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Morning Notes

Published May 7, 2021 at 7:30AM

Va. May Lift Most Restrictions Next Month — “Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam said Thursday the state could lift most of its COVID-19 pandemic restrictions by mid-June, about 14 months after the state initially put those measures in place to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. Northam said the state is planning to do away with social distancing requirements and restrictions on gathering sizes on June 15, provided coronavirus cases continue to drop and the pace of vaccinations does not let up.” [DCist, InsideNova]

Allegations of Hazing at ACFD Academy — “Over a year ago, firefighter EMT recruit Brett Ahern alleged extreme bullying and hazing at the hands of one firefighter who was an instructor with the Arlington County Fire Department’s Training Academy… there were other victims. Witnesses are speaking out on the condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation.” [WDVM]

Around Town

Pupatella Named One of the Best Pizza Places in Virginia

By Matt Blitz

Published May 5, 2021 at 3:55PM

Waiting for an order at Pupatella on Walter Reed Drive (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

Arlington’s own Pupatella was recently named one of the best pizzas places in Virginia by Food & Wine Magazine.

“The only thing more authentically Neapolitan than the pillow-like pizzas practically flying from the oven at Pupatella in Arlington is [owner] Enzo Algarme himself,” reads part of the story’s blurb.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published May 5, 2021 at 7:30AM | Updated May 5, 2021 at 9:12AM

A pedestrian with an umbrella walks past a rainy window in Rosslyn (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

Free Cinco de Mayo Rides — “Offered by the nonprofit Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP), the 2021 Cinco de Mayo SoberRide program will be in operation beginning at 4:00 pm this Wednesday, May 5, 2021 (Cinco de Mayo) and operate until 2:00 am on Thursday, May 6, 2021 as a way to keep local roads safe from impaired drivers during this traditionally high-risk holiday.” [Press Release]

Extra ACPD Traffic Enforcement — From the Arlington County Police Department: “As part of the regional Council of Governments StreetSmart campaign, officers conducted high visibility speed enforcement along Lee Highway today. With warmer weather upon us, there is increased pedestrian and cyclist traffic in the County. Remember to slow down, obey posted speed limits and remain alert for other travelers.” [Facebook]

Events

Arlington Agenda: May 3-9

By Vernon Miles

Published May 3, 2021 at 3:35PM

Patterns at Gallery Underground (photo via Gallery Underground)

Our Arlington Agenda post is back for the first time since the pandemic started.

As a reminder: Arlington Agenda is a listing of interesting events for the week ahead in Arlington County. If you’d like your event considered, fill out the event submission form to submit it to our event calendar.

Around Town

Pierogi Joint in Ballston Cooks Up Star Wars-Themed Specials

By Vernon Miles

Published May 3, 2021 at 11:45AM

Yody Perogis at Zofia's Kitchen (photo via Zofia's Kitchen/Facebook)

Ballston Quarter’s Zofia’s Kitchen (4238 Wilson Blvd) is cooking up a limited edition batch of Star Wars-themed snacks, and missing out would be a Wookie mistake.

The restaurant is operating with limited staff but said in a press release that they decided to go all in on “May the Fourth” — a sort of quasi-holiday for Star Wars fans on May 4 rooted in a “May the Force be with you” pun.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published April 29, 2021 at 7:45AM

Rent Rising in Arlington — “Of the 10 top apartment markets in the D.C. metro tracked by Apartment List, average rents are lower than a year ago in six of them. Arlington County, Virginia, remains the most expensive apartment rental market, with an average monthly rent of $2,144. Arlington County rents are still 9.7% lower than a year ago, but rents have bounced back the most, rising by 2.7% over the past month.” [WTOP]

Local Spots on Spring Dining Guide — Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema’s prestigious Spring Dining Guide includes three Arlington or Arlington-connected restaurants: Cafe Colline on Lee Highway, Spice Kraft Indian Bistro in Clarendon, and the soon-to-open Lucky Danger in Pentagon City. [Washington Post]

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Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published April 26, 2021 at 5:00AM

Vote By Mail in June Primary — From Arlington’s elections office: “More than 3,900 mail ballots for the June 8 Democratic Primary are on their way.. Deadline to request a mail ballot: May 28 @ 5 p.m.” [Twitter]

Restaurants Cited For Covid Violations — “Twenty-nine Arlington restaurants were cited for violating Gov. Ralph Northam’s COVID-19 restrictions between Jan. 1 and April 4 of this year, according to data obtained exclusively by Patch from Arlington County Public Health.” [Patch]

Around Town

Colony Grill Gains Fan Base, Pins Hopes on Looser Dining Restrictions

By Jo DeVoe

Published April 22, 2021 at 11:45AM | Updated April 22, 2021 at 1:04PM

Colony Grill in Clarendon (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

In the short time that Colony Grill has been in Clarendon, the pizza place has garnered a lot of love.

The spot opened last October at 2800 Clarendon Blvd in The Crossing Clarendon (formerly known as Market Common). Colony Grill, a small Connecticut-based chain, is known for its short menu featuring one innovation to pizza: the thin-crust, hot-oil bar pie. On weekends, it becomes a breakfast pizza best served with a mimosa or Bloody Mary.

Around Town

Arlington Restaurants Featured on Michelin Bib Gourmand List (Kind Of)

By ARLnow.com

Published April 20, 2021 at 11:30AM | Updated April 20, 2021 at 12:10PM

Cuisine from Stellina Pizzeria (Photo by Rey Lopez, courtesy Stellina)

Some Arlington restaurants have been honored, by association at least, in the latest edition of the city-centric Michelin Bib Gourmand list.

A number of D.C. restaurants with Arlington outposts made the list, which highlights great but affordable during experiences.

Around Town

Here Are the Top 40 Highest-Rated Restaurants in Arlington

By ARLnow.com

Published April 19, 2021 at 3:45PM | Updated April 22, 2021 at 10:37AM

Dinner hour in Shirlington Village in May 2020 (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

Anecdotally, at least, restaurants seem to be getting busier around town.

That’s not too surprising, given the warmer weather and the fact that vaccinations are on the rise and now available to everyone ages 16 and up.

Around Town

New Crystal City Eatery ‘The Freshman’ Opens This Week

By Vernon Miles

Published April 19, 2021 at 11:45AM

Nick Freshman at the bar for The Freshman in Crystal City (photo courtesy Joseph Tran)

At the end of the long road from a pop-up in 2019, The Freshman is ready to graduate this week from long-delayed concept to Crystal City’s newest restaurant.

The Freshman is the creation of Nick Freshman, owner of Spider Kelly’s in Clarendon. The restaurant, which offers an all-day breakfast menu as well as lunch and dinner options, advertises itself as one of the first to come into the area in the wake of the Amazon HQ2 announcement.

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Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published April 19, 2021 at 5:00AM

Covid Testing Unit Coming to Marymount — “The mobile testing unit, operated by Quest Diagnostics, will operate at the university in the parking lot by Reinsch Library, from April 19 – May 7, open Monday-Friday from 9 AM – 4 PM. It will offer no-cost, no-appointment COVID-19 testing to the general public, as well as Marymount students, staff and faculty.” [Arlington County]

School Board Candidate’s Emails FOIAed — “Arlington School Board candidate Mary Kadera said a political opposition-research effort is unlikely to turn up any dirt on her. In a note to supporters, Kadera (one of two candidates in the upcoming Democratic caucus) noted that a local resident had submitted a request under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act in order to gain access to all the e-mails she has sent to School Board members over the past two years.” [Sun Gazette]