Author: Vernon Miles

Shake Shack in Ballston Nears Opening Later This Year

By Vernon Miles

Progress is being made at the new Shake Shack in the Ballston Exchange.

The fast food burger chain will be joining We, The Pizza, Philz Coffee and Cava as the ground floor retail of the newly renovated building at 4201 Wilson Blvd.

Meg Castranova, brand communications manager for Shake Shack, said the location in the Ballston Exchange is on schedule to open in late 2018. The exact date is currently unknown.

The renovations to Ballston Exchange by Jamestown LLP come after the departure of the National Science Foundation to a new location in Alexandria.

New Bar and Lounge Could Replace Chester’s Billiards

By Vernon Miles

Chester’s Billiards, currently a gutted husk after it was closed one year ago, may soon have a new tenant.

Sydney’s Bar and Lounge has filed for a license to operate a mixed beverage restaurant at 2620 S. Shirlington Road, formerly Chester’s Billiards.

Chester’s was closed in 2017 after a prolonged battle over the facility’s elevator, compounded by the County Board denying the bar a renewal of its entertainment permit.

Little is known so far about Syndey’s Bar and Lounge, whose owners could not be reached for comment.

Arlington Agenda: August 27-September 2

By Vernon Miles

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.

Wednesday, Aug. 29

Sweet Reads: A Literary-Themed Candy Diorama Contest
Connection: Crystal City Library (2117 Crystal Plaza Arcade)
Time: 6-7:45 p.m.

Join the Library and PBS’ “The Great American Read” to make a candy-filled diorama, recreating your favorite fictional scene! Bring a shoebox, and we will provide the candy and crafts to create your vision. When you’re finished, enter your masterpiece in our contest (K-5, Teen, or Adult), judged by our librarian and PBS staff for a chance to win fabulous prizes!

Thursday, Aug. 30

Advance Screening: The Great American Read
Arlington Central Library (1015 N. Quincy St.)
Time: 7-9 p.m.

Join PBS and WETA TV 26 for an exclusive advance screening and discussion of “Who Am I,” the first themed episode leading up to the grand finale of The Great American Read. The one hour documentary explores the question: How do the books we love answer the question, “Who Am I?”

Friday, Aug. 31

Columbia Pike Movie Nights: The Wizard of Oz
Arlington Mill Community Center (909 S Dinwiddie St)
Time: 8:30-10:30 p.m.

Enjoy a musically marvelous movie every Friday Night just after sunset. In case of inclement weather, please check our Facebook or Twitter pages to find out about possible cancellation. We make that call typically by 3:00 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 1

Roosevelt Island Parkrun
Theodore Roosevelt Island
Time: 9-10:30 a.m.

We are a free, weekly, timed 5K that takes place every Saturday morning at 9am at Roosevelt Island parkrun. Register one time ever on www.parkrun.us for your personal athlete barcode & bring with you to every parkrun.

New Casual Italian Restaurant Coming to Columbia Pike

By Vernon Miles

Josephines Italian Kitchen, a new casual Italian restaurant, is coming to Columbia Pike (2501 9th Rd S).

The restaurant comes from Tony Wagner, owner of the nearby Twisted Vines Bottleshop & Bistro and BrickHaus. Wagner said the idea came from discussions with neighbors and customers, and repeatedly hearing customers reference a need for a casual Italian option in the area.

Josephines Italian Kitchen will have a wood-fired oven, and Wagner said customers can look for a lot of fresh seafood and other classic Italian cuisine options at the restaurant.

Josephines Italian Kitchen will fill the space vacated by Marble & Rye, which closed last December. Wagner said the restaurant is currently in the permitting process but that the aim is to open sometime in October.

Overnight Eastbound I-66 Closures Start Sunday

By Vernon Miles

Starting Sunday (Aug. 26), I-66 will be hit with overnight lane closures. Over the next two months, lane closures will occur between 9:30 p.m. and 5 a.m. on the eastbound lanes.

