Pickleball in the Arlington County Detention Facility (courtesy photo)
Pickleball in the Arlington County Detention Facility (courtesy photo)
The hottest new pickleball club is the Arlington County Detention Facility.
Two weeks ago, the jail inaugurated its new pickleball court — installed by Arlington’s Dept. of Parks and Recreation — with a three-day tournament.
Two dozen inmates matched up for “thrilling competitive play” after receiving lessons from an inmate services counselor and the parks department, according to Arlington County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Amy Meehan. (In addition to other assorted law enforcement duties in Arlington, the Sheriff’s Office runs the jail.)
The new pickleballers came from three rehabilitative programs in the jail: the Addictions, Corrections and Treatment program, the Community Readiness Unit and the inmate work program.
“Participants learned, practiced and played for three days, reviewing the rules and demonstrations from Parks and Rec, culminating in a pickleball tournament where they had the opportunity to form teams and compete in doubles matches,” Meehan said.
After the tournament ended, Sheriff Jose Quiroz attended the championship match and shared a small presentation, she noted.
Quiroz first floated the idea of a pickleball court while campaigning for Sheriff ahead of the Democratic primary this June, to improve the health of inmates and stave off burnout among sheriff’s deputies.
“Participation was great and each morning when staff arrived, the individuals were already practicing and playing,” Meehan said. “Equipment was provided for individuals who want to continue playing and several not only thanked staff for providing them this opportunity but also were given locations where they will be able to play in Arlington upon release.”
Expect mostly sunny skies with temperatures reaching a high near 37 degrees. Northwest winds will increase from 6-11 mph to 13-18 mph in the afternoon, possibly gusting up to 29 mph. Tuesday night will be mostly clear, with lows around 21 degrees, and west winds between 8-16 mph, gusting up to 22 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.” – Malcolm X
🌅 Tonight’s sunset
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Surreal in Crystal City (staff photo by James Jarvis)
Surreal’s crispy tuna poke pillow (courtesy of Jennifer Chase)
Surreal’s spicy beef Saigon with pineapple (courtesy of Jennifer Chase)
Surreal’s ‘Gin of the Lotus’ cocktail (courtesy of Jennifer Chase)
Surreal’s mezze mancheri (courtesy of Jennifer Chase)
Surreal’s tangerine cheesecake (courtesy of Jennifer Chase)
(Updated at 11/30/23) After a 2-year wait, the much anticipated restaurant Surreal in Crystal City is “tentatively” scheduled to open this Friday, according to a restaurant spokesperson.
While a firm opening date is not confirmed, the spokesperson told ARLnow everything is ready and they are “just waiting for one final inspection.”
Located at 2121 Crystal Drive, Surreal — described as an ‘elevated diner’ — was announced in 2021 by developer JBG Smith, which is also behind Crystal City Water Park, a 1.6-acre outdoor food hall and park close by. (A previous version of this article referred to Surreal as a Latin American restaurant.)
The restaurant — co-founded by acclaimed D.C.-based chef Enrique Limardo — anchors JBG Smith’s plans to create a venue inspired by nature.
“Designed as a landscape itself, the interior blurs the line between the indoors and outdoors to create a unique dining-in-the-park experience,” per a press release.
Limardo and his business partner, Ezequiel Vázquez-Ger, manage several restaurants in the D.C. region, including Michelin-starred Imperfecto, under the umbrella of their restaurant group, Seven Reasons Group.
Surreal will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week. The menu includes a variety of dishes, including a Latin-inspired shakshuka for breakfast and items like swordfish carpaccio, gnocchi and a “twisted foot-long hotdog” for lunch and dinner.
Those in the mood for an adult beverage have several options, such as a piña colada made with two kinds of rum or a negroni topped with a “floral and fruity foam,” the release says.
The park is situated in one of the county’s multiple “sip and stroll” zones, meaning guests can take their drinks on the go and enjoy them in the park.
Here is what’s going on Saturday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
No events today. Have one to promote? Submit it to the calendar.
