Around Town

ARLnow Daily Debrief for Aug 25, 2023

By ARLnow.com

Good Friday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Aug 25, 2023.

Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.

  1. UPDATED: Power being restored after 10,000 in dark around Pentagon City and Crystal City (70778 views)
  2. Suspects armed with ‘AK-47’ rob man after rear-end crash (15864 views)
  3. Police: Man sleeping in car fends off carjacking attempt (6695 views)
  4. An acoustic fence is coming to Walter Reed pickleball courts — a couple of years ahead of schedule (6543 views)
  5. Plans for DCA pedestrian bridge take shape, as more public input sought (6223 views)
  6. Police respond to attempted kidnapping of Ronald McDonald (5418 views)
  7. A poster ribbing ARLnow commenters won a ribbon at the Arlington County Fair (5232 views)
  8. Police investigating burglary at Clarendon gun store (5002 views)
  9. Panera Bread looks to replace former Cosi in Ballston after three-year vacancy (3717 views)

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Saturday in Arlington, from our event calendar.

Here are the events planned for Sunday:

⛅️ Saturday’s forecast

There is a 20% chance of brief showers later in the afternoon with a high temperature near 89°F and a north wind at 8 mph. For Saturday night, expect partly cloudy skies with a low around 69°F and a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am, accompanied by a northeast wind at 6 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”
– Lao Tzu

🌅 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. 👋

ARLnow Daily Debrief for Aug 24, 2023

By ARLnow.com

Good Thursday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Aug 24, 2023.

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Friday in Arlington, from our event calendar.

⛈️ Friday’s forecast

There is a likelihood for showers and possible thunderstorms in the morning before 8am, with chances for further showers and storms throughout the day. Gradual clearing is expected, leading to mostly sunny skies and a high of 88°F, accompanied by a 9 mph south wind. Precipitation chances are at 60%, with rainfall amounting to a tenth to a quarter of an inch. Friday night holds a 30% chance of showers and storms before 8pm, with partly cloudy skies and a low of 72°F, and light, variable winds. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.”
– Henry Ford

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.

Most and least expensive townhouses sold in Arlington (July 2023)

By ARLnow.com

Here in Arlington, real estate is a spectator sport. Let’s take a look at some of the most and least expensive townhouses sold last month (July 2023).

Most expensive townhouses sold

  1. 1519 N Colonial Ct — Rosslyn — $1,402,000 (3 beds | 2.5 baths | 2,512 sq. ft.)
  2. 435 N George Mason Dr — Ballston — $1,155,000 (4 beds | 4.5 baths | 2,374 sq. ft.)
  3. 5713 10th Rd N Unit 119 — Westover Village — $1,150,000 (4 beds | 4.5 baths | 2,352 sq. ft.)

Least expensive townhouses sold*

  1. 1300 S Cleveland St Unit 369 — Columbia Heights-Arlington — $330,000 (1 beds | 1 baths | 840 sq. ft.)
  2. 1021 S Barton St Unit 110 — Columbia Heights-Arlington — $470,000 (2 beds | 1 baths | 1,086 sq. ft.)
  3. 3087 S Woodrow St — Fairlington — $485,000 (2 beds | 2 baths | 1,383 sq. ft.)

*Minimum home value of $200,000 set to exclude certain land sales, retirement condos, properties with expiring ground leases, etc.

Police respond to attempted kidnapping of Ronald McDonald

By ARLnow.com
Ronald McDonald back in his usual spot at 4834 Langston Blvd (staff photo)

(Updated at 3:30 p.m.) Some teen hjinx before the start of the school year resulted in an eventful night for Ronald McDonald.

Just before midnight, police were called to the McDonald’s at 4834 Langston Blvd for a report of “kids that ripped the Ronald McDonald out of the play area.”

Arriving officers encountered a “car full of juveniles” and “the Ronald McDonald out near the dumpster immediately next to their car,” per scanner traffic.

As of lunchtime today, Ronald was back in his rightful place on a bench, overlooking kids enjoying meals and the restaurant’s play area. It’s unclear whether he was sporting any additional signs of wear compared to before.

The free indoor play area — which still gets regular use despite its age and the recent pandemic — is on borrowed time, with plans to axe it in order to expand the drive-through lane.

On Thursday afternoon, a police spokesperson recounted the sequence of events.

“At approximately 11:51 p.m. on August 23, police were dispatched to the 4800 block of Langston Boulevard to the report of a larceny in progress,” the spokesperson told ARLnow. “Upon arrival, it was determined a group of juvenile suspects entered the open business, caused property damage and stole property from the business. Officers made contact with and released a group of juvenile subjects on scene.”

Two teens involved in Ronald’s jailbreak last night are at large and being sought by police, we’re told.

