Shirlington | ARLnow.com

Shirlington Burger Restaurant Opens Tonight

Published February 16, 2018 at 10:45AM

Damn Good Burger Co. is planning to open tonight in Shirlington, employees said.

The sister restaurant to Ballston’s Big Buns burger shop, Damn Good Burger served some of its first customers Wednesday and Thursday nights as part of a soft opening. As of midnight last night, the restaurant was closed but employees were still working on the finishing touches inside.

Located in the former Johnny Rockets space, Damn Good Burger will serve burgers, shakes and craft beer, among other offerings. The eatery is scheduled to open at 5:30 p.m. tonight (Friday).

Here’s Where You Can Buy Girl Scout Cookies in Arlington This Month

By Anna Merod

Published February 14, 2018 at 10:00AM

Girl Scout cookie season is upon us, and there will be plenty of booths throughout Arlington where residents can get their sweet fix.

The net revenue raised from Girl Scout cookies funds the organization’s local council and troops, which in turn is used for trips or donated to community projects or causes.

According to the Girl Scouts website, booth sales in Arlington will kick off this coming Friday, Feb. 16. Below are some of the times and places places you can grab some Girl Scout cookies this month.

Four Sisters Grill (3035 Clarendon Blvd.)
- Feb. 16 — 4-7 p.m.
Giant Food (3450 Washington Blvd.)
- Feb. 16 — 4-8 p.m.
- Feb. 17 — 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Feb. 18 — 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Feb. 23 — 4-8 p.m.
- Feb. 24 — 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Feb. 25 — 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Giant Food (3115 Lee Highway)
- Feb. 17 — 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Feb. 18 — 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Feb. 24 — 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Feb. 25 — 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Giant Food (2901 S. Glebe Road)
- Feb. 16 — 4-8 p.m.
- Feb. 17 — 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Feb. 18 — 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Feb. 23 — 4-8 p.m.
- Feb. 24 — 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Feb. 25 — 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Giant Food (2501 9th Road S.)
- Feb. 16 — 4-8 p.m.
- Feb. 17 — 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Feb. 18 — 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Feb. 23 — 4-8 p.m.
- Feb. 24 — 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Feb. 25 — 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Key Elementary School (2300 Key Blvd.)
- Feb. 16 — 3-6 p.m.
Courthouse Metro Station (2100 Wilson Blvd.)
- Feb. 16 — 3:30-7:30 p.m.
- Feb. 19 — 3:30-7:30 p.m.
- Feb. 20 — 3:30-7:30 p.m.
- Feb. 21 — 3:30-7:30 p.m.
- Feb. 22 — 3:30-7:30 p.m.
- Feb. 23 — 3:30-7:30 p.m.
- Feb. 24 — 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Feb. 26 — 3:30-7:30 p.m.
- Feb. 27 — 3:30-7:30 p.m.
- Feb. 28 — 3:30-7:30 p.m.
Virginia Square-GMU Metro Station (3600 Fairfax Drive)
- Feb. 16 — 4-7 p.m.
- Feb. 23 — 4-7 p.m.
Pentagon Center Mall (1201 S. Hayes Street)
- Feb. 16 — 4-7:30 p.m.
- Feb. 17 — 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Feb. 18 — 1-6 p.m.
- Feb. 23 — 4-7:30 p.m.
- Feb. 24 — 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Feb. 25 — 1-6 p.m.
Ace Hardware (2001 Clarendon Blvd.)
- Feb. 17 — 12-4 p.m.
- Feb. 18 — 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Feb. 24 — 12-4 p.m.
- Feb. 25 — 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Central Library (1015 N. Quincy St.)
- Feb. 17 — 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Feb. 18 — 12:45-5 p.m.
- Feb. 24 — 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Feb. 25 — 12:45-5 p.m.
Meridian (1401 N. Taft St.)
- Feb. 17 — 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Nice Cream (2831 Clarendon Blvd.)
- Feb. 17 — 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Delancey at Shirlington Village (4220 Campbell Ave.)
- Feb. 17 — 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Io Piazza Apartments (2727 S. Quincy St.)
- Feb. 17 — 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The Whitmore (4301 Columbia Pike)
- Feb. 16 — 4:30-7 p.m.
Goodwill Industries (10 S. Glebe Road)
- Feb. 17 — 12-6 p.m.
- Feb. 24 — 12-6 p.m.
Market Common (2801 Clarendon Blvd.)
- Feb. 24 — 2:30-6 p.m.
- Feb. 25 — 1-5 p.m.
The Citizen at Shirlington Village (3000 S. Randolph St.)
- Feb. 24 — 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Photo via Girl Scouts of the United States of America

