Ballston

I-66 Widening Between Ballston and EFC to Begin This Summer

By Uriah Kiser

The widening of Interstate 66 inside the Capital Beltway is moving forward.

Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell this week hailed a $10.2 million contract that was awarded to a construction firm for spot improvements on the four-lane highway inside the Beltway.

Orange cones and construction signs should be going up in the area later this summer.

The improvements will connect the westbound acceleration lane/deceleration lane pavement sections between the ramp to Fairfax Drive, near George Mason Drive, and Sycamore Street, near the East Falls Church Metro station, according to a press release from McDonnell’s office.

Construction will begin at the Fairfax Drive ramp near the George Mason Drive entrance ramp to I-66 west, and will end at the Sycamore Street ramp – a 1.9 mile distance. The entrance ramp acceleration lane and the exit ramp deceleration lane will be lengthened until they meet to form a continuous lane between both ramps, a McDonnell spokeswoman said.

In addition, a new 12-foot shoulder lane will be constructed which will carry emergency vehicles and could be used in emergency situations, she added.

Widening I-66 inside the Beltway has long been a hot issue for debate, regularly opposed by residents who live in Arlington. Those who use I-66 from points outside the Beltway, including Prince William County and Manassas, have long called for the widening of the road to relieve the bottleneck created when the number of lanes at the Beltway decreases, from six to four.

McDonnell’s office said the contract was delayed due to litigation, but a recent court decision the state’s favor will allow the highway improvements to move forward.

The improvements should not only make commuting easier and safer, but also would increase the evacuation capability of the nation’s capital in the event of an emergency, McDonnell said. However, some Arlington officials have objected to the project.

Bike Events Abound This Week

By ARLnow.com

Local bicyclists are gearing up for two of the biggest bike-related events of the year. Friday is Bike to Work Day and Sunday is the annual Bike DC community ride.

Arlington will host three gathering points, or “pit stops,” for Bike to Work Day, which is an opportunity for regular bike commuters and curious car devotees to get together and ride into D.C. en masse. The pit stops include Rosslyn Gateway Park (1300 Lee Highway), the Crystal City Water Park (1750 Crystal Drive) and Conte’s Bike Shop in Ballston (3924 Wilson Boulevard).

Participants are asked to register here.

There will be raffles, prizes, food and drink at each pit stop, from 7:00 to 9:00 a.m. And just in case getting free stuff and riding into downtown in a ridiculously large two-wheeled convoy doesn’t sound fun on its own merits, County Board Chairman Jay Fisette has recorded a YouTube public service announcement to promote the event.

Also be sure to look for newly-minted Arlington bike celebrities Ross and Todd, who will be among the Bike to Work Day crowd in Rosslyn.

On Sunday, riders will have another opportunity to get together and pedal around town. The Bike DC community ride will take cyclists on a 19-mile route through Northwest Washington, across the Key Bridge, up and down the George Washington Parkway, and past various landmarks in Arlington.

The ride will end in Crystal City, where a number of restaurants and at least one delicious taco stand will have some enticing Bike DC specials.

The ride begins at 15th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW in the District between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m.

The finish line will be located at Crystal Drive and 22nd Street. Finish line festivities will take go on through 12:30 p.m.

For those who want a longer ride, Old Town Alexandria will also be sponsoring giveaways for Bike DC riders at the Snack Shak in the Torpedo Factory (5 Cameron Street) — 4.5 miles past Crystal City on the Mt. Vernon Trail — until 1:00 p.m.

Flickr photo by M.V. Jantzen.

Thousands Enjoy Good Food, Nice Weather at Taste of Arlington

By ARLnow.com

With reporting and photography by Lauren Rosenberg.

Thousands of people took advantage of Sunday’s comfortably warm weather at the 23rd annual Taste of Arlington in front of Ballston Common Mall.

Attendees had about 40 restaurants to choose from on the one-block stretch of Wilson Boulevard. Popular items included Carlyle’s crab cakes, Busboys & Poets’ pomegranate lemonade and gazpacho, Whole Foods’ couscous and chicken kabobs, Northside Social’s mini bratwurst, Jaleo’s paella, The Melting Pot’s plate of chocolate-dipped treats and the ice cream from Toby’s Homemade Ice Cream.

Some complained about the length of the lines at the more in-demand stands, but others credited the queues as serving as a sort of food speed bump that prevented them from stuffing themselves silly.

Beer and wine was available, but from a limited number of stations. The two food tickets for one beer conversion rate may help explain why many people refrained from indulging.

There were fewer entertainment acts this year, but those who did perform — including Marcus Johnson, the Virginia Big Band and the U.S. Army Band Downrange — were able to stay on stage longer. An arts and crafts show, a face painting station and an USDA-sponsored food safety exhibit were among the other festival activities that did not directly involve eating or drinking.

First-time attendees Kayla Knilans of Chapel Hill, N.C. and Angus Wan of Centreville said they were impressed by the variety of foods offered. Knilans said she though the price of attending the event was fair compared to other food tasting events she’s attended in Chicago and Madison, Wis. Their favorite “tastes” of the day included mussels from Argia’s and flatbread pizza from Whitlows.