The first lane closures will close the outside lane to allow crews to strengthen and repave the shoulder. Once this work is completed, the lanes will shift to allow crews to work on widening the median. 

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) warned that late-night travellers to expect delays and urged drivers to use caution near road work.

The repairs are part of the broader I-66 Eastbound Widening Project expected to add a new lane along four miles of I-66 by fall 2020.

The project comes with several local improvements, including new sound barriers, a new bridge over Lee Highway for the Washington and Old Dominion Trail, and constructing a new direct access ramp from I-66 to the West Falls Church Metro Station.

File photo

Kennan Garvey Memorial Bike Ride Rolls Along This Saturday

By Vernon Miles

The fifth annual Kennan Garvey Memorial Ride is planned for this Saturday (Aug. 25). The bicycle ride along the Washington and Old Dominion Trail will raise money to help Phoenix Bikes afford a new van to help transport students and day to day operations.

Rides range from 15 miles to the full length of the trail. Every 15 miles, volunteers greet riders with water, snacks, maintenance and high fives.

Online registration has closed, but participants can register at the race for a $100 donation and a $25 entry fee. Donations can also be made for teams or individuals.

The ride commemorates Kennan Garvey, an avid cyclist and late husband of County Board member Libby Garvey, who died of a heart attack in 2008. Kennan Garvey was a supporter of Phoenix Bikes, a non-profit that aims to educate the community about biking and help make it more affordable, and the fundraiser in his name has helped Phoenix Bikes afford a new location in the Arlington Mill Community Center.

This year, the goal is to replace the van currently used by the facility. The current van helps transport students to and from bike clubs, races, and special events as well as picking up and delivering donated bicycles.

“Although I’m very close to being able to ride my bike again, my new knee isn’t bending quite enough for me to ride this year…but I signed up anyway,” said Libby Garvey. “I’ll be there for the beginning and plan to help out at one of the rest stops on the ride.”

Courtesy photo

Pop-Up Gorilla Taco Opens in Pentagon Row

By Vernon Miles
1/6

Gorilla Taco is officially open in Pentagon Row.

The pop-up taco restaurant will be open Wednesdays through Sundays until December. The restaurant is located at 1201 S. Joyce Street alongside its sister restaurant, Basic Burger, which moved to Pentagon Row from Courthouse in June. 

When Gorilla Taco was first announced, Basic Burger co-owner Jamie Mansy said that the restaurant was based on food truck the company had for special and private events.

Like the food truck, the restaurant has a rotating menu of five to seven taco types each day. Gorilla Taco also serves alcohol, with a selection of beers like Modelo Negro and Pacifico, as well as house-made margaritas on tap. 

“We are excited to announce that Gorilla Taco will be joining Pentagon Row and its sister restaurant, Basic Burger, at this location,” said Kari Glinski, Director of Asset Management for Federal Realty Investment Trust, in a press release. “The addition of a Mexican-style pop up restaurant certainly builds upon the strength of the Center’s dining options.”

Photos via Gorilla Taco

Workout Fundraiser Planned for Local Hotel Manager and Advocate

By Vernon Miles

An ’80s themed bootcamp will take place in Rosslyn tomorrow to honor Ralf Hofmann, a man remembered as a passionate advocate for Arlington’s homeless and recent immigrants.

Hofmann, a former General Manager at the Hyatt Centric Arlington who was very active in several local charities, passed away on July 30 after a battle with a rare and aggressive cancer. All proceeds of the bootcamp will go towards a GoFundMe set up to support his wife, Heather, and their two sons.

The bootcamp will be held in Gateway Park (1300 Lee Highway). Sign in for the event starts at 6:30 p.m., with the workout starting at 7:30. A raffle afterwards will give attendees a chance to win a weekend stay at the Hyatt Centric, free dinner at Cityhouse, or a month of free coffee from Key Bridge Terrace. Attendees are encouraged to wear ’80s themed workout attire and plenty of neon.

