Clarendon

First ‘Mom Prom’ in Northern Virginia Aims to Celebrate Women

By Fatimah Waseem

When Jessica Winesett became a mom 16 months ago, she quickly learned how hard it was for moms to have “the night off.” The experience led the Alexandria resident to organize Northern Virginia’s first-ever “Mom Prom.”

Set for Saturday, March 24 from 7-11 p.m., the ladies-only event at Clarendon Ballroom (3185 Wilson Blvd) will raise funds for the Greater DC Diaper Bank and Second Story for Young Mothers.

Winesett said she was inspired to launch the event after hearing about mom proms in Richmond, now in its seventh year, and Hampton Roads, now in its third year.

“Since becoming a mom, I have such passion for moms now. When we take care of our moms, we take care of our society,” she said, “In my eyes, the initiative has already been a success because I see the community coming together and giving together. This is a feel-good event where women who are and aren’t mothers are welcome for a fun night out.”

Only women 21 years and above are allowed because alcohol will be served at the event. Tickets are available online. The offer for $45 early bird tickets ends on Saturday. Prices increase to $50 afterward.

The first 100 women to arrive will receive a door prize and awards for the “most glamorous” and “most outrageous” outfit will be given. A prom queen or mom of the year will be crowned from submitted nominations.

An after-party open to the public is scheduled after the prom ends at 11 p.m.

Flyer via ProMOmenade

Italo Frame Store Open in Clarendon

By Chris Teale
1/6

The new Ten at Clarendon apartment building at 3110 10th Street N. has its first open retail tenant: frame store Italo Frame.

Open for about two weeks, owner Nasir Ester said it has a wide selection of frames as well as deeper shadow boxes for several photographs or other memorabilia.

Ester said he has been involved in the framing business for over 30 years. He previously owned Alna Art & Framing in Alexandria. The new store has frames from across Europe of all different colors and materials.

“You bring it, I will frame it for you,” he said.

The store is on the building’s westernmost corner, across the street from Fire Station 4.

UPDATED: Police Investigating Bank Robbery in Clarendon

By ARLnow.com
1/3

(Updated at 3:10 p.m.) Arlington County Police are investigating a bank robbery that happened in Clarendon this morning.

Police were called to the TD Bank on the 3100 block of Wilson Blvd, just across from the Clarendon Metro, around 11 a.m.

A man entered the bank, passed a note to a teller and fled with an undisclosed amount of cash, said ACPD spokeswoman Ashley Savage. The suspect did not display or imply a weapon. He remains at large.

ACPD issued the following press release Friday afternoon.

The Arlington County Police Department’s Homicide/Robbery Unit is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a bank robbery suspect captured on surveillance footage.

On Friday, January 5, 2018, at approximately 10:55 a.m., a male suspect entered the TD Bank located at 3101 Wilson Boulevard in Arlington, Virginia and passed the teller a note, demanding money. No weapon was shown or implied. After obtaining an undisclosed amount of money, the suspect exited the bank and fled the area on foot.

The suspect is described as a black male in his mid-20’s, 5’8″ tall, weighing approximately 150lbs with a thin build. He was wearing a gray hoodie, a red knit hat and gray Nike sneakers at the time of the incident.

The Arlington County Police Department requests that anyone with information regarding this incident contact Detective R. Munizza at 703.228.4171 or [email protected]. To report information anonymously, contact the Arlington County Crime Solvers at 866.411.TIPS (8477).

Clarendon Bakery LeoNora Closes Ahead of Move to Falls Church

By Chris Teale
1/3

A Clarendon bakery closed at the beginning of this year ahead of its move into local stalwart Northside Social’s new Falls Church location.

A sign posted on the door of LeoNora (1108 N. Irving Street) said it closed as it prepares to open a new bakery at the forthcoming Northside Social in Falls Church (205 Park Avenue).

