Good Thursday 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 — Apr 11, 2024.
- 9:30 am: Cartoon: “Now it feels like home!” | 🗣️ Comments
- 10:30 am: Barbershop aiming to help clients ‘create a masterpiece’ is coming to Clarendon | 🗣️ Comments
- 11:30 am: Military Children World Expo 2024 to be held at Pentagon City mall later this month | 🗣️ Comments
- 1:30 pm: Columbia Pike Blues Festival returns in June, featuring all-female headliners | 🗣️ Comments
- 3:30 pm: Arlington lawmakers decry vetoes of bills to further limit access to guns by domestic abusers | 🗣️ Comments
- 4:30 pm: Most and least expensive condos sold in Arlington (March 2024) | 🗣️ Comments
📅 Upcoming events
Here is what’s going on Friday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
- 3:30 pm: Author Talk with Neal Allen
- 4:00 pm: Spring Artful Weekend
- 5:30 pm: Zumba Power Hour
- 7:00 pm: L.A.L.S.A. Salsa Night
⛈️ Friday’s forecast
Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected, with partly sunny conditions and a high near 68. The day will be breezy, with west winds of 14-19 mph increasing to 20-25 mph in the afternoon and gusts up to 43 mph; there’s a 40% chance of precipitation. Friday night will have scattered showers before 2am, with a mostly cloudy low around 51. Winds will be west at 21 mph and gusts up to 39 mph, with a 30% chance of precipitation. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.”
– Confucius
🌅 Tonight’s sunset
The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.
Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.
Here in Arlington, real estate is a spectator sport. Let’s take a look at some of the most and least expensive condos sold last month (March 2024).
Most expensive condos sold
- 1881 N Nash St Unit TS01 — Rosslyn — $4,750,000 (3 beds | 4.5 baths | 4,447 sq. ft.)
- 1111 19th St N Unit 2401 — Rosslyn — $2,200,000 (3 beds | 3.5 baths | 2,165 sq. ft.)
- 1111 19th St N Unit 2806 — Rosslyn — $1,525,000 (2 beds | 2.5 baths | 1,523 sq. ft.)
- 1200 N Nash St Unit 1126 — Rosslyn — $1,390,000 (2 beds | 2 baths | 1,543 sq. ft.)
- 1600 Clarendon Blvd Unit W405 — Rosslyn — $1,305,000 (2 beds | 2 baths | 1,768 sq. ft.)
Least expensive condos sold*
- 1021 Arlington Blvd Unit 506 — Rosslyn — $231,000 (1 beds | 1 baths | 716 sq. ft.)
- 1300 S Arlington Ridge Rd Unit 705 — Pentagon City — $245,000 (1 beds | 1 baths | 728 sq. ft.)
- 5353 Columbia Pike Unit 308 — Arlington Mill — $247,500 (1 beds | 1.5 baths | 786 sq. ft.)
*Minimum home value of $200,000 set to exclude certain land sales, retirement condos, properties with expiring ground leases, etc.
There’s no place like home. Especially if you’re from one of the safest, happiest, fittest, most climate resilient, most livable, most Millennial- and renter-friendly places in the United States.
This month’s Mike Mount cartoon hits on some familiar notes to make the point that, even on a deserted island, an Arlingtonian might find themselves trying to figure out ways to feel more connected to our fair county.
See Mike’s local ‘toons in the ARLnow Press Club weekend edition newsletter.
