After more than two years of anticipation, Wagamama appears to be preparing to open its Clarendon outpost.
Holes in the brown paper covering the windows reveal a mostly complete interior, with elaborate lighting fixtures and glowing point-of-sale system screens. A large “WAGAMAMA” sign can also be seen near the front entrance, ready to mount on the exterior.
Big Changes to Major Redevelopment — “Kimco Realty Corp. has proposed significant changes to its long-term plan for the mixed-use redevelopment of Costco-anchored Pentagon Centre… pitching in a Monday application to the county’s planning department an increase in density by more than three-quarters — taking the total envisioned square footage from about 2 million square feet to 3.5 million square feet. The mix of uses would change, too, now with substantially more residential and office but less retail than previously approved.” [Washington Business Journal]
Bill With More DCA Flights Passes — “The Senate on Thursday passed legislation to reauthorize federal aviation programs for the next five years.. The most intense regional fight was over a provision in the bill that would add five round-trip long-haul flights out of Ronald Reagan National Airport outside Washington.” [New York Times]
No Israel-Hamas Stance from Board — “Arlington County Board members are opting out of the foreign-policy business. For the moment, at least. In correspondence with the public, County Board Chairman Libby Garvey says board members have decided not to weigh in on the current Mideast situation, despite a press from pro-Palestinian activists to do so.” [Gazette Leader]
Smokecraft Files for Bankruptcy — “Smokecraft Modern Barbecue on April 29 filed for Chapter 11, listing $129,459 in assets and nearly $1.4 million in liabilities. Andrew Darneille, owner and pitmaster of the restaurant at 1051 N. Highland St., told me bankruptcy protection appeared the best option to put the business on firmer financial footing without closing and leaving his nearly 30 employees in the lurch.” [Washington Business Journal]
Focus on Va. Rights Waivers — “Parisa Dehghani-Tafti, the commonwealth attorney for Arlington County, doesn’t use the waivers at all. Dehghani-Tafti, a former public defender who won on a reform platform, said their use makes it harder for people to successfully re-enter society. ‘We shouldn’t be trying to make it easy to convict them again, we should be instead trying to give them the support and the tools that they need to not get in trouble again.'” [Bolts]
Beyer Statement on Speaker Vote — “I voted to table an attempt to remove Speaker Johnson yesterday because I strongly believe the House must govern constructively. Marjorie Taylor Greene sought to punish the Speaker for preventing a government shutdown and allowing a vote to fund assistance to Ukraine, both of which were correct decisions which I support.” [Press Release]
Couric Visits Axios in Arlington — From Mike Allen: “@katiecouric visited @axios in her hometown of Arlington, Va., for a raucous podcast convo with @JimVandeHei & me about his Just the Good Stuff, now a NY Times/USA Today bestseller.” [Twitter, Apple Podcasts]
Police Investigate Brandishing — “2400 block of Shirlington Road. At approximately 5:04 p.m. on May 7, police were dispatched to the report of a brandishing. Upon arrival, it was determined the male victim, driving eastbound on 25th Street S. across Shirlington Road, and the suspect, driving northbound on Shirlington Road, were involved in a near collision. A verbal dispute between the victim and suspect ensued during which the suspect brandished a firearm before fleeing the scene in his vehicle, a white pickup truck.” [ACPD]
High School Theater Award Nods — “High school theater productions that left an impression on audiences and student critics have earned nominations for awards. Nominations were announced for the Cappies of the National Capital Area, a Tony Award-like program for local high school theater.” [Patch]
Local Students in National History Bowl — “Three Arlington students scored success in the 2024 National History Bowl & Bee Championship, held in Arlington April 25-28.” [Gazette Leader]
Geomagnetic Storm Expected — “A severe geomagnetic storm is expected to hit Earth on Friday, triggering colorful nighttime auroras, or the northern lights. People in the United States could see moderate to strong geomagnetic activity starting around 11 p.m. and lasting through Saturday.” [Capital Weather Gang, Twitter]
It’s Friday — Expect showers and thunderstorms with a high near 61 and east wind of 7-9 mph. Precipitation chance is 70%, with rainfall between a tenth and a quarter inch, potentially higher in thunderstorms. For Friday night, showers and storms are likely before 11 pm, followed by a chance of showers between 11 pm and 2 am. It will be mostly cloudy with a low around 49, north wind at 6 mph, and a 60% chance of precipitation. [NWS]
Flickr pool photo by Emma K Alexandra
This regularly scheduled sponsored column is written by Carolanne Korolowicz, Arlington-based Realtor and Arlington resident. If you would like to work with Carolanne in Northern Virginia and the greater D.C. Metro area, you can reach her directly at [email protected].