The event usually attracts about 15,000 people, but Ballston Partnership executive director Pamela Kahn predicted a bump in attendance due to the upswing in the economy and robust online sales — up 300 percent this year.

More photos, after the jump.

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Police Comb Ballston For Purse Thief

By ARLnow.com

Police combed part of Ballston this afternoon looking for a man who broke into a car and stole a woman’s purse.

Police were able to track the man after a witness reported the crime, but he ran from officers and was able to escape.

No other details were immediately available.

To Do This Weekend

By ARLnow.com

It’s a good time to be an Arlingtonian. This weekend is jam-packed with fun outdoor community events. The weather should be gorgeous — the only problem will be finding time to do everything.

Saturday

Trashy Pick Up Artists — Dubbed the “Pick Up Artists,” four recent college grads from Maryland are on cross-country journey to pick up trash and educate people about sustainability. On Saturday, Davey Rogner and Kelly Klein, 24, and Kim Alexander and Jeff Chen, 23 will kick off their 240 mile trek across Virginia in Arlington. Volunteers interested in helping them out should meet at the Clarendon Whole Foods (2700 Wilson Boulevard) at 10:00 a.m. According to the organizers, this event has been cancelled due to the permits from VDOT not coming in.

Neighborhood Day — Enjoy any number of activities being held throughout Arlington, from yard sales to block parties to barbecues to walks and runs. See the complete list here. The evening will conclude with a special military pageant and concert by performers from Ft. Myer. Called the “Twilight Tattoo,” the performance will take place between 6:00 and 7:30 p.m. at Bluemont Park (601 North Manchester Street).

Hub Spin Group Ride — Want to go on a “completely chill” bike ride around Crystal City? The new Revolution Cycles City Hub store is hosting a group ride for all skill levels from 6:30 to 8:00 Saturday night. Bring your own bike or rent one of theirs for free. While the ride will be nice, the after party at Bailey’s Sports Grille ($8 charge covers drinks and munchies) may be even better.

Sunday

Taste of Arlington — One of the area’s most anticipated outdoor events. From noon to 5:00 p.m., more than 15,000 people are expected to cram into a one-block stretch of Wilson Boulevard next to Ballston Common Mall to try samples from more than 40 Arlington restaurants. See our preview here.

IBIS Chamber Music Society Concert — The last free IBIS concert of the season, featuring selections from Vivaldi, Handel and Mendelssohn. IBIS is an ensemble of professional musicians who normally perform with orchestras like the National Symphony and the Boston Pops. Their concerts are family-friendly and informal.

Arlington Foodies Prepare: Taste of Arlington Sunday

By Ashley Houghton

Ok, foodies, get your forks ready this Sunday from noon to 5:00 p.m. Area food lovers wait in anticipation all year for the day they can graze from one local restaurant to the next, tasting the latest dishes from their favorite chefs at the annual Taste of Arlington in Ballston.

Taste of Arlington is returning for another day of delicious taste-testing of our area’s best restaurants. Participating establishments include the new Northside Social and older favorites like Busboys and Poets (see a full list here).

Even the rare individual who could care less about food will be able to distract themselves with an extensive arts and crafts fair, local music, stilt-walkers and a selection of wine.

The Washington Area Bicyclist Association is providing a bike valet for those of us who attempt to burn the calories we’re about to consume by pedaling to the event.

Advance tickets to nosh are $20 for eight “tastes” and $25 the day of the event. The event will be difficult to miss by car, bike, or metro: Arlington is shutting down a block of Wilson Boulevard in front of the Ballston Mall to make room for tents and pedestrians.

We suggest getting your ticket soon. There are a limited number available and about 12,000 hungry locals typically attend.  Happy eating!

Photos from tasteofarlington.com


An Enviable Grand Opening for Covet on Wilson Blvd

By ARLnow.com

Dozens of people turned out for the grand opening of a new art, jewelry and home decor gallery near Ballston.

Covet, as it is called, is located at 5140 Wilson Blvd, just west of Ballston, in the top floor of a small house that was formerly the home of a State Farm insurance agency. The store is co-owned by Sabrina Cabada and Autumn Clayton.

Guests consumed catered wine and small appetizers while perusing Covet’s curated and sometimes quirky artisan offerings. Much of the art for sale is produced by local artists, although national artists are also showcased.

For those who couldn’t stand the shoulder-to-shoulder claustrophobia in the tiny showroom, the boutique’s parking lot provided a welcome refuge for conversation and mingling.

The DC Slices pizza truck provided fresh slices to people whose hunger went beyond finger food. It was the first publicly-announced trek into Virginia for the DC Slices crew, who are licensed to operate as a street vendor in the District but not in Arlington (private property is fair game, however).

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Power Outage in Ballston

By ARLnow.com

A power outage hit Ballston and a large swath of North Arlington this morning. More than 2,500 Dominion customers were without power in Arlington as of 11:20 p.m., according to the company’s web site.