“The investigation is ongoing,” said the spokesperson.

Adoptable Pet of the Week: Lyle

By ARLnow.com
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Say hello to the newest Adoptable Pet of the Week, Lyle!

This tan and white pup is up for adoption at the Animal Welfare League of Arlington and is currently in foster.

His friends had this to say about him:

Lyle is a silly, goofy and lovable “teenage” puppy who is always ready to go, go, go!

He is an excellent adventure buddy, always ready to explore the outdoors and greet every passerby with a happy tail wag. As much as he loves humans, he loves dogs even more. He always has a blast romping around with his four-legged friends and would make a great companion for anyone who is looking to find a friend for their current dog.

As fun-loving as he is, Lyle also has a laid-back side and enjoys naps in the sunshine. He self-entertains with toys and chews when his friends are too busy to play.

He is also a smart cookie who is always willing to work for treats and has already mastered cues like “Sit,” “Down” and “Shake”!

Is Lyle a match for you? Email to [email protected] to set up a meet and greet with Lyle! And be sure to read his entire profile to learn more.

Want your pet to be considered for the Arlington Pet of the Week? Email [email protected] with 2-3 paragraphs about your pet and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos.

Preparations continue for Padaek location in Arlington Ridge, including Buddhist blessing

By Jo DeVoe
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Those hungry for an update on the arrival of Lao and Thai restaurant Padaek may have to wait a bit longer.

There is no opening date yet for the Southeast Asian restaurant moving into the Arlington Ridge Shopping Center. The message that it is “coming soon” — which is about as tantalizing as the food looks — is splashed across a banner at its location and included in a new post on social media.

“We are waiting for one more permit from Arlington County and getting closer [to a] soft opening but first we plan for take-out,” Chef Seng Luangrath told ARLnow.

Large, bright tropical flowers are splashed across some walls of the 3,500-square-foot space at 2931 S. Glebe Road, according to Instagram. Orchids decorate large windows looking out over an enclosed patio.

Luangrath, the well-regarded chef behind Padaek in Falls Church and the renowned Thip Khao in Columbia Heights, will be bringing much of the original Padaek menu to this new location, which will also serve some Thai and Burmese dishes, Axios previously reported.

Last month, the location received the blessing of local Buddhist monks, according to photos and a video posted on Instagram. The posts depict monks, surrounded by flowers and food, performing a ceremony, while attendees followed along in prayer.

An Instagram post by Padaek from July (via Instagram/Padaek DC)

Then, everyone tucked into heaps of Lao food and sweets.

In the restaurant’s most recent post, Luangrath thanked followers, family and friends “for joining us on the special traditional ceremony and blessing day on for new space.”

The Buddhist ceremony blessing the new Padaek location in Arlington Ridge (via Instagram/Padaek DC)

There have been other signs of progress recently, including an open house a month ago for cooks.

Axios previously reported that the restaurant was targeting a mid-June opening date but that has since come and gone.

Before becoming home to Padaek, the space was occupied by a rotating cast of eateries, including Delia’s Mediterranean Grill & Brick Oven Pizza, Tazza Kitchen and Cafe Caturra.

ARLnow Daily Debrief for Aug 23, 2023

By ARLnow.com

Good Wednesday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Aug 23, 2023.

📅 Upcoming events

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 scattered showers and thunderstorms with mostly cloudy skies throughout Thursday. Temperatures will reach a high of around 82°F with south winds ranging from 10 to 13 mph and gusts up to 18 mph. The chance of precipitation is at 40%. Thursday night will continue to be mostly cloudy with a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms. The temperature will drop to around 69°F and the south wind will decrease to about 8 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”
– Nelson Mandela

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.

Arlington woman running 100 miles in 10 days for cancer fundraiser

By Caroline Gage
Laura Resetar embarks on one of her runs for cancer research (courtesy of Laura Resetar)

South Arlington resident Laura Resetar is going the distance for people battling cancer.

She is running 100 miles in 10 consecutive days while raising money for the American Cancer Society.

“I just wanted to do something to give back, and feel even the slightest ounce of discomfort that everybody battling cancer is feeling every single day,” Resetar told ARLnow.

The Fairfax County native began her daily 10-mile runs around Arlington and D.C. on Saturday. For Resetar, the cause is deeply personal. Her father has been battling bladder cancer for the past five years and her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year.

“Through their journey, I’ve seen how challenging it is for them and everybody else in the cancer facility where they’re being treated, and I just wanted to do something to honor them and everybody else that’s fighting this disease,” Resetar said.

Donations from friends, family and strangers have already surpassed her $1,000 goal. She had raised around $1,400 so far, as of publication.

In challenging herself to running 100 miles, Resetar said she aims to go a step beyond fundraising.