There is something special about establishing a home within walls that hold history. Arlington consists of a handful of late 19th-century houses, but few have helped shape a community like Glencarlyn’s 5501 3rd Street South. Coming soon to the market, a new owner gets the opportunity to continue this property’s story.
Nestled within the Historic Glencarlyn Neighborhood, surrounded by parkland, this Late Victorian home was once the community’s educational epicenter. In 1892, The Village Improvement Association (now the Glencarlyn Civic Association) approached Alexandria County School Board requesting a grade school for the hamlet During this time, the lack of childhood education had become an issue for the community, with many neighborhood children never receiving proper schooling. The School Board proved unresponsive, so families banded together to pay Mrs. William King to teach out of her home — 5501 3rd St. South. The schoolhouse grew quickly with an estimated fifteen children, ages six to twelve, attending Mrs. King’s class. By 1894, the School Board was persuaded to finally pay a teacher’s wage ($25 a month) if they furnished a new schoolroom, motivating the village school to move out of Mrs. King’s home. Though a short-lived location, 3rd Street was the catalyst for Glencarlyn’s public education. (more…)
Good Thursday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.
The following articles were published earlier today — May 9, 2024.
Here is what’s going on Friday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
Expect showers and thunderstorms with a high near 61 and east wind of 7-9 mph. Precipitation chance is 70%, with rainfall between a tenth and a quarter inch, potentially higher in thunderstorms. For Friday night, showers and storms are likely before 11 pm, followed by a chance of showers between 11 pm and 2 am. It will be mostly cloudy with a low around 49, north wind at 6 mph, and a 60% chance of precipitation. Rainfall will be similar to earlier, with higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. See more from Weather.gov.
“Happiness often sneaks in through a door you didn’t know you left open.”
– John Barrymore
The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.
Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.
School’s out and summer’s the perfect time to try something new. Youth Beginning Fencing (ages 7–12) at Nova Fencing and Archery Club builds focus, coordination, and confidence. Twice a week for 4 weeks, gear included. New session starts June 22 — reserve your child’s spot today!
Competing visions of housing and development in Arlington underpinned a County Board candidate forum Wednesday night.
In particular focus at the Arlington Committee of 100 event were divided stances on Missing Middle. Supporting the rezoning policy, which the Board unanimously approved last year, are Democrats Tenley Peterson and JD Spain.
Are you interested in learning about how Continuing Care Retirment Communities work, but don’t know where to start? Join our free workshop at 5:00 on Tue., 6/16 to learn more and ask questions!
If you are interested in learning more about Continuing Care Retirement Communities (also known as “Life Plan Communities”), whether for yourself or for a loved one, please join our free workshop on Tuesday, June 16 from 5:00-7:00 at the Arlington office of Long & Foster.
Acclaimed chef Peter Chang’s second Arlington restaurant is now open.
Chang and daughter Lydia today opened NiHao, at 1550 Crystal Drive, an “all-day modern Chinese concept will highlight Sichuan cuisine with small, shareable plates that lean into the famed chef’s signature use of peppers and spice.”
Don’t be so serious and meet Sirius, the newest Adoptable Pet of the Week!
This beautiful girl is up for adoption through the Animal Welfare League of Arlington and is currently in foster.