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published February 7, 2018 at 10:45AM

Murder of Crows Pooping All Over Shirlington — A large contingent of crows have taken up residence in Shirlington, and locals are getting fed up with cars and sidewalks being covered in bird doo-doo. [WTOP, NBC Washington]

Design Contest for 2019 ‘I Voted’ Sticker — “In an effort to gin up voter enthusiasm during what is expected to be a slow 2019, Arlington election officials… plan to hold a competition to design a logo for next year’s election.” [InsideNova]

Arlington No. 3 on ‘Best Counties’ List — A new list of “best counties” in the U.S. ranks Falls Church — a city — No. 1 while Arlington is No. 3 and Fairfax is No. 6. The list was compiled by the website 24/7 Wall Street. [WTOP]

Mitten Given the Boot By Grand Rapids — The city of Grand Rapids, Michigan is restarting its search for a new city manager after an outcry from residents and interest groups. Arlington Deputy County Manager Carol Mitten was among the three finalists for the job to speak at a community forum, prior to the city announcing the restart. [Fox 17, MLive]

Police Recruiting for Student Safety Patrol Camp — “The Arlington County Police Department’s School Resource Officer Unit is currently accepting applications to the Summer Safety Patrol Camp. This weeklong camp is offered to incoming 4th and 5th grade students who want to participate in safety patrols during the upcoming 2018-2019 academic year.” [Arlington County]

More on Market Common Redevelopment Approval — The redevelopment of a portion of Market Common Clarendon will widen a narrow sidewalk that was the source of resident complaints, among other community benefits. Arlington County Board member Christian Dorsey hopes the project can help “bring a little funkiness back into Clarendon.” [Arlington Connection]

Flickr pool photo by John Sonderman

Plastic Pipes from I-395 Bridge Washed Away into Four Mile Run

By Anna Merod

Published February 6, 2018 at 5:30PM

Several plastic pipes washed away from a construction project on the I-395 bridge into Four Mile Run after a downpour of rain Sunday.

The I-395 project between the Shirlington interchange and Glebe Road currently uses 35 plastic pipes to redirect water in Four Mile Run away from the work area. The rain’s movement of the pipes did not harm the construction project, said Jennifer McCord, a Virginia Department of Transportation spokesperson.

Workers are currently moving the pipes out of the creek by hand and should be done with the removal sometime today or tomorrow, McCord said. She added that she is unsure if the pipes will be put back into place as they may no longer be needed for the project.

The project costing $7.2 million should be complete by November 2018, she said.

Photos by Mark Wigfield

County Could Buy WETA Property for Jennie Dean Park Expansion

By Chris Teale

Published January 5, 2018 at 10:30AM

Arlington County is considering buying property owned by local PBS affiliate WETA in the Four Mile Run Valley, as part of a park expansion project and a plan to keep WETA’s headquarters in Shirlington.

Under a deal announced yesterday (Thursday), the county has an option to purchase the WETA studio at 3620 27th Street S., and use the land for the future expansion of Jennie Dean Park. If WETA’s Board of Trustees approves the plan, a sale could happen in the next two years.

Should the sale go through, per a letter of intent signed by both parties, the county would make $500,000 of urban design improvements in the area near WETA’s headquarters (3939 Campbell Ave), including improving pedestrian safety and signs.

The county would also provide WETA with a performance-based Economic Development Incentive grant of up to $150,000 per year based on reaching targets for job creation and square feet used.

WETA will soon “begin design and construction feasibility studies to explore relocating the studio next to the current headquarters located at 3939 Campbell Avenue in Shirlington Village,” according to a county press release. “The planned project would include building a new, state-of-the art studio in space adjacent to their headquarters building.”

