May 16, 2011 | ARLnow.com

Published May 16, 2011 at 3:52PM | Updated May 16, 2011 at 4:13PM

The Clarendon restaurant got off to a rocky start, but thanks to a new chef, outdoor seating and some positive buzz, General Manager Dennis Holland says they’re “starting to get off the ground.”

Over the weekend, the Arlington County Board approved the restaurant’s request for sidewalk seating along Washington and Clarendon Boulevards. The new seats — about 60 of them in total — should arrive either tonight or tomorrow, Holland said. The seating will supplement Mad Rose’s existing outdoor lounge which, according to Holland, seats about 80 patrons.

News

Board Approves $4 Million for Affordable Housing Purchase

By ARLnow.com

Published May 16, 2011 at 2:32PM | Updated May 16, 2011 at 3:57PM

The Marbella Apartments (via silverwoodcompanies.com)

The Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing (APAH) plans to use the loan to help purchase the Marbella Apartments (1301 N. Queen Street) in the Radnor/Ft. Myer Heights neighborhood. APAH is in the process of securing about $10 million from the Virginia Housing Development Authority to complete the $13 million purchase.

The Marbella Apartments include 120 existing committed affordable units, but the restrictions that keep the units affordable are set to expire in 2018. With its purchase, APAH will keep the units affordable for at least another 60 years, and will convert the complex’s 14 market rate units to committed affordable units.

News

Arlington Invented the Internet

By ARLnow.com

Published May 16, 2011 at 11:58AM

On Tuesday, the County Board will recognize several former employees of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) who were instrumental in creating ARPANET, the forerunner of the internet. As part of the ceremony, which is set to take place just after 3:00 p.m., the county will show off two new historical markers that will be erected at 1400 Wilson Boulevard in Rosslyn, DARPA’s former headquarters.

The marker will read:

Opinion

Morning Poll: ARLnow.com Forums

By ARLnow.com

Published May 16, 2011 at 11:02AM

Two weeks ago we introduced our new discussion forums section — a message board where the conversation isn’t limited to the articles we publish.

Now that you’d had some time to check it out, we wanted to know if there’s any way we can make it better. Namely, we’re wondering if the forums would be more useful if we did away with the eight discussion groups — News, Reviews, Sightings/Overhead, etc. — and instead put all discussion topics right on the forums home page. That way, users could easily see what people are talking about now, rather than having to wade into each individual discussion group.

News

‘America’s Most Wanted’ Canceled

By ARLnow.com

Published May 16, 2011 at 9:47AM

Employees were notified about the decision on a conference call this morning. The show has been scaling back its production over the past year, which led to speculation that it was ultimately going to be cut from Fox’s schedule.

America’s Most Wanted has filmed crime reenactments all around the D.C. area, including in Arlington.

Traffic

VDOT’s Detours During Route 50 Interchange Project

By ARLnow.com

Published May 16, 2011 at 9:13AM

Construction on the new Route 50 / Courthouse Road interchange is set to begin this month.

The project, which is expected to wrap up in 2013, will result in major improvements to what is now a rather confusing and even dangerous series of on and off-ramps. In the meantime, however, drivers will have to put up with some minor headaches as the project forces the closure of some busy routes and ramps, starting later this year.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published May 16, 2011 at 8:13AM

Westover Decision Delayed Until Tuesday — The County Board voted on Saturday to delay a decision on live entertainment for the Westover Market’s beer garden until Tuesday, giving county staff three days to come up with permit conditions that would be more acceptable to concerned neighbors. [Sun Gazette]

Arlington Police Seek Tips in 1997 Cold Case — ACPD’s cold case unit is asking for the public’s help in solving the case of 17-year-old Vu Huynh, who was murdered outside Hi-Cue Billiards on Columbia Pike in March 1997. [Washington Examiner]