‘Arlington Pub’ Opens at Clarendon Whole Foods
(Updated at 4:55 p.m.) Customers at the Whole Foods store in Clarendon (2700 Wilson Blvd) can now sit back and enjoy a coffee, or something a little stronger, at the newly opened “Arlington Pub.”
The venue is on the second level of the store, but customers may also bring their beverage purchases downstairs while they shop. According to Clarendon Whole Foods Marketing Team Leader Jackie Zovko, it just passed inspection on Friday, employee training took place this past weekend, and the pub officially opened for business yesterday (Monday).
Right now, the focus is on drinks. The pub offers 100% certified organic coffee, draft beers and wines by the glass. All of the beers are made withing a 200 mile range and will rotate based on availability and customer feedback. Right now, the list includes Dogfish Head Punkin Ale, Lost Rhino Rhinofest and Port City Derecho Common Ale. Wines, which will also rotate, run from $4-$6 per glass.
“We’re really trying to stay within a reasonable price point,” said Zovko.
Eventually, the pub will start serving snacks such as cheeses and olives from the specialty food departments downstairs. The goal is to begin serving from a more extensive menu at some point in the future.
Several other Whole Foods stores in the D.C. metro region also launched pubs this year. Zovko believes customers in Arlington will enjoy the ability to relax with a drink.
“It’s based on what our customers want,” she said. “It’s also great for us because we’re able to feature things that are in line with our core values — 100% organic coffee and also local beers.”
Customers have been trickling since yesterday as they look up and spot the pub. Zovko believes the convenience makes the pub stand apart from similar bars in the area.
“Being able to grocery shop and then come upstairs for a quick beer or to linger a little bit, it’s kind of a nice idea,” said Zovko. “We love Arlington, we love the community, and we just feel like there’s room for everybody.”
A grand opening celebration had been originally scheduled for this week, but has been pushed back due to some delays in get permits and opening the venue. The new date is Thursday, October 4 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. It involves a special installation of the ongoing “Wine :30″ events on Thursdays, which highlight wines and food pairings. This time, the “Beer O’Clock” event will feature beers at five stations throughout the store, with the fifth station being in the new pub. There’s a $5 fee to participate. The pub will also offer happy hour specials and free coffee during the grand opening.
UPDATE (3): Storm Brings Wind, Rain to Arlington
Update at 3:45 p.m. – Police are reporting high standing water on eastbound Route 50 in the area of Courthouse.
Update at 3:30 p.m. – Dominion is reporting only 93 customers without power in Arlington at this time.
Update at 3:20 p.m. — A tree has fallen into a house in the Claremont neighborhood, knocking over the chimney, according to scanner traffic. The tree also struck some power lines.
Update at 2:55 p.m. — The National Weather Service has just issued a Flash Flood Warning for Arlington and the surrounding area.
BULLETIN – EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
250 PM EDT TUE SEP 18 2012THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A
* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR… THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA… MONTGOMERY COUNTY IN CENTRAL MARYLAND… CITY OF FALLS CHURCH IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… ARLINGTON COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… NORTHWESTERN PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY IN CENTRAL MARYLAND… NORTHERN FAIRFAX COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA…
* UNTIL 545 PM EDT
* AT 246 PM EDT…NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED VERY HEAVY RAIN CAPABLE OF PRODUCING FLASH FLOODING. RADAR ESTIMATES THAT ADDITIONAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF UP TO 2 INCHES CAN BE EXPECTED. AN INCH OF RAIN MAY FALL IN AS LITTLE AS 15 MINUTES…WHICH WILL RAPIDLY CAUSE PONDING OF WATER ON ROADWAYS. ADDITIONAL RAIN WOULD LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING.
* SOME LOCATIONS THAT ARE AFFECTED BY THE HEAVY RAIN INCLUDE ARLINGTON…BALLSTON…CHANTILLY…FALLS CHURCH…GREAT FALLS… HERNDON…MCLEAN…RESTON…ROSSLYN…TYSONS CORNER…VIENNA… BETHESDA…CHEVY CHASE…COLESVILLE…GAITHERSBURG… GERMANTOWN…OLNEY…POTOMAC…ROCKVILLE…TAKOMA PARK… ANACOSTIA…GEORGETOWN…DOWNTOWN WASHINGTON.
EXCESSIVE RUNOFF FROM HEAVY RAINFALL WILL CAUSE FLASH FLOODING OF SMALL CREEKS AND STREAMS…URBAN AREAS…HIGHWAYS…STREETS… UNDERPASSES AND OTHER DRAINAGE AREAS AND LOW LYING SPOTS.
The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Arlington through 3:15 p.m.
Forecasters are warning of very dangerous conditions during the storm, which is approaching from the southwest.