“We’ve had a longstanding relationship with WETA, one of our most valuable community partners,” County Manager Mark Schwartz said in a statement. “This agreement allows WETA to move forward with envisioning their ideal television studio and headquarters as we move forward with planning for Jennie Dean Park’s future.”

The property has been identified as a way to expand Jennie Dean Park since 1994, while WETA has been looking throughout the region for new space.

The future of Jennie Dean Park has been a source of controversy among some members of the Four Mile Run Valley Working Group, tasked with making recommendations for the area’s future. An area near the park has been proposed as a possible arts district, a plan that has come in for some criticism from group members and commission chairs.

The full county press release is after the jump.

(more…)

Saturday: Release Party for New District’s New Brew

Published January 5, 2018 at 8:00AM | Updated June 21, 2018 at 4:16PM

Arlington’s New District Brewing is rolling out its second-ever bottled beer this coming Saturday, and you’re invited to the release party.

The Shirlington-area brewery at 2709 S. Oakland Street is introducing Abbey, a spiced, smooth Belgian Dubbel. But it’s a limited edition: just 250 individually-corked and hand-labeled 750ml bottles.

New District expects to sell out of its stock within 2-3 weeks, so the best opportunity to get your hands on one is at the release party on Saturday.

The event is being held from 1-9 p.m. at the brewery. Each $25 ticket will get you:

One 2 Year Anniversary Dubbel 750ml limited release bottle (with option to buy a second)
One pint of 2 Year Anniversary Dubbel on Tap
One beef brisket taco from the famous La Tingeria food truck, braised in a chipotle garlic sauce with NDBC brewed street beer for 12 hours.

Several other events are being planned at New District this week: a live band — No Second Troy — on Friday, and fill specials on Sunday.

The preceding was written by ARLnow.com and promoted by New District Brewing.

Police Release Sketch of Subject in Shirlington Sexual Assault Case

By Chris Teale

Published December 19, 2017 at 9:45AM

(Updated at 9:55 a.m.) The Arlington County Police Department released today (Tuesday) a composite sketch of a man wanted for questioning in connection to the sexual assault in Shirlington last month.

Police said the man was spotted loitering in a parking garage on the 3000 block of S. Randolph Street about two hours before the assault on November 2.

Police responded to the area of S. Randolph Street at 31st Street S. at approximately 10:41 p.m. that night for the report of a rape.

Officers said the victim was putting items in her parked car when a man approached her from behind and sexually assaulted her. He then fled on foot.

Police described the suspect as a black male aged 19 to 21 years old, 5-foot-9 tall and weighing approximately 150 pounds. They said he was wearing skinny jeans, a white t-shirt, red hooded sweatshirt and converse style sneakers.

Big Buns Planning January Opening in Shirlington, Dudley’s Still Under Construction

By Chris Teale

Published December 15, 2017 at 11:00AM

Dudley’s Sport & Ale in Shirlington (file photo)

A Ballston-based burger restaurant hopes to open its second location in Shirlington early next year.

According to its website, Big Buns Damn Good Burgers & Bar will open at 4251 Campbell Ave in January. In the build-up to its opening, Big Buns is offering various gift cards to its new location, including a year-long membership for $150.

For $5,000, someone can buy free burgers for life and burger naming rights on an “epic new Designer Burger for Shirlington.”

“Oh it gets better, every time you visit Big Buns Shirlington to see your name and in the bright big burger lights, you eat for free, forever,” the website reads.

Big Buns — not to be confused with existing Shirlington bakery Best Buns — serves customizable burgers, “designer” burgers with pre-chosen ingredients and burger bowls, where the meat and toppings are served without buns.

Elsewhere in Shirlington, Dudley’s Sport and Ale (2766 S. Arlington Mill Drive) continues to move steadily towards an opening.

Yesterday (Wednesday), owner Reese Gardner posted on the sports bar’s Facebook page that the steel columns and beams have been installed, and that it passed two of six county inspections.

“Once the rest of the structure is assembled and inspected we will be able to have a very clear timeline,” Gardner wrote. “Thanks for hanging with us.”