Gov. Signs Vape Shop Bill — “The governor on April 5 signed HB 947, a Lopez bill giving localities the power to regulate the location of vape shops and other venues that deal in nicotine products, including a prohibition of operating within 1,000 linear feet of a school or day-care facility. There are some exceptions: Existing facilities will have their previous approvals grandfathered in, and the measure does not apply to convenience stores or gas stations.” [Gazette Leader]
Preservation Bill Becoming Law — “The measure by Del. Patrick Hope (D-Arlington) would mandate a 30-day cooling-off period before a locality issues a permit to raze or demolish any building that is, at the time, being considered for local historic status… Gov. Youngkin signed the measure yesterday. Its provisions will got into effect July 1.” [Gazette Leader]
Warmth Brings Out Workday Crowd — “It’s a nice day and the workday lunchtime in Ballston was the busiest we’ve observed since pre-pandemic years.” … “The Water Park in Crystal City today was the busiest I have seen since it opened. There were long lines, took me 30 minutes to get lunch.” [Twitter]
APS Mulls Longer Lunches — “School Board members are slated to shortly consider a change in policy-implementation procedures (known to school insiders as PIPs) that would mandate a 30-minute-or-more lunch period for students. Existing policy allows at least 20 minutes.” [Gazette Leader]
Local Political Operative Fined — “Two right-wing political operatives must pay up to $1.25 million in fines after they were found liable for launching a robocall campaign designed to keep Black New Yorkers from voting in the 2020 election, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced Tuesday.” [Washington Post]
Funding Possible for Nature Centers — “Long Branch and Gulf Branch nature centers have seen restricted hours since reopening after the pandemic. Despite pleas from advocates, county staff seem immovable when it comes to agreeing to add hours back in. But there are indications that enough County Board members could step in and authorize funding to make that happen starting this summer.” [Gazette Leader]
Yet Another Pentagon City Crash — From Dave Statter: “The latest crash at Army Navy & Hayes in Pentagon City is a little different than most. It’s an east-west collision. But the reason it happened is pretty much the same.” [Twitter]
It’s Thursday — Expect showers mainly after noon, with patchy fog developing after 3pm and a high near 69. The southeast wind will blow at 9-13 mph, gusting up to 22 mph, and a 70% chance of precipitation. New precipitation amounts up to a quarter of an inch possible. Thursday night, showers and potential thunderstorms are expected. Patchy fog may occur before 2am, the low will be around 57, and southeast wind at 11-16 mph, gusting up to 25 mph. Precipitation chances are 100%, with rainfall amounts between a quarter and half an inch possible. [NWS]
Flickr pool photo by Jason Gooljar
Good Wednesday 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 — Apr 10, 2024.
- 9:45 am: Morning Poll: No more birthday treats in APS classrooms? | 🗣️ Comments
- 10:45 am: Mall snack shop closes months after owner is arrested on money laundering and drug charges | 🗣️ Comments
- 11:45 am: New burger joint with contactless lockers and ‘homemade flavor’ is opening in Cherrydale this weekend | 🗣️ Comments
- 1:45 pm: Bills targeting ‘predatory’ tow companies approved, opening the door for long-delayed Arlington changes | 🗣️ Comments
- 3:45 pm: Falls Church News-Press planning paywall to save print legacy amid financial struggles | 🗣️ Comments
📅 Upcoming events
Here is what’s going on Thursday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
- 11:30 am: Tiny Stage
- 12:00 pm: Friends and Threads Clothing Swap
- 3:00 pm: Anti Procrastination Café
- 6:00 pm: Pilates on the Plaza with Mind the Mat
- 7:00 pm: The Rambler: The Washington Star’s Local Reporter in Arlington: 1912-1927
- 7:00 pm: Arlington Concert Orchestra, “A Visit to the Opera”. April 11, 7pm
⛈️ Thursday’s forecast
Expect showers and potential thunderstorms after 5pm, with a high near 69. Southeast winds will range from 9 to 16 mph, gusting up to 25 mph, and an 80% chance of precipitation. New rainfall amounts could be between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, with higher amounts in thunderstorms. Thursday night, showers and possible thunderstorms persist mainly before 5am, followed by scattered showers. The low will be around 57, with breezy south winds at 13 to 20 mph, gusting up to 30 mph. There’s a 100% chance of precipitation, with new rainfall amounts between a quarter and half an inch possible. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“Learning never exhausts the mind.”
– Leonardo da Vinci
🌅 Tonight’s sunset
The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.
Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.
Address: 1300 Crystal Drive, #1402S
Neighborhood: Crystal City
Type: 3 BR, 2 (+1 half) BA condo — 2,089 sq. ft.
Listed: $1,185,000
Noteworthy: Stunning monument and river views
Welcome to the best views of D.C.! Step into this sun-drenched 3-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom home, offering unparalleled views and exquisite living space. Spanning 2089 square feet, this unit offers the convenience of one-level living.
As you enter the foyer, you’re greeted by gleaming hardwood floors which are found throughout. To the east a sunlit living room with floor-to-ceiling windows opens to the balcony, revealing breathtaking sights of D.C., the Monuments, Capitol Building and the Potomac River. Adjacent to the living room, a large dining area sets the stage for elegant gatherings, comfortably accommodating a party of 12. The kitchen is equipped with stainless steel appliances, views of the Washington Monument, a casual dining area, and ample storage with two pantries.
