ARLnow.com | ARLnow

Morning Notes

Published February 8, 2022 at 7:30AM

A construction crane looms over Arlington (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Ethiopian Eatery Delayed Amid Litigation — “It’s been nearly five years since Abebe, who owns the Michelin-honored Chercher Ethiopian Restaurant & Cafe in D.C., sealed a deal to open a new restaurant at Courthouse Place, a nine-story building at 2000 N. 14th St., not far from Arlington’s police and court complex… Since then, Abebe has signed a lease for, and opened, a second restaurant in Bethesda — but the Arlington outpost remains in limbo due to a protracted landlord-tenant dispute he said could ultimately force him to walk away from the deal.” [Washington Business Journal]

W-L Boys, Yorktown Girls Top District — “With four victories against Liberty District opponents last week, including two against the Wakefield Warriors in all-Arlington boys basketball showdowns, the Washington-Liberty Generals (12-8) took over sole possession of first place with a 9-1 league mark and two high-school games to play… The Yorktown High School girls basketball team (15-3) had a busy and winning time last week with a 4-0 record against Liberty District opponents to take over sole possession of first place with a 9-0 record.” [Sun Gazette]

Weather

JUST IN: Icy conditions possible Tuesday morning

By ARLnow.com

Published February 7, 2022 at 8:40PM | Updated February 7, 2022 at 11:19PM

A sign cautions visitors to icy conditions at Long Bridge Park and Aquatic Center (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Forecasters are warning of possible ice issues Tuesday morning.

After a rainy Monday, temperatures are expected to drop below freezing overnight. That could cause icy spots and hazardous driving conditions.

News

Covid cases continue to fall, but rate of decline slows

By ARLnow.com

Published February 7, 2022 at 2:45PM

New Covid cases in Arlington as of 2/7/22 (via Virginia Dept. of Health)

Covid continues to infect Arlington residents at rates higher than most of the pandemic, but the slope of new cases is still pointing downward.

Sixty-seven new local cases were reported today by the Virginia Dept. of Health, bringing the seven-day moving average down to about 124 cases per day. That’s down more than 80% from the peak average of 646 cases per day on Jan. 12.

Opinion

This month’s cartoon: Pentagon chicken vs. Washington Commanders

By ARLnow.com

Published February 7, 2022 at 10:30AM | Updated February 7, 2022 at 10:49AM

“What’s in a name?” (Cartoon by Mike Mount)

The contest to name the “Pentagon chicken” produced plenty of great would-be monickers: Chick Cheney, Col. Sanders, Joint Cheeps of Staff.

Ultimately, the name Henny Penny was chosen, and the chicken found up being serenaded on national TV by Jimmy Fallon.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published February 7, 2022 at 7:30AM | Updated February 7, 2022 at 9:49AM

Fallon Sings About Pentagon Chicken — “That stroke of social media brilliance was followed by even more exposure as ‘The Tonight Show’ host Jimmy Fallon wrote a song for the bold bird. It began with the lyrics ‘Are you just a clucker or an undercover spy?’ We do not expect the Pentagon to answer.” [WTOP, Twitter, Facebook]

WBJ Calls Out Crystal City Erasure — “On Jan. 18, JBG Smith Properties announced it has started construction on a pair of multifamily towers at 2000 and 2001 S. Bell St., a block south of the Crystal City Metro station. In, I dare say, the heart of Crystal City. But in that 750-word press release, “Crystal City” does not appear. Not once. ‘National Landing,’ meanwhile, appears seven times.” [Washington Business Journal]

Weather

UPDATE: Messy morning commute now unlikely, forecasters say

By ARLnow.com

Published February 6, 2022 at 8:55AM | Updated February 6, 2022 at 3:09PM

Update at 3:10 p.m. — The ice threat has diminished, according to the National Weather Service:

…WINTER COMMUTING HAZARD STATEMENT IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT…

Around Town

Open houses in Arlington this weekend

By ARLnow.com

Published February 4, 2022 at 12:45PM

1314 N. Stafford Street

February is here and we expect a wet then cold weekend ahead. Make sure to grab an umbrella if you’re looking to get an early start viewing open houses this weekend!