“In preparation for the opening of our custom-built bakery at Northside Social Falls Church, LeoNora Bakery is closed effective immediately,” the sign reads. “Please visit us at Northside Social Arlington, just across the street at 3211 Wilson Blvd, for our freshly baked pastries and breads.”

The bakery, next to O’Sullivan’s Irish Pub, described itself on its Facebook page as “the result of a never ending search for the best breads and pastries in terms of flavor, freshness and texture.”

Ms. Peacock’s Champagne Lounge Open at The Board Room

By Chris Teale
1/6

The Board Room, which opened late last year in Clarendon, has a new addition: Ms. Peacock’s Champagne Lounge.

The extra space at 925 N. Garfield Street, which once was the butcher shop at the former Sehkraft Brewing, describes itself as “an update on the classic, elegant salons of a bygone era — a relaxing oasis amid the hustle of modern life.”

“People come in here and say they feel underdressed,” joked owner Mark Handwerger.

It offers 41 different varieties of champagne and sparkling wine, as well as specialty cocktails, including ones that rotate on a seasonal and monthly basis. Champagne is also available in tasting flights.

And along with the usual fare of small plates, cheeses and salads, it has caviar available accompanied by diced shallots, chives, grated eggs, creme fraiche and blinis, a Russian pancake.

Ms. Peacock’s will also host events, including talks with champagne and wine makers. It is adjacent to another small room, known as The Chairman’s Lounge, through a retractable bookcase.

It adjoins The Board Room, which offers board games for rent in addition to a large food and drinks menu. It is The Board Room’s second location — its first is in Dupont Circle.

Crime Report: Man Breaks into Clarendon Home, Refuses to Leave

By ARLnow.com

A 20-year-old man from Oakton broke into a home in the Clarendon area last Thursday night and refused to leave, police say.

The man, who had been drinking, entered through a locked door and “did not comply” with a resident’s request that he leave, according to this week’s Arlington County Police Department crime report.

More from ACPD:

UNLAWFUL ENTRY, 2017-12280219, 1000 block of N. Edgewood Street. At approximately 10:51 p.m. on December 28, police were dispatched to the report of a burglary in progress. Upon arrival, it was determined that the victim heard a loud noise in their residence and encountered an unknown suspect, who had entered their residence through an unlocked door. The victim asked the suspect to leave the residence, which he did not comply with. Patrick Minkler, 20, of Oakton, VA, was arrested and charged with Unlawful Entry and Underage Consumption of Alcohol.

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

(more…)

Faccia Luna Name-Change to Alto Fumo Now Official

By Chris Teale
1/3

A longtime Italian restaurant in Clarendon has officially changed its name.

Faccia Luna became Alto Fumo on January 1, but not much has changed other than some new food options.

Boubker Errami, who has been involved with the restaurant since it opened in 1992, said the restaurant will now offer dishes like oysters and fried calamari as well as staples like pizza and pasta.

He also said the eatery at 2909 Wilson Blvd will have new salads and small plates and an expanded happy hour featuring numerous craft beers. No other aspects of the restaurant, including the furnishings, will change, he said.

As of Tuesday (January 2), the menus on display had been updated with the new name, but the old awnings remained with the Faccia Luna name. Alto Fumo also has a new Facebook page.

Faccia Luna’s Facebook page, meanwhile, posted on Monday, thanking customers and encouraging them to visit Faccia Luna in Alexandria.

Thank you Faccia Luna Arlington customers for your loyalty, support, and for making us a part of your family traditions.

Starting January 1, 2018 Faccia Luna Arlington will be closing its doors. You can still enjoy our great wood-fired pizzas, and classic Italian pastas at Faccia Luna Trattoria in the heart of Old Town Alexandria.

Errami said the changes come as Clarendon continues to add new restaurants and bars, and as Alto Fumo’s owners look to expand their customer base.

“We have great loyal customers, we’re just looking for more to come in the door, because we’ve been here since 1992,” he said. “We want to stay the neighborhood spot for this area.”

