A post-Thanksgiving rise in Covid cases in Arlington appears to have plateaued over the past few days — at least for now.
The seven-day moving average of new daily cases in the county currently stands at 67, according to Virginia Dept. of Health data. That’s up from an average of 23 cases per day Thanksgiving weekend.
(Updated at 11:25 a.m.) The annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery is set to take place this weekend.
The event is taking place on Saturday, Dec. 18. It will look a little different due to the pandemic, according to Wreaths Across America, the organization that puts it on.
Volunteers who wish to help place wreaths on the gravestones of fallen military servicemembers are required to register in advance. They will then show their email confirmation and a photo ID to participate, the event's website says. Face coverings are required in any indoor part of the cemetery.
"We are committed to ensuring the safety of all those that want to participate, and as such, will have designated entry gates and times for a limited number of registered volunteers to enter," Wreaths Across America said.
COVID-19 almost halted the event last year, as it was initially canceled but later reinstated -- as former President Donald Trump rushed to take credit for the reversal. Last year, 1.7 million wreaths from Maine were placed on gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery and more than 2,800 other locations nationwide.
"As one of the largest veteran cemeteries in the United States, the goal of placing a wreath on every marker is lofty," the nonprofit said. "Our volunteers are committed to Remembering and Honoring our nation's veterans through the laying of wreaths on the graves of our country's fallen heroes and the act of saying the name of each veteran aloud."
This past Sunday, family pass holders had the opportunity to lay wreaths at their loved ones' graves prior to public access.
Wreaths Across America is also accepting individual wreath sponsorships. In the past, the nonprofit has been the subject of scrutiny for its close ties to a Maine wreath manufacturer, both of which are run by the same family.
Arlington County police are planning a number of road closures in the area, associated with the wreath-laying event. More from ACPD:
The annual Wreaths Across America escort of handmade, balsam wreaths destined for Arlington National Cemetery will begin arriving in Arlington County on Friday, December 17th. The annual convoy of wreaths, originating in Maine and ending at Arlington National Cemetery, includes over 75 tractor trailers and numerous support vehicles that will reach the Cemetery at various times throughout the day.
On Saturday, December 18th, several thousand volunteers will descend upon the Cemetery and help lay wreaths on every gravesite throughout the property beginning at 8:00 a.m. The public can anticipate large crowds and heavy pedestrian traffic related to the event. Traffic is expected to be impacted in and around the immediate area and motorists are advised to allow for extended travel times and seek alternate routes to reduce road congestion.
Address: 20031 Oakland Farm Road
Neighborhood: Virginia’s Eastern Shore (Cape Charles, Virginia)
Type: 5 BR, 5 (+3 half) BA waterfront, restored, historic, estate with main house, carriage house and barn/event space – 5612 sq. ft.
Listed: $3,295,000
Noteworthy: 1850 Charm Updated for Modern Luxury/Event Space
Mimosa Farm: A Bespoke Waterfront Legacy
An offering of unparalleled distinction, Mimosa Farm represents a rare opportunity to acquire a meticulously restored and totally renovated historic estate. This 17.1-acre waterfront property, boasting over 1,500 feet of natural shoreline, seamlessly combines the charm of its 1850 heritage with the pinnacle of contemporary luxury and convenience. The estate features a grand main house, a versatile carriage house with a complete apartment, and an expansive restored barn with living quarters currently operating as a high-demand event venue, yet ripe for a multitude of bespoke uses.
*Key Features Include*
-5 Bedrooms (3 in Main House, 1 in Carriage House and 1 in Barn/Event Venue),
-5 Full Bathrooms ( 3 in Main House, 1 in Carriage House and 1 in Barn/Event Venue) and
-3 Half Baths ( 1 in Main House, 1 in Carriage House and in 1 Barn/Event Venue)
-New three-bay garage/carriage house with a second-floor living suite.
-Historic barn built circa 1863, now a five-star rated event venue (“Mimosa Barn”).
2,808 square feet of space with a capacity for 300+ guests plus bedroom with water view, 1 and 1/2 bathrooms, kitchenette, sitting area and flex spaces
-RV electric post next to the garage.
-Irrigation system.
-500-gallon propane tank.
-Private125′ dock with a boat lift.
-Whole-house generator, water filter, and dehumidifier.
-Main house security system
-Large outdoor fire pit.
-Historic Preservation Tax Credit available
Listed by:
Lorraine Barclay Nordlinger – TTR Sotheby’s International Realty/Barclay Nordlinger Team
[email protected]
(202) 285-3935
Ballston is about to get a 6,300-square-foot taqueria and “margarita garden.”
U Street NW taco spot El Rey is branching out from D.C. and opening on the ground floor of the Ballston Exchange building at 4201 Wilson Blvd. After nearly two-and-a-half years of anticipation, following pandemic-related delays, the eatery is finally set to open its doors.
The National Landing Business Improvement District and the group Friends of Mount Vernon Trail are teaming up to help maintain the heavily-used trail.
This includes financial support from the BID for supplies and equipment, and a series of Saturday clean-up events through Jan. 22.
Join Arlington for Palestine and NAACP Arlington Branch for a movie night and community discussion about Israeli apartheid.
We will watch two short Palestinian films about life under Israeli apartheid, hear from a member of Arlington for Palestine about their trip to Palestine last year, and discuss together what all this means to us living in Arlington .
Redevelopment of Parking Garage Proposed — “The owner of a pair of Crystal City hotels along Richmond Highway is moving to redevelop a parking garage on the property into residential, the latest bit of change for the neighborhood as part of an Amazon.com Inc.-inspired development boom. Miami’s Sound Hospitality is on the hunt for a development partner to manage the transformation of a garage that currently serves Crystal City’s Hampton Inn and Suites and Hilton Garden Inn.” [Washington Business Journal]
Parent Group Wants More Class Time — “An advocacy group is pressing the Arlington School Board to add more instructional time to the school system’s proposed 2022-23 calendar. The comments came at the Dec. 2 School Board meeting, in which board members were presented with a staff proposal that meets the letter of state law in providing at least 990 hours of instructional time. But the school system should be going further – holding classes the full 180 days that had been the pre-COVID standard – said Camille Galdes, who spoke on behalf of Arlington Parents for Education.” [Sun Gazette]
Newly proposed redistricting maps would create a new Virginia House district in Arlington while potentially pitting long-time Senate incumbents against each other.
Last week, the Supreme Court of Virginia unveiled draft maps for the Virginia House of Delegates, the Virginia Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. The maps were drawn up by one Democrat and one Republican appointed by the court, after a non-partisan committee failed to complete the task earlier in the year.
More holiday events are on tap this week, including a few kid-friendly workshops and markets with local vendors.
Folks can finish off the week with showings of classic Christmas movies and holiday concerts.
Progressive Voice is a biweekly opinion column. The views expressed are solely the authors’.
By Progressive Voice Editors
All lanes of Columbia Pike are blocked due to a large gas leak.
The leak is along the Pike near S. Scott Street and a number of large apartment buildings. Police, firefighters and Washington Gas crews are on scene, repairing the leak and checking nearby buildings for elevated levels of natural gas.
