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.

News

Amazon holds its first product launch at HQ2 in Pentagon City

By James Jarvis
David Limp, Amazon's senior vice president of devices and services, kicks off the company's 2023 product launch at Amazon HQ2 in Pentagon City (staff photo by James Jarvis)

(Updated at 2:30 p.m.) Channeling the energy of an iPhone launch, Amazon unveiled its new line of AI-powered gadgets in Arlington on Wednesday.

While a September product launch is typical for the tech giant, this event was the first major unveiling Amazon has hosted at its new HQ2 in Pentagon City — and the top brass went all out for the occasion.

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News

County Board to consider $25k grant for GMU to study local Black history

By James Jarvis
George Mason University’s Arlington campus (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

George Mason University is set to receive a $25,000 grant from Arlington County to study Black demographic shifts and migratory trends in Arlington.

The Fairfax-based university, which has a campus in Arlington, proposes to develop a “database of research that documents Black displacement, migration, mobility, and the legacy of the Black diaspora that remains today in Arlington County,” according to a county report.

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Events

Arlington Public Library to host the author of a controversial graphic novel ahead of Banned Books Week

By James Jarvis
Author of graphic novel "Maus," Art Spiegelman, plans to speak at Kenmore Middle School Sept. 21 during Banned Book Week (via Arlington Public Library)

Arlington Public Library says it is taking a stand against book banning across the U.S. and in Virginia, declaring itself a “book sanctuary.”

“Everyone should read whatever they want, whenever they want and however they want,” said Library Director Diane Kresh in an announcement on social media this week.

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Events

Clarendon Ballroom to hold street festival this weekend

By James Jarvis
Clarendon Ballroom entrance on a Saturday night (file photo)

(Updated at 11:55 a.m.) The Clarendon Ballroom is set to hold a street festival this weekend.

Bidding farewell to summer, the nightlife venue at 3185 Wilson Blvd — also known as just The Ballroom — is hosting what it says is Arlington’s first electronic music-inspired street festival.

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Events

Washington Capitals to host charity ‘garage sale’ in Ballston this weekend

By James Jarvis
Washington Capitals host 2023 charity "garage sale" at MedStar Capitals Iceplex in Ballston (courtesy of Washington Capitals)

(Updated at 4:05 p.m.)Looking to score some Washington Capitals gear and give back?

The hockey team is hosting its first-ever charity “garage sale” this Saturday at MedStar Capitals Iceplex (627 N. Glebe Road) in Ballston, featuring everything from bobbleheads to T-shirts, posters and hats. Players will not have personal items for sale, we’re told.

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Around Town

Cookie purveyor Chip City could open next month in Clarendon

By James Jarvis
New Chip City location at The Crossing Clarendon undergoing renovations (staff photo by James Jarvis)

(Updated on 12/4/23) Chip City appears to be on track to open its first Arlington location in Clarendon as early as next month.

The New York City-based cookie shop announced earlier this year it planned to open two new locations in the county: at The Crossing Clarendon, at 2700 Clarendon Blvd, and the Village at Shirlington, at 4014 Campbell Avenue.

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Events

Oktoberfest kicks off in Arlington this week: here’s whats on tap

By James Jarvis
Woman at an Oktoberfest in Crystal City (courtesy photo)

(Updated at 5:45 p.m.) Get ready to hoist your steins and don your lederhosen, as Oktoberfest in Arlington is just around the corner.

Starting this Friday, Sept. 22, local bars and breweries across Arlington will celebrate a 200-year-old German tradition that began with the royal wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria — who later became King Louis I — and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen.

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Around Town

Cleveland-based ‘loaded fries’ eatery launches delivery-only kitchen near Clarendon

By James Jarvis
"Fiya Cracka Chicken Fries" (via For Your Fries Only/Instagram)

A new delivery-only restaurant specializing in “loaded fries” has opened in a parking lot near Clarendon.

For Your Fries Only is serving up fries slathered in sauce and topped with a protein of choice from a trailer in the vacant Courthouse West parking lot across from Whole Foods.

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Around Town

Local food bank avoids canned food shortage with donation from local Bloomberg office

By James Jarvis
Arlington Food Assistance Center van (via Arlington Food Assistance Center/Facebook)

The Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) says it avoided a canned goods shortfall with a timely donation from Bloomberg Industry Group.

Over Labor Day weekend, the local food bank said it received more than 3,600 canned goods from the Arlington-based affiliate of Bloomberg, which provides legal, tax and business reporting and services.

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Around Town

Turning grief into action, local mother aims to raise $100K this year for childhood cancer research

By James Jarvis
Michele Fleming and her son Spencer hosting lemonade stand to raise money for childhood cancer research (courtesy of Michele Flemming)

(Updated 12:07 p.m.) Michele Fleming says losing a child to cancer is the “hardest possible thing you can imagine.”

Though Fleming is still reeling from the loss of her 18-year-old son Nathan, who lost his battle with cancer in 2019, she has used that grief to raise more than $300,000 toward childhood cancer research.

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Around Town

Arlington art teacher and parent learns to ‘walk with cancer’ after a diagnosis upended her life

By James Jarvis
Nikki Reed (courtesy of Nikki Reed)

It started out as an ordinary day, like any other.

Nikki Reed, her husband Mike, and their two young children, 5-year-old Sylvia and 6-month-old Eli, were spending their Fourth of July at the pool when Reed began to feel dizzy.

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Events

‘Paws on the Pike’ pet fair returns to Arlington later this month

By James Jarvis
A dog in a costume on Columbia Pike (via Columbia Pike Partnership/Facebook)

(Updated 9/13/23) Columbia Pike pet festival “Paws on the Pike” will return this month and unleash a day of pet-centric offerings and activities.

The pet fair, hosted by the Columbia Pike Partnership, is scheduled for Sept. 30 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Penrose Square outdoor plaza, located at 2501 9th Road S.

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