Clarendon

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

MCM This Weekend — The Marine Corps Marathon is taking place Sunday morning, shutting down a bunch of streets around Arlington. Many of the street closures will be centered around Crystal City, a favorite gathering spot for spectators who root on runners on the final leg of the race, and Rosslyn, which hosts the starting miles of the race and its Finish Festival.

Last Days of Clarendon Grill — Long-time local nightlife spot Clarendon Grill is closing and hosting its final musical performances this weekend. [Twitter]

Candidates Weigh in on LGBT Center — “Wonderful in theory, but perhaps impractical in the current economic environment. That’s the Cliff’s Notes version of the response of the two Arlington County Board candidates to a calls for creation of a local community center specifically geared toward the county’s LGBT community.” [InsideNova]

Big Raise for Arlington Startup — Courthouse-based WireWheel, a data privacy compliance SaaS company, has closed a $10 million Series A round. Total funding raised to date is $13 million. [WireWheel]

Storm Approaches — “Here comes our nor’easter. Rain starts today and it’ll last into early tomorrow. It may amount to nearly two inches in some spots. Our weather turns windy tonight and perhaps much of tomorrow, when we could see some late-day clearing. Luckily for Sunday’s Marine Corps Marathon, shower chances are low.” [Washington Post]

Local GOP Getting Jump on Recruitment — “In recent years, the [GOP] has not only not been competitive in Arlington races, but at the local level often fails to field candidates at all. Presswood, who has been party chairman for almost three years, has worked hard to try and reverse that trend.” [InsideNova]

Photo courtesy John Broehm

DC 101 Halloween Event Coming to Clarendon Tomorrow

By ARLnow.com

Long-time DC 101 morning man Elliot Segal is bringing his Elliot in the Morning Halloween Bash back to Clarendon tomorrow (Friday).

The annual event is happening at Clarendon Ballroom (3185 Wilson Blvd), with doors opening at 6 p.m. and the party starting at 8 p.m. There’s a $10 cover before 9 p.m.

With that and other notable events planned, and with Halloween revelry starting up, the Arlington County Police Department was going to hold a “Halloween Anti-Drunk Driving Community Outreach Event” in Clarendon Friday evening. That, however, has been postponed due to expected rainy weather.

ACPD is now planning to hold an Election Day-themed anti-DUI event next Friday, Nov. 2, from 9-11 p.m.

Despite Delay, Developer Looks Ready to Slash Parking at Red Top Cab Site in Clarendon

By Alex Koma
1/4

After a brief delay, the developers of the Red Top Cab properties in Clarendon look set to win permission to include fewer parking spaces as part of a major redevelopment of the area into mixed-use buildings.

The Shooshan Company has hoped for weeks now to slash 178 parking spaces from its previously approved plans for the site, located where Washington Boulevard meets 13th Street N. The developer has long planned on transforming the space into three buildings offering 584 multifamily units, 1,295 square feet of retail space and two parking garages, but hoped to cut back on some of the parking at the site to save a bit of money.

The County Board first heard that request back in September, but ultimately decided to delay consideration of the matter for a month. That decision was largely due to “concerns expressed by the Board Members regarding retroactive changes to the residential parking ratio” after plans were already approved, according to a county staff report on the issue.

Neighbors also voiced concerns that a reduction in parking without a corresponding addition of space for bicycles would have a negative impact on surrounding streets.

Since then, county staff have taken a fresh look at the issue, and are prepared to tell the Board that “no undue adverse impacts are anticipated as a result of the reduction in the parking ratio.”

Not only did county staffers “not find any deficiencies in the infrastructure around the site,” but the developer also completed another analysis of traffic in the area. That study found that changes in the area are likely to reduce congestion nearby, and that the parking to be added (both in the garages and on the street) should be adequate to manage demand in the neighborhood.

The Board will consider the issue again at its meeting tomorrow (Saturday). Shooshan is currently targeting the first quarter of 2019 to begin construction on the properties, and recently closed on the sale of the property while also teaming up with another developer to manage the project.

Crime Report: Man Drunkenly Breaks into Clarendon Home, Assaults Occupants and Neighbors

By Alex Koma

A Falls Church man is now facing a series of charges after police say he drunkenly forced his way into an apartment and assaulted its occupants.