Hofmann worked in culinary arts for over 30 years, working in the Hyatt Centric as executive chef before becoming general manager. In his work at the hotel, he regularly partnered with groups like the Arlington Street People’s Assistance Network (A-SPAN) and served on the board of La Cocina, a program that offers local latino immigrants a bilingual course in job training and language skills.

“We approached [the Hyatt Centric] to become a partner, meaning they hire our students for internships,” said Paty Funegra, CEO of La Cocina. “Ralf right away pushed to sign that agreement. They hosted our students there in the kitchen, and when he got promoted to operations manager, he approached me to offer more help. ‘I’m here,’ he told me, ‘can I help you in any other capacities?'”

Funegra said Hofmann was one of La Cocina’s biggest advocates, and was active in helping the group fundraise.

“He was my mentor,” said Funegra. “He was very generous, very open. He had a big heart, and cooking was his passion.”

Funegra said that Hofmann himself was an immigrant and that he was very conscious of trying to offer opportunities to others. Hofmann had a large collection of cooking books, which he donated to La Cocina to form the start of their library at their new facility at 3507 Columbia Pike. Funegra said they will be naming it the Hofmann Family Library in his honor.

Kathy Sibert, CEO of A-SPAN, said Hofmann was a driving force behind having the Hyatt host events for local charities and holding donation drives. For those in A-SPAN ready to work, Hofmann made sure there were internships available.

“Ralf was very involved,” said Sibert. “He worked on all of these things. He came to the events and really set the tone with his staff: to be very involved in the community.”

“We thought the Hyatt might be a good relationship, but Ralf really brought it to a personal level,” said Scott Miller, senior director of development at ASPAN. “He was absolutely the first to offer up an internship program, giving people a second or third chance. That was one of our first corporate partners for an internship. There are a lot of hurdles to jump, you had to get that person willing to raise their hand and say, ‘I’ll be your champion.’ Without Ralf’s help, we wouldn’t have had those jobs and internships, and those people wouldn’t have had their second chance. He opened up their facilities. It was his willingness to take that chance and be that champion with them.”

As a manager, Miller said Hofmann was very inclusive and made sure everyone had a voice and felt included.

“It was never a manager talking down to people, it was seeing people eye to eye,” said Miller. “He wanted to make sure people felt comfortable and friendly.”

Miller said whenever someone new would start working at the Hyatt Centric, Hofmann would make sure they had a “coffee break buddy”, someone who could help show them around and make sure they didn’t feel isolated.

According to his friends, Hofmann was also a very smart dresser.

“He would always wear beautiful suits; tailored with a handkerchief,” said Miller. “One time, we borrowed a riser for our open house… When we finally got it back to him, it must have been 100 degrees outside. The hospitality people were out there doing other stuff, and he’s out there in his expensive suit moving it by himself.”

Miller said Hofmann tore part of his suit moving the heavy riser, but that he was dismissive of it.

“That was Ralf; willing to help,” said Miller. “He wouldn’t pull someone off desk duty if it was something he could do himself.”

Photo via Rosslyn BID

Construction Wraps Up on Route 50 Intersection Improvements

By Vernon Miles

Construction has wrapped up on improvements to Arlington Boulevard (Route 50) at the Manchester Street and Park Drive intersections.

According to Eric Balliet, transportation spokesperson for Arlington County, the road and lane closures around the project have come to an end and landscaping work on the surrounding area is expected to begin this fall.

The intensity of traffic in the area led the county to develop a series of improvements to reduce speeding and accidents along Arlington Boulevard. New improvements include ADA curb ramps, sidewalk improvements, high-visibility crosswalks and upgrades to the signals. New curbs and gutters, along with new trees, were added at the Park Drive intersection.

Improvements were made to the street, with new asphalt pavement and lane striping. The storm drainage pipes at the site were also upgraded.

