Inmates at the Arlington County Detention Facility picked up their paddles once again to compete in a pickleball tournament this week — and this time they had some additional friends.

The Pickleball Friends of Arlington joined the Arlington County Sheriff’s Office and Department of Parks and Recreation to host a sequel to last November’s jail pickleball tournament. The two-day competition started on Tuesday and ended yesterday with players on two winning teams receiving a $10 credit for their commissary accounts.

Sheriff’s office spokesperson Amy Meehan said the addition of the local pickleball group meant more people on deck to give lessons and keep score.

“We were lucky to be able to get volunteers from the ‘Pickleball Friends of Arlington’,” said Meehan. “We are grateful for the community involvement.”

Amid pickleball’s surge of popularity in Arlington and across the country, members of the Pickleball Friends of Arlington said they hope to foster a welcoming and involved community.

Member Heather Luca, who volunteered at the jail tournament, said her group provides feedback and insight on how to improve current courts and create new ones. Members advocate for their fellow players and weigh in on all manner of pickleball-related issues, from broken nets to sound mitigation.

Luca loves how welcoming the sport is, and not just at events like this week’s tournament. She said pickleball’s “drop-in culture” has opened the door to many new relationships.

“I have lots of other friends but these new friends of mine who I met through pickleball, who I wouldn’t have met otherwise, have showed up for me,” said Luca. “Anytime I’m feeling down, it’s like ‘Go out and play pickleball,’ and it just brings so much joy to me.”

Jimmy Brown, who founded the local group, likewise finds joy in meeting new people and activating his competitive drive.

“I love the people I play with but when I step on that court, I’m trying to beat them,” he said.

Coming from a background in high school sports and being the son of a former NFL player, Brown has always loved competing. He said that he discovered pickleball while on vacation a few years ago and was so fascinated with the fast-paced sport that he bought a paddle and went to Walter Reed Community Center to compete.

“I got my butt whooped, which was awesome,” said Brown.

Brown said defeats pushed him to engage in the game even more. Years later Brown and a few of his friends decided to start the Arlington Iron Paddles (AIP), a competitive pickleball group, in 2023 for other players who want to improve.

“It’s that camaraderie of being on a team and all pushing each other,” said Brown.

AIP trains players to compete at any level through clinics and tournaments. Browns hopes more people continue to get involved in the growing Arlington pickleball scene.

“We want to take the love of the game that we have and expand it to the whole community,” he said.

Arlington County homeowners can once again choose to participate in two regional solar co-ops, which both launched on April 1st.

The two programs, Solarize Virginia and Capital Area Solar Switch, have served Arlington County residents for the last 10 years. Through the co-ops, homeowners can connect with competitively priced and pre-vetted solar installers.

The Capital Area Solar Switch program, managed by Solar United Neighbors, serves D.C., Maryland and Virginia localities. After signing up and receiving an installation recommendation, residents will be asked to put down a refundable $150 deposit before being connected to one of the selected installers.

To secure the best competitive pricing, residents are encouraged to sign up by May 8th; however, registration is open until July 24th.

Registration is free with no obligation to install!

Another solar co-op serving Arlington is Solarize Virginia, managed by the Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP). Solarize Virginia conducted a competitive bidding process that identified and vetted four solar installers for the 2024 program.

After registering online, residents will be in contact with the Solarize Virginia team, who will assess residents’ rooftops for solar eligibility. The deadline to sign up for Solarize Virginia is June 30th and registration is free. There is no obligation to proceed with an installation after signing up.

Learn more about rooftop solar and County permitting requirements here.

The federal solar tax credit may cover up to 30% of the cost of installation. Learn more about how the Inflation Reduction Act tax credits and rebates can help you.

A single Pentagon City intersection has been the site of dozens of crashes in recent years.

Videos of vehicles colliding at the intersection of Army Navy Drive and S. Hayes Street proliferate on the social media account of local public safety watcher Dave Statter. In several, drivers exiting I-395 can be seen hurtling into slower-moving vehicles on Hayes.

