weekend discussion

Another Friday, another week, another robocall, and you’re still hanging in there. Good for you.

Here’s a few tips from this reporter on how to stay on top of what’s coming down the pipeline for Arlington residents.

First off, expect some road closures in Clarendon for the 7th annual arts festival taking place 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Secondly, the story yours truly penned about the end of days for Mister Days remains one of the most read one our site. So we thought you should know that bar owner Robert Lee is hosting a second “last call” party for the bar tomorrow (Saturday.)

This means you can say goodbye to Mister Days tonight or tomorrow, but whatever you do, don’t sleep over.

And in other news, did you know there’s an election going on?

Well if not, never fear: ARLnow has all the speed read info you need. Start with this reporter’s overview of all the candidates, and then check out this week’s “legislative lookbacks” on our state senators and delegates if you want to start brushing up before the primaries.

Other things to brush up from this week’s coverage around the county include:

• School Board Approves $670 Million Proposed Budget with $6 Million Gap
• Arlington Woman to Appear on ‘Price is Right’ Today
• Clarendon’s “Bakeshop” Expands to Falls Church
• New Cooking Classroom “Cookology” Now Open in Ballston Quarter
• Autonomous Vehicles Shuttles Rolling Out Soon at Fort Myer

Lastly, how do you like our new look? ARLnow debuted its shiny new design last week and we’re eager to hear what you think. (Unfortunately it contains zero gondolas.)

Congratulations on making it to Friday, everyone!

It’s a been a busy week for everyone, and especially those trying to catch up on all things Amazon.

This week, we wrote about how developer JBG Smith finalized a lease with the company, and we also revealed that Arlington is forwarding public records requests to Amazon without redacting filer’s personal information.

It’s also officially April now, which means festival season is around the corner. Check us out for the latest updates on the Arlington Palooza and the Columbia Pike Blues Festival where you can bust out your dancing shoes and take part in a variety of art workshops.

Here are some other stories from this week you may have missed:

• Longtime Clarendon Sports Bar Mister Days Closing Soon
• Clarendon Gym Owner Sentenced to Four Years in Prison for Attempted Cocaine Purchase
• Arlington Police, FBI Arrest 9 After Prostitution Bust
• Doughnut-Focused Cafe On the Way for Ballston Apartment Building
• Arlington’s Cybersecurity Training, Staff To Grow as Attacks Keep Increasing

Speaking of reading, what the best book you’ve read lately? Here’s a recently-published local book (and an author talk event) that may be of interest. Share your recommendations and plans for the weekend in the comments below.

The work week is over and spring is now fully upon us. But this writer worries you all might have missed ARLnow’s very own celebrity encounter in between the start of baseball season and cherry blossoms.

Today (Friday) yours truly was retweeted by none other than Captain Kirk himself.

William Shatner was continuing a spirited exchange about e-bikes that Arlington’s Department of Environmental Services began with the actor-turned-e-bike-enthusist back in November.

Shatner had commended NOVA Parks for lifting its ban on e-bikes on trails. And when asked by this intrepid reporter if he’d let us interview him about his zeal for zoom he didn’t say yes, but he also didn’t say no!

Many politicians lie 😱,Airey and this is QED. 😉 https://t.co/kIwO1rD95b

— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) March 29, 2019

Coincidentally it’s also going to be great weather for biking this weekend: temperatures are expected to reach around 75 degrees by Saturday afternoon.

But we understand if you need to take a minute indoors to catch up on what has been an epically strange news cycle this week. Here are some of the must-read stories worth catching up on:

1. Traffic Nightmare Continues As I-495 Inner Loop Remains Closed
2. Arlington Police, FBI Arrest 9 After Prostitution Bust
3. Drag Is Coming Out of The (Gay Bar) Closet in Arlington
4. A Pawn Shop in Crystal City is Selling a Pair of Super Bowl Rings and Trophies
5. Nearly 70 Rats and Mice Rescued from Arlington Hoarding Case Now Eligible for Adoption

Head down to the comments to discuss your worst commuting story, your favorite Star Trek episode or anything else of local interest.

It’s Friday everyone! This means the end of a busy week for Arlington with news about everything from transit updates to whether Arlington really does recycle its glass and how Amazon may already be affecting real estate development.

It’s also been a week for Arlingtonians making their voices heard — whether that’s by signing petitions to save high school crew teams or literally singing on The Voice.

Then there’s the weather, from flooding to sunshine — it’s been a rollercoaster. Even the dogs are happier now, at least until the thunderstorm warnings kicked in.

