Author: James Jarvis

James Jarvis covers county government, schools local politics, business openings, and development for both FFXnow and ARLnow. Originally from Fauquier County, he earned his bachelor’s degree in government from Franklin & Marshall College and his master’s degree in journalism from Georgetown University. Previously, he reported on Fairfax, Prince William, and Fauquier counties for Rappahannock Media/InsideNoVa.

Events

Diwali festival to light up Crystal City Water Park tomorrow

By James Jarvis
A lit candle celebrating Diwali (via Wilson Matthew/Unsplash)

The Water Park in Crystal City will be illuminated tomorrow evening in celebration of the annual Hindu festival, Diwali.

On Friday, from 6-9 p.m., the park will transform into a luminous display of floating lanterns and sparklers, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness in the Hindu religion.

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News

Arlington eyes $1.2M house for Lang Street Community Gardens expansion

By James Jarvis
Lang Street Community Gardens in November 2023 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

The Arlington County Board is considering buying a property adjacent to the Lang Street Community Gardens to expand its gardening space.

The Board is set to review — and likely approve — the $1.2 million sale agreement for the house at 1128 28th Street S. during its meeting this Saturday.

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Around Town

New Latin American restaurant hoping to open in Pentagon City next week

By James Jarvis
Latin American restaurant Maizal plans to open November 2023 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

The Pentagon City mall is adding a dash of South American flavor to its dining options.

Maizal, situated on the mall’s exterior along S. Hayes Street adjacent to Macy’s, is gearing up to open next week, according to a company spokesperson.

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Around Town

Middle Eastern restaurant and hookah lounge opens in Bluemont

By James Jarvis
Middle Eastern restaurant and hookah lounge Ya Hala Bistro is now open in Bluemont (staff photo by James Jarvis)

A new Middle Eastern restaurant and hookah lounge has opened in Bluemont.

Ya Hala Bistro, located where Layalina Restaurant used to be at 5216 Wilson Blvd, hosted a soft opening last Saturday and is planning a grand opening in the coming weeks.

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News

GMU celebrates “topping out” of major expansion on Virginia Square campus

By James Jarvis
George Mason University's forthcoming Fuse building in Virginia Square (staff photo by James Jarvis)

The outer structure of George Mason University’s $235 million expansion project in Arlington is complete.

The university celebrated the “topping out” milestone last Friday with tours of the under-construction FUSE at Mason Square structure on its Virginia Square campus.

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Around Town

LA Fitness near Crystal City set to close for renovations and rebranding

By James Jarvis
LA Fitness in National Gateway set to closed December 2023 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

The LA Fitness location south of Crystal City is gearing up for a major makeover.

Located on 3550 S. Clark Street in the National Gateway complex near Potomac Yard, the gym announced via flyers last week that it will shut its doors on Friday, Dec. 1, at 2 p.m. and reemerge as “Club Studio Fitness.”

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Events

Park next to HQ2 to transform into winter wonderland and holiday market next month

By James Jarvis
National Landing BID holiday festival 2021 (courtesy of National Landing BID)

It’s time to dig out those ugly Christmas sweaters and get into the holiday spirit.

The National Landing Business Improvement District is planning a ski-themed holiday festival — dubbed “The Lodge” — at Metropolitan Park in Pentagon City, according to a press release.

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News

Rep. Don Beyer introduces bill banning sale and trade of donkey hide gelatin

By James Jarvis
Donkeys and Rep. Don Beyer (via Unsplash/Wikipedia)

Rep. Don Beyer is standing up for donkeys everywhere and trying to save their hides.

Last Tuesday, the Congressman re-introduced legislation that would effectively ban the sale and trade of donkey-hide gelatin, otherwise known as ejiao.

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Around Town

Rappahannock Coffee to close this month as another café prepares to move in

By James Jarvis
Rappahannock Coffee along Columbia Pike (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Rappahannock Coffee is set to close at the end of November, making way for a new café with a different name.

Located at 2406 Columbia Pike, the independent coffee shop first opened in May 2001, according to its website. Owner Gi Lee said that after two decades of brewing coffee, he is ready to retire.

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Around Town

New seafood restaurant Ocean Shack plans to open next month in former Thirsty Bernie space

By James Jarvis
Ocean Shack is scheduled to open in Waverly Hills in November 2023, replacing Thirsty Bernie (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Ocean Shack is gearing up for its grand opening in two weeks.

The new seafood restaurant near the corner of Langston Blvd and N. Glebe Road, formerly home to the local watering hole Thirsty Bernie, is planning to open on Wednesday, Nov. 15.

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