War of Words Between Favola, Areizaga-Soto Continues
The war of words between Democratic state Senate candidates Barbara Favola and Jaime Areizaga-Soto continued today.
Following Areizaga-Soto’s criticism of Favola’s campaign contributors, and the recent release of new fundraising disclosures, Favola’s campaign went on the offensive today and attacked the source of the $160,000 in personal funds Areizaga-Soto loaned to his own campaign.
The Favola campaign issued the following press release this afternoon:
Jaime Areizaga-Soto and his supporters continue to attack Barbara Favola and her campaign contributors. As an elected official, Barbara has always been 100% transparent with her voting record, expenses, campaign contributions and expenditures. Today, the Favola campaign is asking Mr. Areizaga-Soto to meet that same standard.
“Jaime is self-funding his campaign with an unprecedented amount of personal money. He calls himself a ‘self-made man’ and we respect that.” said Adam Scott Favola’s Campaign Manager,” But we also think voters have a right to know how he made himself.”
According to his resume, Jaime Areizaga-Soto worked for some of the world’s largest corporate law firms and “major international corporations.” His resume also says he was “lead attorney” for development projects involving “gas-fired power plants, electricity turbines, toll-roads, oil and gas pipelines, electricity transmission lines and refineries.”
“The international developers and corporations, where Jaime made himself, prioritize profits over people and Barbara Favola has never done that.” Adam Scott.
Areizaga-Soto, meanwhile, responded by telling ARLnow.com that the money he loaned to his campaign was the result of hard work and diligent savings.
“My opponent has the advantage of $25,000 checks from developers she green-lit for multi-million dollar projects, as well as thousands of dollars from a funder that has given over $175,000 to right-wing republicans like Ken Cuccinelli,” he said in a brief emailed statement. “I’ve worked hard all my life and saved diligently. I’m grateful to have the ability and honored to make the investment in the opportunity to serve in the Virginia Senate.”
New Pentagon City Post Office Now Open
Pentagon City’s new post office opened on S. Fern Street today.
The post office, complete with woodgrain accents and plenty of light thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows, replaces an old, dingy post office at 1720 S. Eads Street. With today’s opening, the Eads Street post office is now closed to customers.
The new post office, at 1301 S. Fern Street, is located in the ground floor of the the Millennium at Metropolitan Park apartment building, across from Costco.
UPDATED: Firefighters Battle Blaze in Ft. Myer Heights
(Updated at 2:40 p.m.) Firefighters battled an apartment fire on the 1600 block of N. Queen Street in Ft. Myer Heights this afternoon.
A resident reported fire on the second floor of a garden-style apartment building just after 1:15 p.m. Firefighters arrived and found flames and smoke. A second alarm was called as a precaution, due to the hot weather. Firefighters on the scene were given plenty water; some had their blood pressure checked.
Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the blaze, according to ACFD spokesman Lt. Gregg Karl. No injuries were reported. The Red Cross has arrived on scene to assist displaced residents.
Lopez Receives Conservation Endorsement
Alfonso Lopez, Democratic candidate for the House of Delegates 49th District, has picked up the endorsement of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters, which advocates for environmental issues.
“We need leaders in Richmond who are prepared to champion the environment and will be strong advocates for Virginia values,” Lisa Guthrie, the League’s executive director, said in a statement. “In the 49th District, one candidate is clearly prepared to be a champion for Virginia’s environment. Alfonso will fight for our priorities.”
Lopez said he was “honored to receive the endorsement.”
Last week Lopez’s primary opponent, Stephanie Clifford, reported raising $7,825 in cash from April 1 to June 30. After a $9,000 personal loan from Clifford, the campaign had $5,650 cash on hand.
Lopez reported raising $24,930 in cash during the same period, heading into the final stretch of the primary with $20,965 cash on hand. On Aug. 23, voters will decide which candidate moves on to the general election.
Traffic Light Dark After Accident in Pentagon City
(Updated at 12:45 p.m.) The traffic light at the busy intersection of Army Navy Drive and S. Hayes Street is dark after a older model Mercedes sedan crashed into the traffic signal control box.
