Good Monday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.
🕗 News recap
The following articles were published earlier today — Mar 18, 2024.
- 9:45 am: Local street sweeping starts this week in Arlington | 🗣️ Comments
- 10:45 am: Local high school student recognized with ‘Military Child of The Year’ award | 🗣️ Comments
- 11:45 am: Charcuterie board franchise opens new outpost inside Rosslyn hotel | 🗣️ Comments
- 12:45 pm: Most and least expensive townhouses sold in Arlington (February 2024) | 🗣️ Comments
- 1:45 pm: Inspired by his kids, single dad opens new play area in Ballston Quarter mall | 🗣️ Comments
- 3:55 pm: Bike theft suspect charged with assaulting victim and police | 🗣️ Comments
📅 Upcoming events
Here is what’s going on Tuesday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
- 12:00 pm: Innovation Station: Tuesdays
- 3:00 pm: Anti-Procrastination Cafe: Tuesdays
- 3:00 pm: Anti-Procrastination Cafe: Tuesdays
- 5:30 pm: March Movement: Pop-Up Fitness Series
- 6:00 pm: Borders and Beyond: The Future of American Border Security
- 6:00 pm: Rep & Revive with SPENGA
🌤️ Tuesday’s forecast
Expect mostly sunny skies with temperatures reaching around 55 degrees and west winds blowing at 10-14 mph, gusting up to 23 mph. The night will be partly cloudy and the temperature will dip to 40 degrees, while southwest winds will be around 7 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“Every artist was first an amateur.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
🌅 Tonight’s sunset
Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.
There is a new play area for kids inside Ballston Quarter with plenty of pint-sized attractions.
Located on the first floor of the mall, near the about-to-close Macy’s, Junior Playland has everything from a pink-and-blue carousel to a party room to a make-believe “village” with a hospital, restaurant and police station.
Although other indoor playgrounds exist in the D.C. area, owner Mon Nguyen said there was previously nothing like this in Arlington before he opened Junior Playland in November. He credits the idea to his experiences as a single dad with a 5-year-old and 2-year-old twins.
“They inspire me,” Nguyen said. “Before, I would never have thought about this.”
He said his kids enjoy playing in the ball pit and the balloon cage the most.
Junior Playland has a membership option — $59 per month for unlimited play — along with weekday and weekend “open play” admission for kids ages 1-10. It is open from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m.-7 p.m. on Sunday.
Nguyen has opened another location in the Mall at Prince George’s in Hyattsville and soon plans to expand elsewhere in Virginia. He said many visitors are parents and nannies seeking an indoor outing away from the weather.
“The customers, they love bringing their kids with us,” he said.
Here in Arlington, real estate is a spectator sport. Let’s take a look at some of the most and least expensive townhouses sold last month (February 2024).
Most expensive townhouses sold
- 1122 N Stuart St — Ballston — $1,535,000 (4 beds | 4.5 baths | 2,907 sq. ft.)
- 1110 A N Stafford St N — Ballston — $1,305,000 (3 beds | 3.5 baths | 2,002 sq. ft.)
- 2136 S Nelson St — Green Valley — $1,060,000 (5 beds | 4.5 baths | 3,200 sq. ft.)
Least expensive townhouses sold*
- 1021 S Barton St Unit 126 — Arlington Village — $327,000 (1 beds | 1 baths | 800 sq. ft.)
- 2601 16th St S Unit 617 — Arlington Village — $350,000 (1 beds | 1 baths | 800 sq. ft.)
- 2601 16th St S Unit 609 — Arlington Village — $460,000 (2 beds | 1 baths | 994 sq. ft.)
*Minimum home value of $200,000 set to exclude certain land sales, retirement condos, properties with expiring ground leases, etc.
Written by Kate Kimberlin
A charcuterie board franchise officially opened its doors in Rosslyn earlier this month.
The second Virginia location of Graze Craze is located within the Le Méridien Arlington hotel at 1121 19th Street N.
The business was two years in the making, according to franchisee Amaan Bhanji. He was in high school when he got started on this venture, making him the youngest Graze Craze franchisee, per a press release.
“I’m so excited to serve the community and create relationships with the many amazing people I meet on my entrepreneurial journey with Graze Craze,” Bhanji said.
Bhanji started working in food service when he in high school. While he originally planned to pursue college, those early work experiences, along with visits to several Graze Craze locations, led him down the path of entrepreneurship.
“I immediately fell in love with the concept, the fresh ingredients, and the creativity that goes into creating stunning charcuterie. I knew opening my own Graze Craze location would be the perfect venture to kick off my entrepreneurial journey,” Bhanji said.