Police received a call around 3 a.m. after a woman living along the 1200 block of N. Fillmore Street in Clarendon was woken up by a visibly intoxicated man “speaking incoherently” at her front door. He was subsequently identified as 25-year-old Daniel Fay.

The woman told police that she “closed the door and [Fay] left momentarily, but returned, and forced his way past the victim into her residence.”

“A neighbor arriving on scene to assist, as well as the victim and an additional occupant of the residence, were allegedly assaulted while attempting to control the suspect until police arrival,” police said.

Fay was then arrested and charged with drunk in public, unlawful entry, and three counts of assault and battery. He’s being held without bond at the county jail, and is set for a hearing on those charges on Friday (Oct. 19).

Full details from a county crime report:

UNLAWFUL ENTRY, 2018-10140059, 1200 block of N. Fillmore Street. At approximately 2:51 a.m. on October 14, police were dispatched to a burglary in progress. Upon arrival, it was determined that the victim was awoken to noise and upon investigating, located an intoxicated unknown male subject at her door speaking incoherently. She closed the door and the subject left momentarily, but returned, and forced his way past the victim into her residence. A neighbor arriving on scene to assist, as well as the victim and an additional occupant of the residence, were allegedly assaulted while attempting to control the suspect until police arrival. Daniel Fay, 25, of Falls Church, Va., was arrested and charged with Drunk in Public, Assault & Battery (x3) and Unlawful Entry. He was held on no bond.

Below are the rest of the highlights from this week’s crime report, including some we’ve already reported.

(more…)

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Arlington Losing Big Office Tenant — “BAE Systems Inc. is moving its headquarters to Falls Church as part of a consolidation of its Northern Virginia office space… The move will also further ding Arlington County’s office vacancy rate, which at the end of 2017 was 20.6 percent.” [Washington Business Journal]

Hazmat Situation at Kaiser Permanente — Arlington County firefighters responded to a hazardous materials incident at Kaiser Permanente in Falls Church yesterday. Five people were evaluated by medics and, of them, two were transported to the hospital. [WJLA, Twitter, Twitter]

Red Top Development Groundbreaking Nears — “The Shooshan Co. has teamed up with Trammell Crow Residential on the first phase of its planned Red Top Cab site redevelopment in Clarendon, with groundbreaking slated for early next year. The partners closed Sept. 29 on their acquisition from The Red Top Cab Co. founder Neal Nichols of several parcels along Irving and Hudson streets for a listed consideration amount of nearly $28.2 million, according to Arlington County’s Recorder of Deeds.” [Washington Business Journal]

RIP Lance Newman and Tim Wise — Two notable Arlingtonians have died: “Tim Wise, the longtime president of the Arlington County Taxpayers Association, died Friday in Fredericksburg after a 10-month battle with cancer and heart trouble… Lance Newman, one of four black students who in February 1959 began attending a previously all-white middle school in Arlington… had died after a short illness.” [InsideNova]

ACSO Launches Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign — “Breast cancer hits close to home for the Arlington County Sheriff’s Office, which has launched a campaign to raise awareness about early detection and preventative care. Over the last six years, two employees at the county’s sheriff’s office have been diagnosed with breast cancer.” [WUSA 9]

Forum Planned to Discuss Accessory Dwellings — “A forum looking at current regulations related to accessory-dwelling units in Arlington will be held on Monday, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. at Central Library. Speakers will discuss how changes made to the county’s housing ordinances in 2017 impact the regulatory process, and will look at whether further changes are needed.” [InsideNova]

Longtime Nightlife Venue Clarendon Grill to Close

By ARLnow.com

Clarendon Grill is closing at the end of the month, the longtime Clarendon nightlife spot announced today (Monday).

Long a venue for live music, Clarendon Grill (1101 N. Highland Street) first opened in 1996. Its interior and back patio were both renovated in 2010.

In a Facebook post, the bar thanked its customers for its more than two decades in business.

“When the Grill first opened there were few bars and fewer customers. As Clarendon grew in popularity, so did The Grill. We were extremely lucky to have had the opportunity to be a part of a community that has since blossomed into a vibrant collection of local businesses,” said the post. “Thank you all for your support over the past 22 years.”

