New Year

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

DCA Expansion to Open Mid-2021 — “The 230,000-square-foot concourse on the north side of Reagan National Airport looks ready for passengers. The exterior walls are up. The roof is on. The terrazzo floor is almost in. And 11 of the 14 new jet bridges are being installed… The concourse is slated to open in July, but plans are in the works to do a ‘soft opening’ ahead of that date. An announcement is expected early next year.” [Washington Post]

Local Homeless Org Seeking Donations — “An organization in Arlington who helps the homeless now needs your help. Bridges to Independence in Arlington is a family shelter that has had to reduce the number of people they help due to COVID, but the need for help remains high. ‘We’ve served at least 22 new families since the pandemic and we are expecting an increase going into the new year,’ Whitfield said. [WJLA]

County Board to Meet with CivFed — “Immediately following the Jan. 4 organizational meeting of the Arlington County Board, the five members will hold an online gathering with the Arlington County Civic Federation. The 90-minute confab is designed as the opportunity for elected officials to expound on their priorities for the coming year, and for Civic Federation delegates to give feedback to pre-screened questions and, if time is available, questions from the floor.” [InsideNova]

Missing Woman Found — An Arlington woman reported as missing by county police a few days ago had been found, the department says. [Twitter]

It’s New Year’s Eve — ARLnow hopes you and yours have a happy new year. We are on a limited publishing schedule today; our news coverage will return in full on Monday. County offices and facilities, meanwhile, will be closed tomorrow, on New Year’s Day.

Arlington Has Averaged One COVID Death Per Day Over the Past Week

By ARLnow.com

Seven Arlington residents have died of COVID-19 complications since last Wednesday, according to Virginia Dept. of Health data.

As of this morning, VDH reported 181 cumulative COVID-related fatalities, up from 174 on Dec. 23 — an average of one per day. Sixteen new hospitalizations were also reported during that time.

Arlington’s seven-day trailing average of new coronavirus cases currently stands at 80.6 cases per day, after reaching a pandemic record of just over 100 cases per day on Christmas day. The cumulative total of local cases since early March is now 8,786, according to VDH.

With many people planning New Year’s Eve get togethers despite the pandemic, Arlington County this week encouraged residents to take precautions.

“If you are celebrating the New Year with people outside your household, make sure you follow steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19: Wear a mask; Stay at least 6 feet apart; Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces; Wash your hands; Stay home if you are sick,” the county said, echoing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

“Consider other activities to celebrate New Year’s, including virtual celebrations with loved ones, a New Year’s party for the people you live with or picking up a special meal from a local restaurant to share with your household,” the county said.

County Closures Set for Christmas, New Year

By ARLnow.com

Christmas and the New Year are coming up, and with the holidays come a number of closures and changes in Arlington.

“Arlington County Government offices and services will be closed on Thurs., Dec. 24 and Fri., Dec. 25 for the Christmas holiday, and Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day,” according to the county website.

Arlington libraries will also be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas, and New Year’s Day, and parking meters will not be enforced on those days.

Additionally, residential trash and recycling collection on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 will be shifted to Saturday, one day later. ART buses will operate on a modified Sunday schedule on Christmas and New Year’s Day.

$1 Million New Year’s Raffle Ticket Sold in Arlington Still Not Claimed

By ARLnow.com

A $1 million winning New Year’s Millionaire Raffle ticket from the Virginia Lottery was sold in Arlington — but as of Thursday afternoon no one has stepped forward to claim it.

The lottery says three winning $1 million tickets were sold — in Chesapeake, Arlington and Portsmouth. Another 5 tickets hit for the $100,000 prize, including one sold at the Pentagon City Harris Teeter store to an Alexandria man.

No other details about the $1 million ticket sold in Arlington were immediately available, other than the fact that it has thus far not been claimed, according to a lottery spokesperson. The winning raffle numbers were selected on New Year’s Day.

Virginia Lottery “generates more than $1.7 million per day for Virginia’s K-12 public schools,” according to a press release. In Fiscal Year 2019 “an additional $6.5 million in unclaimed prizes was deposited in the Virginia Literary Fund… which provides low-interest loans to localities for public school construction, renovations and technology upgrades.”