☀️ Saturday’s forecast
The weather will be mostly sunny, reaching a high of around 43 degrees, with a light north wind at 6 mph, calming down in the afternoon. Tonight, expect increasing clouds and a low temperature of approximately 31 degrees, while the east wind at 5 mph subsides during the evening. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” – Nelson Mandela
🌅 Tonight’s sunset
We hope you have a great weekend, Arlington! Feel free to discuss the most-read stories of the week, the upcoming weekend events or anything else of local interest in the comments. 👋
Here is what’s going on Thursday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
No events today. Have one to promote? Submit it to the calendar.
🌦️ Thursday’s forecast
Expect cloudy skies with occasional showers in the morning, followed by partial clearing in the afternoon. High temperatures will be around 76°F, with lows in the mid-50s overnight, and winds at 10 to 20 mph. The chance of precipitation is 60%, with rainfall amounts near a quarter of an inch. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.” – Mother Teresa
🌅 Tonight’s sunset
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The former Dunkin’ location in Clarendon (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
The former Dunkin’ location in Clarendon in 2021 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
A former Dunkin’ in Clarendon is set to become a new Jersey Mike’s Subs.
The sandwich shop is looking to move into the storefront at the intersection of Clarendon Blvd and N. Garfield Street, a block from the Clarendon Metro station, according to the beginnings of a permit application filed with Arlington County. The spot has been vacant for two years.
Arlington does not yet have a Jersey Mike’s Subs location, though another one is in the works at the base of the Westmont Apartments at the intersection of Columbia Pike and S. Glebe Road. The closest current locations are in Falls Church and Alexandria.
Jersey Mike’s Subs franchisee Beth Wiley is bringing forward both the Clarendon and Columbia Pike locations. She says the process has just started for the Clarendon location: an architect has completed drawings and soon, a contractor will review the project and estimate costs.
The new Clarendon outpost will move into a former Dunkin’ that also housed a Baskin-Robbins ice cream shop. It opened in 2017 and closed in 2021, just as a new Dunkin’ came online near Clarendon on Wilson Blvd.
“It’s helpful because it was already a restaurant,” Wiley said. “The work is not quite as extensive. It’s a remodel, as opposed to starting from scratch… Everything is in pretty good shape.”
The county processed the initial request for interior alterations to the nearly 1,400-square-foot space at 3009 Clarendon Blvd last week and now awaits plans and documents, the permit records say.
As for the Pike location, Wiley says the county is reviewing plans, submitted a month ago, and she has a contractor lined up. All that remains is getting the go-ahead from landlord Republic Properties, which held a grand opening for its new development earlier this month.
The franchisee says the two locations could potentially open sometime this spring.
Wiley says she is excited to bring the brand to Arlington as it expands beyond suburban strip malls and into more urban areas.
“When I signed on for Jersey Mike’s, I signed on for Arlington,” she said. “I grew up in this area… It seemed like a great opportunity, if you find the right sites, and here we are, and I couldn’t be happier.”
One More Page Books, pictured on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019 in Arlington (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Arlington residents can win gift certificates and other prizes by supporting local businesses this weekend.
One More Page Books, at 2200 N. Westmoreland Street in East Falls Church, is again spearheading a “Small Business Saturday” event for homegrown local retailers and restaurants this coming Saturday, Nov. 25.
“A group of Arlington and Falls Church businesses will once again participate in a ‘Passport’ program designed to help area shoppers discover unique shops and restaurants, keep their shopping dollars local and be eligible to win prizes,” One More Page Books said in a press release.
Small Business Saturday, created by American Express in 2010, is a national event that encourages shopping at local businesses during one of the busiest retail weekends of the year. It comes a day after the traditional post-Thanksgiving shopping bonanza, Black Friday.
Participants can obtain a passport at any of the 15 participating businesses in Falls Church and in Arlington’s East Falls Church, Highland Park, Bluemont, Williamsburg and Westover neighborhoods. To be eligible for one of three “Grand Prize Baskets,” including goods and gift certificates, customers must collect stamps from at least five participating businesses on Saturday.