The business offers a menu of different “grazing” boards and boxes curated to fit different flavor and dietary preferences. The boards can also be made for one person or as many as 10. Customers can meet with a “charcuterie expert” who will help customize boards for anything from small gatherings to large events.
Menu offerings are made fresh daily, with a variety of meats, cheeses, fruits and dips that are made in-house. The menu also offers occasional seasonal boards, such as a “Game Day Board,” as listed on the website.
Bhanji said the business will debut a new “Springtime Spread” board tomorrow (Tuesday), with watermelon radish, Italian prosciutto, dried apricots and merlot cheese.
The franchise, founded in 2018 by an Oklahoma Air Force veteran, was launched amid the rising popularity of charcuterie boards. Now with over 40 locations in 18 states, it is considered a top franchise in the “grazing food” category.
Bhanji said the first week of business has been a success and he looks forward to continuing to win new customers.
“It’s thrilling to be part of this young brand that will help bring joy to our community. I love the fact that I will be able to cater events and help relieve stress from our customers while doing something I truly enjoy,” he said.
A senior at Washington-Liberty High School has been awarded as a “2024 Military Child of the Year.”
Taylor Walsh, the daughter of a Space Force colonel and an Air Force veteran, has been recognized for her resiliency. Operation Homefront, a nonprofit that supports military families, said that despite the frequent deployments, family separations and other hardships of being in a military family, Walsh continues to excel.
As her parents serve the country, Walsh serves her community. She has logged 830 volunteer hours in the past 12 months and provided mentorship for over 40 freshmen students.
Walsh is also involved in several extracurricular activities and clubs such as softball, the Arlington Children’s Chorus and the Student Council Association. As a member of this association, she planned and encouraged some 2,500 students to participate in community outreach programs such as blood and food drives.
Walsh said she is inspired by her mother.
“The most meaningful memory I have from that day was when my mother stood front and center on the field and was honored for her service,” said Walsh. “I am so incredibly proud of my mom and all her accomplishments.”
Now, Walsh is receiving recognition for her own accomplishments and service. Next month, Walsh and the other recipients will be celebrated during the “Month of the Military Child.” They will receive a $10,000 reward, a laptop and other gifts at the 2024 gala in D.C.
The award recognizes young people between the ages of 13 and 18 for their scholarship, leadership, volunteerism and other services that benefit their communities.
Chosen recipients each represent a branch of the U.S. armed forces: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard, National Guard and — in the case of Walsh — Space Force.
Image via Operation Homefront/Facebook
Good Friday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.
🕗 News recap
The following articles were published earlier today — Mar 15, 2024.
- 9:30 am: Rooftop Bar & Grill in Courthouse closes permanently as landlord looks for new tenant | 🗣️ Comments
- 10:30 am: Photos: Cherry blossoms are blooming around Arlington | 🗣️ Comments
- 11:30 am: Utility work for HQ2’s stalled second phase set to start next week | 🗣️ Comments
- 1:30 pm: Arlington considers buying house to boost safety at Columbia Pike intersection | 🗣️ Comments
- 3:30 pm: Ballston beer hall to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this weekend with dog adoption event | 🗣️ Comments
Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.
- School placed on lockdown after gun confiscated from student (23621 views)
- NEW: Body found in Potomac near Key Bridge (13851 views)
- BREAKING: Southbound I-395 blocked by serious motorcycle crash (8137 views)
- Clarendon’s The Lot to reopen soon as Arlington Beer Garden as redevelopment stalls (7878 views)
- Arlington woman arrested after Clarendon bank robbery (6657 views)
- JUST IN: Local acupuncturist’s December death ruled a homicide (6268 views)
- Arlington’s Axios HQ says internal comms for many U.S. companies is in dire straits (5689 views)
- JUST IN: Man convicted of throwing woman out of moving SUV near Ballston (5593 views)
- Trader Joe’s continues to make progress on likely Crystal City store (5063 views)
- New restaurant and bar coming soon to former Rebellion on the Pike space (4971 views)
- NEW: Two hospitalized after car crashes into parked trailer (4785 views)
- Mediterranean restaurant planned at former Bar Ivy in Clarendon (4435 views)
- Video: Off-duty officer jumps into action to help detain combative theft suspect (4255 views)
📅 Upcoming events
Here is what’s going on Saturday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
- 8:00 am: YULA Invite – Ultimate Frisbee March 16-17th
- 9:00 am: Tossed & Found
- 9:00 am: Tossed & Found
- 9:30 am: Free Shredding Event
- 10:00 am: Drawing the Portrait in Charcoal 2-Day Workshop with Teresa Oaxaca at Art House
- 10:00 am: Art House 7 Workshop: Drawing the Portrait in Charcoal with Teresa Oaxaca
- 10:00 am: We’re Expecting!
