Author: Tim Regan

Orangetheory Fitness to Open Location in Clarendon This Month

By Tim Regan
1/3

Clarendon is slated to get a new gym by the end of the month.

Orangetheory Fitness will officially open its doors at 3001 Washington Blvd on Oct. 30, according to franchise owner Mark Steverson.

“We’re excited. This is our fourth location in Arlington County,” Steverson said. The company currently has gyms in Ballston and Rosslyn and Pentagon City.

To help promote the new fitness center, Orangetheory will offer special “founding member” pricing and a free week of classes from Oct 22-29. The gym will also host a grand opening party with freebies and vendors on Oct. 29, Steverson added.

Orangetheory specializes in one-hour group workouts where exercisers row, run and lift weights to boost their endurance and strength. Each participant wears a heart rate monitor during the workout to maximize calorie burn.

Those looking to sign up for a free class or get more information about membership packages can contact the gym by phone at 202-868-6767 or by email.

Arlington Agenda: Oct. 11-16

By Tim Regan

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.

Tuesday

Defining Digital ArlingtonDefining Digital Arlington *
Shirlington Library (4200 Campbell Ave.)
Time: 7-8:30 p.m.

This program at the Shirlington Library will include a discussion with author Shawn DuBravac. The talk will explore the impact that the digital revolution could have on how Arlington residents live, work and play in years to come.

Thursday

Ruffino ChiantiWine Dinner Ruffino *
Osteria da Nino Cucina Italiana and Bar (2900 S Quincy St.)
Time: 6:30-10:30 p.m.

Patrons will have a chance to taste Ruffino wines from Tuscany during this five-course dinner. The dinner will include a visit from Ruffino global ambassador Beppe d’Andrea and feature seven wines.


Hope Is BrewingHope Is Brewing *
Heavy Seas Alehouse (1501 Wilson Blvd)
Time: 7-9 p.m.

Human rights organization Love146 is scheduled to host its first-ever D.C.-area Hope Is Brewing event. Locals are welcome to bring along friends, family and a favorite board game to the gathering.

Office Space event at Arlington DrafthouseOffice Space: TPS Report Managers Meeting
Arlington Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike)
Time: 7 p.m.

Like “Office Space?” This watch party will have themed music, a trivia contest with prizes, contests where attendees can show off their best Bill Lumbergh and “O Face” impersonations, and naturally, a showing of the 1999 cult classic film.

Friday

Arlington's planetarium (Flickr pool photo by Lawrence Cheng Photography)In This Convex Hull – A Full Dome Art Show *
David M Brown Planetarium (1426 N Quincy St.)
Time: 6:30 p.m.

D.C.-area artist Brandon Morse is scheduled to project his art on the David M. Brown Planetarium’s dome. The installation will run throughout this weekend with multiple screenings on Friday and Saturday.

Saturday

Family Fall FestivalFamily Fall Festival *
St. Ann School (980 North Frederick St.)
Time: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

This free fall festival at St. Ann Church and School will include rides, games with prizes, food, raffles, music, a beer garden and a silent auction with goods and services from local vendors.

Sunday

Pints 4 Paws posterPints 4 Paws Beer Festival *
Courthouse Plaza Parking Lot (2040 15th St. N)
Time: 1-5 p.m.

Pups and people are welcome to attend the inaugural Pints 4 Paws fall fundraiser. The festival is slated to have craft beer tastings, a DJ spinning tunes, food trucks, games and a “doggy costume contest.”

*Denotes featured (sponsored) content

Rosslyn’s Barley Mac to Host All-You-Can-Eat Oyster Fest Tomorrow

By Tim Regan

Photo courtesy of Barley MacA neighborhood bourbon bar in Rosslyn is set to host a “celebration of all things oyster” on its patio tomorrow.

Barley Mac (1600 Wilson Blvd) will kick off its first annual Oyster Fest this Saturday, Oct. 1, at 1 p.m.

