Author: Jackie Friedman

Applebee’s Now Open in Ballston

By Jackie Friedman
1/2

A new Applebee’s restaurant has opened in Ballston.

The chain eatery opened its doors on Wednesday (June 15). It’s located at 900 N. Glebe Road, in the former Greene Turtle Sports Bar & Grille space. The Greene Turtle closed in April.

While some locals were skeptical of Applebee’s ability to find success in an urban neighborhood like Ballston, it was packed with customers around dinnertime Thursday, when ARLnow.com visited.

Applebee’s has an outdoor patio, over 200 seats indoors and a bar. Business hours are from 11 a.m.-11 p.m every day except on Saturdays, when it’s open 11 a.m.-10 p.m., according to the Applebee’s website.

Father’s Day Car Show Returns Sunday in Crystal City

By Jackie Friedman

Crystal Car logoThe annual Crystal Car show is returning this weekend to Crystal City.

The fourth annual Father’s Day Car Festival is being hosted by the Crystal City BID in the surface lot located adjacent to 220 20th Street S., on Sunday, June 19 from 2-6 p.m.

“This family-friendly festival will have a large variety of automobile categories including sports cars, electric vehicles, classic muscle cars, antiques and more,” the Crystal City BID said in a press release. “Along with the cars, enjoy live music, food trucks, and a beer and wine garden hosted by the Washington Wine Academy.”

Admission is free for guests and vehicles but cash is required to when purchasing beer and wine.

Those with cars they want to showcase can register online.

File photo. Disclosure: Crystal City BID is an ARLnow.com advertiser.

Local Senior Couple Gets Needed Home Repairs Thanks to Volunteer Effort

By Jackie Friedman
1/4

A senior couple who lives in Arlington’s Glencarlyn neighborhood received free home repairs today thanks to a group of volunteers.

More than 30 volunteers from the local Rebuilding Together organization and Lowe’s worked throughout the day today to fix up the couple’s home inside and out. The couple was for the volunteer work based on need.

“We bring volunteers to people’s homes to make repairs,” said Patti Klein, executive director of Rebuilding Together Arlington/Fairfax/Falls Church. “They tend to be lower income homeowners that are seniors, people with disabilities, veterans and families with children.”

The couple was having a very hard time getting up and down their front stairs, according to Klein. The husband also had heart surgery a few months ago.

The repairs included the installation of railings for both sides of the front steps, the installation of 16 storm windows, replacement of an A/C unit, and the installation of a carbon monoxide detector, among many others.

Rebuilding Together Arlington/Fairfax/Falls Church is one of 150 affiliates across the nation. Nationally, the organization does 10,000 projects a year. The local affiliate does 70 projects a year. Lowe’s has been a national partner since 2007 and donated $15,000 for today’s repairs.

“We got a great group of people here and we are going to do a lot of great stuff,” said Tony Reyna, manager of a Lowe‘s store in Fairfax.

Pancho Villa Mexican Cuisine Now Open in Rosslyn

By Jackie Friedman
1/3

Pancho Villa Mexican Cuisine has opened in Rosslyn.

The restaurant is located at 1850 N. Fort Myer Drive, former home to the short-lived Secret Chopsticks restaurant. The space is largely unchanged, save the new purple paint job.

Pancho Villa had its soft opening this past Thursday. According to district manager Marta Hernandez, there was a big turnout.

“So many customers came into the restaurant and we received so many compliments about the food and service, it was a big success,” said Hernandez.

The Mexican cuisine served at Pancho Villa is made from scratch, said Hernandez, and the chips and salsa are made fresh everyday. “The food here is made with lots of love,” she said.

Pancho Villa has other locations around Virginia and one in North Carolina. While the restaurant expects to have its official grand opening celebration in 3-4 weeks.

Arlington Agenda: June 13-19

By Jackie Friedman
Columbia Pike Blues Festival 2014 (file photo)

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.

Also, be sure to check out our event calendar.

Monday

Copy-of-Outside-Going-In-flyerOutside Going In Concert*
Westover Baptist Church (1125 Patrick Henry Drive)
Time: 7:30-8:30 p.m.