#caughtoncamera: The latest crash at Army Navy & S. Hayes in Pentagon City will look very familiar to those who have seen the other collisions at this intersection. The only difference is this time it happened in front of the crew from @ArlingtonVaFD Engine 105. @ARLnowDOTcom… pic.twitter.com/X801Apieqe

— Dave Statter (@STATter911) April 4, 2024

Data from the Arlington County Police Department confirms what Statter and other drivers familiar with the intersection already know. Since 2021, 43 collisions have been reported there — far more than the number at neighboring junctions.

Going back further, a county audit of the crossing reported 96 crashes between 2018 and 2023. Over the years, ARLnow has reported on collisions that overturned a car, toppled a street light and caused a traffic signal to go dark.

Arlington’s Vision Zero program lists Army Navy Drive and Hayes as one of many crash hotspots in an equity emphasis area. Common culprits, Vision Zero Program Manager Christine Baker confirmed, are drivers coming off the interstate.

“Around 80% of crashes identified at Army Navy Drive and South Hayes Street are angle crashes, typically involving a southbound left-turning vehicle,” she told ARLnow. “More than a third of angle crashes involved a speeding vehicle.”

Watch: The latest crash at Army Navy & S. Hayes in Pentagon City occurred last night just before 9p. Like most of the others, it involved a driver making a left turn from the I-395S ramp and colliding with a driver northbound on S. Hayes. No serious injuries were reported.… pic.twitter.com/AavfigEXkj

— Dave Statter (@STATter911) March 30, 2024

Plans to improve the intersection are in the works. Based on observations made after the planning phase of the Army Navy Drive Complete Street project, the county wants “to modify the southbound left turn to increase safety,” Baker said.

Because the site involves an interstate ramp, however, the process for this is extensive. The Virginia Department of Transportation must analyze and approve any desired changes.

Baker did not speculate on how long that will take.

“Modifications to the southbound left-turn may be implemented either in conjunction with the ongoing capital project [at Army Navy Drive] or as a separate effort, depending on the outcome and timing of the VDOT review process,” she said.

See a pattern here? Yesterday's crash at Army Navy and S. Hayes in Pentagon City has sparked some conversation. You may recall I showed you a video in December of me almost hitting someone doing the same trick. Look in the video below 🔽🔽how many drivers raced through trying to… https://t.co/HCjDn7VSQT pic.twitter.com/Iuv1whtOdf

— Dave Statter (@STATter911) April 11, 2024

Photo via Google Maps 

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 (March 2024).

Most expensive townhouses sold

1. 2471 N Wakefield Ct — Old Dominion — $1,425,000 (4 beds | 3.5 baths | 4,140 sq. ft.)
2. 2620 Fairfax Dr — Clarendon/Courthouse — $1,400,000 (4 beds | 3.5 baths | 2,295 sq. ft.)
3. 1013 S Taylor Ct — Douglas Park — $1,096,000 (3 beds | 4 baths | 2,200 sq. ft.)

Least expensive townhouses sold*

1. 1400 S Barton St Unit 426 — Arlington Village — $460,000 (2 beds | 1 baths | 1,086 sq. ft.)
2. 1644 10th St S — Arlington Village — $578,500 (3 beds | 2 baths | 1,229 sq. ft.)
3. 1227 S Buchanan St — Columbia Forest — $580,000 (3 beds | 1 baths | 1,182 sq. ft.)

*Minimum home value of $200,000 set to exclude certain land sales, retirement condos, properties with expiring ground leases, etc.

If you are a fan of both pirates and Taylor Swift, then boy does George Mason University have the event for you.

GMU’s campus at 3351 Fairfax Drive in Virginia Square is hosting a Taylor Swift dance party and screening of the film Pirates of the Caribbean tomorrow (Friday) evening.

What do those two things have in common? It’s unclear, but tomorrow is the big release date for Swift’s new studio album, The Tortured Poets Department.

