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Things To Do In Arlington, Virginia
If you're new to Arlington, VA, or just visiting, it's sometimes hard to figure out what the best things to do in the area are. Luckily, there are plenty of resources out there which lay it out for you. With more people out due to the weather changing, we thought it would be nice to take a look at one of the most popular travel sites: TripAdvisor. If you have never used this site, you may want to try it out. Why? Unlike some other travel/things to do sites, a large majority of TripAdvisor's content is user-generated. So, instead of professional reviews or those from businesses trying to sell their products, you can read what everyday people enjoy - and Arlington is no exception. The great thing about the site is that even if you have lived in the area for quite some time, you can still find some new things to do. According to TripAdvisor's website, there are currently 62 items listed under Things to Do in Arlington, all with helpful reviews. The first items on the list are geared more for those visiting the area, with landmarks and "must-see" memorials:- Arlington National Cemetery
- Tomb of the Unknowns
- U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial
- Pentagon Memorial
- John F. Kennedy Grave Site
- Arlington House - The Robert E. Lee Memorial
- Air Force Memorial
- The Pentagon
- Mount Vernon Trail
- Theodore Roosevelt Island Park
- #21 of 62: Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse
- #35 of 62: Theater & Performances
- #39 of 62: Bars & Clubs
- #42 of 62 Specialty Gift Shops
260 Feet Above Arlington?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ER7Mx_08_Xc&feature=youtu.be In the video above, Clark Construction (our contractor), members of the Shooshan team and our construction lender, Suntrust, take a tower crane climb for our Marymount Residential Project, a 267 unit apartment building that is opening up in 2017. At roughly 260 feet above street level and taking about 30 minutes to reach the top, it's no wonder this view of Arlington is so great! The Shooshan Company would like to thank Kaley Rhodes, an office engineer working on the project for Clark, for filming this amazing video. This building is located at 1008 N. Glebe Road in Arlington, Virginia and is part of the Marymount University “Blue Goose” re-development. Through a ground-lease with Marymount University, The Shooshan Company controls this project which will provide apartments in a mixed-use environment with Marymount’s new campus. The Shooshan Company won an open competition among the top 12 development firms in the Metropolitan area for this project which received unanimous approval from both the Arlington County Planning Commission (9-0) and Arlington County Board (5-0). The building, opening in 2017, received a LEED Silver Certification and will have 3,000 square feet of ground floor retail. Sources: (1) Marymount Crane Climb. (2016). Kaley Rhodes - YouTube. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ER7Mx_08_Xc&feature=youtu.be.
Arlington County Hiking Trails
With the weather finally becoming more enjoyable, it's time to start looking at ideas for outdoor activities. Arlington County maintains "36 miles of multi-use trails and 50 miles of connecting bicycle routes" (1). The Arlington County Bicycle Comfort Level Map is a great resource for planning your next ride (2). [caption id="attachment_916" align="alignnone" width="276"]
Arlington County Bicycle Comfort Level Map via their website.[/caption]
At The Shooshan Company, we like to explore new options the area has to offer. So whether you are planning a day out with the family or a company team-building day, Arlington's hiking and biking trails provide everything you need.
Sources:
(1) Parks & Recreation. (2016). Arlington County. Source: https://parks.arlingtonva.us/parksfacilities/trails/
(2) Maps & Rides: Arlington County Bicycle Comfort Level Map. (2016). Arlington County. Source: http://www.bikearlington.com/pages/maps-rides/
Arlington Thrive’s Bingo Happy Hour
Arlington Thrive is a non-profit organization "that provides same-day, emergency financial assistance to County residents who experience sudden financial crisis such as temporary unemployment or illness. Most clients are the working poor, elderly and disabled people on a fixed income, and the homeless and formerly homeless who need Arlington Thrive’s funds as a 'safety net' until they are able to get back on firmer financial footing."(1) Raising awareness and funds is key to any non-profit, which is why Arlington Thrive has events like the Resolve to Run or the Bingo Happy Hour, hosted by Arlington Thrive’s Young Professionals Steering Committee. The information from the website reads (2): "Come celebrate Leap Day with us! Free attendance to enjoy food and drink specials, test your bingo skills, win great prizes and learn how we help Arlington families in need. RSVP via Facebook here." The bingo happy hour will be February 29th, 2016 from 5:30-8:30 pm at Arlington Rooftop Bar & Grill located at 2424 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, Va 22201 The Shooshan Company is always in support of local organizations looking to make a difference, so we encourage you to RSVP and learn more about Arlington Thrive and their mission. Sources: (1) About us: Who we are. (2016). Arlington Thrive. Source: http://arlingtonthrive.org/about/ (2) Events. (2016). Arlington Thrive. Source: http://arlingtonthrive.org/category/events/
Arlington POPS Give the Community a Voice
The Arlington Partnership for Children, Youth, and Families is an extension of Arlington County whose mission is "To improve the health, wellbeing, and safety of children, youth, and families in Arlington through researching young people’s needs, advocating for improved policies and programs to meet those needs, and engaging all members of our community as part of the solution." One of the subjects covered by the APCYF is the improvement of parks and recreation through POPS, or A Plan for Our Places and Spaces. These public meetings allow members of the community to provide insight, ask questions and be involved. Each public meeting features "interactive stations and brief presentations by the project consultants." At the Shooshan Company, we are always looking for opportunities to improve the community, so naturally this organization stood out! See their flyer below for this weekend's Arlington POPS locations and times, and also be sure to "like" them on Facebook to stay in touch with the latest updates.
