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.

Around Town

In memory of Nikki Reed: a tribute to strength, love and teaching

By James Jarvis
Nicole 'Nikki' Reed with her husband Mike, son Eli and daughter Sylvia (courtesy photo)

Tuckahoe Elementary art teacher Nicole ‘Nikki’ Reed passed away “quietly and peacefully” surrounded by family and friends last month after an eight-month battle against a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer.

“Friends and Family, this is a post that we knew would come eventually, but we all thought we had more time. Our valiant fighter, Nikki, has taken the path of peace,” Janet Doyle wrote on her friend’s CaringBridge blog last month.

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Around Town

Local Arlington chef to compete on Food Network’s ‘Chopped’ this month

By James Jarvis
Chef Adam Hoffa (courtesy photo)

A local chef will appear on one of the nation’s most popular reality TV cooking shows later this month.

On Tuesday, April 16 at 8 p.m., Adam Hoffa, the executive chef at Pirouette Café & Wine Shop in Ballston, will go head-to-head with three other chefs in a high-stakes culinary showdown on Food Network’s “Chopped.”

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Around Town

Columbia Pike Deli celebrates grand opening in former Rappahannock Coffee space

By James Jarvis
Columbia Pike Deli on April 2, 2024 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Columbia Pike Deli is officially open for business.

The new delicatessen at 2406 Columbia Pike celebrated its grand opening last week, taking over the space previously occupied by Rappahannock Coffee. The coffee shop, a fixture for two decades, closed last year when its owner decided to retire.

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Around Town

Harris Teeter marks Ballston grand opening with free sampling event as old location closes

By James Jarvis
Back entrance to new Ballston Harris Teeter (staff photo by James Jarvis)

When one Harris Teeter shuts its doors, another one springs up.

At least that’s the case today (Tuesday), as the new Harris Teeter in Ballston is set to open its doors at 3 p.m. The store holding a “Taste of Teeter” sampling event until 7 p.m. to mark the grand opening.

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News

Construction on new $1.6 million pedestrian bridge in Shirlington area to start next week

By James Jarvis
Map of pedestrian detour routes during Shirlington Bridge construction (via Arlington County)

Starting next month, weekday drivers and pedestrians like should plan for sporadic closures near the Shirlington Road bridge.

Kicking off in April and lasting through the summer, the sidewalk and westbound lane on S. Arlington Mill Drive will see intermittent closures on weekdays, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., due to the construction of a new $1.6 million pedestrian bridge.

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News

Arlington County receives nearly $300k to combat Chesapeake Bay pollution

By James Jarvis
County Board Chair Libby Garvey speaks at an EPA event at Lubber Run Community Center on March 27, 2024 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Arlington is receiving nearly $300,000 in federal funds to help clean up the Chesapeake Bay.

The money is part of a much larger $206 million federal grant given to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Chesapeake Bay Trust to help protect and restore the largest estuary in the U.S.

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Around Town

Peter Chang’s NiHao expected to open next month

By James Jarvis
NiHao's Sichuan style boiled fish fillet (courtesy of Stacey Windsor)

James Beard semifinalist Peter Chang’s second restaurant in Arlington is expected to open next month in Crystal City.

Located at 1550 Crystal Drive, the Chinese restaurant NiHao initially planned to open in January next to the Alamo Drafthouse. However, the timeline has since been moved to early April, spokesperson Molly Hippolitus told ARLnow.

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Around Town

New fast-casual Lebanese eatery holds soft opening in Clarendon

By James Jarvis
Zazzy in Clarendon on March 25, 2024 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

A new Lebanese eatery quietly opened in Clarendon over the weekend.

Zazzy, located at 1025 N. Fillmore Street, held a soft opening on Sunday, welcoming visitors to try its new fast-casual approach to Lebanese cuisine.

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Around Town

Roggenart Bistro & Café in Ballston now open

By James Jarvis
Roggenart in Ballston on March 25, 2024 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Roggenart Bistro & Café is now open in Ballston.

Located at 4401 Wilson Blvd, formerly the home of Republik Coffee Bar, the Maryland-based coffee shop launched with a soft opening two Saturdays ago. It is now gearing up for its grand opening on Thursday, April 4, according to store manager Nadia Id Lachguer.

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News

Local LGBTQ+ group wants Arlington County to do more, despite high inclusivity rating

By James Jarvis
LGBTQ+ rainbow pride flag (Photo by Sophie Emeny via Unsplash)

Despite consistently receiving high marks from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), Equality Arlington says Arlington County still has more work to do to improve services for LGBTQ residents.

Last week, the local LGBTQ nonprofit sent a letter to the Arlington County Board and County Manager, highlighting gaps in services, such as health care, workforce education and outreach, as revealed by the HRC Municipal Equality Index (MEI) — a scoring system used to rate a city’s inclusivity.

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Around Town

Timber Pizza Co. in Ballston drops ‘Turu’ from name to clear up confusion

By James Jarvis
Timber Pizza in Ballston Quarter (staff photo)

Turu’s by Timber Pizza Company is putting to rest the mystery around ‘Who is Turu?’ with a rebrand to simply “Timber Pizza Company.”

Launched in 2014 by Andrew Dana and Chris Brady from a ’67 Chevy pickup truck, Timber has three physical locations — including two in Arlington at Ballston Quarter Market and Reagan National Airport, and another in D.C.’s Petworth neighborhood. Additionally, the company has a mobile wood-fired pizza oven catering to the D.C. area and Richmond.

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Around Town

The Union in Va. Square has shuttered, possibly for good

By James Jarvis
The Union on March 20, 2024 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

The Union in Virginia Square has shuttered, possibly for good.

It’s not clear when the McLean-based “casual fine dining” restaurant at 3811 Fairfax Drive last fired up the oven. Responding to reader tips, ARLnow stopped by the restaurant several times over the last two months to find the location closed during regular business hours each time.

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