In addition to music and the movie, the outdoor event on the plaza fronting Fairfax Drive will feature games, crafts (a “friendship bracelet and pirate hat making station”), and for-sale food and drink. As well as, perhaps, a few pirate costumes.

The dance party is set to start at 6:30 p.m., while the movie is set to roll around 8:15 p.m.

More, below, from a press release.

Calling all Taylor Swift and pirate enthusiasts! Get ready to embark on a thrilling adventure at the Plaza at Mason Square this Friday, April 19, for an unforgettable outdoor event: the SWIFTY SWASHBUCKLER.

Starting at 5:00 PM, the Plaza will come alive with the spirit of the high seas as we kick off the evening with a Taylor Swift-themed “Tortured PIRATES Department” dance party. Guests can expect to shake it off the plank to their favorite Swift tunes and shout “We Are Never Ever Getting the Treasure” as they indulge in delicious Old Blue BBQ concessions.

But the fun doesn’t stop there! As the sun sets, we invite you to stay for a free screening of the classic adventure film “Pirates of the Caribbean” under the stars. It’s the perfect way to cap off a swashbuckling evening of entertainment.

Throughout the event, guests can enjoy yard games, ping pong, and indulge in mouthwatering snacks and beverages, including popcorn, nachos, candy, beer, wine, and soda products—all available for purchase.

Pirate costumes are not just welcomed but encouraged! Don your best pirate attire and complete your look at our friendship bracelet and pirate hat making station.

This family-friendly event is free and open to the public, so bring your crew and join us for an evening of fun and adventure. Please note that food and beverage from Old Blue BBQ will be available for purchase on-site, so no outside food is allowed.

Several projects approved in Arlington’s inaugural round of historic preservation grants may need some more time to wrap up.

The Arlington County Board on Saturday will consider extending agreements with five projects that were among the first to receive county dollars last year from the Historic Preservation Fund. The grant recipients originally agreed to finish by June 30, but due to “unpredictable delays,” a county report recommends pushing back the deadline to Dec. 31.

The following entities are asking for extensions:

• The owners of the Fraber House, who received some of the most substantial funding: a $50,000 grant to help restore and preserve the Cherrydale home built in 1913
• George Mason University, which is developing a database of documents related to Black demographic shifts and migratory trends in Arlington
• The Green Valley Civic Association, which is highlighting local landmarks that contribute to Arlington’s African American culture with signs, tours and workshops
• The Dominion Hills Civic Association, which is creating three historic markers near the former location of the Febrey-Lothrop Estate, or Rouse estate — a site demolished for new single family homes, to the chagrin of some local preservationists
• The Lyon Park Citizens Association, which is preserving a century of historical materials at the Lyon Park Community Center and installing signs related to the life of Indigenous writer, activist and local resident Zitkála-Šá

Extending these projects will have no impact on county spending. Per a proposed amendment to the grant agreement, any funds not spent by the end of the year will return to the county.

Arlington approved a total of 12 historic preservation grants through the Historic Preservation Fund, meant “to provide a unique opportunity to invest in the future of preservation in Arlington County.”

“From big picture storytelling and research projects to individual building preservation, this inaugural group of Historic Preservation Fund recipients demonstrates the breadth of Arlington’s unique history and many ways we can preserve our story for generations to come,” County Manager Mark Schwartz said in October.

(Updated at 10:35 a.m.) Democratic candidates are racking up tens of thousands of dollars in donations, as well as numerous notable endorsements, as this year’s local races heat up.

Three Arlington County Board contenders are leading the pack in terms of donations for this election cycle, campaign finance reports show. Natalie Roy has raised about $41,000 so far, JD Spain has raised $37,000 and Tenley Peterson has raised $23,000.

Candidate Julie Farnam, for her part, has raised $12,000, while James DeVita‘s receipts indicate $30,000 in cash contributions, $29,000 of which is from himself.

Spain has secured several prominent endorsements, including State Sen. Barbara Favola, Del. Adele McClure, current County Board Vice-Chair Takis Karantonis and former County Board member and State Sen. Mary Whipple. He also has the support of the local United Food & Commercial Workers union, VoteVets and Moms Demand Action.