Police were directing traffic at the busy intersection, which is located across from the Pentagon City mall. The intersection handles Pentagon City traffic exiting and entering I-395. Backups are minor at this time, but police are not allowing drivers to make left-hand turns. County crews were seen erecting portable stop signs just before noon.
Dominion has reportedly been delayed in responding to the scene due to a power outage in Alexandria. Police have been told the repairs may last for much of the day.
Pete’s To Begin Segway Pizza Delivery Tomorrow
Pete’s New Haven Apizza will begin its delivery service tomorrow.
As we reported last month, the restaurant will deliver pizzas via mopeds, cars and, for addresses within a mile of Pete’s Clarendon location, via Segway. Pete’s co-owner Joel Mehr called the restaurant’s custom-modified Segway “an extremely efficient way to deliver to urban residents.
At least at first, delivery will only be available in the evening, from 5:00 p.m. to close.
Pete’s opened nearly four months ago at 3017 Clarendon Boulevard. The restaurant’s phone number is 703.527.PETE.
Pinkberry Sets Opening Date for Clarendon Location
Clarendon’s new Pinkberry frozen yogurt store will be opening on August 5, the company announced last night.
The store will have the address of 1220 N. Filmore Street, but will face Clarendon Boulevard, next to the new Cava restaurant. This will be the third D.C. area location for the California-based company, which claims to have started the national frozen yogurt craze.
In a press release, the company said the Clarendon store will offer “only the highest quality ingredients.”
The Clarendon location will be serving six distinctive Pinkberry flavors: the signature Original flavor, a sweet and tangy yogurt with a refreshing finish; a rich, indulgent Chocolate; Mango, a fruity and light flavor made with authentic Alphonso mango puree; Pomegranate, a bold and tangy flavor made with 100 percent California-grown pure pomegranate juice; Watermelon, a crisp and refreshing summertime favorite and Salted Caramel, a featured flavor that is the perfect blend of salty and sweet.
Pinkberry customers can personalize every yogurt experience with dozens of combination of toppings like Grade-A fresh fruit that is hand-cut daily in-store, organic gummy bears with no high fructose corn syrup, all natural honey almond granola, 100% pure Pomegranate juice, or rich, premium Belgian chocolate shavings.
In addition to frozen yogurt and toppings for immediate consumption, Pinkberry also offers Pinkberry Take Home, 25 ounces of Pinkberry, swirled-to-order and packed on ice to ensure your Swirly Goodness will get home safely to your freezer. Pinkberry also offers Fruit Parfaits, Smoothies, and Fresh Fruit Bowls as fresh, satisfying choices for any time of day.
Pinkberry will compete with an existing Red Mango frozen yogurt store down the street. Pinkberry will be open Sunday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. until midnight. It will stay open until 1:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Morning Notes
Monday Hopes to Enliven Rosslyn’s Restaurant Scene — Building owner Monday Properties is hoping to bring in some new restaurants to the Rosslyn area and shake off the “stigma” that there’s no nighttime foot traffic in the office-oriented neighborhood. The company just signed two new restaurants — Roti Mediterranean Grill at 1501 Wilson Blvd and Ahra Cafe & Sandwich Bar at 1100 Wilson Blvd. It’s hoping to find more restaurant tenants for its 1501 Wilson property. Ahra Cafe, meanwhile, is replacing three existing businesses, including a beloved coffee shop. [Washington Business Journal]
Stamos Handily Wins Fundraising Crown in Prosecutor Race — Theo Stamos has a nearly 30-to-1 cash advantage over David Deane in the Democratic primary for Commonwealth’s Attorney in Arlington. [Sun Gazette]
Sauca Now Serves Beer, Liquor — Sauca Restaurant (4707 Columbia Pike) has obtained its liquor license and is now serving a selection of beer and fruity cocktails. [Pike Wire]
Best Cellars in Clarendon Closes — Best Cellars in Clarendon opened its doors to customers for the last time yesterday. The wine store closed after being unable to reach new terms for a long-term lease renewal with its landlord, ARLnow.com is told. However, in the store’s window was a more humorous list of explanations for the closing. [Clarendon Culture]