The bar and restaurant will turn its patio into “a big, beautiful outdoor raw bar” for the party, which will include all-you-can-eat oysters and an oyster eating contest, live music, a cigar rolling station, instructions on how to properly shuck oysters and free giveaways.

During the event, attendees can sip on chilled white wine, beer and whiskey while noshing on a variety of dishes including oysters Rockefeller, oyster po’boy sandwiches and oyster ceviche. The shellfish will also be available grilled, fried, stewed, raw and in made-to-order shooters.

Tickets cost $49 online and $59 at the door.

‘Wilson Hardware’ Coming to Former Ri Ra Space in Clarendon

By Tim Regan

2915 Wilson Blvd

(Updated at 1:44 p.m.) The new business slated to open in the former Ri Ra space in Clarendon will be a lounge and restaurant called Wilson Hardware.

An ownership group signed a lease for the space at 2915 Wilson Blvd earlier this year. The forthcoming bar’s co-owners include Jad Bouchebel, Faris Ghareeb and Alex Haje.

“Wilson Hardware is a dining bar experience,” Haje said today when reached by phone. The bar’s name is an homage to Virginia Hardware, the hardware shop that occupied the storefront until 2005, he explained.

“In terms of the aesthetic, there’s going to be a real contrast between the name and look,” Ghareeb said. The duo added the bar will have a “trendy, cool” vibe and will serve “good food” alongside a “good selection of wine, beers and craft cocktails.”

If those descriptions sound a bit vague, that’s because they’re supposed to be. The bar’s owners “don’t want to give away too much” before it opens, Haje said.

A black wooden facade currently obscures the bar’s ongoing construction, but that’s by design, Haje said. Once construction nears completion, the barrier will be removed.

“Arlington’s got a lot of beautiful places but they’re somewhat similar in design,” Haje teased. “I think this is going to be something fresh.”

If construction goes as planned, the bar could open by the end of the year. If not, it will likely open early next year, Haje said.

“We’re going to try to get it open as soon as possible,” Haje added.

Open Houses in Arlington This Weekend

By Tim Regan

Searching for a new home in Arlington? You’ll be able to find plenty of options this weekend.

Visit our recently-relaunched real estate section for a full listing of open houses this weekend. Here are a few highlights:

5101 8th Rd S5101 8th Road South
3 Bed/2 Bath Condo
Agent: Toby Lim
Listed: $287,500
Open: Sunday 1-4 p.m.

 

4501 Arlington Boulevard4501 Arlington Boulevard
2 Bed/2 Bath Condo
Agent: Tonya Nelson
Listed: $339,000
Open: Sunday 1-4 p.m.

 

3520 Stafford Street South3520 Stafford Street South
1 Bed/2 Bath Townhome
Agent: Gary Ansley
Listed: $385,000
Open: Sunday 1-4 p.m.

 

1700 A Clarendon Boulevard1700 A Clarendon Boulevard
1 Bed/1.5 Bath Condo
Agent: Elizabeth Lord
Listed: $777,900
Open: Sunday 2-4 p.m.

 

4830 25th Road North4830 25th Road North
3 Bed/2 Bath Single Family Detached
Agent: Christine Vanderhyde
Listed: $799,000
Open: Sunday 1-4 p.m.

 

1324 Kenmore Circle1324 Kenmore Circle
4 Bed/3.5 Bath Single Family Detached
Agent: Michael Webb
Listed: $959,000
Open: Sunday 1-4 p.m.

 

Real estate agents, if you don’t see your listings in our real estate section shoot us an email and we’ll let you know what your office needs to do to get listed.

UPDATED: Irritating Odor Prompts Hazmat Response at Ft. Myer

By Tim Regan

Arlington County fire truck(Updated at 1:29 p.m.) Hazmat teams rushed to the scene after reports of an irritating odor and possible chemical leak at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall earlier this morning.