Construction Update:The steel columns & beams have been delivered and partially installed. We passed two of the six…

Posted by Dudley's Sport and Ale on Wednesday, December 13, 2017

County to Receive Permission For W&OD Trail Improvements

By Chris Teale

Published December 12, 2017 at 3:45PM

The county is set to formalize an agreement with the Northern Virginia Regional Parks Authority to make improvements to the Washington & Old Dominion Trail.

As part of a wider project near Shirlington between S. Arlington Mill Drive and S. Four Mile Run Drive, the county plans to install new sidewalks, lighting and signals where the trail meets S. Walter Reed Drive.

But to do that, it required permission from NVRPA, which controls the 45-mile trail between Shirlington and Purcellville.

Under the terms of the agreement between the county and NVRPA, as outlined in a letter by NVRPA land manager Michael DePue, the county must conform with various conditions.

These include keeping the trail “open, safe and unobstructed at all times during construction,” plus ensuring the new sidewalk has a smooth transition to the existing asphalt, the improvements do not cause drainage issues, that construction zones be safe and that the county’s Department of Environmental Services maintain the improvements once completed, not NVRPA.

The County Board will also vote on a consent agreement with Dominion Virginia Power, which would allow the improvements to encroach on a Dominion-owned easement in the park.

The Board will vote on the agreements at its meeting Saturday (December 16) as part of its consent agenda. County staff recommended approval.

Construction on the wider project is scheduled to begin in the spring. It is hoped the project will improve bicycle and pedestrian access to Shirlington.

Shirlington Christmas Tree Lighting Set for Thursday

By Chris Teale

Published November 29, 2017 at 10:45AM

The annual Christmas tree lighting at The Village at Shirlington (2700 S. Quincy Street) will take place on Thursday evening.

It begins at 6 p.m. with a Signature Theatre holiday production featuring the cast of The Holiday Follies, with the tree to be lit at 6:30 p.m.

That will be followed by pictures with Santa in Hardwood Artisans (2800 S. Randolph Street) and a performance by the Bishop O’Connell High School Choir at 7 p.m.

The evening will also feature horse and carriage rides, strolling entertainment and live music, as well as specials at local shops and restaurants including Cheesetique, Busboys & Poets and Le Village Marche.

Per the Arlington County Police Department, the following roads will be closed to accommodate the event:

Campbell Avenue, from the Harris Teeter driveway to S. Randolph Street (12:00-4:00 PM)
Campbell Avenue, from Arlington Mill Drive to S. Quincy Street (4:00-10:00 PM)
S. Randolph Street, from Arlington Mill Drive to the alley behind Charlie Chiang’s Restaurant, roughly the 3000 block (4:00-10:00 PM)

Vehicles will be allowed to exit the covered Harris Teeter parking structure onto Campbell Ave. until 4:00 PM, then must use the alternative entrance accessed from Arlington Mill Drive. Drivers are warned that traffic in the area may be congested throughout the event and alternative modes of transportation are recommended.

Street parking in the area will be restricted and drivers should be on the lookout for temporary “No Parking” signs. Illegally parked vehicles may be ticketed or towed. If your vehicle is towed from a public street, call the Emergency Communication Center at 703-558-2222.

All areas within the lines on the included map will be closed to vehicular traffic during the actual event (4:00-9:00 PM).

Police Seek Public’s Assistance After Sexual Assault in Shirlington

By Chris Teale

Published November 3, 2017 at 10:00AM

The Arlington County Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance to find a man suspected of sexually assaulting a woman in Shirlington last night (Thursday).

Police responded to the area of S. Randolph Street at 31st Street S. at approximately 10:41 p.m. on November 2 for the report of a rape. Officer said the victim was putting items in her parked car when a man approached her from behind and sexually assaulted her. He then fled on foot.

The area is near The Citizen at Shirlington apartment building and the Shirlington bus station.

Police said the suspect is a black male in his 20s, approximately 5-foot-6 to 6-feet tall with a thin build. He was wearing a white t-shirt at the time of the incident. He was last seen fleeing the area on foot, traveling southbound on 31st Street S.