After collecting a minimum of five stamps, participants can submit their Passports at One More Page Books or the last business they visit that day.
The prize winners will be selected through a random drawing of all completed passports on Wednesday, Nov 29, at 3 p.m. at One More Page Books. The community is invited to witness the raffle.
A list and a map of the participating businesses are below.
Here is what’s going on Wednesday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
No events today. Have one to promote? Submit it to the calendar.
🌤️ Wednesday’s forecast
There’s a slight chance of rain before 10am, with partly sunny conditions and a high of 61°F. Expect northwest winds of 7-12 mph, increasing to 13-18 mph in the afternoon and gusting up to 28 mph. Tonight will be mostly cloudy with a low of 41°F, and winds will blow at 11-16 mph with gusts up to 23 mph. Thanksgiving Day will be sunny with a high of 55°F; winds will be 8-13 mph and will gust up to 22 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.” – Henry David Thoreau
🌅 Tonight’s sunset
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Navy Federal partners with Rebuilding Together to make home safety repairs for an Arlington veteran (courtesy photo)
William Johnson (courtesy photo)
Navy Federal partners with Rebuilding Together to make home safety repairs for an Arlington veteran (courtesy photo)
(Updated at 1:25 p.m.) When volunteers hung a starch-stiff American flag on a shed belonging to 89-year-old local veteran William Johnson, he told them how proud he was to have served his country.
“You are so wonderful,” Johnson told the volunteers from Navy Federal Credit Union earlier that day. “Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you.”
The flag replaces a worn one that hung from the same spot for 20 years, according to a blog post from the credit union. Employees placed the finishing touch after they and staff from the nonprofit Rebuilding Together Arlington/Fairfax/Falls Church finished repairs on his red-brick Arlington home of 50 years.
Johnson served in the U.S. National Guard and Army in the 1950s and moved into the right half of a side-by-side duplex in 1966, after he and his late wife, Daisy, got married. There, they raised a daughter, who now lives down the street; worked for Virginia Hospital Center; and were active in a local church.
But the home where he and Daisy lived out their years began to show signs of aging. Johnson, a retiree on a fixed income, could neither do the work himself nor afford help. So Navy Federal teamed up with the local nonprofit Rebuilding Together Arlington/Fairfax/Falls Church, which makes home repairs for Northern Virginians in need.
“Houses need maintenance. Things change, our bodies change, and we have to adapt our homes to our bodies,” Patti Klein, the nonprofit’s executive director, tells ARLnow. “At the same time, Navy Federal wanted to work on a home of someone who served in the military. We thought it was a perfect fit.”
After volunteers wrapped up their day of service, many returned on Saturday for more jobs, though they did not have to, Klein said. The resulting work, spanning up carpentry, landscaping, painting and other jobs, moved Johnson.
“He was thrilled, he really was, and when they came back on Saturday, he was very touched by it,” Klein said.
Navy Federal Credit Union, which is headquartered in Vienna, serves military communities and “embraces and encourages service among its nearly 25,000 employees,” per the blog post.
“We believe in coming together for the community and for people who have served our military and our country, and this really embodies that,” Sun Bayless, senior vice president of Real Estate Lending at Navy Federal, told volunteers that Saturday. “We’re ready to roll up our sleeves.”
The credit union says volunteers have supported 30 projects benefiting four area low-income homeowners and 26 nonprofit organizations, several of which serve the veterans.
In Arlington, Klein says employees have helped on a number of projects, including building an outdoor classroom at Carlin Springs Elementary School.
“They really believe in community and giving back,” she said.
In total last year, the local chapter of Rebuilding Together, a national nonprofit, spruced up 115 homes, Klein said. Of them, 90% had a resident over the age of 65 and 60% had a resident with a disability. The homes tend to be older and need more work as well as aging-in-place modifications.
