bakes, roasts, cooks or prepares all of their products within 125 miles of Arlington County.
The Westover Farmers Market also begins its spring and summer session in May. It is at the corner of Washington Blvd and N. McKinley Road each Sunday.
The Community Foodworks farmers market takes place on Saturdays at 14th Street N. and N. Courthouse Road.
Columbia Pike’s farmers market is each Sunday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Pike Park, near the intersection of Columbia Pike and S. Walter Reed Drive.
Sponsored by Monday Properties and written by ARLnow.com, Startup Monday is a weekly column that profiles Arlington-based startups and their founders, plus other local technology happenings. The Ground Floor, Monday’s office space for young companies in Rosslyn, is now open. The Metro-accessible space features a 5,000-square-foot common area that includes a kitchen, lounge area, collaborative meeting spaces, and a stage for formal presentations.
But from its new Crystal City headquarters, Trustify is looking to challenge those perceptions. Open since March 2015, it has now moved into a new space in Arlington, where it matches up private investigators with customers.
Trustify co-founder Jen Mellon said the company’s diverse staff — more than half are women — has helped make it more accessible to more people.
“There’s a lot of brand debt,” Mellon said. “We’ve worked hard to change the face of the industry. I think a lot of our success is because our team looks like their consumer.”
Trustify allows anyone to run background checks, investigate fraud, locate missing children, check for infidelity and more from their web browser or the phone app. A consultation with a private investigator takes place over Trustify’s chat application, then investigators choose whether to pursue a case.
Company co-founder Danny Boice said that while about half of investigators’ work is done using standard surveillance techniques, much of it now is done through investigations of someone’s online presence and on the dark web.
“The internet makes a great accelerator for dishonesty,” he said. “For all the things it provides exponential growth, it also provides the perfect catalyst for puffing up your Facebook profile or LinkedIn or lying about not being in a relationship when you’re on Tinder, all those things.”
Mellon said Trustify recruits a lot among ex-law enforcement officers, including police and those retiring from agencies like the FBI and CIA. She said that the company conducts its own vetting of applicants to ensure their credentials and experience stack up, and that there are no black marks on their record.
Once someone is employed at Trustify, they step into an office culture that aims to make everyone feel comfortable. Employees have a designated space on the walls for photographs, while behind hidden doors are rooms for nursing mothers and other relaxation spaces.
Mellon said it was imperative to make employees feel valued internally, while externally, being surrounded by other technology firms and startups adds value too.
“We wanted a space not only to support our team, but support the work that we do,” Mellon said. “It’s nice to be a part of that technology community. It’s so conducive to the work we’re doing. We don’t have a lot of time to go somewhere else, so it’s nice to be in this concentrated technology corridor that we’re proud to be a part of.”
Trustify employed architecture firm Wingate Hughes to design its new office space, a process that took about eight weeks before another 12 weeks of construction.
Gavin Daniels, co-founding principal at Wingate Hughes, said the firm wanted Trustify employees to feel comfortable in their new space, while at the same time making it unique.
“I wanted something for them that was badass,” Daniels said. “I wanted someone to walk in and have that visceral reaction of, ‘Holy s–t. This is an office building? I can’t believe I’m standing here in an office building.’ I wanted people to get their breath taken away, smile and feel something.”
With the use of technology in a welcoming office environment, Boice said they are working hard to change how people view private investigation.
“We analyzed the market and found it’s an old industry that’s white male dominated, it’s a 1 percenter service,” he said. “We saw that if you changed how it could be consumed and made it accessible to everyone, then it could be this very large, new industry.”
More photos of Trustify’s new Crystal City office:
The view of D.C. from Trustify’s Crystal City office
The Trustify sales and marketing office
Employees can put up personal photographs in a designated area
Trustify’s private investigators sit in another section
Behind hidden doors are relaxation rooms and space for nursing mothers
The office’s open-plan kitchen provides an atrium to the space
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.
The Arlington Committee of 100 will host an Arlington County Board Candidate Forum with Peter Fallon, Erik Gutshall, Kim Klingler and Vivek Patil. Scott McCaffrey, managing editor of the Sun Gazette, will moderate.
Thursday
Lipstick Brigade
Marymount University Reinsch Auditorium (2807 N. Glebe Road)
Time: 7-9 p.m.
Dr. Cindy Gueli discusses the captivating, surprising and often moving first-person stories she collected for “Lipstick Brigade,” her book of how women triumphed over the challenges of war and the chaotic, frustrating and often deadly capital boomtown.
Food Truck Thursdays
Crystal City (18th Street S and Crystal Drive; 201 12th Street S)
Time: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Get your lunchtime Food Truck fix at Food Truck Thursday in Crystal City all spring and summer long. Many favorites from the D.C. region are set to participate at both locations, subject to change and each truck’s scheduling.
Friday
The Saint John Passion *
Resurrection Lutheran Church (6201 Washington Blvd)
Time: 7:30-9 p.m.
A narrative reading of the Passion Story by Johann Sebastian with selections for choir and orchestra drawn from one of Bach’s greatest works. Presented as part of the Liturgy for Good Friday. Free and open to the public. Free will offering accepted.
Grandma Lee Live
Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike)
Time: Friday 10 p.m., Saturday 7 p.m.
Grandma Lee is America’s funniest and most outrageous grandmother who is nowhere close to being ready for the rocking chair. She is a pro at entertaining audiences of all ages with her unorthodox views of family, television and life.
Residents can come and safely dispose of hazardous household materials, and recycle items including bikes, small metal items, shoes, select baby and medical supplies, clothing and much more.
The first of four dates featuring food vendors and other entertainment. The following vendors will be featured: Little Miss Whoopie, Ricksha Streetside Indian, Margaret’s Soul Food, Peruvian Brothers and Pacific Twist.
Sunday
Easter Service *
George Mason University Founder’s Hall (3351 Fairfax Drive)
Time: 9:15-10:30 a.m., 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Emmanuel Presbyterian Church will be having two Sunday morning Easter services. Child care will be provided for both services for children from nursery through fifth grade. Join us after each service for coffee, snacks, and fellowship.