Sources:
POPS: A Plan for Our Places and Spaces. (2016). Arlington County Department of Parks and Recreation. http://parks.arlingtonva.us/events/arlington-pops-set-a-course-for-our-parks-and-recreation-places-and-spaces/
Arlington Snowfall Records and Emergency Snow Removal
The first snowstorm of the year has come and gone. While it may not be the last snow we see in 2016, it almost certainly will be the largest amount at one time. Like many other industries, commercial real estate development is affected by the weather. Excessive snowfall can bring projects to a halt - both during the storm and after. Piles of snow can block traffic and prevent materials from getting moved to the proper location.
“Snowzilla 2016,” as it’s been labeled (1), was one of the biggest snowstorms the Washington, D.C. area has ever seen, but how does the 2016 snowfall compare to other years in the area? According to the National Weather Service (2), the recent behemoth tied with a storm in 2010 as the fourth largest amount of snow in Washington, D.C. within a three day period since weather recording began in 1884 (in D.C.). The top snowfall amounts are:
|
Washington, D.C. Area Top Snowfall Within a Three Day Period (1884-2016) |
|
|
Source: National Weather Service (2) |
|
|
Inches |
Date |
|
28.0” |
Jan 27-29, 1922 |
|
20.0” |
Feb 12-14, 1899 |
|
18.7” |
Feb 18-19, 1979 |
| 17.8” |
Feb 5-6, 2010 |
|
17.8” |
Jan 22-23, 2016 |
|
17.3” |
Jan 7-9, 1996 |
The Arlington County Snow Removal Process
According to the Arlington County Government (3), there are four “phases” to the snow removal process: alert, primary routes, neighborhood streets and cleanup. When snow is 2 inches or less, Arlington County “treats” the streets, meaning chemicals and salt are used to help speed melting. Plowing only begins (and is really only necessary) when snow accumulates to 2-4 inches. The main focus during snowfall is to keep roads clear for “emergency vehicles and public transportation.”
The four phases previously mentioned take place during and after snowstorms, and are pretty self-explanatory based on their titles. First comes the “Alert,” where the county advises on weather conditions, starts treating roads and informs the public on what to do such as moving parked cars off the side of the street or necessary items you need in your home. After this, we enter phase two, “Primary Routes.” This is when the county is working to remove snow from priority streets and trails, represented by the red and blue lines in this map (4). Next, the county starts clearing residential areas (phase three). This can take some time, as some neighborhoods are more difficult to maneuver around than others. However, Arlington County residents can always submit a Snow Issue Form via the handy website here (5). The form is mainly to “report any snow removal problems 24 hours after snow has fallen.” The final phase, called “Clean Up,” is where Arlington County finishes removing slush and other elements from the roadways. If you would rather see the phases in an easy-to-read infographic, Arlington County has provided one (click on image to the right) (6):
At The Shooshan Company, we care about the community. By following proper procedures during emergency situations, we can help insure the safety of our family, employees and neighbors. When it comes to development, safety is always a priority. We're glad Arlington County has put steps in place to make sure we, along with everyone else working in the county, can get back to doing what we do best in a reasonable amount of time after snowfall.