The project had been in the design process since 2011, with construction beginning late in 2017.

Photo from Google Maps

County Plans ‘Disaster Relief Trials’ to Test Cyclists

By Vernon Miles

When disaster strikes, roads are often one of the first necessities hit. Gridlock or damage to streets can make them impassible for cars.

And on Sept. 29, the county will host “Disaster Relief Trials” to simulate just such an emergency in Arlington. Participants will need to climb onto their bikes and travel across the county carrying food, water, medical supplies and messages to those in need. To do so, they will need to navigate without a GPS and traverse simulated dangerous terrain.

The challenge starts and ends at the Thomas Jefferson Community Center, from which participants will ride out to various checkpoints and be forced to overcome an obstacle. This could be a physical barrier like a downed tree or something like high water at least 15 cm deep.

Additional challenges include delivery of a message, successfully using a fire extinguisher, and wound packing. Points are awarded based on weight of supplies transported and emergency preparedness challenges completed. The top three finalists in each category will be awarded prizes.

Registration costs for the event varies based on category.

  • Responder I (Individuals, traditional bicycles) – Single Adult on standard bike, including bike racks, panniers, body packs, etc. Registration costs $40.
  • Responder II (Individuals, cargo bicycle, and/or trailer) – Single Adult on cargo bike (front bucket or longtail), or standard bike with trailer. Registration costs $40.
  • Family Responders (1-2 Adults, 1-4 children under age 14, any style of bikes) – Up to 2 adults and between 1-4 children under the age of 14, any style of bikes. Registration costs $75.
  • Team Responders (2-3 Adults, any/all bike types) – Teams of 2-3 adults, any/all bike types. Registration costs $75.
  • Citizen (Individual) – Single Adult with no cargo or checkpoint requirement; complete as many Emergency Preparedness Challenges as you want; non-competitive. Registration costs $10.

With a focus on bicycling through disaster zones, GPS systems and electronic assist bicycles are not allowed (or batteries for e-bikes removed). Registration is available online.

PARK(ing) Day 2018 Applications Now Available

By Vernon Miles
1/4

On Sept. 15, stretches of Arlington’s on-street parking will be transformed into pop-up parks for the annual PARK(ing) Day event, and applications are now available to turn your bare asphalt into a roadside oasis. 

There are many restrictions on which spots are eligible and what kinds of decorations can be included on-site. The parking spaces must be legal parking spots that aren’t reserved for other uses, like rush hour, handicap, or loading zone spots. Parking spaces also can’t be located at the end of the street block.

The site must occupy a minimum of two parking spaces (40 feet) with a 10-foot buffer on each side. The zones must be separated from the street and other parking spaces by traffic barrels, which can be rented from Arlington County at the time of the application.

The Arlington County Division of Transportation offers several suggestions and restrictions for what can or can’t be placed in the pop-up park. Items prohibited include:

  • Distractions to drivers, like banners, balloons, flashing lights, flying items and free standing tents
  • Open flames of any kind or generators
  • Loose or uncovered material, like sand, gravel, mulch or stone
  • Free-standing umbrellas
  • Sidewalk storage or overflow of activities
  • Physical structures that damage the surface or create a hazard, like slippery surfaces or tripping hazards.
  • Activities that are dangerous or restricted by county code
  • Any vending or merchandise displays.

PARK(ing) Day begins at 9 a.m. on Sept. 15. By 3:30 p.m. of PARK(ing) Day, the park space must be completely restored back to a parking space, with all trash and materials removed from the site.

Permits cost $36.70 and can be filed in person or online. Two temporary “No Parking” signs can be rented for $27, and traffic barrels rented at $5.40 per barrel.

Applicants are also charged a fee for the impacted meters, with $16.20 for meters with a time limit of four hours or less, or $11.90 for meters for more than four hours. Applications must be submitted by next Friday (Aug. 31).

Photos via Arlington Department of Environmental Services

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