Photo by Pepi Stojanovski on Unsplash

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Bill Would Allow Open Containers in More Places — “A bill introduced in the Virginia General Assembly would let more shopping center developments offer open-container access under the state’s liquor laws. Sen. Barbara Favola, D-Arlington, introduced the measure… The change could theoretically benefit at least a couple of developments in Favola’s backyard,” including the Village at Shirlington and Market Common Clarendon. [Washington Business Journal]

County Board Organizational Meeting Tonight — “The Arlington County Board will elect its 2020 County Board chair and vice-chair at its Organizational Meeting on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020, at 6 p.m. in the County Board Room, Room 307 in the Ellen M. Bozman Government Center. The Board also will adopt procedures for 2020 and name Board members to represent Arlington on regional bodies.” [Arlington County]

Bank Robbery Suspect Also Faces Charges in Bethesda — “One of three suspects who stole $60,000 worth of jewelry from a Bethesda, Maryland, shop in mid December was arrested Monday after robbing a bank in Arlington, Virginia, police say. Derrick Lamont Graham, 42, walked into the BB&T bank at 2200 Wilson Boulevard in Clarendon on Friday and gave a note to an employee that implied he had a weapon, Arlington County police said.” [NBC 4, WTOP]

New Year’s Eve Problems — From a local Nextdoor user: “Hi everyone I lost the keys to my apartment last night somewhere in Clarendon. If anyone has found a key chain with 1 single key, a fob, and a white “tile,” please contact me!” [Twitter]

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Christmas Tree Collection Underway — “Trees collected by the County the first two full weeks after Christmas are turned into mulch available from County facilities. From Dec. 30 through Jan. 10, place trees at curb no later than 6 a.m. on your regular trash collection day after removing ALL decorations, nails, stands. Do not place trees in plastic bags.” [Arlington County, Twitter]

Amazon Continuing to Hire for HQ2 — “By the end of 2020, Amazon plans to reach nearly 1,600 employees at the Arlington headquarters, and by December 2021 it expects more than 3,500 workers. The hiring will accelerate further in 2023 and beyond.” [Washington Business Journal]

Arlingtonians Drop Off Tons of Glass — “Cheers to a successful start to Arlington’s glass recycling drop-off program. The County is closing out 2019 with more than 1 million pounds (500 tons) of collected glass for recycling in less than nine months. That’s equivalent to the weight of 27 ART buses.” [Arlington County]

Courthouse Apartments Trade Hands — “Bell Partners Inc., based in Greensboro, has acquired Vista on Courthouse, a 220-unit multifamily complex in Arlington, Virginia. The property will be renamed Bell at Courthouse and will be managed by Bell Partners. The acquisition from Equity Residential is Bell Partners’ second this year in Arlington.” [Triad Business Journal]

Reminder: NYE Events in Arlington — For procrastinators, here’s ARLnow’s listing of notable New Year’s Eve events in Arlington. [ARLnow]

Photo courtesy Dave Statter

Where to Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Arlington

By Kalina Newman

2020 is almost here, and if you’re spending the holidays in Arlington, there are plenty of local options for ringing in the new year.

Ticket prices vary per event, with several opting for no cover and others starting at up to $50 per person.

For families looking to celebrate but also go to bed well before midnight, the Columbia Pike Branch Library (816 S. Walter Reed Drive) is hosting a “Ring in the Noon Year” countdown from 11 a.m.-noon. There will be games, light snacks, and a countdown to noon.

Later in the night, there are a bunch of parties big and small planned across Arlington. For those looking to pay their respects to Clarendon Ballroom, its last night in operation will be for its New Years Eve Gala — fitting, given the venue opened on the same day twenty years ago.

In Ballston, parties are planned at Punch Bowl Social, Bisto 1521, and Rustico Ballston.

On Columbia Pike, The Celtic House Irish Pub & Restaurant will celebrate with the local band Down Wilson,

In Crystal City, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, an all-out casino night is planned until 3 a.m. Close by, Freddie’s Beach Bar has two parties planned — a drag show on New Year’s Eve, and then a New Year’s Day champagne brunch the following morning. For a more relaxed vibe, McNamara’s Pub & Restaurant is offering a three-course dinner to ring in the new year for $30.