ARLnow reported in August that “for lease” signs were posted on Clarendon Grill’s windows. The last event currently posted on the bar’s website is a Halloween party scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 27.

Also via social media, prolific local restaurateur and businessman Scott Parker, whose venues like Don Tito and The G.O.A.T. competed with Clarendon Grill, lauded its contributions to the local nightlife scene.

“Congrats to them and their team on an absolutely amazing 22 year run,” Parker wrote. “People outside the industry often have no idea the true blood, sweat, and tears that go into running an establishment. 22 years in business is no small feat. Absolutely amazing! I’m thankful for what they have brought to Arlington, and how they paved the way for more bars and nightlife to come in.”

The closure represents another blow for live music in Arlington. Another major Clarendon music venue, Iota Club and Cafe, closed last fall.

It is unclear at this point what may be taking Clarendon Grill’s place.

The bar’s full announcement post is below.

So Long, Farewell…

It’s been an amazing ride. Our hearts are heavy as we share that the doors of the Clarendon Grill will be closing for good at the end of October. We were not ready, but sometimes things happen to change the course.

Some of you were around when the doors of the Clarendon Grill first opened back in the 1996 and some of you may not have been born yet. Either way we have truly enjoyed being the go to place for live music in Clarendon. When the Grill first opened there were few bars and fewer customers. As Clarendon grew in popularity, so did The Grill. We were extremely lucky to have had the opportunity to be a part of a community that has since blossomed into a vibrant collection of local businesses.

One of the most unique aspects of the Clarendon Grill is the staff. From our General Manager, to our bus boys, to our bartenders-the staff has remained the same for close to 20 years. That is a reflection of the unique culture and values that went well beyond a typical neighborhood bar. The Clarendon Grill was not just burgers, beers, and live music; it was a family to it’s staff and a “Night Out” for the community.

One of the many things we can be thankful for is all of the memories we have helped create, whether happy, funny, sad or forgettable (purposely or not). Thank you all for your support over the past 22 years.

It’s been a great run, but alas all good things must come to an end. There will be other bars, but none quite like the Clarendon Grill. Some things are replaceable like burgers and beers, but other things are intangible and we will argue that the staff and the experience we provided, will not be matched.

Cheers!

The Clarendon Grill Staff

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Local Investment Firm CEO Arrested — Todd Hitt, the founder of Falls Church-based Kiddar Capital, was arrested by the FBI and charged with securities fraud last week. Hitt was developing a new company headquarters in Falls Church. He made headlines as a young housing developer in the 1990s for clashing with Arlington neighbors while building what residents dubbed “McMansions.” [Tysons Reporter]

More White Nationalist Posters Spotted — A reader says he saw more white nationalists posters around Clarendon over the weekend. The reader, who wished to remain anonymous, says he removed the posters after photographing them. [Twitter]

New 1100 Wilson Blvd Rooftop — “Monday Properties hosted a VIP event for real estate brokers Wednesday evening to showcase the 6,200-square-foot indoor-outdoor space atop the 31-story building, part of the two-building The Towers. It is being unveiled as landlords in Rosslyn and across Greater Washington seek to up their communal spaces to appeal to tenants who increasingly want more than just office space to attract and hang onto employees.” [Washington Business Journal]

Bamboo Removal This Week — “Arlington County contractors will be removing bamboo in Benjamin Banneker Park during the week of Oct. 8. Depending on weather conditions, treatment is expected to conclude by Friday, Oct. 12.” [Twitter]

Maryjane Arrested for Car Theft, Weed — “Police caught a woman named Maryjane in Ballston who they say stole a car in Fairfax County — and they also hit her with a marijuana charge.” [Patch]

Windfall for Ballston Company — “Arlington-based AvalonBay Communities Inc. expects to clear north of $450 million from the sale of a majority stake in five Manhattan apartment communities.” [Washington Business Journal]

2000th Morning Notes Post — This is Morning Notes post No. 2000. ARLnow.com launched in January 2010.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Pentagon Ricin Case Update — “Letters sent to the White House and the Pentagon did not contain a finished form of ricin, law enforcement officials said Wednesday, but did contain a primitive form or precursor… A man was arrested in Logan, Utah, on Wednesday in connection with [the] suspicious letters.” [NBC News, NBC News]