The Arlington Chorale (formerly the Metropolitan Chorus) presents selections from its 50th season. Highlights from a wide selection of music are guaranteed to delight audiences of all ages. Concert is free.

Arlington Central Library

Paws to Read at Central Library
Central Library (1015 N Quincy Street)
Time: 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Stress-free reading practice for elementary school kids. The patient, nonjudgmental attention these dogs offer helps reluctant readers gain confidence and improve their reading skills. Registration required.

Wednesday

krabLegsAll You Can Eat Snow Crab Leg Wednesdays*
Mad Rose Tavern (3100 Clarendon Blvd)
Time: 5-9 p.m.

Only $26.99! All you can eat snow crab legs are back at Mad Rose Tavern. The best deal in town gets better together with the best happy hour in Clarendon. Crabs start being served at 5 p.m. sharp. The event ends at 9 p.m.

OpenHouse-851x315

Saffron Dance Summer Open House*
Saffron Dance (3260 Wilson Blvd)
Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.

FREE world dance and fitness classes in the heart of Clarendon. Burn calories, build confidence, make new friends, and have fun! Classes include Belly Dance Technique, Samba Heat Cardio and Shimmy Shakedown Cardio.

 Thursday

Clarendon_Launch_Facebook_2MakeOffices Clarendon Launch Party*
MakeOffices Clarendon (3100 Clarendon Blvd, Suite 200)
Time: 6-10 p.m.

Come celebrate the official opening of MakeOffices Clarendon, Arlington’s new premier coworking community, with a “can’t miss” launch party. Enjoy tasty cocktails and drinks, indulge in food from local hotspots, and rock out to a live band.

Saturday

Paddle-Potomac-Paddle-ShenandoahPaddle for Clean Water
Key Bridge Boathouse (3500 Water Street NW)
Time: 8 a.m.

Supporters of Potomac Riverkeeper Network will paddle over (and around) Roosevelt Island to show support for a clean, healthy Potomac. This is part of a week and a half of paddle events up and down the Potomac.

1904145_483632201770805_3618278161214588844_nEagles Academy High School Program*
Bluemont Park (400 N Manchester Street)
Time: 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

Introduction to Australian football for high school aged players. Free program provides an opportunity for high school players to train and play with the Baltimore Washington Eagles Australian Rules Football Club.

Columbia Pike Blues Festival 2012Columbia Pike Blues Festival 
2903 Columbia Pike
Time: 1-8:30 p.m.

The 21st annual festival on the Pike will have music, local food, and arts and crafts vendors. Community groups and local businesses will be in attendance. There will also be activities for kids. Admission is free.

Sunday

CW_FATHERSDAY_2016-6

Father’s Day at Copperwood Tavern*
Copperwood Tavern (4021 Campbell Ave)
Time: 9:00 a.m.-9 p.m.

Join us on Father’s Day for a meal your dad will be talking about for years to come. On Father’s Day, all fathers will recieve complimentary venison jerky, a gift card, and our famous Copperwood spice rub!

ZERO4

ZERO Prostate Cancer Run/Walk – Capitol Area*
Pentagon Row Courtyard (1101 S. Joyce Street)
Time: 8 a.m.-12 p.m.

The ZERO Prostate Cancer Run/Walk features a 5K run/walk, 1 mile walk, 200 yard Kids Superhero Dash for Dad, and virtual Snooze for Dudes program. The funds raised from the event are invested around the country to provide research for new treatments, free prostate cancer testing, and educate men and families about prostate cancer.

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TechShop Waterjet Destroyer Challenge Night*
TechShop Arlington (2100 Crystal Drive)

In honor of the many veterans who helped launch TechShop Arlington by becoming our first members, TechShop will host its first Waterjet Destroyer competition. Set on our high-powered waterjet cutter, TechShop DCA will battle another shop in the ultimate game of Battleship. This event is open to members and nonmembers. General registration is free.

*Denotes featured (sponsored) content

Panera Bread in Ballston Permanently Closes

By Jackie Friedman
1/3

The Panera Bread restaurant in Ballston has closed.

The Panera Bread was located in Ballston Common Mall and was previously expected to stay open during renovations before reopening as Ballston Quarter.

