poll

Morning Poll: How closely are you paying attention to the 2023 election?

By ARLnow.com
Election Day in Arlington (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

In Arlington, for local races, the primary is usually where the action is.

As a heavily Democratic county, general election races in November are less competitive than intra-party primary races earlier in the year. The upcoming Nov. 7 election will feature a dozen races for which Arlington residents can cast their votes, though seven are uncontested.

The most watched local race, arguably, is that of Arlington County Board, with the Missing Middle zoning acting as a bit of a wildcard in what will likely be a low-turnout election.

But statewide, the real one to watch is the balance of power in the Virginia General Assembly. That’s why Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin was in Arlington and Falls Church earlier this week, reaching out to Hispanic and Asian-American voters and hoping to gain a Republican majority in both the House of Delegates and state Senate.

So there are dual dynamics here — Missing Middle and General Assembly control will be closely watched, but also Arlington’s electoral history suggests the results of the local election will likely not be a surprise.

Given all that, how closely would you say you’re paying attention to the upcoming election?

Morning Poll: Best tacos in Arlington?

By ARLnow.com
Tacos El Chilango truck in Radnor-Fort Myer Heights (file photo)

National Taco Day earlier this month reminded us that, for an East Coast suburb, Arlington has some pretty solid taco options.

But which one is the best? On this Taco Tuesday, we’re letting readers weigh in.

The following selections were compiled via a number of lists, including this recent list from Arlington’s tourism website. If we missed your favorite, let us know in the comments.

Vote for up to three of your favorite taco spots in Arlington, below.

Morning Poll: What’s your lottery jackpot threshold?

By ARLnow.com
Powerball lottery ticket (file photo)

The drawing for the second-largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history is set to take place tonight.

The Powerball jackpot has reached $1.73 billion, or a lump sum of around $750 million. That’s second only to the $2.04 billion jackpot won by a single ticket-buyer in Southern California last fall.

“The upcoming drawing on Wednesday will be the 36th drawing in the jackpot run, and the first time in Powerball history that back-to-back jackpot cycles have generated billion-dollar grand prizes,” the Multi-State Lottery Association said. “The Powerball jackpot was previously won on July 19, when a ticket in California won a jackpot worth $1.08 billion.”

Given the infinitesimally small odds of actually winning a Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot, many rational people avoid spending their money on it. But, sometimes, the dream of a giant jackpot beats out rationality and the lure becomes too strong.

This morning we’re asking: what’s the prize threshold beyond which you decide that you have to play one of these lotteries?

Morning Poll: How extensive are your Halloween decorations?

By ARLnow.com
Houses decorated for Halloween along N. Jackson Street in October 2022 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

It’s October and thus officially spooky season — and the Halloween decorations are out in Arlington.

Just walk through a local grocery store or down a residential street and there are ghosts and goblins galore.

But not everyone is into decorating, or into Halloween for that matter. So today we’re asking: how extra are you when it comes to Halloween decor?

Morning Poll: Big snowstorm on tap this winter?

By ARLnow.com
Snow removal in Clarendon on Feb. 6, 2010 (file photo)

After several years of relatively meager winters, could this upcoming season have a big snowstorm on tap for us?

There’s some early suggestion of an elevated chance of large coastal winter storms between January and March, owing in part to a particularly intense El Niño climate pattern.

Of course, such a pattern could also leave Arlington high and dry again.

“Of the seven strong El Niño winters since 1950, four have been associated with well above normal snowfall while snowfall was virtually absent in the other three winters,” the National Weather Service wrote about winters in metro D.C. and Baltimore.

Climate prognosticating — it’s an inexact science, just ask the groundhog — has been raising the hopes of snow lovers this month, with some models suggesting a cold and snowy winter is likely for the Mid-Atlantic region.

The last really big winter storm to hit Arington was the Jan. 22-23, 2016 blizzard. The three large snow events of the winter of 2009-2010, meanwhile, are still fresh in the minds of many locals who lived through them.

What do you think? Would you welcome another big snowstorm this winter or do you prefer the mostly snowless winters of late?

Morning Poll: Ban TikTok?

By ARLnow.com
TikTok on a phone (Photo by Solen Feyissa on Unsplash)

Virginia’s Attorney General has authored an amicus brief supporting the ban of TikTok on a statewide level.

The short-form video app, which is especially popular with younger users, is set to be banned next year in Montana. In response to a federal lawsuit challenging the ban, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares — joined by 17 other GOP state attorneys general — says the ban should be legal as it amounts to a “garden variety consumer protection statute.”

More from a press release:

Attorney General Jason Miyares filed an amicus brief, joined by 17 other state attorneys general, in support of the State of Montana’s law banning the popular app ‘TikTok.’ Montana’s action protects its citizens’ privacy from TikTok’s relationship with China and the Chinese Communist Party, and its citizens’ wellbeing from the proven physical and mental health detriments the app has on young children.

“Montana’s elected officials voted to ban TikTok, and Montanans voted to elect their representatives. This legislation is a result of the will of the Montana voters,” said Attorney General Jason Miyares. “We know TikTok poses a threat to our privacy and security because of its connection to the Chinese Communist Party, and study after study shows the app harms our children’s mental health – especially young girls. Montana has the right to protect its citizens.”

In March, Attorney General Miyares joined 45 states and the District of Columbia in asking a state court to order social media company TikTok, Inc. to fully comply with an ongoing investigation into whether the company violated consumer protection laws. As part of the multistate investigation, the state attorneys general sought to review internal TikTok communications to determine whether the company engaged in deceptive, unfair, and unconscionable conduct that harmed the mental health of TikTok users, particularly children and teens.

Earlier this year Virginia banned TikTok and some other apps of Chinese origin from state-owned devices and networks, including on college campuses.