- 10:00 am: We’re Expecting!
- 11:00 am: St. Patty’s Palooza at Punch Bowl Social
- 2:00 pm: The Spruce Quartet
- 4:00 pm: Meet and Greet
- 4:00 pm: Meet and Greet
- 5:00 pm: The Stranger – Concert
Here are the events planned for Sunday:
- 12:00 pm: Daylight DC Presents Brunch To The Beat @ Art WHINO
- 2:00 pm: Talkin’ Bout Turtles
- 👉 2:00 pm: Science Meets Judaism: Artificial Intelligence and Ethical Biases
☀️ Saturday’s forecast
Expect sunshine and a high of 65 degrees, accompanied by a northwest wind at 7-9 mph shifting to the west in the afternoon. Saturday night will be partly cloudy, with a low temperature near 50 degrees and a south wind at approximately 7 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“Believe and act as if it were impossible to fail.”
– Charles Kettering
We hope you have a great weekend, Arlington! Feel free to discuss the most-read stories of the week, the upcoming weekend events or anything else of local interest in the comments. 👋
This past weekend was spring forward for time. This week as been spring open for cherry blossoms.
Thanks to warm and sunny weather, tree blossoms have been opening at a rapid clip, and that includes those on Arlington’s cherry blossom trees.
Blossom seekers can enjoy the bloom by visiting some of the local sites with cherry tree clusters, including:
- Cherrydale Baptist Church (3910 Lorcom Lane)
- Arlington National Cemetery (1 Memorial Ave)
- Long Bridge Park in Crystal City (475 Long Bridge Drive)
- Quincy Park in Virginia Square (1021 N. Quincy Street)
- Welburn Square in Ballston (901 N. Taylor Street)
Arlington has a few events and activities planned coinciding with blossom season, including a pop-up market with local vendors at Metropolitan Park in Pentagon City and live music at the Crystal City Water Park.
The more famous Tidal Basin cherry blossoms in D.C., meanwhile, have reached the final stage before peak bloom. The National Park Service made the announcement this morning.
Here are some more pictures of the blossoms in stage 5: puffy white. Learn more about the blossom cycle & plan your visit at https://t.co/h04Gu0ksc1
🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸/🌸#Cherryblossom #BloomWatch #WashingtonDC pic.twitter.com/phjKOaZXYF— National Mall NPS (@NationalMallNPS) March 15, 2024
Arlington Rooftop Bar & Grill is permanently closed, and the landlord is looking for a new tenant.
Located at 2424 Wilson Blvd, the multi-story sports bar and restaurant opened in 2010 and became a popular destination thanks in large part to its open air rooftop deck and its ability to host events, including local and state political gatherings.
Despite its popularity, Arlington County police frequently visited the restaurant for noise complaints related to live music, according to a county staff report.
In 2021, the Arlington County Board voted unanimously to revoke the restaurant’s live entertainment permit. The restaurant also closed temporarily in 2019 due to a zoning issue.
Raghav Dumera, one of the restaurant’s landlords, confirmed that its last day of operation was New Year’s Eve and it will not be reopening for the warmer weather season. The closure was not announced on the restaurant’s social media accounts.
Dumera, who also owns and operates several other restaurants in the same building — Takeshi Sushi, Delhi Dhaba and Ghost Kabob — gave few details about the closure except to say the venue’s owner did not renew the lease.
Dumera noted he is looking for a new tenant to fill the space as soon as possible.
“So, anyone that’s interested can definitely reach out,” he said.
Hat tip to Katie W.
Good Thursday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.
🕗 News recap
The following articles were published earlier today — Mar 14, 2024.