In Clarendon, in addition to the Clarendon Ballroom bash, several bars will be hosting parties including Bar Bao, Pamplona, Whitlow’s, The Renegade, Liberty Tavern, and Wilson Hardware. For a more low-key evening, Northside Social is offering a three-course dinner and wine pairing, with a live TV view of the ball dropping at midnight

A New Year’s Eve dinner similar to that at Northside Social is being held at Cheesetique in Shirlington.

Say Goodbye to This Decade — The Best NYE Deal in Town

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

New year, who dis? Pop the champagne and start off the new year with DC Fray’s 5th Annual NYE celebration.

They’re hosting two open bar parties to ring in 2020!

With live DJs, party favors and champagne toasts, the only thing you have to worry about is deciding where you want to be when the clock strikes midnight.

Get your groove on at Grand Central or dance the night away at Kelly’s Irish Times with a VIP bar sponsored by Jameson.

This is the best value in D.C. with open bars and appetizers included for as low as $69!

Get your tickets.

New Years Eve Gala at the International Spy Museum Supports The Red Cross

If you like good parties and good causes, then you will love the newest New Year’s Eve event to hit D.C.

Not only does each ticket to the NYE Charity Gala at the new International Spy Museum get you access to open top-shelf bar, food and great music to dance to all night, but all profits from this party go to support the American Red Cross Disaster Relief fund.

Guests also get exclusive access to the brand new yet-to-be open International Spy Museum where everyone will be dancing on an LED dance floor to the backdrop of the Washington Monument, the Capitol and the new D.C. Wharf.

Entertainment for the night will include illusions by a professional magician, a mystery spy theater, fortune-telling palm readings by all-seeing psychics, fantastical feats and tricks of sparks and glassware flying by professional flair bartenders, and comedic interactions with the International Man of Mystery himself, Austin Powers.

The concept for developing experience-based social impact events came from a group of locals who believe that you can have fun and do good at the same time. For the New Year’s Eve Gala, the donation will help people affected by disasters like storms and countless other crises.

The profits going to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from tragedies big and small across the United States. Tickets to the Gala range from General Admission to Gold VIP level and can be bought by visiting www.nyecharitygala.eventbrite.com. Use code NYE2019 for $25 off.

New Year’s Eve Charity Gala at the International Spy Museum

Ring in the New Year relishing the sky lounge of the new International Spy Museum at 700 L’Enfant Plaza SW.

Standing at the world’s epicenter of espionage, D.C.’s newest venue will have you dancing all night with sweeping views of the Washington Monument, the Capitol, the new D.C. waterfront and New Year’s Eve fireworks over Alexandria.

Before the clock strikes 12, enjoy mind-boggling illusions by our strolling magician, engage in a WHODUNIT interactive spy troupe mystery, watch the sparks and glassware fly by professional bartenders performing fantastic feats and tricks, dance on an LED dance floor, find out what’s to come in 2019 with our all-knowing psychics and take some “shagadelic” shots with the International Man of Mystery himself, Austin Powers.

The floor to ceiling windows overlooking the D.C. skyline in this newly constructed International Spy Museum will open its doors to the public for the first time on New Year’s Eve.

This event will help people affected by disasters like storms and countless other crises by donating all profits to American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your ticket purchase enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters both big and small across the United States.

Your all-inclusive ticket purchase includes top-shelf open bar, food, champagne toast, music and all the entertainment. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Arlington Adding Winter Shelter Beds — In response to the frigid temperatures, Arlington County says it is expanding the number of hypothermia slots at the Courthouse area winter shelter for singles operated by A-SPAN, “adding 10 more to the current 25.” [Twitter]

Bicycle Beltway Proposal — “A new bicycle beltway is set to be endorsed by the region’s Transportation Planning Board in January. The full Outer Loop would be 45 miles long. The beltway would also have additional connections in the middle, through the heart of downtown D.C. along the National Mall.” [WTOP]

Father of Rep. Don Beyer Dies — “Donald S. Beyer, Sr., the patriarch of the storied Beyer family dynasty in Falls Church, died last Saturday two weeks before his 94th birthday.” [Falls Church News-Press]

Local NYE Bar Options — Looking for a place to ring in the new year in Arlington? Last month we published a sponsored list of five options along the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor that are still applicable. [ARLnow]

Flickr pool photo by Kevin Wolf

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