While a total ban does not appear likely in Virginia, would you support a ban if one was proposed?

Photo by Solen Feyissa on Unsplash

Morning Poll: How do you feel about duplexes?

By ARLnow.com
1/6

Last week, ARLnow reported that neighbors successfully dissuaded a developer from building a duplex in the Tara-Leeway Heights neighborhood.

Their concerns included traffic and parking challenges on the street, writing that the “proposed development will only exacerbate this, endangering residents, including the many children who live on the block.”

While the neighbors were able to leverage a restrictive deed covenant from 1938 to scuttle the duplex and convince the developer to build a single-family home instead, more duplexes are on the way following the Arlington County Board’s approval of the “Missing Middle” zoning changes earlier this year.

According to real estate agent Natalie Roy’s latest EHO Watch newsletter, one duplex has been approved under the new “Enhanced Housing Options” process, another is nearing approval, and two more were recently submitted for review.

Notwithstanding a successful legal challenge to Missing Middle — a lawsuit by a group of residents is set for a court date next week — Arlington residents are likely to see more duplexes, alongside 3-6 unit EHO projects, in the coming years.

Given that, we were wondering how ARLnow readers feel about duplexes specifically, given that they’re perhaps the most palatable to those otherwise skeptical of higher density projects. Yes, duplexes are now allowed countywide thanks to “Missing Middle,” but our poll questions asks if you are in support of that.

Do you think duplexes should be allowed to be built in most or all residential neighborhoods in Arlington — assuming that current EHO restrictions, including only being able construct the same size building as that allowed for single-family homes, remain in place?

Morning Poll: September heatwave — welcome or woeful?

By ARLnow.com
Haze and heat over the National Mall, seen from the Netherlands Carillon (file photo by Jay Westcott)

Today marks the halfway point of a five-day September heat wave.

A high temperature of 98 is forecast today, with “feels like” temperatures reaching into the 100s. Relief is expected Friday, as high temperatures dip into the upper 80s.

A Heat Advisory is in effect starting at noon today. From the National Weather Service:

730 AM EDT Tue Sep 5 2023

…HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING…

* WHAT…Heat index values of 100 to 105 expected.

* WHERE…Portions of northern and central Maryland, The District of Columbia, and northern Virginia.

* WHEN…From noon today to 8 PM EDT this evening.

* IMPACTS…Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses to occur.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances.

Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1.

Usually, one might expect the start of meteorological fall to be more temperate, amid pools closing, white pants getting packed away and and pumpkin spice lattes being served with increasing frequency. Not this year.

What do you think of the late bout of hot weather?

Morning Poll: Too early for pumpkin spice?

By ARLnow.com
1/2

It’s that time of year again: the Pumpkin Spice Lattes have arrived at local Starbucks stores.

Local chain Compass beat the Seattle-based coffee giant to market this time, rolling out a fall menu featuring pumpkin- and maple-flavored pick-me-ups a few days ago. Dunkin and others started slinging the spice even earlier, part of a broader trend of fall flavors creeping into the summer season.

More from Axios:

Starbucks said it will release its Pumpkin Spice Latte and fall menu on Thursday, six days earlier than last year.

  • The announcement kicks off the annual debate over whether it’s too soon for fall flavors and if pumpkin fanfare has gone too far.
  • It also follows pumpkin spice’s Aug. 16 arrival at Dunkin’ and even earlier launches at Krispy Kreme, 7-Eleven and Bath & Body Works.

Between the lines: Nostalgia is one reason why the fall flavor keeps coming back earlier, Jason Fischer, an assistant professor of psychological and brain sciences at Johns Hopkins University, told Axios.

  • “It brings to mind those associated memories including those flavors and aromas of the pumpkin spice stuff,” said Fischer, a perception researcher who is also a pumpkin fan.
  • The summer heat is often the argument for why some say pumpkin pandemonium is too early but Fischer said it could be the opposite this year.
  • “Maybe the enduring heat is a thing that just makes us imagine and crave that cooler weather and then it calls to mind pumpkin spice even earlier,” Fischer said.

So what do you think: Have companies taken the pumpkin spice creep to far? Or do you like the fall vibes starting earlier, actually?

Morning Poll: Should power lines be moved underground?

By ARLnow.com
1/2

After big storms, many of the same questions are asked: namely, why don’t we just bury power lines?

Surely the expense of constantly fixing power lines downed by falling trees, branches and the occasional crash — both in terms of the repairs themselves, lost productivity, etc. — cannot be far off from the cost of just moving them underground?

As our exploration of the topic last week found, however, it’s not quite that simple. It would cost tens of billions of dollars to bury lines across the state, and previous looks at the question specifically in Arlington also concluded that it’s infeasible from both a cost and a permissions perspective — getting everyone to agree to let the power company dig up their yards.

Instead, Dominion and local governments have been conducting more targeted undergroundings, along high-density corridors like Columbia Pike and in places where storm damage is more frequent. That has cut the power restoration time after big storms, a Dominion spokeswoman told us, but outages will remain a fact of life as long as there are storms and trees.

Of course, there are likely those that would argue that with climate change whipping up fiercer storms, burying more lines should be more seriously considered.

Where do you stand?

Morning Poll: Favorite type of summer vacation

By ARLnow.com
Bethany Beach (file photo)

You might have noticed that it’s a bit quieter around Arlington in recent days.

Based on traffic volumes and out-of-office email responses it’s pretty clear that a lot of people are on vacation (including, at least in theory, the person writing this poll).

With vacation season in full swing, we were wondering about the favorite genre of summer trip for our readers. Among the following eight options — beach, lake, mountain, city, international, camping, cruise and national park — which is your go-to destination?

Have a different favorite summer vacation in mind? Let us know in the comments.

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