According to Homesnap, there are currently 386 homes for sale. Of those homes, 262 are condos, 97 are detached homes and 27 are townhomes. Homes spent an average of 85 days on the market and there were 89 price changes. The median list price is $600,000 with a median sales price of $617,500.

Around Town

JUST IN: Chipotle appears to be coming to Clarendon, despite company’s denial

By ARLnow.com

Published February 4, 2022 at 11:45AM

Future Chipotle location in Clarendon (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

It looks like a Chipotle is coming to Clarendon, though the company says that’s not the case.

Chipotle has applied for a state alcohol beverage permit to serve beer in a retail bay on the ground floor of the 3000 Wilson Blvd office building. A leasing plan for the building seen by ARLnow says the Chipotle will be located at 3017 Clarendon Blvd, in the empty former Pete’s New Haven Apizza storefront next to Four Sisters Grill.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published February 4, 2022 at 7:30AM

The Theodore Roosevelt Bridge, the Memorial Bridge, and the 14th St. Bridge over the Potomac River in fog (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Free Outdoor Wi-Fi at Libraries — “During the month of January, 2022, two new free outdoor Wi-Fi hot spots were installed at the Cherrydale and Glencarlyn Libraries. Library patrons and Arlington residents have now 24×7 access to the free Arlington County Wi-Fi network ‘ArlingtonWireless’ at all library branches, both outdoor and indoor, and at various locations around the County. No ID or password is required for the free service.” [Arlington Public Library]

Four Arlington Joints on Best BBQ List — Post food critic Tim Carman’s new “best barbecue” list includes a number of Arlington favorites: Texas Jack’s (9), Smokecraft Modern Barbecue (6), Smoking Kow (5), and Sloppy Mama’s (3). [Washington Post]

Opinion

Morning Poll: What do you think about the groundhog’s forecast?

By ARLnow.com

Published February 3, 2022 at 9:30AM

Groundhog Day 2002 at Gobbler's Knob (staff photo)

Punxsutawney Phil, the world’s most famous weather-forecasting groundhog, saw his shadow Wednesday morning, thus predicting six more weeks of winter.

“As I look over the faces of the true believers from around the world, I bask in the warmth of your hearts, I couldn’t imagine a better fate, with my shadow I have cast than a long, lustrous six more weeks of winter,” Phil said in a statement, as read by a member of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club’s Inner Circle.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published February 3, 2022 at 7:30AM

Rain and fog looking into Georgetown from Freedom Park in Rosslyn (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

New Covid Testing Location — “Arlington County is opening an additional no-cost COVID-19 testing kiosk at Sequoia Plaza. The kiosk is in partnership with Curative, which operates four additional sites in the County. The kiosk is located at 2100 Washington Blvd, on the service road behind the Stambaugh Human Services Center building (Sequoia 1). Beginning on Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, the kiosk will operate Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.” [Arlington County]

Va. Changing Covid Tracing Efforts — “Today, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) announced it is changing from attempting to investigate every case of COVID-19 and trace all contacts to focusing on follow-up of outbreaks and cases in high risk settings. This response is more effective when a virus spreads very easily and quickly and many infected people do not have symptoms.” [Virginia Dept. of Health]

Around Town

Most expensive Arlington homes sold in January

By ARLnow.com

Published February 3, 2022 at 5:00AM

4677 N. Dittmar Road (via Google Maps)

The first month of 2022 flew by, but before we say good bye to January let’s take a look at some of the most expensive homes sold.

According to Homesnap, more than 380 homes were sold across Arlington with a median list price of $600,000 and a median sales price of $617,500. Additionally, homes spent an average of 85 days on the market.