To the west of the foyer, is a wing of three bedrooms, two full baths and a powder room. The primary suite is outfitted with two closets, one walk-in, a private balcony, and a spacious ensuite bath featuring an oversized shower and double vanity. The secondary bathroom has been beautifully updated. Hunter Douglas automatic shades on every window ensure privacy and comfort. Indulge in the array of amenities offered by the building, including 24-hour concierge services, an indoor and outdoor pool, fitness center, a library, and a party room.
This unit comes complete with a parking space in the underground garage and a private storage unit. The location is unbeatable as it is within blocks of shops and restaurants and Crystal City Metro and 1.6 miles from Reagan National Airport.
Take a video tour of the unit today!
Listed by:
Sheri Grant
[email protected]
(703) 405-1016
Arlington Public Schools might definitively put the kibosh on outside birthday treats in the classroom.
A policy update is set to be considered by the School Board later this month, according to the Gazette Leader.
Arlington School Board members soon could put the final stake in the heart of birthday cupcakes in classrooms.
Regular cake, too. And cookies. And probably even carrot sticks, pita chips and hummus brought in by the kid whose parents are on a health kick.
An update to school-system health policies slated to be presented to School Board members April 25 would outright prohibit special in-classroom birthday treats.
Currently, schools are “strongly encouraged” to adopt such policies, but not required to.
Similar policies have been adopted at other school systems.
There are a number of arguments against parents bringing in treats for a kid’s birthday, including:
- Potential for food allergies
- Treats are often sugary and unhealthy
- An inequitable difference between birthday celebrations depending on a family’s means
- Disruptive to classroom instruction
Arguments for in-school birthday treats include the celebrations being fun, cupcakes being tasty, and kids enjoying having their birthday recognized.
What do you think?
Photo by Isabella Fischer on Unsplash
County Statement on Drag Show Threat — “Arlington County and the County Board unequivocally support the LGBTQ+ community. ACPD’s swift response ensured the safety of patrons and staff, and the fortitude of Freddie and drag queen Tara Hoot allowed the show to go on… expressions of hatred and bigotry have absolutely no place in our community, and the Arlington County Board condemns these threats of violence and attempted intimidation of our community.” [Arlington County]
Eid Off for APS Students — Arlington Public Schools students are off today due to the Eid al-Fitr holiday. [Arlington Public Schools]
Warby Parker Opening — “Warby Parker, the designer vision-care provider, will be opening two new locations in Northern Virginia, one in Pentagon City on April 20 and the other in Fairfax Corner on May 4… To celebrate the grand openings, Warby Parker will feature the work of two local artists. Stephen Smith will be providing artwork for the Pentagon City location at 1100 S. Hayes St., #H03, in Arlington.” [Patch]
Another Gun Caught at DCA — “For the third time in four days, Transportation Security Administration officers stopped a passenger from bringing a handgun on a flight leaving from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. On Monday, TSA officers at an airport checkpoint were alerted by the X-ray team that the carry-on bag of a Florida woman needed a closer look. Searching the bag, agents discovered a .380 caliber handgun loaded with seven bullets, including one in the chamber.” [Patch]
Famous Eagle at DCA — “TSA officers at Reagan Airport in Arlington, Virginia, screened the famous bald eagle, Clark, whose father, Captain, was gifted to President Ronald Reagan and is credited for getting the species on the endangered list.” [Fox News]
Arlington Prosecutor Decries Bill Veto — “As current and former prosecutors, we must speak out when the actions of elected officials undermine the health and well-being of our communities. Unfortunately, the recent veto of criminal justice bills by Gov. Glenn Youngkin did just that. In total, the governor vetoed 22 bills that would have improved policing or criminal justice in Virginia.” [USA Today]
It’s Wednesday — Showers are likely before 8am, followed by mostly cloudy skies and a high near 76 with a southwest wind around 7 mph. There’s a 60% chance of rain with potential amounts less than a tenth of an inch. For Wednesday night, there’s a chance of showers before 11pm, mostly cloudy conditions, a low around 61, and a southeast wind at 3 to 5 mph. The chance of precipitation is 30%. [NWS]
Today’s Morning Notes are brought to you by coworking provider Industrious. ARLnow has been based in an Industrious office for several years and we love the convenience — you get to focus on your work rather than worrying about brewing your own coffee or keeping the copy machine stocked with paper. Industrious has several Metro-accessible Arlington locations to choose from.