The store’s signage is down and the inside is vacant. The location also no longer shows up on Panera Bread’s website.

When calling the store’s phone number, an automated message states that the Ballston location has permanently closed and that their “customer’s business has been appreciated.”

No word yet on what ultimately led to the permanent closure of the store.

Local World War II Vet to Benefit from New Immigration Program

By Jackie Friedman
1/4

Arlington resident and 86-year-old World War II veteran Rudy Panaglima delivered a heartfelt speech on Capitol Hill Thursday morning, thanking lawmakers for a new immigration that allow Filipino veterans to be reunited with their families.

Panaglima was just 13 years old when he joined a Philippine guerrilla unit that secretly worked with the United States during World War II. Eventually, he became a member of the United States Army in the Philippines.

Filipino veterans who served for the United States during World War II received citizenship in appreciation for their service. However, many of their children were not able to.

Panaglima and his 83 year old wife Pura, have been waiting since 1995 for their two sons to come to the United States.

“We need our sons to take care of us because of our age,” said Panaglima.

Other speakers included Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine (D), Hawaii Sen. Mazie Hirono (D), Nevada Sen. Harry Reid (D) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service Chief of Staff Juliet Choi.

“For too many years, Filipino veterans who fought valiantly alongside the United States in World War II – including many who call Virginia home – have been waiting for the promise of reunification with their families to be fulfilled,” Kaine said. “I’m so pleased that implementation of the Filipino World War II Veterans Parole Program has finally begun and that families like Rudy and Pura Panaglima of Arlington will soon be reunited with their sons who can provide them with much-needed care.”

Panaglima and his wife Pura have been living in the United States for over 21 years. Throughout the years, they have moved all around the D.C. area. However, now they currently reside along Lee Highway.

The Filipino World War II Veterans Parole (FWVP) Program, which officially took effect Wednesday, allows Filipino veterans or their spouses, whose service has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Defense, to apply to bring their children to the United States. The policy also allows the families to be together in the United States while the applications are processed.

“In a few months, my two sons will be with us in America because of this program. On behalf of the Panaglima family I would like to convey our gratitude,” said Panaglima.

APAH Breaks Ground on Affordable Columbia Hills Apartments

By Jackie Friedman
1/5

The Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing, County Board members and other elected officials and community leaders broke ground yesterday afternoon on the Columbia Hills Apartments, located at 1010 S. Frederick Street, off of Columbia Pike.

“There is dire need for affordable housing” in Arlington, said APAH President and CEO Nina Janopaul. “We’ve lost 13,500 affordable homes since 2000 so this is an opportunity in a big way to help make up for that.”

Columbia Hills will be APAH’s 15th property. Their 14th property, The Springs Apartments in Buckingham, will be welcoming residents this fall.

The Columbia Hills Apartment property is a $91 million project that includes land donated by APAH and M&T Bank, federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits and innovative “hybrid financing.”

“We are proud of the financing and are very appreciative of our partners who have allowed us to take the parking lot out of service and donate it to the new project,” said Janopaul.

Columbia Hills will be built on 1.2 acres of APAH’s land adjacent to the Columbia Grove Apartments. The property includes 10 permanent supportive housing units and 13 accessible units, serving housing needs for senior and disabled residents who cannot live comfortably in the neighboring Columbia Grove walk-up apartments.

The connecting east and west buildings will each be eight stories tall. The buildings will have a total of 229 homes, including 64 studio apartments, 27 one-bedroom units, 110 two-bedroom units, and 28 three-bedroom homes.

The committed affordable apartments are available to lower income households earning 60% of Area Median Income (AMI). There are 10 designated for households below 40% AMI and 39 for households below 50% AMI.

“Columbia Hills is one of the first projects to be developed under the Arlington County’s award-winning Columbia Pike Neighborhoods Plan and will contribute significantly to meeting the Plan’s goal of preserving 3,000 affordable homes along Columbia Pike,” Janopaul said.

The apartments are expected to be completed in the spring of 2018.

Rescheduled ‘Bark in the Park’ Taking Place This Weekend

By Jackie Friedman

dogs

The second annual Bark in the Park event will be taking place this Sunday, June 12, after being rescheduled due to anticipated storms last weekend.

