April, 2011 | ARLnow.com

Published April 29, 2011 at 3:12PM

Thank you to everybody who submitted photos to and voted in our Crystal City 5K ‘Flickr Flash’ Photo Contest. With more than 900 votes recorded, here are your winners:

1. “Invincible!” by Serotta_tigrrrl (200 votes) wins a $200 Morton’s Crystal City gift card and a race t-shirt

‘Food Dude’ Brings All Natural Dishes to N. Lynn Street

Published April 29, 2011 at 2:49PM

There’s a (relatively) new food truck in town.

‘Doug the Food Dude‘ has been cruising the streets of Rosslyn since the beginning of the month. The truck serves a varying menu of all-natural (MSG and preservative-free) dishes. Today’s specials included parmesan-crusted salmon, Italian sausage albanese, steak fajita egg roll and a variety of wraps.

State Senate Approves New Redistricting Plan

Published April 29, 2011 at 1:09PM

The plan, however, does not change the serpentine borders of the 31st District, which will stretch from North Arlington to Loudoun County along the Potomac River. Likewise, the 30th District will remain unchanged from the first plan, which took away a bit of South Arlington territory from the district’s borders.

If approved by Gov. McDonnell as expected, the plan will place McLean millionaire Caren Merrick within the borders of the 31st District. Merrick has already announced her intention of running for the state Senate as a Republican.

Harry’s Tap Room in Pentagon City to Become Harry’s Smokehouse

Published April 29, 2011 at 10:48AM

Harry’s Tap Room at Pentagon City Mall (1100 S. Hayes Street) is being transformed into “Harry’s Smokehouse-Burgers & BBQ.” The newly-branded restaurant will get a menu makeover that will include in-house hickory-smoked spare ribs, pork butt, pork sausage, whole chickens, salmon and beef brisket, as well as “the area’s very best buttermilk fried chicken.”

Diners will get to choose from six different types of meat for their burger: Whitewood Farm corn fed beef, Grayson Farms grass fed beef, Whitewood Farms beef short rib burger, all natural bison burger, all natural turkey burger, and a vegetarian buckwheat chipotle burger.

Woman Struck by Car in Crystal City

Published April 29, 2011 at 9:49AM

The accident happened just south of 23rd Street, near the Hilton Hotel. Initial reports suggest the woman was in the crosswalk when she was struck.

The woman was transported to a local hospital. Her injuries were said to be minor and non-life-threatening.

Expect More Cannon Fire Monday Morning

Published April 29, 2011 at 9:23AM

Two of the battery’s training exercises, held earlier this month, were heard loud and clear in parts of South Arlington and the District. Residents can likely expect to hear more loud booming sounds from the battery’s cannons from 6:30 to 8:00 a.m.

After hearing complaints from startled residents, the military has been more proactive getting the word out about Monday’s training exercise. Here’s the announcement from the Joint Base Myer – Henderson Hall public affairs office:

Opinion

Morning Poll: Did You Watch The Royal Wedding?

Published April 29, 2011 at 9:02AM

Yes, it seems that the much-ballyhooed royal wedding is local news. After all, that and a weather item regarding today’s slight risk of showers makes up the entirety of the “above the fold” portion of the Washington Post’s local news page.

Morning Notes

Published April 29, 2011 at 8:37AM

Woman Falls into Hatch at Pentagon Station — Last week a 52-year-old woman fell through a hatch near an escalator at the Pentagon Metro station, injuring her knee and face. Two Metro workers have been fired for their role in leaving the hatch wide open. [WTOP]

GOP Praying for Candidates — The Arlington County Republican Committee is literally praying for candidates to challenge Democrats in the fall. So far, they only have one for more than a dozen local races. [Sun Gazette]

Buzz Bakery in Ballston Opening Next Month

Published April 28, 2011 at 3:55PM

There’s finally an opening date in sight for Buzz Bakery in Ballston.

“Coming soon” signs have been up at the storefront on the 4000 block of Wilson Boulevard for almost a year now. Next-door sister eatery Rustico opened in October while Buzz remained closed. Now, at long last, comes word that Buzz will start serving cupcakes and cappuccinos early next month.

Bluemont Civic Association Mulls Development Plan