The incident occurred in the basement of a barracks building on the 400 block of Sheridan Ave. sometime around 10:00 a.m. today.

Reports of a “a foul smell and complaints of eyes being irritated” led to the incident, according to a statement from the military base.

“The source of the odor has been determined to be a chemical reaction between various unknown supplies in a storage supply closet,” the statement continued. “All indications are that this is not terrorist or criminal related.”

Despite earlier reports of a “hydrogen cyanide leak,” the odor actually came from overheated radio batteries, according to the Arlington County Fire Department.

The building was evacuated and crews evaluated at least seven people onsite. Nobody was taken to the hospital following the incident, however.

Road Closures Planned for Shirlington Oktoberfest

By Tim Regan

Shirlington Oktoberfest (courtesy photo)(Updated at 2:10 p.m.) An annual beer festival will shut down some roads in Shirlington this weekend.

Capitol City Brewing Company’s annual Oktoberfest celebration will bring men in lederhosen and women in dirndls to the The Village at Shirlington (4001 Campbell Avenue) on Saturday, Oct. 1, from noon to 7 p.m.

In addition to food, drinks and fun, the party will also bring road closures. The following roads will be closed to cars from about 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday:

  • Campbell Avenue, from Arlington Mill Drive to S. Quincy Street
  • S. Randolph Street, from Arlington Mill Drive to the alley behind PING by Charlie Chang’s (roughly the 3000 block)

Street parking in the area will also be restricted during that time.

2016-army-ten-miler-mapThen, next Sunday, Oct. 9, runners will pound pavement near the Pentagon as part of the 32nd annual Army Ten-Miler Race.

The following road closures will take effect when the race kicks off next week:

  • Route 110 between Rosslyn and Crystal City will be closed in both directions at 5:00 a.m. till approximately 2:00 p.m. (Use the George Washington Memorial Parkway as an alternative)
  • Eads Street from Army Navy Drive into the Pentagon/ northbound I-395 HOV lanes will be closed at 5:00 a.m.
  • I-395 southbound HOV exit to S. Eads Street / Pentagon south parking lot will be closed at 5:00 a.m.
  • I-395 HOV northbound from Crystal City to the 14th Street Bridge will be closed at 6:00 a.m.
    Route 27 in both directions from George Washington Memorial Parkway to I-395 will be closed from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
  • Army Navy Drive from S. Eads Street to S. 12th Street from approximately 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
    12th Street from S. Eads Street to Long Bridge Drive from approximately 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
  • Long Bridge Drive will be closed from S. 12th Street to Boundary Channel Drive from approximately 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

All roads closed by the marathon should be reopened by 12:30 p.m., except for Route 110, which will remain closed until approximately 2:00 p.m.

Police: Cars, Electronics Stolen From Business on N. Glebe Road

By Tim Regan

Police car (file photo)Someone broke into a business on N. Glebe Road and stole electronics and four cars yesterday, according to Arlington County Police.

The burglary occurred at a car dealership on the unit block of N. Glebe Road sometime before 10:19 a.m. yesterday morning.

One of the business’s employees arrived at work to find the store’s sliding glass doors were broken and that someone had ransacked the place.

Police said the burglars stole some electronics and the following vehicles:

  • 2007 Audi Q7
  • 2012 Chevy Suburban
  • 2008 Ford Expedition
  • 2006 BMW 325i

From an Arlington County Police report:

COMMERCIAL BURGLARY, GLA, 160928019, unit block of N. Glebe Road. At 10:19 a.m. on September 28, officers responded to the report of a burglary. The reporting party arrived at work to find the sliding glass doors to the business broken and the business ransacked. Investigation revealed that four (4) vehicles had been stolen from the sales lot along with numerous items of value. There is no suspect(s) description.

Clarendon’s The Spirits of ’76 to Open in the ‘Next Few Weeks’

By Tim Regan
1/5

A new bar steeped in Americana and rustic patriotism is slated to open soon in Clarendon.