Candidates Call for Speedier Lee Highway Planning — “Indications are pointing to redevelopment of significant portions of the Lee Highway corridor through Arlington beginning to gather steam. But is the Arlington County government going to be left behind as the process grinds on? The two candidates for County Board say the local government needs to get moving on its efforts to lead a comprehensive effort in helping plan the corridor’s future.” [InsideNova]

GMU ‘No Scooter Zone’ Nixed — George Mason University “recognizes the popularity of the scooters, so it is softening the message, [spokesman Buzz] McClain said. ‘I think the ‘no scooter zone’ sign got the attention of a lot of people, a little exclamatory. So we’re gonna tone down the messaging and say, ‘park the scooters over by the bikes,’ and that’s it.'” [NBC Washington]

Bistro 1521 Reviewed — Washington Post food critic Tim Carman gave a mostly positive review to Bistro 1521, the Filipino restaurant on N. Glebe Road in Ballston. [Washington Post]

Tonight: Family Film Showing in Clarendon — “Join Market Common Clarendon each Thursday in October starting at 6:30 p.m. for a FREE family-friendly movie on The Loop! Pre-movie fun begins at 4:30 with face painting and balloon twisting and free popcorn and candy from 6-8 p.m.” [ARLnow Events]

Teachers Endorse Kanninen, de Ferranti — The Arlington Education Association PAC has endorsed Democratic candidate Matt de Ferranti for Arlington County Board and incumbent Barbara Kanninen for School Board. The PAC represents Arlington teachers. [Twitter, Twitter, Arlington Education Association]

Domestic Violence Awareness Month Kickoff — “Project PEACE is hosting Kate Ranta, a local domestic and gun violence survivor… for a community conversation about sex, violence and the Arlington community. The event takes place [on] Thursday, October 4 [at] 6:30 p.m., at the Walter Reed Community Center.” [Press Release]

Arlington’s Pros and Cons Compared to Tysons — “‘Arlington has old office spaces with bad floor plans,’ said [GMU Professor Stephen] Fuller. ‘That’s sending people out to Tysons, which has newer office space… [But] when Amazon was looking at Northern Virginia, they were looking at Crystal City, not Tysons. Tysons just doesn’t offer lifestyle that they’re looking for.'” [Tysons Reporter]

Crime Report: Robber Steals Security Guard’s Gun

By ARLnow.com

Police are investigating an unusual robbery that happened early Sunday morning along Columbia Pike.

The robbery happened outside of a business near the intersection of Columbia Pike and S. Four Mile Run Drive. Police say a man walked up behind an armed security guard and stole his gun while pushing him to the ground. He then assaulted a second victim before running off “with an undisclosed amount of cash.”

During the incident one of the victims “recovered the firearm stolen from the first victim,” according to police.

More from this week’s Arlington County Police Department crime report:

ROBBERY, 2018-09300031, 4800 block of Columbia Pike. At approximately 2:24 a.m. on September 30, police were dispatched to the report of a possible robbery by force. Upon arrival, it was determined that the first victim was patrolling a business as an armed security guard when the suspect approached him from behind, pushed him to the ground and stole his firearm. The victim ran after him and encountered two additional victims, who had been walking in the area when they were approached by the suspect, who demanded money and valuables. When one victim claimed to have no possessions of value, the suspect struck the victim and became engaged in a physical altercation with the second victim. During the incident, the victims recovered the firearm stolen from the first victim. The suspect then fled the scene on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash.  The suspect is described as a tall, black male wearing black puffy jacket and jeans. One victim was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The investigation is ongoing.

Later Sunday, police responded to a report of a home invasion robbery in the North Highlands neighborhood near Rosslyn.

Just before 5 p.m., according to a crime report, residents encountered an armed man inside their home. The suspect allegedly stole cash and fled, but was later arrested by police while walking east on the Custis Trail.