“It’s easy to just hit reshare on Instagram, but it’s a completely different thing to actually put your words into actions,” Resetar said.

The Virginia Military Institute graduate regularly takes advantage of Arlington’s trails as a way to stay active and destress as her parents undergo treatment.

On top of raising awareness for cancer research, Resetar says that she hopes her challenge encourages people to take a closer look at their own health and take more preventative measures against cancer and other diseases.

“[Running] is so calm and peaceful and such a great stress reliever,” Resetar said. “And I think when you’re so close to home with battling cancer and everything, it kind of puts your own health into perspective.”

Resetar plans to complete her last 10-mile run next Tuesday, with hopes of further exceeding her fundraising goal for the American Cancer Society along the way.

Panera Bread looks to replace former Cosi in Ballston after three-year vacancy

By Jo DeVoe
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A Panera Bread appears to be moving into the old Cosi location in Ballston, according to online permit records.

The permit, filed with Arlington County, describes the work as “interior alterations for new tenant fitout for restaurant Panera Bread.”

The restaurant will take up 3,426 square feet of space at the former Cosi outpost at the base of an office building at 4250 N. Fairfax Drive, near the Ballston Metro station.

A call and an email to Panera Bread were not returned before deadline.

Despite multiple locations within close proximity in D.C., Arlington is home to only one Panera outpost, in Rosslyn. Others ring around the county in Falls Church, Bailey’s Crossroads and Alexandria.

Cosi, the fast-casual restaurant chain built on flatbread sandwiches, closed up shop in Ballston in December 2019. Its locations in Crystal City and Virginia Square followed suit in early January of 2020.

The closures occured as the company filed for bankruptcy protection. A Rosslyn location continued operating as the sole D.C. area outpost on this side of the Potomac River until closing in early 2021.

Hat tip to Leslie K.

ARLnow Daily Debrief for Aug 22, 2023

By ARLnow.com

Good Tuesday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Aug 22, 2023.

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Wednesday in Arlington, from our event calendar.

☀️ Wednesday’s forecast

The weather will be sunny with a high near 83 degrees, accompanied by light and variable winds. Expect increasing clouds Wednesday night with temperatures dropping to around 67 degrees, and a southeast wind at 6 to 8 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.

Barcroft Apartments developer bringing new community art space to the Pike

By Caroline Gage
A new sign is installed at Studio PAUSE on Columbia Pike (courtesy of Krista Brick)

The real estate company renovating and redeveloping the Barcroft Apartments is helping a local art studio expand its reach.

After renovating a Western Union in the Barcroft Shopping Center on Columbia Pike, owner Jair Lynch Real Estate Partners donated the lease to Studio PAUSE. There, the Arlington-based studio will host art and writing workshops, which will be free for Barcroft residents but for a fee for other community members.

With loans from Arlington County and Amazon, Jair Lynch Real Estate Partners the Barcroft Apartments in 2021 with plans to set aside all 1,344 units for affordable housing. At the time, it also purchased a Penske rental facility and nearby strip mall, which the company says it has no “immediate” plans to redevelop, but could nonetheless figure into future plans.

Instead, Jair Lynch views the shopping center as a place to foster the existing community at Barcroft — through the arts.

“The Barcroft Shopping Center adjacent to the Barcroft Apartments property is not just a convenient location for an arts center, it is already occupied by beloved retail tenants like Goodwill and Café Sazón,” Krista Brick, a representative for Jair Lynch, told ARLnow.

“The location along the Columbia Pike Corridor encourages members of the Barcroft community and our neighbors to learn from each other in a setting that fosters understanding and expression,” she continued.

The former Western Union space will be the third location for Studio PAUSE, which has also received donations from the county.

“Working with local community advocate BU-GATA and the Columbia Pike Partnership, the location was identified as a prime opportunity to work with Studio PAUSE to celebrate the diversity of Barcroft and empower our residents to tell their story through art,” said Mark Hannan, an investment manager at Jair Lynch, in a press release.

Studio PAUSE — an acronym for “People, Art, Understand, Share, Explore” — was started by Sushmita Mazumdar in 2013. The writer, artist and educator wanted to create a space where people could share stories and explore their creativity. Mazumdar is also part of the Columbia Pike Documentary Project, which will display photos, books and interviews in the new studio space.

The studio currently runs programs in the Gates of Ballston apartment complex, run by nonprofit affordable housing developer AHC Inc.

“We believe the collaboration between Barcroft Apartments and Studio PAUSE will provide a much-needed space for creativity, arts, and mental wellness,” said Columbia Pike Partnership Executive Director Kim Klingler in the press release. “We look forward to collaborating and making this a welcoming space for the community.”

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