- 9:30 am: New restaurant and bar coming soon to former Rebellion on the Pike space | 🗣️ Comments
- 10:30 am: Arlington is No. 2 most ‘climate resilient’ in nation, according to USA Today | 🗣️ Comments
- 11:30 am: Neighbors split over approval of more affordable housing at Crystal House complex | 🗣️ Comments
- 1:30 pm: Arlington woman arrested after Clarendon bank robbery | 🗣️ Comments
- 2:30 pm: Colada Shop in Clarendon to hold grand opening next week | 🗣️ Comments
- 3:45 pm: Arlington Independent Media in ‘crisis’ amid audit, board turnover and delayed move | 🗣️ Comments
📅 Upcoming events
Here is what’s going on Friday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
- 5:30 pm: Zumba Power Hour
- 6:00 pm: Stern Army March Pinball Tournament 3/15/24
- 7:00 pm: The Innocents Punch Party with Maria Gaspar
- 9:00 pm: Country Night @ Quincy Hall
⛈️ Friday’s forecast
There is a slight chance of showers, with a potential thunderstorm after 2pm, reaching a high of 73°F. Southwest winds will be at 8-10 mph, and with 80% precipitation chance, there could be a tenth to a quarter inch of rainfall, with higher amounts during thunderstorms. On Friday night, showers are mainly expected before 8pm, with a low around 48°F. North winds will be at 9-11 mph, and there is an 80% chance of precipitation, with less than a tenth of an inch of new rainfall possible. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“Wise men speak because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something.”
– Plato
🌅 Tonight’s sunset
Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.
Colada Shop is set to open its first Arlington location on Monday, and the first 100 visitors will receive a free “Colada Clarendon” tote bag.
The Sterling-based Cuban cafe is moving into a 2,200-square-foot space next to Tatte and Seamore’s, at 2811 Clarendon Blvd.
The company originally announced the Clarendon opening last August. This will be the sixth Colada Shop to open in the D.C. area, including one that opened in the Mosaic District in 2021. The first location opened in Sterling in 2016 before quickly expanding to D.C.
“We’ve been blown away by the love and support from the Washington, D.C. community,” Founder and CEO Daniella Senior said in a press release. “Each Colada Shop has its own unique charm, and I’m thrilled to see the infectious energy this Clarendon spot will bring to our family. Clarendon has always been on our radar, and now, we’ve found the perfect spot to bring our Cuban coffee, cocktails, and culinary delights, amplifying the neighborhood’s spirit.”
ARLnow reported in December that a second Colada Shop is slated to open in Crystal City this year, along with a Tatte cafe and Van Leeuwen ice cream shop, among other businesses.
What sets the Clarendon location apart from its sister cafes is a bigger bar, which will be the largest among all its locations.
“Prepare to be dazzled by the spacious interior and cozy patio seating at the Clarendon store, but the real star is the bar — meticulously designed to foster a lively ambiance where guests can unwind, mingle, and indulge in an array of tantalizing Cuban-inspired libations,” the release said.
The restaurant will offer a menu that includes favorites like Cuban-style empanadas, croquetas, arroz con pollo and BBQ ribs, with vegetarian options including jackfruit dishes.
The cocktail menu offers a variety of rum-based drinks, including the traditional piña colada and mojito, among others. For patrons on the go, the shop will offer seasonal slushies and cocktail pouches.
The building housing Colada Shop dates back to 1941 and is part of The Crossing Clarendon development, which has been renovated and rebranded in recent years.
The restaurant joins other new openings in Clarendon including as Chip City. There have also been several closures in the area, including clothier Jos. A Bank, outdoor outfitter Orvis, bar/restaurant Chicken + Whiskey, Mediterranean restaurant Cava Mezze and international bakery Le Pain Quotidien.
More changes could be on the horizon at The Crossing in the coming months as the property manager aims to “modernize” its retail offerings.
A new restaurant and bar is expected to replace the closed Rebellion on the Pike in a few weeks.
Cornerstone, at 2900 Columbia Pike, will offer a family friendly atmosphere around dinnertime and a place to grab a drink later in the night, co-owner Pete Fejeran tells ARLnow.
He is hoping to draw in both locals and visitors from nearby counties, many of whom frequent a notable business across the street — Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse, where Fejeran is general manager.
“We really just want a homey place,” he said. “It’s a place where people coming into town can just kick back, relax.”
Fejeran and co-owners Cindy Kaylor, Mike O’Hara and Kathryn McAbee are in the process of refurbishing the location, which Rebellion on the Pike occupied from April 2019 until last month. They are aiming for a soft opening on Wednesday, April 10.
Fejeran said he hopes the establishment will complement other local businesses, with audience members going there after shows — and maybe even grabbing drinks with stand-up comics after their Drafthouse performances.
“It’s right across the street — just easy back and forth,” he said.
Tentative hours are Monday through Thursday from 4-10 p.m., Friday from 2 p.m.-1:30 a.m., Saturday from 11 a.m.-1:30 a.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Rebellion on the Pike, which blamed its closure on economic circumstances, stepped into the shoes of another shuttered watering hole at the same location, BrickHaus.
BrickHaus was only open for about a year, in a building that has been there for much longer. Some say 2900 Columbia Pike is the oldest building on the Pike, dating back to 1902.