Here are some more image of the 2016 snowstorm courtesy of Arlington resident Bonnie Flippin:
Sources
- We hereby name this winter storm “Snowzilla.” (2016). The Washington Post. Source:https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capital-weather-gang/wp/2016/01/21/poll-name-this-winter-storm/
- Top 1-, 2- and 3-day snowfalls. (2016). National Weather Service. Source: http://www.weather.gov/lwx/winter_storm-pr
- Snow removal process and phases. (2016). Arlington County Government Emergency Services. Source: http://emergency.arlingtonva.us/weather/snow-ice/snow-removal-phases/
- Snow priority streets and trails. (2016). Arlington County, VA - MAPS. Source: http://gis.arlingtonva.us/gallery/map.html?webmap=292bfb65622f4431b4103b50bf574af1
- Snow issue form. (2016). Arlington County Dept. Of Environmental Services. Source: http://gis.arlingtonva.us/mapapps/snowpublic/index.php
- Phase system. (2016). Arlington County. Source: http://arlingtonva.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2015/01/snowphase.jpg
- Photos courtesy of Arlington resident Bonnie Flippin
92nd Annual Arlington Business Gala
The 92nd Annual Arlington Business Gala is fast approaching and as one of the sponsors, we (along with the Arlington Chamber of Commerce - Virginia) would like to remind everyone there's still time to donate items. With over 300 guests already registered, it's sure to be a great event. The registration deadline is 12:00 pm on Friday, January 22 and more information may be found on the Arlington Chamber of Commerce events page here.
First Chamber Breakfast 1/7/16
At The Shooshan Company, we love having the opportunity to network and meet other people in the Arlington area. The Arlington Chamber of Commerce provides many networking opportunities to fit different schedules, with breakfasts, happy hours, roundtable discussions and more. This Thursday marks the first "Breakfast Connection" of the new year for the Arlington Chamber of Commerce. On January 7, 2016, from 7:30 am - 9:00 am at the Holiday Inn Rosslyn, Chamber members will have the opportunity to exchange business cards, grab some breakfast and get to know other members of the community. Start the year off networking and as the chamber website states, "Promote your business before the workday even begins." Be sure to register in advance on the Arlington Chamber of Commerce website here. Location: If Driving: Holiday Inn Rosslyn 1900 North Fort Myer Drive Arlington, VA 22209 If using the Metro: Rosslyn Metro (Orange, Silver & Blue lines)References
Breakfast Connection. (2016). The Arlington Chamber of Commerce. Source: http://www.arlingtonchamber.org/events/Breakfast-Connection-1864/details
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays
We would like to wish a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of our friends, family and clients this season.
YONA Opens in Ballston To Great Reception
Monday, November 30, 2015, saw the grand opening of the much-anticipated new restaurant YONA, a concept from Washington, D.C. based celebrity chef Mike Isabella and experienced Chef Jonah Kim. Located in The View at 4000 Wilson Boulevard in Arlington, Virginia, the official website of YONA describes it as, “a full-service Japanese noodle bar and small plates restaurant in the Ballston neighborhood” (1). As if the restaurant description isn’t enough, Chef Jonah Kim was just listed as one of “The Most Important DC Chefs to Watch in 2016” (2). Sounds good right? Monday’s opening saw a full house, packed with Arlingtonians, Washingtonians and more. Anna Spiegel of the Washingtonian summed it up best: “True to name, noodles star on the menu…several varieties of ramen, including kimchi-filled Korean with poached squid and pork belly, a veggie version that mixes soy milk in the broth, and a robust ‘miso porky’”(3). Follow Anna on Twitter @AnnaSpiegs.
Yona initially opened only serving lunch, and began serving dinner later in the week on December 4, 2015, now having hours from 11:30 am to 10:00 pm everyday. Only a few blocks from the Ballston metro station, Yona is sure to keep those looking for something different satisfied. You may find the full menu on their website at http://yonava.com/menu.
References
(1) Yona. (2015). About Yona. Source: http://yonava.com/about/jonah-kim/
(2) Thrillist / Washington DC. (2015). The Most Important DC Chefs to Watch in 2016. Source: https://www.thrillist.com/eat/washington-dc/10-washington-dc-chefs-to-watch-in-2016
(3) Washingtonian. (2015). Anna Spiegel. Yona from Mike Isabella and Jonah Kim is Open and Serving Ramen: A modern Korean/Japanese restaurant for Ballston. Source: http://www.washingtonian.com/blogs/bestbites/food-restaurant-news/yona-from-mike-isabella-and-jonah-kim-is-now-serving-ramen-in-ballston.php
(4) Photos from grand opening courtesy of Bonnie Flippin.