It's Friday which means an early #weatherpupdates with Tiko, a distinguished store proprietor in Ballston who thinks the dry weather this afternoon, which is expected to continue this weekend, is much better for business thank you very much. @ARLnowDOTcom pic.twitter.com/YVhxtv4VTh

— Airey (@howisthatlegal) March 22, 2019

It’s also been a big week for restaurants opening (and closing briefly thanks to electrical outages). Here’s five restaurant-related stories worth checking out:

1. New Mexican Restaurant TTT Opening Today in Clarendon
2. The Lot Beer Garden in Clarendon Plans Grand Opening for Next Spring
3. New Restaurant Coming to Walter Reed Drive ‘Bermuda Triangle’
4. New-Look Wendy’s Now Open on Route 7
5. The Pinemoor’ Coming to Former Clarendon Grill Space

What are you eating this weekend? Let us know your weekend plans, and share your thoughts on our stories in the comments below.

(Updated at 10 a.m.) Well folks, the warmer weather is now officially upon us. No more shall we have to shoulder our coats and mitten our hands — except for maybe this weekend when temperatures are expected to dip down into the low 30s after nightfall.

While this placates cold weather lovers like yours truly, I urge everyone to dress warm whether you’re spending your weekend watching, protesting or cheering on Saturday’s Amazon County Board vote, participating in the police’s anti-drunk driving event, or St. Patricks’ Day many anti-sober events.

When in doubt, I hear #weatherpupdates has the hard-hitting updates you need.

I do not know ZhaZha's age. ZhaZha had no time to answer my questions it's 70 degrees out and she has places to *be*

But head's up for everyone to remember to take a minute to grab a jacket if weekend temps do fall into the low 30s as forecasted #weatherpupdate @ARLnowDOTcom pic.twitter.com/ChRcbwLn0Z

— Airey (@howisthatlegal) March 15, 2019

In other news, our dearly departed Alex Koma is now officially with the Washington Business Journal. But Koma’s spirit lives on in a 3,200-word-blockbuster investigation into the county’s bitter battle over golf course taxes — just in time for National Sunshine Week which celebrates public information laws.

Other must-reads from this week include:

1. Virginia Hospital Center Prepares to Close Glencarlyn Childcare Center, Leaving Parents ‘Panicking’
2. Two New Restaurants Open in Ballston Quarter’s Food Court, With Others Nearly Ready for Diners
3. Clarendon Restaurant Le Kon Closed, With Plans to Reopen as ‘La Finca’
4. Plans Drawn Up for New, Six-Story Senior Living Center Along Lee Highway
5. Man Electrocuted During Fall at Columbia Pike Apartment Building

Let us know what you think of these and other local stories, and what your plans for the weekend are in the comments below. And a big thank you to all our readers who welcomed me to Arlington this week!

You might’ve spotted some snow flurries today, but this weekend figures to feature a major warm-up.

Though temperatures may remain a bit chilly through Saturday, the forecast includes rising temperatures up to the 50s by tomorrow afternoon. By Sunday, things could even make it to the 60s and 70s.

That makes it a fine end-of-winter weekend to check out one of the many events on our event calendar.

Or if you need to catch up on our most popular stories from the past week, look no further:

1. Arlington Couple Featured on Episode of HGTV’s ‘House Hunters’
2. New Polling Ranks Arlington Among Country’s Most Politically Intolerant Counties
3. Arlington Once Again Ranked ‘Best City to Live in America’
4. Ballston Quarter Food Court Opens to Customers, Though Just One Restaurant is Serving Meals
5. Police: Man Broke into Apartment, Kissed Sleeping Woman on the Cheek

Head down to the comments to discuss these stories, your weekend plans or anything else local. Have a great weekend!

Flickr pool photo via Tom Mockler

Keep your eyes peeled for another round of snow and wintry mix tonight into tomorrow morning.

It seems March has plenty of cold weather left, with evening an outside shot at some snow Sunday night in the forecast.

But if you feel like braving the cold, you can check out our round-up of popular events around the county. And if you’re driving around Ballston, watch out for a major road closure near Ballston Quarter this weekend.