The free event will be taking place at the James Hunter Dog Park, also known as the Clarendon dog park, from 3-6 p.m.

The event will feature live music by Americana group Caroline Ferrante and the Whole Magilla, bites from the Smoking Kow BBQ food truck, and plenty of activities and goodies for human children and four-legged “kids” alike. Dog exhibitors will also be on hand to answer any pet related questions.

The Clarendon Alliance and Clarendon Animal Care (an ARLnow columnist) are sponsoring the event.

There is still time to enter the event’s first annual “Cutest Pooch Contest.” Dog owners can upload a photo of their pup, while any animal lover can vote for their favorites. The winning entry will receive pet- and owner-appropriate prizes.

Arlington Resident and Two-Time Olympic Gold Medalist Briana Scurry Heads to Rio

By Jackie Friedman
1/4

This summer, Arlington resident and former U.S. women’s soccer goalkeeper Briana Scurry will be going to the 2016 Olympics in Rio — this time, as a commentator.

Scurry played in the 1996 Atlanta, 2000 Sydney and 2004 Athens Olympic games and received two gold medals and one silver medal. She was also a key member of the 1999 World Cup-winning U.S. women’s national team.

With her playing career behind her, Scurry has been living in Ballston for the past two years, when she’s not traveling to speaking engagements across the country.

“I love the hustle and bustle of Arlington,” she said.

Scurry, who served as an analyst for ESPN during the 2011 Women’s World Cup, will be traveling to Rio in August to lend her expert commentary to Olympics coverage, including offering pre-game and post-game analysis.

“Ever since I was a little girl I wanted to be an Olympian and I was very lucky to play in three,” she said.

The Olympics is always an exciting time for Scurry, even when she is not playing in it. The U.S. women’s soccer team have the opportunity to win their fourth gold medal in a row this summer, and Scurry thinks the team has a great shot in doing exactly that, despite some pivotal players currently being injured.

“Complete and total dominance would be wonderful,” said Scurry.

Scurry has had such an impact on the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team’s program that early last year, she was selected to be a permanent part of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture’s Title IX exhibit, which will be opening on September 24.

“When they called and asked if I would be willing to be in the museum, I couldn’t even begin to describe my humility. I couldn’t believe it because that meant my passion and body of work as a soccer player was good enough to be considered as something that was helping my race. It is really humbling to know that,” said Scurry.

Before moving to Ballston, Scurry lived in D.C.’s Adams Morgan neighborhood, where she was starting her concussion recovery. In 2010, Scurry retired from her professional soccer career due to a season-ending concussion. (She currently serves as honorary captain of the Washington Spirit soccer team.)

Now an advocate for concussion awareness, Scurry will be testifying before Congress about traumatic brain injuries next week.

“It took me three years to finally find the right doctor,” said Scurry. “Now I’m an advocate because if I can go through this much trouble, as an Olympic gold medalist and athlete and I was misdiagnosed and shuffled around, I can only imagine” what others are going through.

Briana Scurry can be followed on Facebook or Twitter.

The Pink Palm Now Open in Clarendon

By Jackie Friedman
1/7

Lilly Pulitzer signature store The Pink Palm has opened its new store in Clarendon.

The store, at 2871 Clarendon Blvd, is the company’s fifth. It opened two weeks ago, after moving to Clarendon from their now-closed McLean location. The store is located in the former Knightsbridge Trading Co. space.

“We are so excited to be in Arlington because it is in the middle of where our prime demographic is,” said Pink Palm owner Lizanne Jeveret.

The privately-owned Lily Pulitzer store carries clothes, accessories and gifts. As a signature store, non-apparel brands such as Jack Rogers and Kendra Scott are also sold.

Customers can earn points for every purchase they make with the customer loyalty program. For every $500 spent, a $20 in store credit will be rewarded.

“We focus on getting to know our customers and we have a very specific interaction with our customers,” said Jeveret.

Aside from dropping by the store, customers can also order products online. Other Pink Palm locations include Alexandria, Bethesda, Richmond and Charlottesville.

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