Good Tuesday 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 — Apr 9, 2024.
- 9:45 am: Morning Poll: Use of AI-generated images to illustrate some local stories | 🗣️ Comments
- 10:45 am: Doorways opens new headquarters amid surging domestic violence rates in Arlington | 🗣️ Comments
- 11:45 am: Local wind quintet set to perform at festival in Arlington’s namesake village in England | 🗣️ Comments
- 1:45 pm: Police: Dispute over driving leads to woman striking victim with her car | 🗣️ Comments
- 2:45 pm: Annual Bunny Hop 5K Race returns to Clarendon this weekend, prompting road closures | 🗣️ Comments
- 3:35 pm: Feedback on Gateway Park upgrades sought as overhaul could come years sooner than expected | 🗣️ Comments
📅 Upcoming events
Here is what’s going on Wednesday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
- 10:00 am: Storytime
- 12:15 pm: Lunches on the Lawn: Neurodivergence in the Academic and Prof Discussion
- 👉 5:30 pm: ACFCU’s Homebuying 102: Contract Closing and Beyond
- 6:00 pm: Outdoor Yoga with Mind the Mat
🌧️ Wednesday’s forecast
Showers are likely before 9am, followed by mostly cloudy skies and a high near 76. Expect a southwest wind around 6 mph and a 60% chance of precipitation, with new amounts under a tenth of an inch. Wednesday night, there’s a 30% chance of showers between 9pm and 3am, with mostly cloudy skies, a low around 61, and a southeast wind of 3 to 5 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“To find yourself, think for yourself.”
– Socrates
🌅 Tonight’s sunset
The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.
Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.
A woman intentionally struck another woman with her car in a Clarendon parking garage yesterday during a dispute, police say.
The incident happened around noon on the 3000 block of Washington Blvd. Police say the suspect and victim “became engaged in a dispute regarding driving.”
The suspect approached the victim, banged on her car, assaulted her, and then struck her with the car while fleeing the scene, according to police.
More, below, from an Arlington County Police Department crime report.
ATTEMPTED MALICIOUS WOUNDING, 2024-04080104, 3000 block of Washington Boulevard. At approximately 11:58 a.m. on April 8, police were dispatched to the report of an assault just occurred. Upon arrival, it was determined the female suspect and female victim were entering a parking garage when they became engaged in a dispute regarding driving. The victim parked her vehicle during which the suspect approached her on foot, allegedly banged on her vehicle and assaulted her. The suspect then entered her vehicle and, as she was fleeing the scene, struck the victim with her vehicle. The victim sustained non-life threatening injuries. During the course of the investigation, officers identified the suspect and obtained warrants for Attempted Malicious Wounding and Assault and Battery. The investigation is ongoing.
In some very limited circumstances, ARLnow has been using AI-generated images to illustrate stories.
The typical use case are stories around a concept for which specific imagery might cause problems or is simply unavailable. For instance, file photos we have on hand for real estate stories show for-sale signs with a specific agent’s name and phone number, as well as a specific house — which someone presumably now lives in and might not love being shown over and over.
We also sometimes struggle to illustrate Morning Poll posts involving holidays, like New Year’s or Valentine’s Day, with photos on hand. We want to avoid showing specific people or places, but also would prefer not to use generic images from a stock photo library.
Using AI in these circumstances lets us give the image a more local touch, adjust for the current season or weather, better reflect Arlington’s diversity, or customize the design to something that better fits the use case. It also can be done in just a few minutes, and we often publish our articles on tight deadlines.
Ultimately, though, we’ve only needed to do this a few times. Which is why the reaction to the use of an AI image for our recent story about businesses for sale was so surprising. Social media users flamed ARLnow for the image, which showed a group of people walking down a fictional street of shops in the rain somewhere in Arlington.
“This is not Arlington,” one person wrote. “This page has turned into AI trash content. I’ve unsubscribed.”
“Why use AI?” said another. “Lots of talented artists and photographers in Arlington.”
The reaction was more neutral in the article comments, though many commented on the AI image rather than the substance of the post itself.
Given the reaction, we wanted to ask readers what you think. Do you think ARLnow should continue to use AI generated images in limited circumstances or stop using AI imagery altogether?