January 7, 2011 | ARLnow.com

Club 31-11 Opens on Columbia Pike

Published January 7, 2011 at 4:32PM

Nightlife on Columbia Pike has just gotten a bit more vibrant with the addition of Club 31-11, a nightclub, hookah bar, lounge and pool hall all rolled into one.

Club 31-11 (3111 Columbia Pike) is housed in a two-story building that was formerly home to an Ethiopian restaurant. It features Latin fusion cuisine and multiple DJ stations in an eclectically-decorated, two floor building. It opened for the first night of publicly-announced music and dancing last night, as first reported by a new blog called Pike Town Center.

Around Town

Demolition Work Well Underway on Wilson Blvd Office Project

By ARLnow.com

Published January 7, 2011 at 3:25PM

The buildings that used to house Arlington Motorcar Service, Medical Service Corporation International and the Fashion Dreams tailor between Rosslyn and Courthouse are no more.

Demolition work has reduced the three small buildings on the 1700 block of Wilson Boulevard to rubble. A large, empty lot and a pile of debris is all that remains. (See the before and after photos below.)

News

Assault At Courthouse Metro Station

By ARLnow.com

Published January 7, 2011 at 2:31PM

A man was taken into custody after a reported assault at the Courthouse Metro station around 12:30 this afternoon.

Arlington paramedics were called to evaluate the victim, who appeared to have only minor injuries. The suspect was in Metro Transit Police custody near the turnstiles when medics arrived on scene.

Around Town

Iconic Colony House Furniture Store to Sell Property, Relocate

By ARLnow.com

Published January 7, 2011 at 12:48PM

The business plans to cash in on its prime real estate and relocate.

“This is not a going out of business,” Diffee said emphatically. “The property is for sale, the business is not.”

Weather

Arlington’s Snow Survivor, Hanging on Since December

By ARLnow.com

Published January 7, 2011 at 11:22AM

Believe it or not, there’s still a remnant of the 2 to 3 inches of snow we got on Dec. 16 hanging around. This dirty snow pile can be found in the median on George Mason Drive near Virginia Hospital Center.

The pile may soon grow a bit. Forecasters are calling for a dusting to an inch of snow overnight.

News

Another Fire in Hall’s Hill Neighborhood

By ARLnow.com

Published January 7, 2011 at 11:05AM

(Originally published at 7:56 a.m. Updated at 11:05 a.m.) The Arlington Fire Marshal’s office is investigating a blaze at a home on 22nd Street near North Edison Street and Lee Highway.

Authorities say they received the first call about the fire at 6:02 a.m. The flames was extinguished by 6:31 a.m.

Around Town

Reminder: Crumbs Giving Away Free Cupcakes Saturday

By ARLnow.com

Published January 7, 2011 at 9:52AM

The store, which opened on Dec. 30, will give away 1,000 of its signature size (read: large) cupcakes to its first 1,000 customers. Also, the store is giving away free cups of coffee with any cupcake purchase.

Crumbs is open from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Saturdays.

News

Virginia Primary Date Could Be Pushed Back This Year

By ARLnow.com

Published January 7, 2011 at 9:21AM | Updated January 7, 2011 at 10:15AM

Redistricting occurs every ten years in conjunction following the U.S. Census. It traditionally is a partisan process, with the majority party drawing districts in a way that helps their election chances the most. This year, however, the Republican-controlled House of Delegates will have to work with the Democratic-controlled Senate.

As an added wrinkle, the plans will for the first time face the scrutiny of a Democratic Justice Department. Under the Voting Rights Act, the Justice Department has oversight over Virginia’s redistricting process. Since the Voting Rights Act passed in the 1960s, redistricting has always occurred during a Republican presidential administration.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published January 7, 2011 at 8:42AM

Uncompensated Care Costs Local Hospitals $102 Million — While discussing health care on a local TV interview show earlier this week, Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) cited a figure that seemed unbelievable. Moran said that in our congressional district alone, hospitals spend more than $100 million per year paying for those who don’t have insurance or can’t pay the bills. That figure appears to be accurate, says TBD’s Facts Machine.

Lawmakers Outline Priorities — Arlington’s state lawmakers discussed their priorities for the 2011 legislative session earlier this week. Proposals include eliminating the sales tax on food and replacing it with a higher income tax for the wealthy, increasing the state’s low cigarette tax and setting more stringent requirements on petition drives. More from the Sun Gazette.