Roy’s endorsements, meanwhile, include former County Board members John Vihstadt, Walter Tejada and Chris Zimmerman, and former School Board member James Lander.

As for Peterson, a total of 22 current and former members of the Arlington Planning Commission and Arlington Fiscal Affairs Advisory Commission are backing her campaign, as are 15 other current and former local officials, including former County Board members Jay Fisette and Katie Cristol.

Although an entry in Spain’s paperwork to the Virginia State Board of Elections seemed to indicate he was running for School Board, he confirmed to ARLnow that was a typo and he is currently only pursuing a seat on the County Board.

“There was a minor clerical error that has since been corrected, and we have already informed the Virginia Department of Elections,” Spain said.

Both Spain and Roy also ran for County Board last year.

As for the School Board race, Zuraya Tapia-Hadley stands out with $24,000 in donations. She has clinched the support of numerous local officials, including Favola, Del. Alfonso Lopez, Karantonis, County Board member Matt de Ferranti and Sheriff Jose Quiroz.

Also standing behind Tapia-Hadley are the organizations Juntos Por Virginia, the Latino Victory Fund and the Arlington Education Association PAC.

School Board contender Kathleen Clark, who has raised $14,000, has endorsements from Del. Patrick Hope, outgoing County Board Chair Libby Garvey, former School Board member Barbara Kanninen and de Ferranti.

Candidate Chen Ling, meanwhile, has pulled in $12,000.

Finance data on candidate Larry Fishtahler is not immediately available, but he has secured an endorsement from the Arlington Education Association.

Two School Board seats are up for grabs this year, along with one County Board seat. The Arlington Democratic primary will take place June 18, while the last day to vote in the Democratic School Board caucus is May 11.

Arlington a ‘New Powerhouse in AI’ — “Arlington, VA, traditionally known for its strategic importance in government and defense, is rapidly transforming into a thriving hub for artificial intelligence (AI) innovation. This shift is propelled by a unique confluence of federal agencies, industry leaders, and a burgeoning tech ecosystem.” [Unite.AI]

Bonus for Public Safety Personnel — “Arlington County’s Board has proposed a one-time bonus for first responders amid a staffing crisis impacting police, firefighters, and paramedics. For months, the unions representing these workers have sounded the alarm on the staffing shortage that they say puts the county’s public safety in jeopardy and has resulted in member burnout.” [WUSA 9]

ACPD Giveaway Successful — “An uptick in auto thefts in Arlington County earlier this year set the stage for a timely giveaway on Wednesday. Car owners lined up to get a free steering wheel lock, and if their car qualified, an Apple Tag. They’re trying to get ahead of thieves who would like nothing more than to drive off in their cars.” [WJLA, Twitter]

Shirlington Circle Lane Closure — “The Shirlington Circle south rotary bridge over I-395 will have the right lane closed Friday night, April 19 through Saturday morning, April 20 for joint work, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation. Weather permitting, the right lane will be closed from 9 p.m. Friday, April 19 to noon Saturday, April 20.” [Press Release]

Remembering IOTA Club — “From 1994 until 2017, IOTA Club & Cafe was a no-frills home base for regional bands, a stopping point for national touring acts like Jason Mraz and Brandi Carlisle, and a hometown gem for live music devotees across the DMV. The closing of the beloved venue located at 2832 Wilson Blvd. was deeply mourned and eulogized.” [Arlington Magazine]

It’s Kitten Season — From the Animal Welfare League of Arlington: “With ‘kitten season’ in full swing, there’s a good chance you’ll be one of the people who comes across a litter of kittens in your neighborhood. Save the guide below and share it with your friends and family!” [Twitter]

It’s Thursday — Expect a mostly sunny day with temperatures reaching a high near 79 degrees, accompanied by a northwest wind blowing at 6 to 10 mph. As for Thursday night, the clouds will increase and the temperature will drop to around 51 degrees, with an east wind at 6 to 9 mph. [NWS]