Car Break-Ins a Regular Occurrence in Arlington
A common theme has emerged from the Arlington Police Department’s daily crime reports. Thieves have been targeting parked cars in Arlington, breaking into multiple vehicles on the same block with surprising regularity.
The location of the crimes has varied, as has the type of items taken from the vehicles. Wheels, GPS navigation units, even coins have been reported stolen.
Yesterday alone the police department reported a total of eight auto break-ins.
At least 23 “larcenies from auto” have been reported since the first of the month, according to public figures. The police department only reports instances in which multiple cars were broken into by the same suspect or suspects, leaving the possibility that the actual number of auto break-ins is significantly higher.
However, police tell us the rate of break-ins is “pretty normal.”
It’s worth noting that 12 cars and motorcycles were reported stolen during the same period.
Date Set for Arlington Home Show and Expo
The annual Arlington Home Show and Expo will return next month with numerous opportunities to learn about the latest trends in home improvement and green technology.
The expo is being held from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 10, at the Walter Reed Community Center (2909 16th St. S.).
The press release announcing the expo’s return, after the jump.
The New, Improved Spider Kelly’s Is Open for Business
The concept for the original Spider Kelly’s was “a neighborhood hole in the wall,” says general manager and co-owner Nick Freshman. But the former hole in the wall has knocked down a few walls to become one of the biggest bars in Clarendon.
Spider Kelly’s has quietly taken the paper off the windows and opened for business, attracting about 100 customers last night, its first night open since renovations began in December. What would have been a big crowd at a normal bar was well under a quarter of Spider Kelly’s certified capacity of 455.
Pool tables, shuffleboard tables, dart boards and arcade-style video games have been brought in to add “more fun” to the neighborhood hangout. The well-received, value-priced menu has been expanded (more on that after the jump). Outdoor sidewalk seating for about 32 people will be added once the weather is warm enough, probably by the beginning of May.
The motivation for the new Spider Kelly’s was part vision, part opportunism. Just as the original Spider Kelly’s opened in 2008 by taking over the lease of a struggling restaurant, the new Spider Kelly’s came about largely because two neighboring businesses were looking to move or close up shop.
“We like to think of it as a natural evolution,” Freshman says. He and business partner Nick Langman — who also co-owns Clarendon Ballroom and Eventide Restaurant — dreamed up the idea of a “neighborhood spot, no pretension, just relaxed” back in college, a genesis that perhaps explains the obscure Hemmingway reference (Spider Kelly was a very minor character in “The Sun Also Rises”).
“It wasn’t without a certain amount of trepidation that we decided to expand,” Freshman said. Despite the lagging economy, Freshman says he Langman were impressed by Clarendon’s “resiliency,” including its ability to support the host of new food and nightlife options that have popped up in the past two years.
“I wouldn’t want be in any other neighborhood,” Freshman said, quipping that, in the end, “we figured someone has to get the economy going again, so we decided to quadruple in size.”
Spider Kelly’s will open at 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and at 11:00 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Lots of photos, and a first look at the new food and drink menus, after the jump.
To Do Tonight: Clarendon St. Paddy’s Day Parade
The first (annual?) Clarendon St. Patrick’s Day parade kicks off tonight at 8:00 p.m. at the intersection of Wilson Blvd and N. Barton St.
Homegrown floats will roll down the parade route towards the Clarendon Metro station, accompanied by people in costume. Expect plenty of green beads to be thrown to the crowd lining Wilson Blvd.
No word yet on whether organizers will also be distributing purple and yellow beads. The St. Patrick’s Day parade was created as a substitute for the annual Mardi Gras parade, which was canceled this year due to snow.
Dogma Opening Shirlington Location
Yorktown-area boutique pet store and “gourmet dog bakery” Dogma is expanding with a Shirlington Village location.
The Shirlington Village Blog reports that the new Dogma is opening in the storefront where Curves used to be. Expect the store to open by May 1st.
Fourth Time’s a Charm for Chain Bridge Closure?
Road crews will try again to perform reconstruction work on the deck of Chain Bridge this weekend. The work will completely close Chain Bridge to traffic and pedestrians from 8:00 p.m. Friday to 5:00 a.m. Monday.
This is the fourth attempt to perform the repair work. The first two scheduled closures were snowed out; this past weekend’s planned closure was rained out.
Motorists are asked to seek alternate routes across the Potomac this weekend. Possible detours include the American Legion, Key, Roosevelt, Memorial and 14th Street Bridges.
