New Food Truck Focuses on ‘Stuffed’ Fare
A newcomer to the food truck scene promises to leave you feeling “stuffed.” Something Stuffed has rolled into Arlington and is beginning its third week on the streets.
The food truck is the brainchild of Gauri Sarin and Michelle Nguyen. Sarin studied communications and public relations at George Mason, but after graduating she got the itch to start a food business. Nguyen studied finance at Virginia Tech, and worked for a government contractor until Sarin wooed her into the catering world.
“I have always enjoyed entertaining and cooking at home,” Sarin said. “I somehow convinced her to leave her secure desk job and come on the road with me.”
The two have been catering since late last year, and just branched out into the food truck business. They consider the fare “fusion” because it specializes in a variety of stuffed food items such as empanadas, egg rolls, wraps and dumplings. The menu rotates weekly, and many of the ingredients are purchased from local farms and producers.
Despite finding new challenges with a food truck business not previously encountered while catering, both report enjoying the mobile food industry. They also say the customers have been positive so far.
“We’re starting to see some repeat customers,” said Nguyen. “We’re definitely happy to be in Arlington.”
The ladies say the local sourcing is just one of the things that sets them apart from other establishments.
“Everything we make is definitely stuffed with love,” Sarin said.
Police Arrest Two Men During Alleged Burglary
Police activity had residents in Lyon Village on alert this morning. As it turns out, two men were nabbed on suspicion of burglary — while the alleged act was taking place.
Just before 9:00 a.m., police responded to a house near the intersection of Key Boulevard and N. Highland Street for a report of a burglary in progress. Officers and a K-9 unit surrounded the house while the suspects were still inside. Police were able to safely enter the home and take both men into custody a short time later.
Police temporarily blocked off traffic in the area during the incident. One of the suspects was later taken to the hospital for some sort of a facial injury.
Both suspects will be charged with burglary, according to Arlington County police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck. Right now, it’s unclear if they may have been targeting a specific item inside the home.
Local Celebrities to Partake in Art Competition
The Arlington Arts Center (3550 Wilson Blvd) is holding its annual “Critique the Critics Art Bash” on Saturday.
During the fundraiser, “culture critics” and other local notables will compete in a live art competition. They’ll make their pieces out of a variety of children’s toys and supplies, such as finger paints, Legos and pipe cleaners.
The list of competitors includes WJLA anchor Maureen Bunyan, D.C. City Paper Arts Editor Jonathan Fischer, Arlington County Sheriff Beth Arthur and Hanky Spanky from the D.C. Rollergirls.
The fundraiser’s attendees serve as judges for the event, and will vote for the winner. In addition to taking in contemporary art and listening to music, guests can participate in a silent auction while enjoying hors d’oeuvres and an open bar.
The event will run from 8:00-11:00 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets can be purchased online.
Romney to Hold Fundraiser in Pentagon City
Pentagon City will likely be buzzing with extra security tomorrow evening, because Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney will be holding a fundraiser there.
The event at the Pentagon City Ritz Carlton is scheduled to begin at 5:00 p.m. with a VIP photo reception. Following that, several roundtable meetings will take place on topics central to Romney’s campaign, including tax reform policy and global competitiveness. There will be a general reception afterward.
The former Massachusetts governor’s event packs a hefty price tag. It’s $2,500 to attend just the general reception, and $10,000 to be a part of the photo reception. Those who want to join in the roundtable talks have to raise $10,000 in primary funds, $20,000 in general funds, or donate $10,000.
Photo via Wikimedia
Crystal City Fit Week Kicks Off a Season of Events
Today marked the start of Crystal City’s “Fit Week,” a series of events “designed to keep the community fit, healthy, and green.”
It began this morning with outdoor yoga at the Crystal City Water Park (1750 Crystal Drive). The free yoga sessions will continue every Monday through September, starting at 7:00 a.m.
Tomorrow, the FRESHFARM Farmers Market returns with a variety of items from local growers and producers. The market is open from 3:00-7:00 p.m., and will be held every Tuesday through November on Crystal Drive between 18th and 20th Streets.
On Wednesday, another outdoor class will get participants moving. A Zumba class will be held at noon in the courtyard at 2121 Crystal Drive. This class will take place every Wednesday through September. Anyone who takes part can freshen up afterward with a free shower at the nearby Sport & Health club.
A “Fit Fair” will be held at Crystal Drive and 18th Street from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Thursday. A number of health screenings will be available, including blood pressure, stress test, body mass index, and a gait analysis for runners. Attendees can get information on smoking cessation or receive a chair massage. A blood donation station will also be set up.
Thursday night, a new season of street hockey will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the parking lot adjacent to 220 20th Street. Matches run for 11 weeks on Thursday evenings or Sunday mornings. Individuals pay a $25 fee and teams pay a $250 fee.
The final Fit Week event, called the Floral Frenzy, is on Friday. Residents and workers are invited to dig up the thousands of tulip bulbs along the sidewalk in front of 2121 Crystal Drive. The bulbs can be replanted at home and should continue to bloom for several years.
More information about Crystal City Fit Week can be found online.
Disclosure: Crystal City BID is an ARLnow.com advertiser.
‘Mammy’ Protester Charged With Assault
(Updated at 10:20 a.m.) The woman accused of disrupting a children’s dance performance last spring is facing new charges.
Jackie Carter was in court on Friday for an arraignment on an assault charge. Prosecutors say they dropped the original disorderly conduct charge against her after determining that assault, also a Class 1 misdemeanor, was the “more appropriate charge.”
As we reported in January, Carter was charged with disorderly conduct following an incident on April 30, 2011, in which she booed a Bowen McCauley Dance Company performance at Kenmore Middle School.
The performance, which featured live music by a Kenmore Middle School band, included a dance number that Carter said she found to be “racist and offensive to African-Americans and African American women especially.”
“The skit involved a white child and her black mamee singing and dancing together to the song ‘Lil Rabbit where’s Ya Mamee,’” Carter wrote in a lengthy blog post. “The Mamee scene was a celebration of the many black women, enslaved and used as wet-nurses and the many other unspeakable crimes committed against their enslaved minds, souls and bodies.”
Carter said that during her protest she got into a physical confrontation with Arlington County Board member Mary Hynes and four other Bowen-McCauley staff members. The charge against her, however, accuses Carter of assaulting Jaime Areizaga-Soto, who was running for state Senate at the time of the incident.
Prosecutors were not able to release any additional details about the alleged assault. Carter’s trial date is set for June 29.
Morning Notes
Pike Buildings Set for Redevelopment — The buildings along Columbia Pike that house Rappahannock Coffee, L.A. Nails and Saah Furniture are set for redevelopment. A developer has proposed a single seven-story building to replace the aging buildings on the site. [Arlington Mercury]
School Board Approves Sequoia Plaza Lease — The Arlington School Board has approved a lease for office space in Sequoia Plaza, next to the new headquarters of the county’s Department of Human Services. The office space will allow the school system to move out of the Clarendon Education Center building and the Syphax Building on N. Quincy Street. [Sun Gazette]
H-B Student Production Accepted to Capital Fringe — Mindset, an original H-B Woodlawn student production, has been accepted to the 2012 Capital Fringe Festival. Mindset creator and H-B Woodlawn junior Jace Casey says he’s “excited” to be showcasing his production at the annual performing arts festival.
Naked Man on the GW Parkway — A naked man was reportedly taken into police custody this morning after being spotted by drivers on the GW Parkway near Memorial Bridge. [NBC Washington]
