Good Friday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Feb 9, 2024.

• 9:30 am: Three candidates join the Arlington School Board race | 🗣️ Comments
• 10:30 am: Starting tonight, National Landing is going all out for Valentine’s Day | 🗣️ Comments
• 11:30 am: Electronics and hazardous household item recycling event to return next month | 🗣️ Comments
• 12:45 pm: ACPD: Women pushing child in stroller robbed store and threatened clerk in Ballston | 🗣️ Comments
• 1:45 pm: BREAKING: Police announce arrest after rape investigation in Crystal City | 🗣️ Comments
• 2:45 pm: County leaders says Columbia Pike’s future looks ‘bright’ as construction nears completion | 🗣️ Comments

Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.

1. Report: Arlington’s first guaranteed income pilot boosted quality of life for poorest residents (15607 views)
2. JUST IN: Rebellion on the Pike to close (10442 views)
3. Andy’s Pizza set to replace former Virginia Square deli (8829 views)
4. Arlington-born juicery South Block looks to add 35 locations after getting acquired by a private equity firm (8702 views)
5. An uptick in paid holidays for 12-month APS employees rankles School Board watchdog and some teachers (8664 views)
6. Harsher summers and young workers leaving could test Arlington in coming decades, panelists say (7792 views)
7. Morning Poll: Which of these new restaurants are you most looking forward to? (6109 views)
8. Brothers behind El Ray and Café Colline to open French bistro-inspired bar and restaurant in Crystal City (3768 views)
9. Rosslyn’s newest residential tower nears completion while adjacent hotel slated for late 2025 debut (3750 views)
10. ‘DC Tattoo Expo’ returns to Arlington next weekend (3387 views)

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Saturday in Arlington, from our event calendar.

• 12:01 am: Barcroft Elementary School Online Auction
• 10:00 am: Arlington Central Library Makerspace Open House
• 10:00 am: Open House – February 10th
• 11:30 am: Miss Evita’s Family Drag Lunch
• 1:00 pm: Won’t You Be My Owlentine?
• 👉 7:30 pm: National Chamber Ensemble – Passion Of The Tango
• 10:30 pm: Grand Opening – Open House

Here are the events planned for Sunday:

• 12:01 am: Barcroft Elementary School Online Auction
• 👉 8:00 am: St. Ann Giant Used Book Sale !
• 👉 3:00 pm: Super Bowl LVIII Watch Party – The Renegade
• 6:00 pm: Big Game Watch Party at Punch Bowl Social
• 7:00 pm: Black Codebreakers at Arlington Hall in WWII

🌦️ Saturday’s forecast

Expect scattered showers primarily between 10am and 2pm, with a cloudy sky and a high of around 64°F. There will be a southwest wind blowing at 5 to 10 mph. In the evening, anticipate isolated showers before 10pm and possibly some more rain after 1am, alongside a low of about 47°F and southwest wind at 7 mph. Both daytime and nighttime have a 30% chance of precipitation. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Mohammed preached love and the brotherhood of man.”
– Anwar Sadat

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

We hope you have a great weekend, Arlington! Feel free to discuss the most-read stories of the week, the upcoming weekend events or anything else of local interest in the comments. 👋

As a 15-year-long project to rebuild Columbia Pike with wider sidewalks and underground utilities enters its last construction phase, county leaders say they are seeing early signs of a promising future.

On Thursday, the Columbia Pike Partnership held its third annual “State of the Pike,” during which Arlington County’s department heads delivered a comprehensive overview of the Pike’s housing market and local economy via Zoom.

Despite the construction’s impact on walkability and traffic flow, officials noted that the area’s retail, office and multifamily apartment vacancies fall well below the county average. Still, they say, neighborhoods on the Pike still face persistent challenges, such as addressing graffiti and revitalizing a stagnant office market.