Later, a Dominion rep told the Washington Post that as many as 6,500 customers lost power at one point. The outage was caused when a private contractor hit a power line, the Post reported.

Police directed traffic at at least two intersections in Ballston where traffic lights went dark. Generator trucks were brought in to power lights at certain intersections.

The outage affected the area around Fairfax Drive between Glebe Road and Quincy Street, near the Ballston Metro station, as well as parts of Glen Carlyn and the area around Bluemont Park, the county reports.

To Do This Weekend

By ARLnow.com

It’s expected to a be a beautiful, warm weekend, with temperatures reaching as high as 90 degrees. In other words, it’s the perfect weekend to head to a park, enjoy an outdoor movie, or go on a bike ride. See our events calendar for even more fun things to do.

Tonight

Author talk with Novella Carpenter — The author of “Farm City” talks about her experience creating a fully operational farm on a vacant lot next to her Oakland, Calif. apartment. From 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Arlington Central Library (1015 North Quincy Street).

Friday

Crystal City 5K Friday — Run in Crystal City’s last 5K Friday of the season. The race kicks off at 6:30 p.m. at 2121 Crystal Drive, and will be followed by an post-race party in a nearby apartment complex.

“I Love the ’90s” Rosslyn Outdoor Film Fest — Rosslyn will kick of its ’90s-themed film festival with the 1995 favorite “Clueless.” Takes place at 7:30 p.m. at Rosslyn Gateway Park (1300 Lee Highway).

Fashion, Food and Music for the Cure — Join former Washington Redskin LaVar Arrington and his wife Trish for a fashion show at Caribbean Breeze restaurant (4100 North Fairfax Drive) benefiting the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Against Breast Cancer. There will be a musical performance by Jason Cerda followed by a runway show. Doors open to the public at 9:00 p.m.

Saturday

Tour des Bibliotheque — Join Arlington Public Library staff members for a bicycle tour of six of the county’s seven libraries. The tour will start at Central Library (1015 North Quincy Street). Meet on the Quincy Street side near the front doors at 9:30 a.m.

Shirlington Kentucky Derby Party — Help support Operation Homefront while sipping mint juleps and rooting on your favorite thoroughbred. The event, at The Bungalow (2766 South Arlington Mill Drive) will feature a Derby hat contest, Derby food and a classic derby drink showcase. Post time for the race is 6:24 p.m., but the party kicks off at 4:00.

Sunday

Potomac Overlook Park Heritage Festival — A springtime tradition with fun for all ages. The event features music, entertainment, food, community exhibits, games, a maypole dance, and more. It takes place between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. at Potomac Overlook Regional Park (2845 North Marcey Road).

Mamma Mia Flash Mob — A “flash mob” style dance performance from the musical Mamma Mia is scheduled to take place at 3:00 p.m. at Ballston Common Mall (4238 North Wilson Blvd). The public is welcome to participate if they know the moves. Whether it’s truly a flash mob if it’s announced ahead of time is up for debate, but nonetheless organizers promise “a mob of synchronicity, choreography and fun.”

Northrop Grumman HQ Coming to N. Va.

By ARLnow.com

Governor Bob McDonnell is expected to announce tomorrow that Northrop Grumman has selected Northern Virginia for the location of its new headquarters, according to sources cited by the Washington Business Journal.

McDonnell is not expected to announce which Northern Virginia site has been selected quite yet. Among the reported finalists are the 800 North Glebe Road development in Ballston, along with a site in Falls Church and a site in Alexandria.

The giant defense contractor, which is relocating its headquarters from Los Angeles, was initially also considering locations in Montgomery County and the District.

Gov. McDonnell’s public schedule puts him in the Washington area tomorrow. He’ll appear on WTOP’s “Ask the Governor” from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., and at noon he’ll address a commercial real estate development trade association at the Tysons Corner Hilton.

Contacted by ARLnow.com, an official with Arlington Economic Development said he had talked with the governor’s office today, but refused to “speculate” about Northrop’s decision.

BREAKING NEWS — Bank Robbery In Ballston

By ARLnow.com

Police are investigating a bank robbery that occurred around 10:20 this morning at the HSBC bank in Ballston (4075 Wilson Blvd), less than a block from the Ballston Common Mall.

Police say the subject is a white male between 5’6″ and 5’8″, about 45 years old, with a slight beard. He was wearing an army green jacket, carpenter-style jeans and a tan safari hat. He was also carrying a black messenger bag.

The suspect entered the bank and demanded cash, police said. He did not display a weapon and no one was injured.

The man was last seen heading eastbound on Wilson Boulevard. Police canvassed local Metro stations and attempted a K-9 track, but could not locate the suspect.

The FBI is on the scene assisting with the investigation.

Update at 4:50 p.m. — Police have released a surveillance image of the suspect (right). He was wearing sunglasses at the time of the robbery.

Anybody with information about the case should call the Arlington County Police Department Tip Line at 703-228-4242.

Witnesses can also report information anonymously through Arlington County Crime Solvers at 1866-411-TIPS (8477).

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