With Giving Tuesday around the corner, Klein says Rebuilding Together Arlington/Fairfax/Falls Church welcomes financial donations, volunteers who can work on weekdays or weekends and client referrals.
A vibrant yellow stand selling Christmas trees (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Trucks brimming with Christmas trees have started arriving in Arlington, signaling it is time to pull out those holiday ornaments.
Several Christmas tree markets across Arlington are set to open this Friday, after Thanksgiving. However, holiday shoppers are being cautioned not to wait too long due to a reported shortage of trees this year.
Factors such as Canadian wildfires and drought continue to impact tree availability, posing challenges for local lots in securing their usual supply.
Due to these shortages, the Gazette Leader reported several traditional tree vendors in the area have had to limit the number of trees on sale this year, including the Optimist Club of Arlington.
ARLnow has compiled a list of markets that are confirmed to be opening.
Starts: Friday, Nov. 24 at noon
Knights of Columbus (5115 Little Falls Road)
In addition to garlands, wreaths and ornaments, the local nonprofit plans to sell 2,100 Christmas trees, including tabletop Fraser fir and white pines from Galax, Virginia.
The lot is open seven days a week, although times vary depending on the day.
The profits go towards Arlington youth sports and academic activities.
Starts: Friday, Nov. 24 at noon
Mount Olivet United Methodist Church (1500 N. Glebe Road)
Once again, Scout Troop 167 is hosting its annual tree sale near Ballston from Nov. 24-27. The sale begins at noon on Friday and Sunday and 10 a.m. on Saturday. The lot is open until 8 p.m. each day. In case of bad weather, a backup weekend is scheduled for Dec. 1-3.
Trees and wreaths can be pre-ordered and picked up on-site either Friday or Saturday. There is also a delivery option for a $20 fee.
Starts: Saturday, Nov. 25 at 9 a.m.
Clarendon United Methodist Church (606 N. Irving Street)
Clarendon United Methodist Church has 300 Fraser Fir trees from Canada. The sale, an annual event since 2007, is set for Thanksgiving weekend (Nov. 25-26) and the first weekend in December (Dec. 2-3). All proceeds go to Arlington Thrive.
Starts: Saturday, Nov. 25 at 9 a.m. Our Lady of Lourdes (830 23rd Street S.)
The Knights of Columbus tree lot at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Aurora Highlands will be open Tuesday and Friday evenings and weekends until Dec. 18, or until trees sell out. The profits will support charitable activities, including the Coats for Kids drive.
Starts: Friday, Dec. 1 at 5:30 p.m. Metropolitan Park (1321 S. Elm Street)
The National Landing Business Improvement District plans to sell Christmas trees supplied by Almost Heavenly Trees during its ski-themed holiday festival from Dec. 1-3 at Metropolitan Park, next to Amazon’s HQ2.
Starts: Saturday, Dec. 2 at 9 a.m.
Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church (4000 Lorcom Lane)
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church near Cherrydale is set to sell 200 trees from Vermont. The sale will run through the weekend and continue every Saturday and Sunday until sold out. According to the sale’s webpage, 85% of trees were sold on the first weekend last year.
Aware of any other local Christmas tree sales? Let us know in the comments.
Here is what’s going on Tuesday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
No events today. Have one to promote? Submit it to the calendar.
🌧️ Tuesday’s forecast
Expect rain to begin after 9 am, with a high near 53 and breezy east winds at 9-14 mph, increasing to 15-20 mph in the afternoon with gusts up to 32 mph. The chance of precipitation is 100%, and we may see between a half and three-quarters of an inch of rainfall. Tuesday night, the rain will mainly occur before 1 am and could be heavy at times, with a low around 47. Southeast winds at 15-20 mph will shift to the west at 7-12 mph after midnight, with potential gusts up to 31 mph. The chance of precipitation remains 100%, and we may see an additional 1-2 inches of rain. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” – Albert Schweitzer
🌅 Tonight’s sunset
Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.
