Vernon Miles | ARLnow

Arlington Food Assistance Center launches new hub near Fairlington

Published March 10, 2023 at 2:45PM

AFAC staff at new distribution site in Alexandria (image courtesy AFAC)

Like all the cool kids, the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) is expanding to Alexandria.

The nonprofit food pantry announced in a release that it is launching a new distribution center in The Waypoint at Fairlington, an affordable housing complex at 2451 Menokin Drive that opened last year.

Traffic

West Glebe Road bridge partially reopens to vehicle traffic

By Vernon Miles

Published March 9, 2023 at 1:45PM | Updated March 9, 2023 at 2:17PM

West Glebe Road bridge partially reopened (staff photo by James Cullum)

The West Glebe Road bridge partially reopened yesterday, though pedestrian and bicycle traffic will have to wait to make use of the span over Four Mile Run.

The bridge had severely deteriorated, requiring partial closures over the years until the bridge was fully closed last summer.

Around Town

SoberRide offering free rides home on St. Patrick’s Day

By Vernon Miles

Published March 9, 2023 at 9:30AM

SoberRide poster for St. Patrick's Day 2023 (image courtesy WRAP)

If you’re hitting up one of Arlington’s many St. Patrick’s Day events, your ride home could come free courtesy of a local nonprofit combatting drunk driving.

The Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) is continuing its holiday SoberRide program this year for St. Patrick’s Day 2023.

Around Town

Scoop: Courthouse Taco Bell Cantina to open next week

By Vernon Miles

Published March 7, 2023 at 3:50PM

The Taco Bell Cantina near Courthouse on March 7, 2023 (staff photo)

Arlington’s long regional nightmare has ended: the Taco Bell Cantina at 2039 Wilson Blvd will open at last next week.

A company spokesperson confirmed to ARLnow today that the restaurant will open on Monday, March 13.

Events

Easter Bunny will hop into Pentagon City for photo ops starting this month

By Vernon Miles

Published March 7, 2023 at 11:15AM | Updated March 7, 2023 at 11:42AM

Easter Bunny at Fashion Centre at Pentagon City (image via Fashion Centre at Pentagon City/Facebook)

Santa’s lap is out and Easter lapins are in.

The Easter Bunny is making a few trips to Fashion Centre at Pentagon City this month and in early April.

Events

Here’s a look at St. Patrick’s Day 2023 events around Arlington

By Vernon Miles

Published March 6, 2023 at 1:55PM | Updated March 6, 2023 at 10:08PM

(Updated at 10 p.m.) Next Friday, March 17, is a celebration of all things Irish: the release of a new Hozier EP.

But for some local bars and the Catholic Church, next Friday is more notably St. Patrick’s Day. The weekend is set to be marked with celebrations of Irish dancing, music, and drinking.

Events

Furry convention returns to Crystal City next week

By Vernon Miles

Published March 3, 2023 at 11:45AM

Scenes from the 8th annual Fur The More convention in Crystal City (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The annual furry convention Fur the ‘More is celebrating its 10-year anniversary with a time travel-themed extravaganza in Crystal City.

Fur the ‘More is scheduled to run from Friday, March 10 to Sunday, March 12, at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City at 2799 Richmond Hwy.

Around Town

Long-time, family-owned Raffis Cleaners closes on Langston Blvd

By Vernon Miles

Published March 2, 2023 at 10:30AM

Raffis Cleaners owners Eugenei (left) and Harout Hovsepian (right) (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

In 1989, when Raffis Cleaners opened at 5119 Langston Blvd, the Berlin Wall came down, the Game Boy was released, and Taylor Swift was born.

Now, after 33 years, the owners of Raffis Cleaners say the business never fully came back post-Covid, forcing the alterations and dry cleaning service to close.

Events

Orlando Jones emceeing cherry blossom festival in Long Bridge Park next month

By Vernon Miles

Published March 2, 2023 at 9:30AM

Rain drops on a cherry blossom in Rosslyn's Freedom Park in 2020 (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

You won’t have to go across the Potomac to enjoy cherry blossom festivities this year.

The National Landing BID is hosting Pink in the Park, a celebration of the region’s cherry blossoms sans D.C. tourist crowds.

Around Town

Haute Dogs launches Williamsburg location with unofficial Arlington foodie summit

By Vernon Miles

Published February 24, 2023 at 11:55AM | Updated February 24, 2023 at 12:35PM

Hot dogs on a tray at Haute Dogs' preview event (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Ahead of an official opening this weekend, Haute Dogs hosted a preview event last night with a coterie of Arlington’s underground “foodie” influencer community.

Haute Dogs has become a beloved local institution in Alexandria’s Old Town North neighborhood. The new location at 2910 N. Sycamore Street in the Williamsburg neighborhood takes over the spot previously occupied by Smoking Kow BBQ.

News

Arlington leaders, Sen. Warner push for bridge funding

By Vernon Miles

Published February 4, 2022 at 2:30PM

Arlington Dept. of Environmental Services Director Greg Emanuel (left) discusses with Sen. Mark Warner (right) the conditions of the Mount Vernon Avenue bridge (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

The Mount Vernon Avenue bridge is a vital link between Alexandria and Arlington, but it’s in rough shape and in desperate need of a refit.

This morning (Friday) Sen. Mark Warner and local leaders met with engineers to review the state of the Arlington Ridge Road/Mount Vernon Avenue bridge and advocate for it to get a significant boost from federal funding. Federal funding for bridge infrastructure is currently in the hands of state leaders who will allocate funding to bridge projects around the state.

News

Pandemic, building sale foil planned Ballston time capsule opening

By Vernon Miles

Published December 23, 2021 at 2:00PM

Well, it’s no Civil War gold, but there are buried artifacts in a Ballston office building just waiting to be uncovered.

A time capsule in Ballston’s Fairgate office building (1005 N. Glebe Road) was originally scheduled to be opened last year, but those plans got lost in the mix and now it’s unclear when or if the time capsule will be opened.