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A
* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR… THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA… MONTGOMERY COUNTY IN CENTRAL MARYLAND… CITY OF FAIRFAX IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… CITY OF FALLS CHURCH IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… CITY OF MANASSAS IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… ARLINGTON COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… CITY OF MANASSAS PARK IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… CITY OF ALEXANDRIA IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… SOUTHEASTERN LOUDOUN COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… EASTERN FAUQUIER COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… FAIRFAX COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA…
* UNTIL 315 PM EDT
* AT 213 PM EDT… SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WERE DETECTED ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM WARRENTON TO BEALETON… AND WERE MOVING NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH. THIS LINE OF STORMS IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH. SEVERE WINDS ARE EXPECTED DESPITE VERY LITTLE LIGHTNING BEING ASSOCIATED WITH THIS LINE.
* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE… HAYMARKET… MANASSAS… BULL RUN… ARCOLA… SOUTH RIDING… CENTREVILLE… LAKE RIDGE…
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
THIS IS A DANGEROUS LINE OF STORMS. IF YOU ARE IN ITS PATH… MOVE INDOORS TO A STURDY BUILDING AND STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS. WHEN IT IS SAFE TO DO SO… REPORT SEVERE WEATHER TO LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OR TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.
Photo (above) courtesy @jdhague4. Photo (below) courtesy WJLA.
Ask Adam: Winning the Home in a Competitive Situation
This periodic sponsored Q&A column is written by Adam Gallegos of Arlington-based real estate firm Arbour Realty. Please submit follow-up questions in the comments section or via email.
Question: Are you seeing competition for homes in Arlington? If so, what is the best way to win?
I am seeing more competition for homes in Arlington than I expected to see this year. Unless housing supply begins to catch up with demand for certain types of homes in Arlington, this trend is likely to continue.
The most obvious variable in a purchase contract is price, but nobody wants to pay more than they need to. It would be nice if we knew exactly what others have offered, but the listing agent is not allowed to share this information unless he or she has written consent from the seller to do so. Most sellers don’t feel the need to share this information so you are usually going to be in the dark about the amount of other offers.
You can, however, include an escalation clause with your contract. An escalation clause allows you to start with a certain price while allowing your offer price to escalate in predetermined increments until it gets to a maximum or beats the other offers. For example, you could write your offer for $500,000 with an escalation to $510,000 in $1,000 increments. If the other highest offer is $505,000 your offer would escalate to $506,000. That does not mean you automatically win the contract. In fact, I have seen plenty of situation where the person offering $505,000 (in this example) wins the contract.
You have to keep in mind that there are many other criteria being considered in an offer beyond price. Below are seven items you can use to strengthen an offer for little or no cost. You may also want to consider these seven items to strengthen your negotiation position even if you are the only one writing an offer on the home you want.
1) Earnest Money Deposit (EMD)
In Arlington, we are usually able to get away with an EMD equal to about 1% of the purchase price. Sellers prefer to see more because it makes them feel as though you are more committed to the purchase. Assuming you fulfill your obligations under the contract, this money is credited back to you at settlement. Therefore, why not increase the EMD amount to strengthen your offer? Talk to your Realtor about a percentage that makes sense for your situation.
2) Appraisal Contingency
Most contracts request 21 days or more for the appraisal contingency. The regional contract even suggests that 21 days is typical. Sellers prefer for this contingency to be as short as possible so they know the outcome sooner than later. Let me share a secret, most lenders can get an appraisal completed in 3 days if they need to. I guarantee you that mine can. Why not shorten the contingency period? Talk to your Realtor and lender to decide on a number of days that they can live up to.
Men Accused of Assaulting Party Bus Driver
Update on 4/2/13 — Charges against the suspects have been dropped, court records show.
Police arrested two Arlington men on Saturday and charged them with assaulting the driver of a party bus.
According to police, the incident happened around 9:20 p.m. after the party bus — also called a “keg bus” — had returned to the East Falls Church Metro station from the West Virginia University/James Madison University football game at FedEx Field in Maryland. The bus had been “trashed,” according to police, and the driver demanded extra payment for cleaning and for the extra hour and a half the bus had been in use over the original scheduled time.
At that point, police say, three intoxicated suspects on the bus started punching and kicking the driver. The suspects then fled the scene, leaving the individual who used his credit card to pay for the bus behind, according to Arlington County Police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck.
The bus driver suffered a busted lip, swollen eye and bruises, Sternbeck said, but did not require hospitalization.
Eventually, police caught up with two of the suspects. Matthew —- and Cory —-, both 23-year-old Arlington residents, were arrested and charged with assault by mob. Both were held without bond. So far, police have not been able to locate the third suspect.
Sternbeck did not know whether the bus passengers were WVU or JMU fans.
Tornado Watch Issued for Arlington
Arlington and the entire D.C. area is under a Tornado Watch through 7:00 tonight.