BURGLARY WITH INTENT TO ROB, 2018-09300173, 2100 block of N. Troy Street. At approximately 4:49 p.m. on September 30, police were dispatched to the report of a home invasion. Upon arrival, it was determined that the victims were inside their residence when they heard a loud noise and went to investigate. The victims then encountered an unknown suspect brandishing a firearm. The suspect stole an undisclosed amount of cash and personal property before fleeing the scene on foot. Arriving officers established a perimeter and a lookout for the suspect was broadcast based on the description provided by the victims. Officers located a suspect matching the description walking east on the Custis Trail and took him into custody without incident. Angelo Shepherd, 30, of Washington D.C. was arrested and charged with Burglary with Intent to Rob, Possession of a Firearm by Convicted Felon, Possession of Ammunition by a Felon and Assault. He is being held on no bond.

This past Friday evening, meanwhile, police were called to the 3000 block of Clarendon Blvd in Clarendon for a report of a drunk man mooning passersby.

More from ACPD:

INDECENT EXPOSURE, 2018-09280217, 3000 block of Clarendon Boulevard. At approximately 5:25 p.m. on September 28, police were dispatched to the report of a drunk in public. Upon arrival, officers located the suspect and determined he was intoxicated and had exposed his buttocks to multiple people passing by. William Klugel, 62, of No Fixed Address, was arrested and charged with Indecent Exposure and Drunk in Public.

The rest of the past week’s crime report highlights, including some that we’ve already reported, is below.

(more…)

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Judge Dismisses Dewey Horse Punch Case — A man who was accused of punching a police horse in Dewey Beach is now trying to clear his name after the case was dismissed. Surveillance video reportedly exonerated the man, who might not actually be from Arlington as originally reported. [Cape Gazette]

Rosslyn Transportation Meeting Tonight — “Join Arlington County and the Rosslyn BID to provide feedback at this public meeting that will focus on the Core of Rosslyn Transportation Study. This study will examine the feasibility and potential impacts of permanent changes to the street network in the core of Rosslyn, with the goals of improving safety and accessibility for all users, including those walking, biking, using transit and driving.” [Rosslyn]

Another Commute Alternative: Running — As Metro continues on a downward ridership spiral, some are finding running to be an attractive commuting alternative, providing exercise and fresh air while eliminating costs and unpredictable delays. [Runners World]

Angels of the Battlefield Gala Tonight — The Armed Services YMCA will present its annual Angels of the Battlefield awards tonight during a gala at the Ritz-Carlton in Pentagon City. Among the 2018 recipients of the prestigious awards are Senior Airman Linda Wilson, who helped save lives during the Las Vegas mass shooting last year. [ASYMCA, Air Force Times]

New Film Fest Coming to Clarendon — “Georgetown’s Halcyon and Arlington’s Clarendon Ballroom will be the venues for a new film festival – Flicks4Change — that links the entertainment world with charitable activism. The film festival first started in Los Angeles, expanded to Australia and now comes to the DC area.” [Georgetown Dish]

Nearby: Pete’s Apizza Closes in Md. — Pete’s New Haven Style Apizza has closed its Silver Spring location. The D.C. and Clarendon locations remain open. [Bethesda Beat]

Flickr pool photo by Kevin Wolf

Three Restaurants Replacing Clarendon’s La Tasca Now Set for Early 2019 Opening

By Alex Koma
1/2

Work is picking up steam on the trio of new restaurants moving into the space once occupied by La Tasca in Clarendon, with its owner targeting a partial opening a few months from now.

Street Guys Hospitality, the group backing Clarendon’s Ambar and Baba, is now hard at work on construction for the new eateries: Tacos, Tortas and Tequila on the first floor, Buena Vida on the second and a rooftop bar to cap things off. The group opened the former two Mexican eateries in Bethesda earlier this year.

Lindley Richardson, a spokeswoman for Street Guys, told ARLnow that owner Ivan Iricanin is targeting February 2019 for TTT and Buena Vida’s grand opening.

She added that the rooftop space will open “at a later date,” noting that it currently does not have a name — Iricanin previously told other media outlets that it would be dubbed “Up.”

Meanwhile, county permit records show that Iricanin’s company won county permission for some interior demolition work on all three floors of the building in August, with work continuing in the weeks since. Iricanin also plans to bring a new Ambar location to Northwest D.C. next year, his second in the city.

La Tasca closed back in March, after spending roughly 14 years serving Clarendon diners.

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