Citizen Burger Bar Now Serving Brunch

1/7

Clarendon’s Citizen Burger Bar (1051 N. Highland Street) is now serving weekend brunch.

Citizen’s brunch menu includes egg benedicts, French toast, pancakes, mimosas, Tito’s Bloody Marys and more. That’s in addition to the usual staples like craft beer, grass-fed beef burgers and other locally-sourced food.

Bunch starts at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, 10 a.m. on Sunday, and run through 3 p.m. each day. CB will also be hosting a special New Year’s Day brunch this coming Monday, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., following its no-cover NYE celebration.

Citizen’s brunch menu includes drink specials, including a new mimosa deal, the pricing of which is low enough that Virginia law prevents us from telling you about it.

The preceding was written by ARLnow and promoted by Citizen Burger Bar.

Longtime Pizza Restaurant Faccia Luna to Become ‘Alto Fumo’

By Chris Teale
1/3

A longtime pizza restaurant in Clarendon is soon to shutter and reopen under new management.

Signs posted on the doors of Faccia Luna at 2909 Wilson Blvd show it will soon become Alto Fumo, another Italian restaurant. Faccia Luna first opened in Clarendon in 1992.

Permit applications filed with Arlington County indicate that the restaurant is under new management, but for now little is expected to change other than the name.

“Alto Fumo means ‘high-rising smoke’ in Italian, like smoke rising from a pizza oven,” the sign reads. “You will enjoy the highest quality customer service and foods and also enjoy our new additions.”

Faccia Luna also has locations in Old Town Alexandria and State College, Pennsylvania. A sign on the door at the Alexandria location thanked customers “for all the support.”

In 2015, co-owner Joe Corey said Faccia Luna has been a spot for successful first dates, with hundreds of couples ending up married after eating together at the Clarendon pizza joint.

Child Care Center to Open in Long-Vacant Clarendon Retail Space

By Chris Teale
1/2

A long-vacant storefront on the first floor of a Clarendon apartment building will be used as a child care center.

The Arlington County Board on Tuesday (December 19) unanimously approved a proposal to use space at the Garfield Park building (925 N. Garfield Street) for a daycare facility called A+ Kids.

County staff said the space, Suite D, has never had a retail tenant since the building opened. It is around the corner and in the same building as the recently-opened Board Room.

The center will have space for up to 60 children, and comes after the official kick-off of the county’s Child Care Initiative to try and expand choices for daycare. A final number of children will be subject to review by the county’s Child Care Office and Inspection Services Division.

It would be open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and use the building’s on-site parking garage to provide the required one parking space per employee.

The center will use some on-street parking spaces on N. Fillmore Street as a drop-off and pick-up zone, and make use of several existing parks as outdoor play space.

Board vice chair Katie Cristol praised the partnership between the various county departments to make the new child care center a reality in a previously unused space.

“It’s nice to see an otherwise unoccupied retail space going for this use,” she said.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Dog and Owner Help Foil Purse Snatching — Mazel was a very good boy. The miniature bull terrier and his owner chased down a purse thief in Clarendon Tuesday evening, retrieving the purse and all of its contents. The thief remains at large but the purse owner is very grateful to get her belongings back prior to a planned vacation. [NBC Washington]

Arlington Woman Plows Into Falls Church Store — A 41-year-old woman from Arlington drove her car through the sliding doors of a Falls Church Rite Aid store this past weekend, damaging shopping carts and an interior wall. She was arrested and charged with DUI. [Falls Church News-Press]

Planet Money Looks at I-66 Tolling — NPR’s popular Planet Money podcast took a look at the sky-high tolls now in effect during certain times on I-66. There is “a beautiful, econ 101 logic behind a toll that spikes when demand spikes,” the podcast explains. [NPR]

White Christmas Looks Unlikely — The odds are low that the Washington area ends its recent draught of white Christmases next week. However, some snow on Christmas Day appears to be a possibility. [Capital Weather Gang, Twitter]

Flickr pool photo by Jim Webster

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