Forecasters say a line of strong storms will make its way through the area between 1:00 and 7:00 p.m. The storms could produce damaging winds, heavy rains and isolated tornadoes, according to the National Weather Service.
SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED ALONG AND AHEAD OF A COLD FRONT THROUGH THIS EVENING. HEAVY DOWNPOURS COULD LEAD TO LOCALIZED FLASH FLOODING. IN ADDITION…SOME THUNDERSTORMS MAY BE SEVERE AND PRODUCE DAMAGING WIND GUSTS AND ISOLATED TORNADOES. THE MOST LIKELY TIME FOR SEVERE WEATHER LOOKS TO BE FROM 1 PM TO 7 PM.
Board Again Defers Permit for Pines of Italy
The months-long effort by Pines of Italy (3111 Columbia Pike) to obtain a live entertainment permit continues, as the County Board chose once again to defer the issue.
The Board had previously deferred the issue at its April meeting in an effort to give the business owners more time to prove themselves worthy of being granted a permit. Similar to past meetings, residents from the surrounding area showed up on Saturday to voice concerns about issuing the permit. They cited the property’s history of consistent problems with patrons being violent and noisy. Some neighbors noted how peaceful the neighborhood has been for approximately six months because there has been no live entertainment on the site.
“The past six months have been a welcome reprieve from some of the extreme loud noise and violence,” said resident Aristia Glinka.
The county staff report for the permit had recommended approving the permit if the property owners agree to meet a series of conditions. However, Board members expressed concern that existing conditions had not been met, and there is no evidence that future conditions would be adhered to.
Although there have not been violent incidents during the past several months, Board members didn’t believe the owners had met the condition of fostering a relationship with the community. Tajalli did attend one Arlington Heights Civic Association meeting, but the Board said one meeting does not prove sufficient for making amends after all the previous years of poor relations.
“I think the neighbors are generally concerned about the lack of communication. We went over this in great detail last time,” Board member Walter Tejada said. “It’s really not acceptable from what I’ve heard so far, your lack of communicating.”
Another sticking point is Jorge Escobar’s continued involvement with the business. He has owned the property for more than a decade, including during the period when a previous entertainment permit was revoked.
The property currently has three partners who oversee the three different parts of the property — a restaurant, hookah bar and night club. Ali Tajalli, who manages the restaurant portion, said one business would not be able to handle the $15,000 a month cost of rent, so all three pay Escobar $5,000 each month.
Tajalli further explained his inability to keep the business open if the permit is not approved. He said that without all three partners contributing to the rent, the businesses will have to close in a matter of months. He asserted that being allowed to stay open until 2:00 a.m. for a six month trial period would keep the property afloat, while allowing an adequate period for the owners to prove themselves to the county.
Dad Accused of Taking Nude Photos of Exchange Student
Police are investigating an Arlington man accused of surreptitiously taking nude photos and video of the female foreign exchange student his family was hosting.
According to a police report, the exchange student discovered the images of herself while she was trying to print out photos from her host father’s USB drive at a CVS store. The photos had apparently been taken through a window. The girl became upset and confronted the man, who then broke out crying, according to police.
The girl had been hosted at a house on the 2800 block of N. Beechwood Circle in the Donaldson Run area. After the incident she gathered her belongings, left the home and stayed at a friend’s house, before returning to her native Germany, according to Arlington County Police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck.
Sternbeck declined to release the girl’s exact age or the school she was attending because she is a juvenile. The girl has not yet pressed charges and no arrests have been made, but police are continuing to investigate the incident.
Morning Notes
$23 Million House Up for Auction — Its address might say McLean, but a $23 million house that’s now up for auction on Chain Bridge Road is technically located in Arlington. The house, once featured on the MTV show “Teen Cribs,” will be auctioned off at the Arlington County Courthouse on Sept. 27 after its owner went into foreclosure. [Curbed, Tranzon Auction]
School Bus Stop Next to Sex Offender’s House — A local mom is lobbying Arlington Public Schools to get her middle-school-aged daughter’s bus stop moved, after finding out that the stop is located near a convicted child sex offender’s house. [WUSA 9]
APS Not Formulating New School Names, Yet — Arlington Public Schools say the process for naming two new elementary schools expected to be built over the next couple of years will start when the schools’ boundaries have been decided. At that point, a committee of parents, teachers, staff and residents will be formed to recommend a name. If the school is to be named after a person, that person must have been dead for at least five years. [Sun Gazette]
Lacrosse Team Selling Mulch — As part of a fundraiser, the Yorktown boys lacrosse team is selling hardwood mulch for delivery. The mulch, which is $4.95 for a 3 cubic foot bag (minimum 10 bags) will be delivered by on Saturday, Oct. 13. The deadline for ordering is Oct. 2. [YHS Patriot Lacrosse]