The Spirits of ’76 will open its doors at 3211 Washington Blvd over the “next few weeks,” according to owner Patrick Doody. George Kennedy, former general manager at Georgetown’s former Rhino Bar, is partnering with Doody to open the bar.

When the hangout finally opens, it will be a “small, intimate, cozy neighborhood bar” that specializes in whiskey and American comfort food like Maryland crab cakes and meatloaf, Doody said.

“We’re going to be heavy on bourbons and ryes. Definitely feature your old fashioneds and your manhattans,” Doody added. “All of your well-known and well-liked American standard cocktails will be made at the bar.”

Though the patriotic bar will be decked out in stained wood, exposed brick and a big American flag, Doody also plans to hang photos of Johnny Cash, JFK and Elvis Presley on the walls.

“In the bar, the decor will be presidential,” he explained. “A lot of Americana pop culture, as well.”

Doody, a veteran of next-door O’Sullivan’s, said he hopes The Spirits of ’76 can become a place where Clarendon residents will gather on a regular basis.

To achieve that goal, Doody said he’ll book local musicians and partner with local organizations. He’ll also pour drinks behind the bar and manage the business most days of the week.

“I believe in the neighborhood,” Doody said. “I’m trying to break the trend of smaller local places that have been shutting their doors.”

Transit Officials to Discuss I-395 Travel Study Tonight

By Tim Regan

Traffic on I-395 near ShirlingtonLocals will have a chance to learn about future travel choices along the I-395 corridor during a public meeting tonight.

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) is scheduled to hold an open house prior to the Arlington Transportation Commission meeting at 2100 Clarendon Blvd from 6:30-7:30 p.m. this evening.

The purpose of the open house is to discuss an ongoing DRPT study designed to come up with a list of projects eligible for funding from revenue generated by the plan to extend the 395 Express Lanes to Eads Street in Arlington.

Those projects could include better bus or rail service, more carpooling options and other ways to “support mobility, economic development, and sustainability goals for communities along the corridor,” officials said. Virginia has committed at least $15 million per year to funding possible projects.

Locals can weigh in on the study before the meeting by completing this DRPT survey.

Oakridge, Ashlawn Elementary Schools Adopt Reading-Only Homework Policies

By Tim Regan

Arlington Public School school bus(Updated at 2:37 p.m.) Teachers at two Arlington schools are doing away with take-home packets, worksheets and projects.

Oakridge and Ashlawn elementary schools have adopted a reading-only homework policy this year, according to Arlington Public Schools spokesman Frank Bellavia. Another local school, Taylor Elementary, is currently piloting a similar program for second graders.

Under the new program, teachers will only assign occasional at-home reading. Students are graded not on homework, but on class participation and what they produce during the school day.

The policy is aimed at teaching students how to think critically and solve problems, said Oakridge principal Dr. Lynne Wright.

“We felt that when we used homework as a grade, it was inequitable because we couldn’t really determine how much of the assignment was done by the student or how much was done with editing, support and coaching,” Wright said.

But that doesn’t mean kids at those schools won’t learn how to be responsible after class, Wright said. Teachers will encourage students to learn practical tasks such as making their lunch for the next day or putting things away at home.

So far, Wright said there’s been little resistance from parents, partly because the new program didn’t come as a surprise. School officials spent the last year looking at research and talking it over at PTA meetings.

“The questions about responsibility and getting ready for middle school were the questions that came up the most,” Wright said. “We didn’t have a whole lot of pushback.”

In fact, many parents said they felt like homework took too much time away from interacting with their kids.

“They weren’t spending time talking to their children about their day or their friendships or the content they’d learned,” Wright said. “They were really just saying, get that worksheet done. They felt like they were putting all this energy into something that wasn’t impacting their learning or their creativity and problem solving.”

And how are students taking to the new policy?

“They were jumping for joy,” Wright said. “They feel relief. They’re happy. They’re proud. They feel like they’re developing their relationships.”

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