For nearly two decades, construction along the Pike has been a constant presence for businesses, residents and commuters alike. The constant construction thrum is not likely to abate until late 2025, according to County Deputy Director of Transportation Hui Wang.

While these improvements have made the Pike more walkable and leafier, some county officials have noted that they have also hurt some businesses. At the same time, other business owners are finding it difficult to secure retail space, notes Arlington Economic Development Deputy Director Kate Ange.

“So, there is strong demand for retail, which means there’s not a lot of space,” she told attendees of the 2024 State of the Pike forum. “And that’s both an opportunity, but also could be a challenge.”

In the first quarter of 2023, the retail vacancy rate along Columbia Pike was approximately 2%, which previous studies of the Pike attributed to the Pike’s legacy businesses — now becoming a threatened breed — leasing older, less expensive storefronts. In contrast, the county’s overall retail vacancy rate was about 5%.

Ange highlighted the low retail vacancy rates as a clear sign that the local economy is on the mend post-pandemic, crediting a surge in consumer spending.

The same cannot be said for the office vacancy rate in Arlington, which was at nearly 25% as of last month. Ange acknowledged hybrid and remote work continues to affect commercial office space across the county, and Columbia Pike, which has approximately a 7% office vacancy rate, is no exception.

That being said, she noted that the demand for office space along the Pike is still “high” compared to other commercial districts.

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A 40-year-old Arlington man has been charged with raping a woman in Crystal City early Thursday morning.

Police say the man started talking to a woman who was walking in the neighborhood around 2:15 a.m., before sexually and physically assaulting her in an outdoor area along 12th Street S., near Long Bridge Park.

Following an investigation, he was arrested that night during a traffic stop.

More, below, from Arlington police.

The Arlington County Police Department’s Special Victims Unit is announcing the arrest of an Arlington man following a sexual assault investigation in Crystal City. Vernon Koning, 40, was arrested and charged with Rape and Strangulation. He is being held without bond in the Arlington County Detention Facility.

At approximately 2:15 a.m. on February 8, police were dispatched to the report of a rape. The preliminary investigation indicates the female victim was walking in the area when she became engaged in conversation with the suspect. The suspect led the victim to an outdoor area in the 200 block of 12th Street S. where he sexually and physically assaulted her. Following the assault, the victim ran from the scene and sought assistance in the 900 block of Long Bridge Drive.

Police immediately initiated a comprehensive criminal investigation. A review of evidence and witness interviews led detectives to the identity of the suspect. He was taken into custody following a traffic stop on the evening of February 8.

This remains an active criminal investigation. Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is asked to contact Detective Maldonado at 703-228-4194 or [email protected]. Information may also be provided anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). For additional community resources and contact information, visit our website.

Two women from D.C. are facing charges after police say they robbed a store in Ballston while pushing a child in a baby stroller.

The alleged crime happened around 11 p.m. Thursday night on the 4200 block of Fairfax Drive, across from the Metro. A 7-Eleven is the only store on that block that appears to keep late night hours.

Police say the women threatened a store employee and threw an item at them before fleeing into the Ballston Metro station. They were subsequently detained in Courthouse.

More, below, from Friday’s Arlington County Police Department crime report.

ROBBERY, 2024-02080255, 4200 block of Fairfax Drive. At approximately 11:06 p.m. on February 8, police were dispatched to the report of a robbery by force. Upon arrival, it was determined the two female suspects entered the business while pushing a child in a baby stroller, allegedly concealed merchandise and exited the store without payment. An employee called police, during which one suspect made threatening statements before throwing an unknown item at them. The suspects then fled on foot into the Ballston Metro. Responding officers canvassed the area for the suspects who were subsequently located in the Courthouse Metro and taken into custody. [Suspect 1], 28, of Washington D.C. was arrested and charged with Petit Larceny and Contributing to the Delinquency of Minor. She was released on a summons. [Suspect 2], 24 of, Washington D.C. was arrested and charged with Robbery and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor. She was held without bond.