If you’d rather stay inside, you can always catch up on our most popular stories of the past week:

1. Students at Rosslyn’s Argosy University Left Without Federal Aid Cash, As School Faces Financial Woes
2. Ballston Quarter Misses Proposed Opening Date for New Food Court, Targets Early March
3. Pedestrian Struck in GW Parkway Crosswalk, A Frequent Spot for Dangerous Crashes
4. In Rare Public Appearance, Amazon Leaders Pledge to Become ‘Good Neighbors’ in Arlington
5. Redevelopment of American Legion Post into Affordable Housing Complex Wins County Approval

Head down to the comments to discuss these stories, your weekend plans or anything else local. Have a great weekend!

Flickr pool photo via wolfkann

It may not be the snow we saw earlier this week, but the weather is looking a bit wet this weekend.

Forecasters expect a full day of rain Saturday, though most showers should clear out by Sunday.

So be sure to pack an umbrella if you’re heading out to the “Feel the Heritage” festival tomorrow or any of the other events around the county this weekend.

Or stay inside and catch up on our most popular stories of the past week:

1. Residents of Ballston Apartments Feel Blindsided by Plans to Convert Building into Marymount Dorm
2. New Curb Extension Blocks Off Right-Turn Lane in Ballston, Prompting Headaches for Drivers
3. County Officials, Activists Say Amazon Executives Have Failed to Engage with Arlington Community
4. Nauck Leaders to Mull Renaming Neighborhood, Pointing to Namesake’s Confederate Ties
5. As Amazon Moves In, Crystal City Business Group Works to Expand to Pentagon City, Potomac Yard

Head down to the comment to discuss these stories, your weekend plans or anything else local. Have a great weekend!

Flickr pool photo via Tom Mockler

Enjoy this unseasonably warm weather while you can, as the holiday weekend looks set to feel a bit more like February.

Forecasters say a cold front will roll through tomorrow (Saturday), giving us the chance of seeing a bit of snow, or perhaps just rain. But the worst of that should fizzle out by tomorrow night, with a dry Sunday and Presidents Day on tap after that.

Check out our event calendar if you’re looking for ways to spend the long weekend. Or you can catch up on our most popular stories of the past week:

1. Young Women in Arlington Boast the Highest Average Credit Score in the Country
2. Arlington Resident Pleads Guilty to $20 Million Fraud
3. Marymount Buys Ballston Apartment Building, Converting It to Housing for Students and Staff
4. Amazon Cancels NYC HQ2 Plans, But Leaders Say ‘Nothing Has Changed’ for Arlington
5. Police Responding to Bank Robbery on Columbia Pike

Head down to the comments to discuss these stories, your plans for the holiday weekend or anything else local. We’ll be publishing on a reduced schedule Monday, but we’ll back to normal on Tuesday. See you then!

Flickr pool photo via eschweik

Say goodbye to all that unseasonably warm weather we’ve had recently — it seems winter is making a comeback.

Forecasters say temperatures will plummet tonight, with plenty of gusty winds returning for both Saturday and Sunday. There’s even some chance of snow early next week.

Still, if you feel like braving the cold, you can check out our event calendar for some suggestions of things to do around Arlington this weekend.

Or stay by the fire and read up on our most popular stories of the past week:

1. Lynn Street Closed After Explosion Heard in Rosslyn
2. Disturbing Video Prompts Arrest of Falls Church Teen
3. ‘Never Let a Crisis Go to Waste’: Amazon Prompts Debate Over How to Make Arlington Homes Affordable
4. Thousands of Lottery Tickets Are Littering 10th Street Near Clarendon
5. D.C. Bar ‘Rebellion’ Plans Expansion into Old BrickHaus Space on Columbia Pike

Head down to the comment to discuss these stories, your weekend plans, or anything else local. Have a great one!

Flickr pool photo via Jim Havard

It’s been a week full of snow, but spring-like conditions are possible this weekend.

Once the snow flurries finish tapering off, the forecast calls for temperatures to rise into the 40s and 50s for the weekend, with even warmer days possible next week.

Swing by our event calendar if you need some suggestions on how to enjoy the nice weather this weekend, or where to watch the Patriots and the Rams square off Sunday.

Or you can catch up on our most popular stories of the past week:

1. Person Struck by Train at Courthouse Metro Station
2. Arlington Must Open Up Single-Family Neighborhoods to Different Housing Options, Advocates Argue
3. ACPD Investigating Shooting in Nauck
4. Spider Kelly’s Co-Owner Launching New Restaurant ‘The Freshman’ in Crystal City
5. Long-Vacant Ballston Office Building Could Soon Lure New Tenants as Part of Revitalization Bid

Head down to the comments to discuss these stories, your weekend plans or anything else local. Have a great one!