Crystal City | ARLnow.com

County to Head Shop: Cigar Mural Has Got to Go

Published August 21, 2012 at 1:50PM | Updated October 1, 2012 at 6:22PM

A new store in Crystal City found that out the hard way recently when a new mural got a thumbs down from county zoning officials.

Smokey Shope III opened three months ago at 554 23rd Street S. in Crystal City. The store is a head shop — it sells paraphernalia that’s ostensibly intended for the smoking of tobacco. Merchandise includes bowls, water pipes, hookahs, cigars, cigarettes, shisha, gifts and a type of Afghan jewelry known as lapis lazuli. One employee described the store as “a place where people can unite… and have positive energy.”

Around Town

County Releases Video Promoting Streetcar System

By ARLnow.com

Published August 21, 2012 at 9:50AM

Arlington County has released a new video that makes the case for the planned Columbia Pike and Crystal City streetcar lines.

Events

Crystal City Wine Festival Returns in September

By ARLnow.com

Published August 20, 2012 at 10:05AM

Vintage Crystal: A Taste of Wine and Jazz is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 16, from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. The event will be held in the parking lot outside 220 20th Street S.

The $20 cost of admission will get you a tasting glass, sips of tequila and various types of Spanish and South American wine, and tapas dishes from local restaurants. There’s also a $10 food-only option.

Events

Voting in Progress for Next Year’s Outdoor Movie Fest in Crystal City

By ARLnow.com

Published August 16, 2012 at 1:50PM

The neighborhood’s 2013 outdoor movie theme is “Blockbusters,” a reference to both hit movies and to the long-term plan to break up Crystal City’s “mega blocks” with new roads.

“With new buildings rising, new art popping up, fun daily events and activities going on, and the next evolution of an even more pedestrian-friendly street grid underway, the Crystal City Business Improvement District (BID) has selected a commensurate theme for its 2013 outdoor movie series that reflects these exciting changes,” the BID said in a press release.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published August 7, 2012 at 8:45AM

Challenges for Crystal City — Vornado Realty Trust, which owns half of the commercial real estate, is struggling to fill 2.4 million square feet of office space in Northern Virginia being vacated by government agencies, largely as a result of the military’s Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission. [Washington Post]

Romney Office Opens in Arlington — Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s “Virginia Victory Office” — in Virginia Square — held a grand opening ceremony over the weekend. The special guest for the event was Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R). [Sun Gazette]

News

Big Local Turnout for ‘Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day’

By Aaron Kraut

Published August 2, 2012 at 1:00PM

Wednesday’s “Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day” brought record nationwide sales to the fast food chicken chain, CNN reported today (Thursday).

The event, organized on Facebook to demonstrate support for the restaurant after its CEO came under fire for remarks critical of same-sex marriage, drew large crowds across the country, including in Arlington.

Events

Crystal City To Host Dog-Friendly Beer Festival

By Aaron Kraut

Published July 26, 2012 at 1:45PM | Updated July 26, 2012 at 3:57PM

The inaugural “Pups and Pilsners” outdoor beer festival will be held on Sept. 23. The Crystal City Business Improvement District and Washington Wine Academy is stocking the event, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 1405 Crystal Drive, with a beer garden of 10 craft brews and food from Crystal City restaurants.

Entry to the “dog-friendly festival” is free — and bringing Fido is optional. The beer garden will cost you, though. Tickets will be available at washingtonwineacademy.org.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published July 23, 2012 at 8:45AM

Pentagon City Elevator Contract Approved — The Arlington County Board has approved a contract to design a second elevator for the busy Pentagon City Metro station. The estimated $5.1 million elevator construction project has already received $4.5 million in federal funding. [Arlington County]

Arlington’s Roads Rate ‘Poor’ — More than one third of Arlington County’s 974 mile street network is in “poor” condition, based on the county’s own assessment. The reason for the poor road conditions may lie with spending. The county has been spending significantly less on paving than the amount recommended by its top streets official. [Patch]

Around Town

Arlington Artists Alliance Gets New Home in Crystal City

By ARLnow.com

Published July 19, 2012 at 12:12PM

The airy gallery space, which the Alliance has dubbed the Northern Virginia Art Center, features “works from area artists covering a broad array of materials and mediums, including oil, acrylic, watercolor, collage, pottery, glass and sculpture.”

The center will rotate exhibits on a monthly basis, and each exhibit will have its own unique theme. September’s theme will be “A Celebration of Color.” The current theme is “Individual Perspective.” The exhibits are juried, meaning each work must be selected by a judge or judges in order to be displayed. Many of the works displayed are also available for sale.

Events

Registration Open for Crystal City Twilighter 5K

By ARLnow.com

Published June 29, 2012 at 10:45AM

The Pacers-organized race is scheduled to take place at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 21. The start and finish will be located on Crystal Drive between 20th and 23rd Streets. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top 5 overall male and female finishers. Merchandise prizes will be awarded to the top three male and female finishers in 10 different age groups, from 0-5 to 70+.

Unlike in previous years, the race course is now expected to take runners mostly south instead of north. Due to construction on the northern end of Crystal Drive, we’re told that runners will now head south on Potomac Avenue, toward Potomac Yard, before heading back toward Crystal City.

Events

Elliot Joins Celebrities Going “Over the Edge”

By Katie Pyzyk

Published June 21, 2012 at 5:05PM

It’s all part of Special Olympics Virginia’s “Over the Edge” fundraiser. Today, local celebrities including ABC 7’s Steve Chenevey and Arlington Connection’s Deb Cobb joined Elliot in taking part in the event. They each did a test run from only one story up, then moved on to the big event — a 15 story rappel.

Tomorrow, Friday, the fundraiser is open to the public. Participants are asked to donate $1,000 for the chance to rappel down the side of the hotel. Many groups pooled together money and signed up co-workers for the daredevil stunt.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published June 18, 2012 at 8:45AM | Updated June 29, 2018 at 3:25PM

Rush Plus Starts Today — This morning marks the start of Metro’s “Rush Plus” modified rush hour rail service. So far, via Twitter, numerous problems and crowded trains have been reported on the Blue Line. Initial reviews have been mixed on the Orange and Yellow lines.

Hearing Set for Pike Neighborhoods Plan — A public hearing about the new Columbia Pike Neighborhoods Plan will be held on Saturday, July 21. The plan envisions the addition of 6,000 new rental apartments (to the existing stock of 9,000 apartments) along the Columbia Pike corridor over the next 30 years. Arlington County says the goal of the plan is to “Preserve affordable housing… encourage private investment… create a more pedestrian-friendly community… [and] strengthen the Pike corridor’s transit network.” [Washington Post, Arlington County]