This spring, tackle cleaning out that junk drawer full of electronics or the garage with leftover paint and old lightbulbs.

Next month marks the return of Arlington County’s Environmental Collection and Recycling Event (E-CARE). On Saturday, March 23, residents can safely dispose of old electronics and household hazardous materials.

This biannual event will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Wakefield High School (1325 S. Dinwiddie Street). There will be several collection areas where Arlington residents can drop off their unwanted items.

Residents are asked to bring proof of Arlington residency and to pack their vehicles in reverse order, with electronics going in first and hazardous materials afterward.

Below is a list of items that will be accepted and not accepted, per the county website.

• Automotive fluids
• Batteries
• Care care products
• Compact fluorescent light bulbs
• Corrosives (acids/caustics)
• Fire extinguishers
• Flammable solvents
• Fluorescent tubes
• Fuels/petroleum products
• Household cleaners
• Lawn and garden chemicals
• Mercury
• Paint products (25-can limit)
• Photographic chemicals
• Poisons
• Printer ink/toner cartridges
• Propane gas cylinders (small hand-held or larger)
• Swimming pool chemicals

Items containing mercury, such as thermostats and thermometers, will also be collected.

Metal items, bicycle donations and business and commercial waste will not be accepted, along with these items:

• Asbestos
• Explosives and ammunition
• Freon
• Medical wastes
• Prescription medications
• Radioactive materials
• Smoke detectors

Residential trash, recycling and yard waste customers can request request free curbside removal of computers, keyboards, copiers, scanners, printers, cell phones and televisions online or by calling 703-228-5000. There is a small fee for picking up for older cathode ray TVs and computer monitors, the county website says.

Arlington County residents and employees who miss the event can drop off their hazardous household materials year-round at a recycling center at 530 31st Street S., near Crystal City.

Scrap metal, appliances and electronics can be dropped off at the Earth Products Yard in Shirlington at 4300 29th Street S. or scheduled for pickup for a fee. Inert material such as cement can also be taken to the Shirlington facility.

Unsure of where to dispose of something? Look up specific disposal instructions using this county tool.

Photos via Dept. of Environmental Services/Flickr

Love is in the air and in National Landing.

This week and next, several events in Pentagon City and Crystal City will celebrate the day of love with specials and experiences for attendees spending the day solo or with a loved one.

Kick off Valentine’s Day this evening by saying goodbye to old loves — whether it is an ex-partner, a job or that bag of clothes you’ve been meaning to donate — at the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington Innovation Studio + Store, which opened last month in Amazon’s second headquarters in Pentagon City.

The pre-Valentine’s Day event today from 5-7 p.m. at 525 14th Street S. features drop-in activities include writing goodbye letters on burning paper and making sage bundles to burn, plus snacks and tea.

Then, on Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14), wine and dine a loved one, or yourself, at local restaurants in the area.

Say “I love you” with old-school Italian dishes such as salmon piccata, veal saltimbocca and clams casino, paired with wine, at La Bettola Italiano (558 23rd S.). The cozy, not overly formal restaurant is only offering its special Valentine’s Day menu with wine pairings on Feb. 14. Be sure to make reservations, which can be done on the website.

Next up on the food tour is Surreal, with its oasis-like outdoor dining experience suitable for both singles and couples.

The gourmet diner, which opened late last year in Crystal City (2117 Crystal Drive) is offering a three-course menu for single diners starting at 7 p.m. in the private dining room.

For couples, Surreal is open for both lunch (12-2 p.m.) and dinner (4-10 p.m.) with classic chocolate lava cake service and inventive options, such as a crispy tuna poke pillow. Reservations can be made on Surreal’s website.

Those seeking a more intimate atmosphere can head to Beauty Champagne & Sugar Boutique (576 23rd Street S.) where, on Valentine’s Day, just two couples will get to have the wine room to themselves. For $250 per pair, the wine bar will serve cocktails, wine, champagne, small bites, a main course and dessert. Couples can nab either the 5:30-7:30 p.m. slot or the 8-10 p.m. slot.