After a multi-week soft opening, 2910 Kitchen & Bar is set to hold its official grand opening this weekend.
Located at 2910 Columbia Pike, the restaurant serving American cuisine will officially open on Friday, May 10 and host a Mother’s Day brunch and dinner on Saturday and Sunday. Additionally, husband-and-wife owners Raheel “Ray” Khan and Griselda Giselle Fernandez plan to hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sunday at 5 p.m., according to a press release.
Model WWII props built in an Arlington veteran’s backyard were featured at a VIP event Wednesday at the French ambassador’s residence.
Former Army officer David Ostrander constructed a set of hedgehog anti-tank obstacles, as well as a portion of a World War II era landing craft, to go along with several surplus Army jeeps at two French fêtes. Yesterday’s event took place on Victory in Europe Day, while the second is scheduled to happen at the French embassy on June 6, the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
Courthouse Construction Continues — From Fox 5’s Steve Chenevey: “Can’t believe this now stands on the site of the long-time Arlington @Wendys, the name of the new building? The Wendy.” [Twitter]
Empty Office Building Worries — “What do empty office buildings and over-leveraged commercial developers have to do with Arlington’s parks, libraries and schools? A lot, actually. There’s a storm brewing in the business landscape that has yet to unleash its full fury. In the worst case, fierce economic winds and rain could lash taxpayers and the county services they hold dear.” [Arlington Magazine]
Green Valley Real Estate Profile — “Once known as one of Arlington’s last affordable neighborhoods, the values for Green Valley’s duplexes and single-family brick homes are climbing… Of the homes sold in the last year, the lowest-priced was a snug 1,360-square foot single-family without updates for $582,000; the highest was a 20-year-old mini-mansion near the country club with five-and-a-half bedrooms and more than 5,000 square feet for $1.2 million.” [Washington Post]
Arlington Scholarship Winners — “In the second round of scholarship winners in the 69th annual National Merit Scholarship Program announced Wednesday, students from Arlington were among the winners… Virginia had 65 scholarship winners, six of whom live in Arlington.” [Patch]
DJO Senior to Play for Maryland — “The Bishop O’Connell High School senior football player was pleasantly informed by Knights’ head coach Todd Sabatino and team counselor Tracey Leipold that the University of Maryland’s Division I football team wanted to offer McConnell a preferred walkon position to join the Terrapins’ squad this fall as a long snapper.” [Gazette Leader]
‘Coffee With a Cop’ Returns — “The Arlington County Police Department’s Community Engagement Division is excited to announce ACPD’s spring Coffee with a Cop events will be returning with a new twist. In reaffirming ACPD’s commitment to making engagement accessible for all, we are taking our spring Coffee with a Cop events on the road to Arlington neighborhoods!” [ACPD]
Eden Center Robbery — “Falls Church Police are looking for three suspects involved in an assault and robbery at the Eden Center (6700 Wilson Blvd). On May 7, 2024 at approximately 6:30 PM, the victim was approaching her vehicle in the parking lot when three suspects assaulted her, stole her purse, and fled the scene in a vehicle headed in an unknown direction on Wilson Blvd. The victim sustained minor injuries.” [City of Falls Church]
It’s Thursday — Expect scattered showers and thunderstorms, increasing in likelihood after 8am, with mostly cloudy skies and a high near 76. Light east winds will strengthen to 5-9 mph in the morning. Precipitation chances are 70%, with new rain amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, possibly higher in thunderstorms. Thursday night, chances of showers and thunderstorms decrease to 50%, with a low around 58. [NWS]
Nathan’s Cancer Slayers, a local Arlington fundraising team under Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, invites the community to Cocktails for a Cause — An Amalfi Coast Evening on Sunday, June 14 in Georgetown. ✨🍸
This inaugural silent auction will bring together friends, neighbors, and supporters for cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and a fun silent auction — all raising funds for childhood cancer research in honor of Nathan Fleming, an Arlington student who passed away from rhabdomyosarcoma in 2019, just one week after turning 18.
