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

Annual chlorination of Arlington’s tap water kicks off next week

By James Jarvis
Tap water in a kitchen sink (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Get ready for a hint of chlorine in your tap water beginning next week.

Starting this coming Monday, March 25, and continuing until May 6, the Washington Aqueduct, the main water source for Arlington, D.C., and parts of Fairfax County, will temporarily change its disinfectant from chloramine to chlorine.

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Around Town

2910 Kitchen and Bar eyes April opening after months of delay and staff turnover

By James Jarvis
A "Now Hiring" banner hangs at the soon-to-open 2910 Kitchen & Bar on Columbia Pike (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Following a series of delays caused by permitting issues and staff turnover, 2910 Kitchen and Bar is now set to open next month.

Since acquiring the former P. Brennan’s Pub space on Columbia Pike last year, the new owners — Raheel “Ray” Khan and his wife, Griselda Giselle Fernandez — said they faced several setbacks, including building and permitting issues, which forced them to postpone the restaurant’s opening twice.

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Around Town

Rooftop Bar & Grill in Courthouse closes permanently as landlord looks for new tenant

By James Jarvis
Arlington Rooftop Bar & Grill in Courthouse on March 14, 2024 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Arlington Rooftop Bar & Grill is permanently closed, and the landlord is looking for a new tenant.

Located at 2424 Wilson Blvd, the multi-story sports bar and restaurant opened in 2010 and became a popular destination thanks in large part to its open air rooftop deck and its ability to host events, including local and state political gatherings.

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Around Town

Colada Shop in Clarendon to hold grand opening next week

By James Jarvis
New Colada Shop in Clarendon on March 14, 2024 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Colada Shop is set to open its first Arlington location on Monday, and the first 100 visitors will receive a free “Colada Clarendon” tote bag.

The Sterling-based Cuban cafe is moving into a 2,200-square-foot space next to Tatte and Seamore’s, at 2811 Clarendon Blvd.

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Around Town

Clarendon’s The Lot to reopen soon as Arlington Beer Garden as redevelopment stalls

By James Jarvis
'Coming Soon' sign at Arlington Beer Garden in Clarendon (staff photo by James Jarvis)

The Lot in Clarendon, now under new ownership, has been re-christened Arlington Beer Garden.

However, craft beer fans will need to wait a bit longer for its debut. Yahya Yasini, one of the new owners, told ARLnow the beer garden at 3217 10th Street N. could open in about a month.

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News

Arlington’s Culpepper Garden senior living community gets $2 million federal grant

By James Jarvis
Culpepper Garden senior living center (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated at 3/13/24) A senior living community in Arlington is set to receive significant new support from the federal government.

Congress passed an appropriations bill last week that, among other things, allocated $2 million to Culpepper Garden, Arlington’s sole low-income senior retirement community. It’s home to 365 seniors aged 62 and older.

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News

Sen. Tim Kaine and woman who was the nation’s first IVF-born baby help lead charge for fertility treatment access

By James Jarvis
Sen. Tim Kaine engages with parents who utilized IVF during roundtable discussion in Ballston (staff photo by James Jarvis)

After the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that embryos created via in vitro fertilization can be classified as children, Elizabeth Carr — the first U.S. baby born this way — set out to reveal the potential consequences of this decision.

At a gathering in Ballston today (Friday) — surrounded by advocates, doctors and those who conceived or were conceived via IVF — Carr underscored the existential threat the ruling could pose.

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News

New Harris Teeter in Ballston set to open next month with a Starbucks inside

By James Jarvis
New Harris Teeter on N. Glebe Road in the Ballston area (staff photo by James Jarvis)

The old Harris Teeter in Ballston is set to close next month but shoppers won’t need to wait long to use the new location across the street.

Harris Teeter has posted signs around its old and new location announcing that its 600 N. Glebe Road location will close on Tuesday, April 2 at 2 p.m., with the new store at 624 N. Glebe Road opening at 9 a.m. the next day.

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News

Biden and Haley get most primary votes in Arlington amid low voter turnout

By James Jarvis
Voting at Arlington Central Library on Nov. 7, 2023 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

President Joe Biden and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley won the majority of votes in Arlington in yesterday’s Virginia presidential primary.

However, the low voter turnout in both primaries might serve as a warning sign for both Biden and the now clear Republican frontrunner, former President Donald Trump, of a lack of voter enthusiasm.

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Around Town

New Wagamama in Clarendon nears completion with firm opening date on the horizon

By James Jarvis
Wagamama in Clarendon on March 4, 2024 (staff photo)

Brown paper still shields the windows of the new Wagamama in Clarendon, but construction appeared to be winding down when ARLnow peeked inside through eyeball-sized holes in the window coverings this week.

Nearly two years have passed since the British chain, known for its Japanese cuisine, announced its plans to open at 2950 Clarendon Blvd, formerly home to Oz, a restaurant owned by “Real Housewives of Potomac” stars Ashley and Michael Darby. A trade publication reported a tentative opening date of summer 2023 last year, which ultimately did not come to fruition.

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News

Low primary turnout so far attributed to concerns suburban voters have for presidential front-runners

By James Jarvis
Trump supporters gather along Ft. Myer Drive in Rosslyn as President Trump visits his campaign headquarters (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

On the eve of Super Tuesday, local party leaders, political consults and pundits on both sides of the aisle have already agreed on who the Republican and Democratic nominees for president will be.

One question lingering in the minds of many is whether the D.C. suburbs, including Arlington, can offer any indication of whether candidates are gaining or losing sufficient suburban voters to impact the general election.

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Around Town

New ‘fast-casual’ Italian restaurant set to replace Pizza Roma in Ballston

By James Jarvis
Pizza Roma's former spot with Scolapasta signage in February 2024 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Pizza Roma in Ballston has closed, making way for a new fast-casual Italian eatery called Scolapasta.

ARLnow received a tip last week that the longstanding pizzeria at 4219 N. Fairfax Drive — in operation for at least 15 years — had shut its doors, with “Coming Soon” signs for Scolapasta now gracing the windows. This week, the sign for “Pizza Roma” was also gone.

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