Outside these slots, the wine bar will be open regular hours for a more low-key Valentine’s or Galentine’s Day, with sparkling wine, light bites and treats. RSVP by Saturday, Feb. 10.

National Landing has a few kid-friendly Valentine’s Day activities, too.

On Monday, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. families can bowl and play arcade games  at Bowlero while raising money for the Leadership Center for Excellence. The organization helps local leaders “expand their network and access quality leadership development,” the website says.

Tickets, sold on the center’s website, include two hours of bowling, shoe rental, a $5 arcade card plus food and drinks.

On Wednesday — Valentine’s Day — children and adults can get crafty at a card-making pop-up co-hosted by MoCA Arlington and Amazon in Met Park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

In the mood for a tragedy? Head to Synetic Theater (1800 S. Bell Street) for its rendition of “Romeo and Juliet,” a tale of star-crossed lovers, a bitter family feud and a romantic yet ill-fated destiny. Its wordless production from Feb. 9 to March 14 is a “unique and stunningly visual interpretation of a classic story, capturing emotion with every movement,” the website says.

Photos 1, 4 and 7 via Facebook

Four School Board hopefuls are now jockeying for the endorsement of Arlington Democrats this May.

Kathleen Clark, Larry Fishtahler and Zuraya Tapia-Hadley launched their School Board bids during the Arlington Dems monthly meeting at Lubber Run Community Center on Wednesday night.

They and Chen Ling, an APS parent who threw his hat into the ring last month, will face off in the School Board caucus process in May.

While School Board races are non-partisan, the Democratic party picks a candidate to endorse in the general election and those who lose agree not to run in the general election. The designation generally is a strong predictor of victory in November, when voters will pick who will replace outgoing Chair Cristina Diaz-Torres and Vice-Chair David Priddy.

Clark, the vice-chair of the 2024-30 Arlington Public Schools Strategic Plan steering committee, kicked off with her summary of what roughly 4,000 APS school community members said were their hopes for the system.

“Every student deserves to achieve academic success. Every student has the right to feel safe and included at school,” she said. “Every teacher wants and deserves to feel heard, supported and appreciated and our community wants high-quality schools and a school system that is operationally effective and sustainable.”

Clark served for six years on the Special Education PTA and has spoken out in other media outlets about bullying of students with disabilities, including her son, who has autism.

An APS alumna whose children attend Cardinal Elementary and Swanson Middle schools, Clark is an internal auditor with Gap, according to APS.

“Arlington deserves a School Board member who prioritizes instruction while developing long-range plans, ensuring that there are seats available where our population is growing,” she said. “My experience as an internal auditor has taught me to ask the right questions around priorities and budget.”

Fishtahler, who once led the Advisory Council on Instruction and County Council of PTAs, returns to the School Board race after two failed School Board races in 2012 and 2003. He says he is concerned about waning confidence in APS.

“The Covid experience and the return-to-school have done significant damage to the confidence that our schools are providing the best value,” he said.

“The most valuable asset that we have in our schools are our teachers and school-based staff. It is here that confidence in the leadership of the central administration and the School Board itself continues to decline,” he continued. “The improvements that parents see happening because particular teachers particularly have taken on increases in workflow and additional stress.”

He pulled out of the 2012 race against candidates Noah Simon and incumbent Emma Violand-Sanchez in a two-seat race, including one seat vacated by Libby Garvey, now serving her last year on the Arlington County Board as its Chair. He said at the time he saw his chances were slim.

He previously ran for School Board in 2003 but lost to incumbent and Republican Dave Foster.

Tapia-Hadley, who was born in Mexico, raised in D.C. and has lived in Arlington for two decades, says she is uniquely suited to help ensure the School Board hears from everyone in the APS community.

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