People pose with a blossom statue outside the future Amazon Fresh store in Crystal City (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Amazon Hiring Update — “Amazon.com Inc. is one-fifth of the way to the minimum number jobs the company committed to fill at its second headquarters in Arlington, one of the tech giant’s top hiring locations. As of Wednesday, Amazon had hired 5,000 employees who are assigned to HQ2… It is a 1,500-employee uptick since the last announcement in November.” [Washington Business Journal, Amazon]
HQ2 Phase 2 Vote This Weekend — “Amazon’s proposal for the next phase of HQ2 construction, including the spiral-shaped Helix structure, is set to go before the Arlington County Board for a final vote on Saturday, April 23. The company wants to build three more HQ2 office buildings alongside a 350-foot tall, futuristic building it calls the ‘Helix’. The development would be built on a piece of property known as ‘PenPlace’, just off Army Navy Drive.” [WJLA]
After a two year hiatus caused by the pandemic, Clarendon Day is set to return in the fall.
Organizers not yet finalized a date for the popular fall street festival, but it’s likely to be in late September, according to Clarendon Alliance board president Kieran Daly. Clarendon Day was last held on Sept. 21, 2019.
Address:2820 Franklin Road Neighborhood: Lyon Village Type: 4 BR, 3 BA single-family detached – 2922 sq. ft. Listed: $2,295,000
Noteworthy: Timeless charm meets everyday comfort in the heart of Lyon Village
Nestled beneath a stunning canopy of mature trees, this inviting 1928 Four-Square beautifully blends classic craftsmanship with thoughtful modern updates. Offering four bedrooms and three baths, the home is rich in character, showcasing stacked crown molding, beveled glass windows, elegant ceiling medallions, period-inspired fixtures, an original staircase banister, and gorgeous 3-inch oak floors throughout. A charming flagstone and brick walkway leads to the solid wood front door with an antique brass knocker, setting the tone for the warmth and timeless appeal found inside.
The gracious formal living room centers around a fireplace with a detailed white wood mantel and tiered corbels, creating a welcoming place to gather. French doors open to a private home office, while the formal dining room comfortably accommodates gatherings large and small. At the heart of the home, the sun-filled kitchen blends timeless style with everyday functionality, featuring crisp white cabinetry, sleek black countertops, and rich hardwood flooring. The kitchen opens seamlessly to the expansive family room and casual dining area, creating an effortless flow for daily living and entertaining.
A glass door leads to a private patio and beautifully landscaped backyard, ideal for quiet mornings or alfresco dining. Upstairs, the spacious primary suite offers a peaceful retreat with a spa-like bath featuring a soaking tub and separate shower. Three additional light-filled bedrooms and a well-appointed hall bath complete the upper level. A walk-up attic, lower-level recreation room, wine room, and detached garage with an EV charger complete this exceptional Lyon Village home.
Grill Kabob is set to open a new location in Ballston at 708 N. Glebe Rd. (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
A new Afghan restaurant is looking to open in Ballston this summer.
Grill Kabob, a local chain of family-owned Afghan kabob eateries, is working on opening its 15th location at 708 N. Glebe Road in Ballston, co-owner Wais Shoja confirms to ARLnow. It will be only a few doors down from the new Silver Diner that’s also planning to open this summer in the neighborhood.
Ghost Limb is a timely and haunting examination of authoritarianism set during Argentina’s Dirty War that draws poetic inspiration from the Persephone and Demeter myth. When Consuelo’s son is “disappeared” by the military, she discovers a psychic link between her injured arm and her tortured child-and races to find him before it’s too late.
Has Farmbird flown the coop in Ballston, or will it rise from the ashes?
The chicken-centric restaurant, which first opened on the ground floor of the Ballston Exchange complex last summer, has been closed for the past few days. It was still closed this morning, when several men could be seen inside sitting and talking around a table.
Join Jadin O’Brien, Olympic athlete, 3x NCAA pentathlon champion and 10x All-American (heptathlon) winner for this in-person and virtual 5K. This event is sponsored by The Alex Manfull Fund to raise awareness and advance research on debilitating infection-associated neuroimmune disorders (including PANS and PANDAS) that affect young people. The 5K is part of the organization’s 36 Hours for PANS and PANDAS Advocacy in Motion event. Runners will receive a Finisher’s Medal, Technical (Drifit) Event Shirt and A Chip Timed Event. The event commemorates the life of Alex Manfull, who died at age 26 due to PANDAS. Susan and William Manfull established the Fund in their daughter’s name with the vision that no life ever again be cut short—or interrupted—by these illnesses. Learn more at TheAlexManfullFund.org.
Co-owner Joon Yang and Chef Jon Mathieson at UnCommon Luncheonette (staff photo by Matt Blitz)
UnCommon Luncheonette in Clarendon is hoping to open next week, bringing a concept that owners say is missing from the neighborhood.
The new diner-esque eatery on the corner of N. Garfield Street and 11th Street N. is set to be exclusively a breakfast, brunch, and lunch spot, co-owner Joon Yang tells ARLnow, with a menu, decor, and hours to match.
Dominion on scene of power pole fire in 2020 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
An early morning power outage Tuesday left more than 2,000 Dominion customers in the dark. The culprit: balloons.
The incident prompted Dominion Energy to remind residents about the danger posed by those metallic balloons one might buy in a grocery or party supply store.
American flag seen in a yard near East Falls Church (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Revamped Clarendon Restaurant Reopens — “With a new menu that offers Mexican food for all, Buena Vida Gastro Lounge is reopening its newly renovated restaurant in Clarendon this week, serving lunch and dinner and brunch on weekends. Buena Vida, at 2900 Wilson Blvd., also has a new executive chef, Jaime Garciá Pelayo Bribiesca, and a new décor created by CORE architecture+design.” [Patch, Instagram]
Group Wants More from Amazon — “While Arlingtonians for Our Sustainable Future (ASF) welcomes a new Amazon presence at PenPlace, we urge county leaders to strike a fair deal in this site plan review. As structured now, Arlington would trade world record bonus density — more buildable space — for unequal community benefits from Amazon.” [Press Release]
Crates of food donations for distribution in Arlington (file photo)
An estimated 7.8% of Arlington households experienced food insecurity in 2019, according to a new report.
The report, completed by Urban Institute in partnership with Arlington County Food Security Task Force, provides a snapshot of the financial and food challenges for Arlington households, including in otherwise pricey parts of town like Crystal City and Pentagon City.
The crow that was shot by a blow dart Tuesday morning (photo courtesy AWLA)
Arlington’s animal control office is trying to figure out who shot a crow with a blow dart in Fairlington this morning.
Several people in the neighborhood called police and the Animal Welfare League of Arlington (AWLA) around 11 a.m. this morning to report the incident. Animal control officers found a crow that had been critically injured by the dart, which was apparently shot from a blow gun.
If you’re a college student spending the summer in Arlington — whether you’re interning, working, or just home for a few months — EvolveAll is the place to stay fit, sharpen skills, and be in community.
For just $295, college students get full access to all of EvolveAll’s adult programs from May through August. That means Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, self-defense, yoga, Pilates, and more — a whole community of people who show up, put in the work, and look out for each other.
